1930 Cadillac V16 Madame X Sedan Cabriolet
On January 4, 1930 Cadillac unveiled the world’s first production V-16 automobile engine. The first powerplant that was truly styled, as all of the wiring and hoses were concealed to the extent possible.The exterior design of the V-16 was not left behind though. Buyers could choose from a plethora of 54 bodies, with the most ornate and most expensive being part of the so-called 4100 series, a group of closed body styles distinguished by sporty 18-degree slanted windshields and narrow window pillars that were edged in chrome. Early on, the sobriquet “Madame X” was applied to the style, after a famous stage play of the era.
