 The Cadillac V16 Series 90 Hartmann Cabriolet is probably one of the most extreme and spectacular convertibles ever built. Cadillac launched its first 16-cylinder models in 1929; more than 4,000 units were sold over the next 10 years (production ended in 1940 with the "40-90" version). In 1937 only 50 units of their V16 type "37-90" were built; two were convertible coupes (Fleetwood 5775 style); two more in bare chassis form for sale to independent coachbuilders. The incredible 2-seater roadster described in these pages was built on one of them. The chassis number is 5030328, which identifies it as the twenty-eighth of the fifty V16 units built that year. Philippe Barraud, son of William Barraud and nephew of William's brother Maurice, both wealthy Swiss industrialists who had "built" their fortune on red bricks and tiles, ordered the chassis from Detroit through Edelweiss Garage, the local Cadillac dealer in Morges, next to Lausanne, Switzerland. The copy of the original Cadillac Motor Car Co. build sheet shows that a "1937-90 Chassis" with engine No. 5030328 and convertible frame (with sedan springs) was shipped by sea freight from GM Export in Detroit to GM Belgium, in Antwerp, and from there by rail to GM Switzerland, in Bienne. At the outbreak of World War II, the spectacular custom Cadillac sat in a garage for 10 years, until Philippe decided to use it again, giving it a fresh coat of paint. Shortly thereafter it suffered a minor accident that destroyed the front end and headlights, so he repainted the car (in this case brown) and replaced the headlights and bumper. The spectacular Cadillac V16 Series 90 Hartmann Cabriolet would end up abandoned for more than two decades. In 1968 the car was discovered in a field near Geneva in a state of total abandonment by Jean-Jacques Belet, who acquired it from its former owner and restored it. Since then, the custom Cadillac V16 has passed through about 10 different owners and restored several times. It is currently on display at the Blackhawk Museum in California and its current price is estimated at several million dollars.
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TrumbullThe Trumbull was a short-lived cycle car manufactured by the Trumbull Motor Car Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Between 1913 and 1915 approximately 2,000 Trumbull cars were manufactured. Following the death of Isaac his Trumbull on the RMS Lusitania, the company ceased production. Next
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