Cadillac Sixteen Concept from 2003

Cadillac famously built cars with 16 cylinder motors from the 1930 through 1940 model years.  Since then, the largest engines in Cadillacs have been V-8s.

Harking back to V-16 glory days, in 2003 Cadillac revealed a concept car called the Cadillac Sixteen.  It had a 16 cylinder motor derived from a production V-8, its horsepower claimed as 1,000.

An early 1930s Cadillac V-16 posed with the 2003 V-16 concept car.
Several years ago I noted it here, mentioning:

"The Sixteen is one Cadillac concept that I would have loved to have seen enter production.  I actually viewed it at a Pebble Beach Concours d'Élégance and was not bothered at all by its flamboyance and exaggerated proportions (that long hood is fabulous!).  I never could have afforded one, but dream cars are dream fodder, aren't they?"

In retrospect, if Cadillac launched a production version of the Sixteen (with 500 fewer horsepower), in one stroke that might well have energized the brand's image as a luxury car.  Now, more than 15 years later, Cadillac's image still suffers in comparison to, say, Bentley and top-of-the-line Mercedes, BMWs, and Lexuses.  Even Lincoln might be gaining on Cadillac.

But back in 2003 General Motors was well on the road to its eventual bankruptcy.  Funds for such a super-Cadillac were almost surely lacking.  And projected monetary return from its potential sales along with possibly increased short-run Cadillac sales in general might not have convinced GM bean-counters.

Gallery

The Sixteen has classic long-hood, short front overhang proportions.

Rear overhang is also short; the trunk might be a little too small for a production version.

A production job would have slightly smaller wheels plus a trifle taller greenhouse.

The vertical headlight ensembles previews the current Caddy front running light theme.

Photo of the rear I took in July when the car was on display in Tacoma.

Interior.  A current production version would of course sport a computer screen.