249: 1931 Cadillac V12 Five-Passenger Phaeton by Fleetw Start Price USD 112,500.00 Current Price USD 175,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 14 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, August 02, 2008 End Time Saturday, August 02, 2008 Location Meadow Brook Hall, Rochester, MI See more about '249: 1931 Cadillac V12 Five-Passenger Phaeton by Fleetw' Description click for larger image249: 1931 Cadillac V12 Five-Passenger Phaeton by Fleetw135bhp, 368 cu. in. 45 degree overhead valve twelve-cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission, front and rear semi-elliptic leaf springs and four-wheel vacuum assisted mechanical drum brakes. Wheelbase: 140"Automotive enthusiasts from around the world have long recognized the 1930s as a golden era for the American automobile. For a brief time, elegant bodies built by the finest craftsman were mated to long wheelbase chassis featuring large multi-cylinder engines. These fine motor cars were both powerful and stunningly beautiful in appearance. As a longtime builder of fine motor cars, Cadillac was no exception to this era of opulence and grandeur. In December 1929, Cadillac's Division President Lawrence P. Fisher announced to all dealers that Cadillac would build the ultimate luxury car. The result was the famous V16.While the sixteen-cylinder cars were aimed at the highest end of the market, the twelve-cylinder model was needed to contend with a very impressive competitive field including Pierce-Arrow, Packard, Lincoln and Chrysler. Cadillac's V12 cars actually shared many similarities with the V16 models including massive headlamps and beautifully detailed brightwork and trim throughout. Most options were available on the V12 as well as the V16 and aside from the four extra cylinders and four extra inches in the chassis, the two car models were very similar.For 1931, Cadillac offered a car for every corner of the U.S. luxury car market. Featuring no less than four separate passenger car lines with power available from eight, 12, or 16 cylinders, Cadillac was out to dominate the market, and in doing so, it would lay the very foundation for decades of success. Although the Great Depression would soon take its toll on a number of U.S. car builders, Cadillac experienced enough sales to sustain itself through the lean years, and with the financial support of General Motors, eventually survive to outshine its rival Packard.This particular Cadillac Five-Passenger Phaeton (known internally as series 370-A with Fleetwood style number 4760) is an outstanding example indeed. It was delivered new to Los Angeles, California and, as evidenced by the original build sheet, was equipped with such extras as metal tire covers, a Goddess radiator ornament, and most interestingly, an export-type windshield, which folds down and is devoid of wind wings. Retaining its original Fleetwood bodywork, the car was restored to a very high and period correct standard in the late 1990s. Previously owned by D. Richard Shonk of Ashton, Maryland, it received First Place honors in 2002 at a Grand National event, was awarded a Senior badge by the Cadillac LaSalle Club and remains a CCCA Premier winner. As presented, with less than 200 miles since its thorough restoration, it is truly an exceptional automobile and surely one of the finest of its kind. Matt Larson, formerly of the GM Heritage Center, recalls riding along with Mr. Shonk on tour and likewise considered it a wonderful car.Other notable features include a grille guard, side curtains, Pilot Ray driving lights, and an attractive rear-mounted "lowboy" trunk. Well equipped and beautifully restored, it is a stylish, comfortable and intrinsically valuable CCCA Full Classic that will surely continue to appreciate and would make for a welcome entry at a wide variety of tours, events and shows nationwide.Auction House RM Auctions5 West Forest AveYpsilanti, MI United States 48197519.352.4575Important NoticeRM Auctions usually auctions automobiles at the rate of 20 lots per hour. On some occasions, eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. RM recommends placing a realistic absentee bid now, as insurance to help avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also re-open a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because of a missed audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. By bidding via eBay Live, you agree that RM Auctions may award the lot to another bidder at its sole discretion under the circumstances described above, or under any other reasonable circumstances. Since eBay bids are not shown to us until we open the lot on the floor, we treat those bids just like floor bids. In most cases the floor responds before the eBay bid is presented to us, due to Internet lag time, so for consistency we have made it a policy that floor bids are always considered first over tying eBay live bids. Also please note that all RM Auctions