Danbury 1932 Cadillac V16 Roadster…. Deal or No deal?

Kevins, 

No doubt Tony will chime in soon enough; he'll have ALL your answers.  He's the expert. 

This DM is an older release that looks a bit "chunky"  now.  But of course, who cares what anyone else believes?     If you like it, well, then.....

It may interest you to know that my idol, master-builder Roger Zimmermann, is in the middle of yet another totally scratch-built 1/12 project - this time a 1932 V-16 Cadillac Roadster.    Here's the link if you'd like to scroll through some of his "progress pages." 

Again, Roger builds everything from scratch, including rubber tires, wood bodies, curved glass, etc....  

Roger's handcrafted 1:12 scale models - Page 87 - Our Cars & Restoration Projects - Antique Automobile Club of America - Discussion Forums

Congrats Kevin!

EXCELLENT response Chris! Issued in 2007. I did this review on it:

Danbury Mint 1932 Cadillac V-16 Roadster -1521

Please forgive me for speaking from the excitement of the moment, but as I first unboxed this magnificent diecast, my initial thoughts were superficial. I was tempted to pontificate in this review that anyone who did not have this replica in their collection should question the validity of the collection itself. It should be considered that important a release. It’s wrong of me, I know, to expect everyone to relish a classic such as this the way I might. So suffice it to say that I believe this totally new tool-up from the best minds in diecast today, the DM boys, is a phenomenal new issue. Talk about your stately classic automobiles; once thought to emanate only from early Franklin Mint, this DM masterpiece dutifully rocks my model world. The subject matter, excellence in build and the color choice is exceptionally exciting.

No doubt about it, the 452-B V-16 Caddy Roadster was a big car and it translates large into a 1:24^th diecast. Pick it up; it is substantial. The 1:1 was effectively a rolling billboard; big but rare. Only 300 were made. Cadillac did not use a standardized serial number system. Instead, at this point in production engine numbers were stamped on the right bank of the crankcase. Numbers started with 1400001 and ended with 1400300. Just for your thought process, consider the vital dimensions:

• Sixteen cylinders. (Is that like say, “Two straight eights glued together side by side, sharing a main crankshaft?”)
• Displacement: 452 cu. in.
• Bore and stroke: 3.00 x 4.00 in.
• Compression ratio: 5.36:1 (Standard); 5.00:1, 4.90:1 (Optional).
• Brake horsepower: 165 @ 3400 RPM.
• Main bearings: Five.
• Valve Lifters: Mechanical with hydraulic silencer on rocker bushings.
• Carburetor: Detroit lubricator type L-14.
• Wheelbase: 149 in.
• • Front Tread: 59-7/8 in.
  • Rear Tread: 61 in.
  • Tires: 7.50 x 18

   

  This was largely a custom-order car. These powerful, grandiose highway-going “automotive statements” could be had in nearly any color the buyer originally chose so long as his payment was substantially green. DM chose to paint the car a color that I had seen once before and fell head-over-heels in love with. Page 23 of Rob L. Wagner’s, “Classic Cars”. It is a photo of a 1929 341-B V-8 Cadillac Roadster. There are precious few color descriptives to name, much less describe the shade that this car and Danbury’s model wears so elegantly. My close friend at the Mint calls it a Cinnamon over Chestnut but I completely disagree.

   

  Forget the photos; you MUST see this exquisite lady in person to fully appreciate the hue of her beauty itself. I’d term the color a Warm Sienna, with just a hint of fine Mandarin blended into the mix. The fenders, lightly immersed in metallic, are close to a toasted Nutmeg shade. Ok, I wax poetic but the model is suitably waxed to a gloss perfection in its own right. Add a beige soft top or top boot, wide whites and a russet interior and you have a rich, luxurious statement suitable for display in the finest museum. The fit of the model is precise and exact. The doors, on precision internal hinges close tightly. The rumble seat opens and the fit of top and boot is faultless. Believe it or not, the suspension articulates evenly while granting perfect stance.

   

  You may open the golf bag door too. You will find the same care given to the enclosure’s carpeting as that given to the interior. And the engine bay is to die for! Open either side, the rewards await in spades! Just behind the exquisite Goddess radiator mascot beats the heart of this rare beast. DM built in all sorts of detail elements to please the most discerning collector. Back when I rated these models on a ten-scale, I could never fully apportion such a gorgeous creation. But a 13, this opulent lady certainly deserves.   TP 06/01/2007

@chris Thanks for your input Chris, I took at the link, will further peruse later, fascinating stuff! Looking at your pics I see that the 1/1 looks sorta chunky too. Tony did pontificate on the subject, and I certainly appreciate that. Tony, sounds to me that you  liked it back in the day when the models were kind of, let’s say, less sophisticated, but doe’s the model hold up almost 20 years later?

Posted by: @kevins

↑

 Tony, sounds to me that you  liked it back in the day when the models were kind of, let’s say, less sophisticated, but doe’s the model hold up almost 20 years later?

I've said on more than one post, this one is my favorite Cadillac. 

@perrone1 That’s not fair signor Perone, your photos make any model look good! (Any more pic’s from that set?)

Kevin, Like Tony, this my favorite Cadillac model by far.

@bob-jackman Alright already, it’s on it’s way! Many thanks to all!

@perrone1 I found the lost review with the additional photos, super stoked, thanks again my friend!

Posted by: @kevins

↑

@perrone1 That’s not fair signor Perone, your photos make any model look good! (Any more pic’s from that set?)

late to the party! I've been interstate in Perth Western Australia, beautiful city, lovely people.

Kevin

Posted by: @bob-jackman

↑

Kevin, Like Tony, this my favorite Cadillac model by far.

Then the magnificent black Fleetwood. I still reckon if I was pinned down to pick a favorite out of my around 900 model collection this is it! Then the beautiful roadster, which I couldnt order fast enough from DM. Looking forward to your response on your models arrival.

You all were right, the Caddy is a gorgeous giant behemoth. Got it today, haven’t had a chance to look it over in detail, but on first glance, wow! Thanks to all! The scale of these cars blows me away every time I see them, especially when you see them with a “normal” size vehicle like the ‘31 pickemup. Moe looks especially impressed!

 Star Cars

pleased it has arrived intact Kevin. Great pics of the others. If u ever want to have a go at the Town Car, Italeri make a great 1/24 kit. Liked it so much I bought another at a bargain price to repaint.

Kevin, congrats! The model looks terrific! I think Elsie is also impressed.

Geoff, the two builds look excellent - well done pard!

Geoff, the town car build is fabulous especially since the kit was 1/24 scale.