1919 Cadillac Type 57 Sedan

Registration No: BF 8445
Chassis No: 57SS378
MOT: Exempt

• Single family owned for the majority of its life while residing in a remote town in Massachusetts
• Imported to the United Kingdom by Medici Productions of Pinewood Studios and used in the Tim Burton film Dumbo (2019)
• £12,000 interior restoration to correct specification in 2019
• Described as excellent overall by vendor

Introduced in 1914 as a replacement for the four-cylinder Model 30, the large, luxurious Cadillac Type 51 will be remembered as one of the first production cars to be powered by a mass-produced V8 engine – a technological advance that won invaluable kudos for the Cadillac marque. The similar Types 53, 55, 57, 59 and 61 carried the design through to 1923, when it was considerably updated to create the Type V63. The Type 51 and all related versions were powered by a new 90-degree V8 of 5154cc, that featured L-heads and produced some 31bhp. The unit was mated to a three-speed manual transmission. The Type 57 variant was in production between 1917 and 1919 and distinguished itself when chosen to ferry America’s military top brass during the Great War.

We are very pleased to offer this excellent Type 57, which may be unique in the country. It presents a handsome and dignified appearance wearing what appears to be its original sedan body, and all attractively finished in an appropriate period colour scheme of Forest Green and Black, with lovely cord upholstery. It has evidently been repainted in relatively recent years and £12,000 was spent on interior renovations in 2019, but there is a patina in some places which is pleasingly suggestive of a car which has never been fully restored. Its wooden artillery wheels are understood to have been refurbished not too long ago.

Remarkably, this Type 57 reputedly spent the first 98 years of its life in single-family ownership, until it was shipped from Massachusetts to England in 2017 by a film company seeking period vehicles to use in the 2019 remake of Dumbo. It appears to have seen very little use following its film work and that is perhaps why, with regard to its bodywork, paintwork, interior, engine and transmission, the vendor describes it as ‘excellent’ all-round.

It certainly is a pleasant vehicle in which to travel. As well as mass-produced V8s, another Cadillac innovation was the electric self-starter, so there is no need to worry about heaving on a vicious crank, and once inside, the car is a paragon of luxury. With two occasional seats, the spacious interior will comfortably seat seven, and privacy blinds, courtesy lamps and so on make this Cadillac one of the most civilised vintage cars one can buy. It would surely be a real head-turner at pre-war gatherings and events such as the Rally of the Giants. It is offered for sale with a workshop manual, owner’s manual, two V5Cs (one current and one for Medici Productions) and its Massachusetts title.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452