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The craft of automobile coachbuilding may be near its end, but this custom car manufacturing method gave rise to some exquisite vehicles, especially during the 1920s and 1930s. One notable example is the 1931 Cadillac 370A V12 Coupe, currently listed for sale on Bring a Trailer, representing one of the last models of its kind.
Reports suggest that Cadillac produced only 302 V12s for the 1931 model year, with four said to still be operational, according to Bring a Trailer. The introduction of this model was influenced by other luxury car makers’ experiments with multi-cylinder engines. Cadillac opted to create two models in this category: the high-end 452A, featuring a V-16 engine, and the more accessible 370A V12.
The V12 came in various body styles, with nearly 11,000 units manufactured over a production span of seven years. Buyers had the option to select custom bodies from manufacturers such as Fleetwood or Fisher, including configurations like a four-door limousine.
The Cadillac in question underwent a four-year restoration to reach Concours-ready standards. Since its restoration, the V12 Coupe has garnered almost 20 awards at events across California, winning Best in Class at several Classic Car Club of America meets and earning a multitude of ribbons at Concours d’Elegance events.
As indicated by its name, the V12 Coupe is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine that produces 145 horsepower, paired with a floor-mounted three-speed manual transmission.
The current owner acquired the vehicle with 43,000 miles on the odometer and has added 1,220 miles post-restoration. The car has been repainted in its original black finish and features a tan leather interior, complete with rear rumble seats behind the cabin.
This rare and elegant vehicle serves as a reminder of an era when cars were luxurious without reliance on self-driving technology—though it’s likely that Cadillacs of that time came with their own chauffeurs..
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