The 1930 Cadillac Series 452: The Crown Jewel of American Luxury
In the depths of the Great Depression, Cadillac unveiled a car so luxurious and technically advanced that it became a symbol of what American engineering could achieve even in the hardest times. It’s a jewel in the Cadillac crown of collector and caddy historian Steve Plunkett. The 1930 Cadillac Series 452, model
and exhaust manifolds were finished in glossy black porcelain; corrugated radiator hoses gleamed and every surface, from the polished aluminum to the black enamel, was made to impress. The Series 452’s Fleetwood-crafted Imperial sedan body featured elegant Art Deco influences, including Earl’s signature hood molding that “flowed and divided” along the car’s length. Inside, the sophisticated seven-passenger cabin featured a glass divider separating the chauffeur’s compartment from the rear passenger salon. Every detail reflected Cadillac’s commitment to uncompromised luxury. The Series 452 also included rare, advanced features for its time: power-assisted brakes, an anti-theft ignition system, and cornering lights mechanically linked to the steering to light up during turns. Safety glass, first introduced by Cadillac in 1928, was standard. Despite all of its innovations and high-end allure, the Cadillac V16 arrived just months after the 1929 stock market crash. Few could afford or even want to spend so much on a luxury car. Cadillac lost money on every V16 sold, but GM’s financial strength allowed production to continue as a statement of engineering pride. Some V16s, like the 1930 452 Fleetwood sedan, were converted into ambulances during the mid-1930s. Their size and durability gave them this new lease on life. For fifteen years, Steve Plunkett turned his love of cars into the Fleetwood Country Cruize-In, an event that supported local Charities and raised over $1.7 million. “Taking a passion that I love and creating an event that benefits so many people has been a blessing,” says Steve. The event attracted thousands of people and cars from across North America. When not at home on his estate on the outskirts of Byron, Steve tours invitational car events and shows across North America, showcasing his classic cars.
4375S, was not just another luxury automobile—it was the world’s first production car powered by a V16 engine. This advancement redefined what luxury meant in the automotive world. Priced at a staggering $6,200, the Series 452 Imperial Seven- Passenger Sedan was Cadillac’s ultimate statement piece. Built on a massive 148-inch wheelbase and tipping the scales at over three tons, only 438 were produced, crafted by Cadillac’s Fleetwood division. Under its long hood lies a 452-cubic-inch, 45-degree V16 engine designed by Owen Nacker under the direction of Lawrence Fisher, of Fisher Body fame. Steve explains, “Fisher had recruited Nacker in 1926 after the success of his overhead-valve V8 in the 1927 LaSalle. The mission was to create an engine that would surpass Packard’s twelve-cylinder models.” It also aimed to rival the engineering prowess of Rolls-Royce. Nacker’s V16 was revolutionary. Producing 165 horsepower, it was engineered for remarkable smoothness and silence, thanks to hydraulic valve lifters (a first in the industry) and a counterweighted crankshaft that delivered effortless, vibration- free performance. It also featured automatic chokes and a thermostatically controlled cooling system, both cutting-edge technologies for the era. Power was transferred through Cadillac’s three-speed synchromesh transmission—introduced just two years earlier in 1928—ensuring seamless, quiet gear changes. Beyond its mechanical brilliance, the V16 engine was designed as a work of art. Under the direction of Harley Earl, General Motors’ first design chief and a pioneer of the Art Deco automotive aesthetic, the engine bay was meticulously styled for good looks. All wiring and plumbing were hidden; the intake
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Byron Villager December 2025
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