1937 Cadillac Fleetwood V-16 Seven-Passenger Limousine
- Engine
- 7.4L OHV V-16, 185 bhp
- Colour
- Black
Cadillac V-16 seven-passenger limousine (chassis 5130347, body style 5875), one of only 49 first-generation V-16s produced in their final model year and among 24 built as Fleetwood limousines. The car carries a long-standing attribution to Joseph Kennedy Sr. during his tenure as US Ambassador to Britain, supported by build records, a London registration (FXU 1), and period-correct British fittings still present on the car. It passed through a noted Scottish collection before returning to North America, and appeared in a 2010 television production about the Kennedy family.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$110,000
- 1937-12-01 →Private saleJoseph Kennedy Sr.partial documentation
Attributed to Kennedy during his tenure as US Ambassador to the UK from early 1938 through late 1940; the car was registered in London as FXU 1, and original British registration plates and special taillights from this period survive with the car.
- → 1962Acquisition unknownJohn Cuthill Swordpartial documentation
Notable Scottish collector who held the car at his estate; it was dispersed at a prominent estate auction in 1962, with the catalogue entry copies retained as documentation.
- 1962 → 1994AuctionCharles Howardpartial documentation
Well-regarded British dealer who acquired the car after the Sword estate sale and later exported it to North America in 1994.
- 1994 → 2006Private saleEarl Hickmanpartial documentation
Texas-based owner; shared ownership with Dennis Gibbs during this period following the car's arrival in North America.
- 1994 → 2006Private saleDennis Gibbspartial documentation
Texas-based co-owner alongside Earl Hickman following the car's importation to North America.
- 2006 →Private saleProminent V-16 Cadillac collectorpartial documentation
Current consignor; a well-regarded specialist in V-16 Cadillacs who has shown and used the car during his ownership, including its appearance in a 2010 television production.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Bodywork
Exterior refinished in the original black, while interior and mechanical components were left in largely unrestored condition; rear upholstery in good order, front seat leather retains original surface crazing.
Scope suggests a cosmetic refinish rather than a comprehensive restoration.
- —Service
Routine service carried out the previous autumn, covering valve timing adjustment and idle speed correction; an independent specialist subsequently confirmed good starting, driving, braking, and instrumentation.
Date described only as 'last fall' relative to the catalogue's publication date.
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