One of 85 all-weather phaetons produced on the original Cadillac V-16 chassis, the example offered here is an early-production car, bearing engine no.

700395.

Its factory build sheet, a copy of which accompanies, notes its delivery with body no.

39 via the Raritan River Railroad at Newark to the Beldon-Joiner Cadillac Corporation of New Brunswick, New Jersey, for use as a “demonstration car.” Designed to appeal to Cadillac’s somewhat conservative customer base, it was finished in a rather sober livery of all-over black with Old Ivory striping, Burbank top, and, unusually, a Wiese broadcloth interior, indicating use either only in the very finest weather or never with the top down! Dual sidemounted spares were specified; the only additional option noted was “a quart of alcohol.” The car’s earliest known owner was Ray W.

Rodgers of Warren, Ohio, who listed it in the Antique Automobile Club of America’s 1954 roster, and exhibited it at early CCCA events.

In the early 1970s, enthusias...