Arguably America’s most opulent and exclusive manufacturer, Cadillac debuted its V-12 engine in 1930, just in time for the onset of the Depression.

Targeted directly at American royalty, the ultra-exclusive V-12 engine was reported as being identical to Cadillac’s V-16 except for having four less cylinders.

The 368-cubic-inch engine had overhead valves, four main bearings, mechanical valve lifters with hydraulic silencers, and was fed by a single-barrel Dual Detroit carburetor.

The setup was claimed to produce 150 horsepower at 3,600 rpm.

All V-12s were equipped with a Selective Synchromesh three-speed transmission fitted with a single-disc clutch and hydraulic brakes on all four wheels.

Determined to match the state-of-the-art engineering of Cadillac’s chassis, designers refused to compromise on the grandiose quality of custom bodies during the Depression.

Of all the custom coachbuilders who built on Cadillac chassis, none is more closely entwined with its history than Fleetwood...