1916 Cadillac Type 53

This Type 53 has one of McCall White’s V8s, thought to be a replacement motor from a later Type 57. By modern standards, the motor’s 70bhp might not seem too impressive, but on skinny tyres, with rear brakes only, we’d imagine that’s plenty! This Type 53 will allegedly happily cruise at between 40mph and 50mph, again, more than enough for a centenarian vehicle. 

Bought by the vendor from a collector friend, the plan was to give this rare Cadillac a thorough once over and use it sparingly for local shows. A plan that didn’t really materialise as the funds, and space (this is a large vehicle) are now needed for a new house project, although he did get the car back to running and useable condition.

The stale fuel in the tank was flushed, after the car had been stored for an extended period, after apparently being restored in the USA, back in the early 1980s. It’s now due another refresh, although we’d hardly consider it a full-blown project. This Cadillac was apparently given a shakedown with various tweaks and adjustments carried out to its cables, controls and brakes by the previous owner, which means it apparently still drives well, but the tyres, for example, are very old and cracked (likely pre-1980s restoration). We’d therefore categorise this one as a recommission rather than a restoration project.

The imposing grandeur of this luxury vehicle from yesteryear isn’t difficult to soak up. The stately and elegant lines of Edwardian era motoring can be seen in comparable Rolls-Royce models, sharing the enormous headlamps, long bonnets and generous seating arrangements. This Cadillac can seat seven at a push, we told you it was big…

The vendor is keen to point out that having inspected the car, he was unable to find any corrosion beyond a little in the battery tray. The panels certainly appear straight and free of any accident or rust damage, though the paint finish throughout doesn’t really do this high-end machine justice. The matt, orange-peel finish to the black, with a few runs and imperfections, seems to suggest a less than professional blow-over. Having said that, it’s covering appears consistent and it seems to have done a grand job of protecting the steel. 

The wooden wheels carry a steel outer band, which a previous garage apparently stripped back a little to inspect, deeming them in good order. As mentioned, despite holding air, the tyres are very old and perished and will need replacing before this Cadillac ventures out onto the road once again.

Chrome and glass look good throughout, with the sight glass for the coolant temperature on top of the radiator a lovely period touch. The hood hasn’t been extended in the photos, because it’s shrunk by approximately a foot, and is no longer attached to the rear bodywork and doesn’t extend far enough to attach to the windscreen top. The vendor admits this needs renovating but the fragile condition of the original material means it’s likely only of use as a template.

Despite looking quite convincingly like hide, the seats and panels in this Cadillac have been trimmed in vinyl. That’s good news, as this hard-wearing, man-made alternative will stand the test of time far better than leather. The condition of the seats throughout looks good with no obvious signs of any rips or tears, the vendor commenting that the seats are comfortable to sit in with plenty of padding remaining. 

The dials, levers and controls all apparently still do what they’re supposed to, although the vendor reports that an electric fuel pump has been added, with the key merely isolating this pump, with the starter still engaged via a floor button to the right of the throttle pedal. The rear carpet is apparently in good shape, but the front section has been removed (although retained) as not fared so well.

The back of the nearside centre seat is missing, although with its partner on the offside still in place, making a replacement shouldn’t prove too difficult. The car also sports a ‘fat boy’ fold-away steering wheel to allow easier entry and exit.

Thought to be one of a handful of running examples remaining in the UK (four), it’s near miraculous that this Cadillac still exists, especially considering that it was never offered in Britain in the first place. Beady eyed bidders out there will no doubt have spotted the wire hanging down under the car, according to the vendor, this is merely the connection for the brake light switch and has already been re-attached.

The radiator looks old, with a few bent fins, but apparently still does what it’s supposed to, the vendor reporting that it holds pressure. On the subject of pressure, a regulator has been fitted to that electric fuel pump, to ensure correct (low) fuel pressure is maintained. The vendor tells us that there’s a compressor attached to the transmission that’s supposed to be there to inflate the tyres, but there’s no hose to test whether it still functions.

Since he’s owned the car (December last year) the vendor commented that he’s carried out the following work, “Flushed the fuel tank (sat for a decade) got it running and driving. It now starts, runs, and stops as it should. I’ve driven it around my property. I don’t think there’s any rot, it is oily underneath, but the chassis and body look very good.”

As is so often the case with imported cars – this one came into the UK at the end of 2013 – there’s very little invoice history to chart the car’s 108-year vintage. There is an original owner’s manual, which is remarkable in itself, several magazines and books charting this important model’s history and the V5C. Aside from those, we have a handful of invoices from UK specialists charting some work to the carburettor and tyres, as follows…

• £1585 Freight duty paid to Kingstown Shipping Ltd. Hull 2013.
• £331.20 brake linings Southern Components Group, Kent 2015. 
• £144 Wright Engineering, East Sussex brass carburettor parts 2014.
• £40 Wright Engineering, East Sussex repairing carburettor 2014.
• £72 Vintage Tyres tubes and valves 2014.

Motoring in the Edwardian era was becoming a lot more commonplace, and machines were considerably more reliable and easier to use than those made even a decade earlier. These enchanting vehicles really evoke a lost age with each and every drive proving an occasion.

This Cadillac has an awful lot going for it, it’s seemingly complete, runs and stops and appears to need very little (if anything) by way of restoration. If you’re happy with the less-than-perfect paint or revel in patina then, with a new set of tyres fitted and a thorough once over, it’s likely ready to be enjoyed. 

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £15,000 - £18,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Alfiston, Sussex. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.