lots purchased through eBay Live carry a 13% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions before you bid. This lot is being auctioned in conjunction with a live floor auction by RM Auctions, Inc. All final auction and invoice information will be supplied by RM Auctions, Inc., and all other information should be considered preliminary. Winning Notification and Billing: After the FINAL session in this auction is complete RM Auctions will send e-mail invoices. This process normally takes up to two days. All final auction and invoice information will be supplied by RM Auctions, Inc., and all other information should be considered preliminary. This auction will be conducted on a live auction floor and over the Internet through eBay Live. If you choose to place an absentee bid, please take a moment to learn how eBay Live absentee bidding works by visiting eBay's website.Terms & ConditionsPlease ensure that you have read and understood these terms and conditions prior to bidding at this or any other RM sale.1. All sales are final. No bidder may retract a bid made during the sale for any reason.2. Final bid price does not include 13% buyer's premium or applicable taxes on each lot purchased. Proof of tax exemption is buyer's responsibility.3. All payments must be in the form of cash (In House Only) or certified funds unless other arrangements have been approved in advance. Cash (In House Only) payments will be reported according to Federal government requirements.4. All sales are "as is" and "where is". Bidder is responsible for inspections and verification of condition, authenticity, and completeness of any item purchased. No warranties or representations of any type whatsoever are made by RM. Buyers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own evaluation and inspection. Any announcements made at the time of sale supercede any earlier printed information.5. Bidder authorizes RM Auctions, Inc. to authorize the credit card number provided for $2000. Should a bidder default on payment in any manner whatsoever, without limiting any recourse RM Auctions, Inc. may have, bidder agrees to pay RM Auctions, Inc. all lost auction fees (which is the maximum published rates for (1) the seller's commission, (2) the buyer's premium, and (3) the entry), this amount is due and payable without relief.6. Person bidding online must be 21 years of age or older. No minors are allowed to bid.7. If Buyer is picking up items or using a shipping company other than the RM recommended company, Buyer is responsible for removing items from the auction location by Monday, August 4th at 12:00 noon. Buyer is responsible for paying for the removal of items from the site, packing, shipping, handling and insurance of any items purchased. If Buyer is unable to provide RM with the name of a transportation company within 24hrs of the purchase, RM will release the lot to "Intercity Lines Inc". Buyer will pay RM directly for the lots, buyers fee and any applicable taxes and pay "Intercity" directly for their services.8. The auctioneer reserves the right to rearrange, separate, exclude or withdraw any lot without giving a reason.9. If buyer sues RM Auctions, Inc. and does not prevail, Buyer will reimburse RM Auctions, Inc. for all legal fees and expenses in connection with said suit.10. All terms of sale posted on the auction premises, printed in sale brochures or forms, publicly announced, communicated via the eBay bidding applet or otherwise published are incorporated herein by reference.ShippingIf Buyer is picking up items or using a packing/shipping company other than the RM recommended company, Buyer is responsible for removing items from the auction location by Monday, August 4th at 12:00 noon. Buyer is responsible to pay for the removal of items from the site, packing, shipping, handling and insurance of any items purchased. If Buyer is unable to provide RM with the name of a transportation company within 24hrs of the purchase, RM will release the lot to "Intercity Lines Inc". Buyer will pay RM directly for the lots, buyers fee and any applicable taxes and pay "Intercity" directly for their services.Buyer's Premium13%PaymentCash (In House Only), Money Order, Certified Check or Bank Wire Transfer. NOTE: RM DOES NOT ACCEPT PAYPAL AS A FORM OF PAYMENT. Any questions, please email.TaxesLocal 6% tax applies when picking up items or shipping within the state of Michigan.ContractYour bid is a contract.Place a bid only if you're serious about buying the item. If you are the successful and winning bidder, you have entered into a legally binding contract to purchase the property bid on from the seller. You should contact the seller to resolve any questions before bidding.RegistrationBidders are required to:a) Sign up for this auction& b) Complete bidding approval formApproval is at the discretion of the Auction House.HelpHelp with biddingImages Auction services provided by LiveAuctioneers Place a Bid!