There are very few cars with more road presence than the jet-age-inspired 1950’s Cadillacs such as the Eldorado or the DeVille. With this unique concept, Cadillac brought back the long-extended body design of the 50’s and 60’s, as well as performance that pays homage to the Cadillac V-16 of the 1930’s. This is 2003 Cadillac Sixteen, and it’s truly a near perfect representation of what a Cadillac should be like overall. Unlike many other concept cars, this one was fully functional, boating an absolutely wild 829ci/13.6 liter 16-cylinder engine developed by Katech Inc. exclusively for the Sixteen concept. The design process for the car was a collaborative effort which included Wayne Cherry, Brian Smith, Tom Stephens, and of course the GM design team as a whole. The Sixteen concept was far more than a show or display model, and it included a number of extremely impressive technological and performance options that you simply won’t find anywhere else. This inlcudes an Active Fuel Management system which allows for the engine to ‘shut off’ cylinders during light-load conditions, 24-inch polished aluminum wheels, a Bose sound system, and a stunning all-glass roof to top it all off. The grand exterior proportions were created using a custom fabricated welded aluminum body and chassis, leaving us with a sleek, striking sedan with Crisp-edged lines. It’s easy to tell the designers involved in this project drew back heavily to the coach building era when crafting this beautiful machine. This becomes obvious especially on the interior where you can find luxurious upholstery, instrumentation, and various wood and metal elements all around. Also found on the dashboard of the Sixteen is a center-mounted Bvlgari clock, which fits right in with the 1930s-era Cadillac theme. What do you guys think about the Sixteen concept?
How many made? 1 clay model, 1 fully-functional concept
Debut: 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit
Engine: 13.6 L (13,584 cc) 32-valve V16 - 1,000hp (claimed)
Top Speed: 40mph (experimentally limited)
0-60mph: N/A
Photo Credit: cambridge06
Research: @rarecarsonly