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The Great Depression was marked by economic
downturns and slight recoveries. Despite General
Motor’s optimism, 1933 proved to be yet another
economically disappointing year. Cadillac announced
that it would limit 1933 production of V-16’s to 400
motorcars. Only 126 were manufactured of which 9
were Fleetwood bodied All Weather Phaetons.
Fleetwood built the
majority of the 1933 V-16 bodies of which only 9
were All Weather Phaetons. List price of the #5579
was $8,000.00 an incredible sum for such
economically bleak times.
The convertible
sedan or all weather phaeton was the most costly
coach to build because the frame needed to be
heavier and stronger than that used on a sedan. The
absence of a roof resulted in enough chassis
deflection to make alignment of the doors difficult.
Center posts were never strong enough to support the
weight of the doors as there was no roof to give it
rigidity. Therefore, the front doors were mounted to
the cowl and the rear doors to the rear section of
the body.
V-16's were built
on a 149” wheel base, had the Vee-shaped
grille/radiator shell, skirted fenders, and no-draft
ventilation common to the full line. Detail
distinction was achieved with a new, winged goddess
mascot; large, spinner hub caps; absence of
crankhole cover in the grill; and an awkward,
four-bar bumper. Hood side panels carried two
vertical doors plus three stylized horizontal
louvers. Vertical louvers on front fender skirts,
shown in promotional literature and used on mockups,
were replaced in "production" by three horizontal
louvers matching the hood louvers.
Mechanical changes were few. A higher compression
ratio was available to utilize improved gasolines.
Except on early production, wheel size was reduced
from 18" to 17".
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