Home»All Photographs»Automobiles As Art 1930s (free downloads)»1937 Cadillac V-16 Series 37-90 Hartmann Cabriolet

This 1937 Cadillac V-16 Series 37-90 Hartmann Cabriolet (convertible) was made in the final year for Cadillac's 452-cubic-inch engines when only 50 cars were manufactured.

"Cadillac introduced a redesigned and less-expensive V-16 in 1938," according to Blackhawk Automotive Museum where this photo was taken in 2012.

"Cadillac released only two V-16 chassis to independent coachbuilders in 1937. One was sold to Philippe Barraud, a wealthy young playboy living along the fashionable Swiss Riviera, which stretched between Lausanne and Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva.

"Barraud commissioned Willy Hartmann, a body shop owner in Lausanne, to create a look similar to a Figoni & Falaschi-designed car on this huge chassis.

"Basic stock Cadillac components were used on this streamlined hand-formed fantasy, which is one of the largest cabriolets ever built.

"Initially, there was some doubt whether it could be registered in Switzerland as a private car due to the 22-foot overall length.

"Barraud drove his car to all the fashionable haunts where it caused a sensation as it continues to do today."

The V-16 was an OHV with a 3-inch bore and 4-inch stroke with 185hp @ 3800rpm.