There are Cadillacs and then there are Cadillacs.

This 1930 The cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton is one of only 85 Sports activity Phaetons built for the V-16 chassis in 1930 and 1931 combined. It’s coming up for auction at RM Sotheby’s 16th annual Hershey sale at the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Eastern Division fall meet in Hershey, Pa. on October 5 and 6, and the car is expected to fetch upwards of $1 million, high cotton indeed.

The phaeton is undoubtedly one of the most dashing body styles of the Classic Era, plus Cadillac’s V-16 Sport Phaeton, style 4260, is among the finest examples associated with the genre. While typical “dual cowl” phaetons included a separate cowl and windscreen for rear-seat passengers, the particular Sport Phaeton featured a windshield mounted directly behind the front seat and raised plus lowered via hand crank. The result was an uncluttered body of grand but elegant proportions—one that looked spectacular with the top either up or down—and still does.

The cadillac historians record the existence of 17 authentic survivors, one of which is preserved in General Motors’ corporate Heritage Collection.

This particular Sport Phaeton, engine number 702515, was originally delivered by the Towell Cadillac Company of Cleveland using the notation “Tag P. W. Harvey. ”

And who was this P. W.?

Perry Williams Harvey was the multimillionaire leader in Cleveland business and political circles, who married into the politically prominent Hanna family. The man was also an avid sportsman plus collector associated with rare books. He did not have long to enjoy his ride, though – he died in 1932.

Its next known owner has been one Bennett Hammond of Brandy Flip Farm within Nicasio, California, from whom Joseph Runyan of Pasadena purchased it in 1952.

Mr. Runyan paid just $25 for the car. Having been abandoned on the Hammond property, the seller was thrilled to have this out associated with his way. Runyan spent about $2, 500 restoring it. ($47, 740 in 2022 dollars. )

But the finished product, complete with a hand-rubbed paint job literally applied under the Runyans’ backyard shade tree, won numerous prizes in West Coast competition.

It was among the first V-16 Cadillacs to be treated as something unique, different, and special; because the great Classics began to achieve collectability, the best examples were the first to be noticed, plus Mr. Runyan had the particular best V-16 Sport Phaeton around.

It started getting magazine notice, too, appearing around the pages of Roy Schneider’s Sixteen Cylinder Motorcars and in Maurice Hendry’s Cadillac, Standard of the World: A Complete History . It was also the particular subject associated with a feature article in the October 1967 issue of Car Classics .

Runyan kept the car for the rest of his life, beginning a fresh restoration within the early 1990s, completed shortly before his passing in 1995, with all the color changed to the subtle shade of Bottle Green.

When the particular Runyan family decided to part with the Cadillac, legendary sportsman and Classic collector Otis Chandler was the particular first to express their interest. Mr. Chandler completed a careful refreshing of the restoration, resulting in a 95. 25 score plus 2nd in Class at the Classic Vehicle Club associated with America Grand Classic inside July 1997. It was later invited in order to be shown at the particular Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, appearing in 1998 and receiving 3rd in the lecture. (And a note to prospective buyers — its last Pebble Beach appearance was in 2009, so it’s now eligible to be displayed once again by its new owner. )

The car would become one of the treasured favorites within the Chandler collection, remaining even since other V-16s came and went. Only after his passing has been it acquired, in 2006, simply by Keith Crain; he would retain the vehicle until it was purchased by its next owner—himself a Cadillac V-16 connoisseur—in 2020. Under his care, the The cadillac benefitted from a mechanical service, a new top, plus six fresh tires in 2020, with work performed by the consignor’s in-house craftsmen.

This was followed by a professional engine and exterior detailing ahead of the 2021 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance appearance, after which this was obtained by its present owner. Shortly before its acquisition by the particular consignor, the ignition switch was rebuilt. It is accompanied by a color-matched trunk, ready to end up being placed on the rear luggage rack for lengthier tours.

What makes this particular car distinctive and a prize worth winning is its enthusiast ownership, history of exhibition and publication, and its superb design. A Classic Car Club associated with America Full Classic, it is worthy of continued appreciation and exhibit by the next caretaker, who will have an unparalleled opportunity in order to discover exactly what the particular “Standard from the World” truly means.

About Hershey:

The particular Hershey sale is the official public sale of the Antique Automobile Club of America’s Eastern Department Fall Meet, among the largest automobilia shows and flea markets inside the world. Collectors come from across the globe to Hershey each year in search of rare and sought-after parts plus collectibles. Hershey, Pennsylvania is rich in car culture, home to the world headquarters associated with the AACA and the particular AACA Museum; the event offers a truly world-class automotive experience.