Test Drive - 1931 Cadillac V-12 Model 370A!

This 1931 Cadillac V-12 Model 370A Seven Passenger Sedan has been restored as-needed over the decades and is a wonderful example for local car shows and touring. She has benefitted from an older refreshed interior and newer white wall tires. She runs and drives well with recent major servicing and is a nice weekend driver that is a joy to drive. We love the two-tone livery and the rear mounted spare wheel which enhances her elegant and sporty appearance. This V-12 can be enjoyed as-is or can be upgraded as the new owner sees fit.

The Cadillac V-12 Model 370A was introduced in October of 1930. This Cadillac V-12 is currently owned by a Cadillac collector in Maryland that has been collecting for several decades. At about 90 years of age, he has decided to begin reducing the size of his collection. He purchased this Model 370A in 1997 at an Atlantic City car auction where the Cadillac was part of a collection from New Jersey. The history prior to 1997 is unknown.

Her livery is a two-tone olive-green body with long and black sweeping fenders. Her elegant cream colored pinstriping complements the olive green and black body. Her paint is likely a much older repaint and shows significant patina in a number of areas. There is normal to significant lacquer cracking in many areas that are visible in the photo gallery and videos. She can be enjoyed as is for preservation or restored as desired. She comes complete with rare disc wheels, a chrome radiator grill rock guard and a functioning Lorraine hand-operated spotlight. The undercarriage is original and shows well with expected patina for her age and use. As mentioned before, the rear mounted spare and deletion of the side mounted spares are a beautiful, sexy design that makes the front of the car look longer and sleeker. It works very well on this seven-passenger sedan body.

The Cadillac’s Seven-Passenger interior is gorgeous and shows well throughout. The Tan wool Bedford cord upholstery and cream-colored piping was restored several years ago and shows well with some imperfections. The matching door panels have also been reupholstered and look very nice. There is ample use of beautiful wood throughout, all in nice condition. The headliner and brown carpet are in nice condition and with signs of normal wear. The steering wheel, engine turned dashboard and gauges are all in nice condition. The gauges function as intended, with the exception of the clock. The original very rare and unusual Cadillac Delco Radio knobs are still in place with the safe-like combination mounted on the dash faceplate. We have never seen this radio before, and it features both the Delco and Cadillac logos. The radio unit and speaker are missing. The two rear jump seats show well but areas of the upholstery have imperfections. The rear vanities are in place along with side and rear curtains and two bud vases. She also comes complete with a lap robe draped over the robe bar in the rear compartment.

Cadillacs venerable 368 CID V-12 develops 135 hp and performs smoothly and powerfully, as you would expect. The 3-speed synchromesh manual transmission shifts smoothly and operates quietly. The engine compartment is well detailed and shows well. We just completed a major service, and her oil pressure is good, and she runs at a cool operating temperature. We’ve driven her about 20 miles to prepare her for sale. The massive 143-inch wheelbase helps produce a silky-smooth ride. The chassis has been cleaned and shows normal soiling for her age and use.

This Cadillac V-12 runs and drives well and has an elegant appearance. She would be an excellent example to consider as an affordable, rare and useable classic Cadillac.

For more information and details, please call, text or email Chip Henson at +1.602.509.4776 or [email protected]. This Cadillac is available for inspection at our Phoenix showroom.