Some cars are collectible. A rare few are consequential. The 1934 Cadillac V-16 Fleetwood Town Sedan now being offered by M.S. Rau sits firmly in that second camp, a rolling thesis on American engineering that quietly influenced the future of Rolls-Royce. Prized as one of only forty-three known survivors, this Town Sedan carries a price of $1,250,000 and is scheduled to make its public debut on Jay Leno’s Garage on November 17, 2025. You can see the car and its full story here: https://landing.rauantiques.com/cadillac/
The backstory reads like a transatlantic plot twist. In 1934, with Rolls-Royce newly in control of W.O. Bentley’s firm and looking to leap forward in engine development, the company acquired this very Cadillac, ID 5100024, and shipped it to England for study. Bentley himself spent more than 10,000 miles behind its wheel across Europe and came away impressed. His evaluation fed directly into the next wave of Rolls-Royce engine designs, which adopted lessons learned from Cadillac’s multi-cylinder mastery.
Even standing still, this Fleetwood Town Sedan looks like an executive decision. Body no. 200 introduced the cleaner, more streamlined look of the mid-1930s with elegantly faired fenders, a waterfall grille and biplane bumpers. The car wears a deep blue finish over a beautifully tailored original tan mohair interior, the kind of period correctness that pulls you straight back to the height of Art Deco luxury. It is a Cadillac that feels both imposing and finely drawn.
Open the long hood and the real thesis appears. Cadillac’s 452 cubic inch V-16 produces a reported 185 horsepower with an emphasis on refinement. Sixteen cylinders fire with near-silent precision, the kind of silkiness that automakers would chase for decades. That mechanical serenity is exactly what caught Rolls-Royce’s attention, and why this car became a benchmark rather than just another specimen.
This particular V-16 also has a paper trail to match its provenance. The original build order issued to Rolls-Royce survives, and period records suggest the car later joined the U.S. Embassy fleet in London, likely assigned to Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy. After the war it returned to America, eventually landing with an Oklahoma collector who initiated a comprehensive restoration.
That restoration has now been completed under Steve Nannini, who sourced and professionally engineered every missing component with meticulous care. The work totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars and brings the Cadillac back to the standard that once astonished Europe. The result is not only a showpiece but a touchstone, a car that connects the golden age of American luxury to the evolution of Britain’s most celebrated marque.
For collectors who value significance as much as scarcity, this 1934 Cadillac V-16 Fleetwood Town Sedan checks every box. It is a design statement, a mechanical masterclass and a documented influence on Rolls-Royce, wrapped in a body that still stops conversations. If you want to dive deeper or inquire, head to https://landing.rauantiques.com/cadillac and see why this V-16 matters more than most.
Darryl Taylor Dowe is a seasoned automotive professional with a proven track record of leading successful ventures and providing strategic consultation across the automotive industry. With years of hands-on experience in both business operations and market development, Darryl has played a key role in helping automotive brands grow and adapt in a rapidly evolving landscape. His insight and leadership have earned him recognition as a trusted expert, and his contributions to Automotive Addicts reflect his deep knowledge and passion for the business side of the car world.
