A 1934 Cadillac V-16 driven by WO Bentley is up for sale with MS Rau in New Orleans, US for $1.25 million (£950,000).
Bentley tested the Fleetwood Town Sedan for more than 10,000 as part of his research into developing the next generation of engines for Rolls-Royce after it had acquired Bentley’s company in 1931.
This experience of driving the Cadillac all over Europe helped to inform Bentley’s work on the new Rolls-Royce V12 engine for the Phantom III.
The V-16 Fleetwood Town Sedan for sale as the ID number 5100024 and was bought by Rolls-Royce for engineering assessment. It was shipped to the UK and used by Bentley, who was impressed by how smooth the car was during high speed cruising.
Finished in blue with a tan mohair interior, the V-16’s styling was considered cutting edge at the time with its waterfall grille, streamlined wings and smoother edges.
The car has undergone a 100-point concours restoration by Steve Nannini and it comes with its original build order sheet supplied to Rolls-Royce.
After its time being used by Bentley while he worked at Rolls-Royce, the Cadillac was then used by the US Embassy in London before returning to the US after the Second World War.
