When a V12 is Too Plebeian

"Mondial goes to 11" (mondialgoesto11) 01/27/2018 at 13:08 • Filed to: V-16

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The Cadillac laughs at a pedestrian Rolls Royce Corniche.

This 1933 V-16 Cadillac Series 452C Model 5525 7 Passenger Town Cabriolet was originally owned by Joan Crawford.

The 452 ci (7.4L) OHV engine. Interestingly, Cadillac went to a flathead for its second gen V-16.

Nice E-Type on the lift. Those inboard brakes are sexy.

fintail > Mondial goes to 11 01/27/2018 at 13:42

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These cars are a mix of styles, old fashioned formal body with art deco hubcaps and the beginning of streamlined fenders and radiator shell.

And a Sixteen Candles style Corniche in its natural habitat.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Mondial goes to 11 01/27/2018 at 13:44

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Just saw a very similar car owned by Marlene Dietrich. Incredible cars, so much presence!

Chariotoflove > Mondial goes to 11 01/27/2018 at 14:13

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Oh my, I’m losing it. Dem white walls. I’m having a crisis.

Mondial goes to 11 > Chariotoflove 01/27/2018 at 14:25

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I have a backlog of photos including more whitewall action for some future posts.

JeepJeremy > Mondial goes to 11 01/27/2018 at 14:33

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Wow! Just......wow!

Bring the car around, Duckworth, I need a swim in my money bin!

Chariotoflove > Mondial goes to 11 01/27/2018 at 14:34

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*zip*

Okay, I’m ready.

Mondial goes to 11 > Chariotoflove 01/27/2018 at 14:39

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Okay, I’ll give you a teaser with bonus reflected whitewall.

From a 1930 Ruxton.

Chariotoflove > Mondial goes to 11 01/27/2018 at 14:40

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Love the matching red and that hub.

ranwhenparked > fintail 01/27/2018 at 14:43

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Yeah, I think it was a question of the designers wanting to push the envelope and embrace a more modern look, but the fact that chauffeured body styles like that sold mainly to people with more conservative tastes meant that those urges had to be tempered somewhat.

fintail > ranwhenparked 01/27/2018 at 14:52

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Yep, this style, as you probably know, is also called a “sedanca de ville”, and was made by Rolls-Royce and a few others well into the postwar era. You’ll often find them with leather in front and cloth in rear.

I find the 1933-35 timeframe to be quite interesting in terms of design - the birth of streamlining and aerodynamics for mainstream cars. I really like the “pure” 34 Airflows, senior GM cars, and some of independents of the era, who were going out on a limb with their visions.

Steve in Manhattan > Mondial goes to 11 01/27/2018 at 15:36

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Gorgeous - back when Standard of the World meant something ...

sdwarf36 > Mondial goes to 11 01/27/2018 at 18:34

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My first thought would be “how the hell am I gonna get this big fuckin’ thing on my lift?”

Mondial goes to 11 > sdwarf36 01/27/2018 at 23:43

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I was with a friend who has a 1939 Daimler Sport Saloon. The first thing everyone said to him was “There’s finally a car longer than yours”. I guess it’s good that there’s so much weight in the nose, otherwise you couldn’t pull it in far enough into the bay.

Mondial goes to 11 > fintail 01/27/2018 at 23:54

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I actually never thought about the different upholstery. The cabins have such plush cloth that wouldn’t stand up to the weather. I’ll need to review my photos of other cars, but I usually don’t have many interior shots.

I’d probably consider the ‘30s my favorite car style era. They are strong in the retrofuturism.

fintail > Mondial goes to 11 01/28/2018 at 12:43

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There was a time when leather was seen as the utilitarian material, and cloth was luxury. I assume the cloth in this car is a very fine cord or woolcloth, a type that would cost a fortune to properly replace today - more than the finest leather.

The mid 30s was very interesting, some makes had futurists in charge of their design departments, who were able to push through some amazing designs, both in NA and Europe. By 1940 everyone was going streamlined. I doubt any decade has seen as much styling change as the time between 1930-40.