1932 Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton (Style 32-16-279)
- Engine
- V-16
The 1932 Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton (engine no. 1400219) is documented as the only confirmed original example of its style built that year, a dual-cowl design distinguished by its full hinged tonneau. Delivered new to Philadelphia aviator Francis Lieber, who reportedly ran it at Daytona Beach in 1933, the car passed through a colourful succession of owners including collector Bayard Badenhausen, AACA member Walter Tilghman, Judge John North II, and ultimately noted collector Otis Chandler. A full restoration, including reproduction of the rear tonneau, was completed by George Stuart prior to 1972.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$940,000
- 1932 → 1934Private saleFrancis Lieberfull documentation
Young commercial airline pilot who acquired the car from a Philadelphia dealership, reportedly at a reduced price. Drove it at high speed and entered it at Daytona Beach in 1933.
- 1934 →Private saleJoseph Dexterpartial documentation
Oil broker who purchased the car from Lieber and used it for family leisure travel to Vermont and the New Jersey coast.
- 1937 → 1937Acquisition unknownMain Line Cadillacpartial documentation
Dealership that took back the car and resold it to a local livery operator.
- 1937 →Private saleLocal livery companypartial documentation
Used the car primarily as a flower vehicle in funeral processions; the rear tonneau was removed during this period.
- 1942-12-01 → 1944Private saleGene Matlackpartial documentation
Student who bought the car for a nominal sum in ration stamps, then refinished it before selling it on.
- 1944 →Private saleBayard Badenhausenpartial documentation
Early classic-car enthusiast; period photographs taken during his ownership show the car in its original finish and largely intact apart from the absent rear cowl.
- → 1958Private saleWalter Tilghmanfull documentation
AACA member who registered the car by engine number in the 1954 AACA roster; owned it until his death in 1958.
- 1958 →InheritanceMrs. Tilghmanpartial documentation
Inherited the car following her husband's death and subsequently sold it together with a pair of Rolls-Royces to Judge John North II.
- → 1972Private saleGeorge Stuartpartial documentation
Commissioned and oversaw a full original restoration including reproduction and refitting of the rear tonneau, reportedly at a cost of $77,000.
- 1972 →Private saleOtis Chandlerfull documentation
Prominent collector in the early phase of assembling his classic-car collection; the car was featured in Roy Schneider's book on sixteen-cylinder motorcars during his tenure.
- → 1988Private saleGifford Obornepartial documentation
New Jersey-based V-16 specialist who held the car until his estate disposed of it in 1988.
- 1988 → 1990Private saleFred Weberpartial documentation
Missouri collector who had the undercarriage repainted as a light cosmetic refresh during his two-year ownership.
- 1990 →Private saleCurrent ownersfull documentation
Held the car for over three decades in a carefully maintained private collection; the restoration has aged gracefully and the car retains matching numbers and original body tag.
- Date unknownPrivate saleLivery company employeenone documentation
Car sat stored in the Brewerytown area under this owner's care prior to its December 1942 sale.
- Date unknownPrivate saleFred Wetherillpartial documentation
Reportedly sold the car to fund his wedding expenses.
- Date unknownPrivate salePaul Brakepartial documentation
Lumber salesman based in Delaware who purchased the car for a small sum, hoping to resell it quickly; drove it in a local Maryland parade where the next owner first encountered it.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJudge John North IIpartial documentation
Collector based in Easton, Maryland, who sold the car as part of a multi-vehicle transaction.
- Date unknownPrivate saleMary Hechtpartial documentation
Collector and dealer in Alligerville, New York; period photographs on file from her ownership show the car in good condition.
Competition
- 1933Daytona Beach speed trialsDriver: Francis Lieber116 mph recorded
Original owner recounted achieving a timed speed of 116 mph at the event, which he regarded as exceptional for the era.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1944Bodywork
Body refinished by Gene Matlack after purchase.
- —Modification
Rear tonneau removed during service as a funeral flower car, altering the dual-cowl configuration.
Carried out during the livery company's ownership, likely in the late 1930s to early 1940s.
- —Restoration
Full original restoration completed by George Stuart, including reproduction and reinstallation of the missing rear tonneau, carried out prior to the 1972 sale to Otis Chandler at a reported cost of $77,000.
- —Bodywork
Light freshening of the existing restoration, with new paint applied to the undercarriage during Fred Weber's ownership between 1988 and 1990.
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