Car: Cadillac V16 Roadster ( ** Car shown at Dragone Classic Motorcars in Orange )

Year: 1930

What makes it special: The V-16, or Cadillac Sixteen was the top of the line Cadillac model from 1930 to ’40. It was the first V16 powered car in the U.S. and was both extremely expensive as exclusive. It’s chassis itself was custom made to order, of which only 4,076 were built. The beginning of World War II caused a low in sales, which led to the end of production for the V-16.

What made it famous: Known or its pioneering V-16 powerplant, the Cadillac V-16 engine had a narrow 45 degree angle Overhead Valve Series 452 cu in displacement. The car itself could be ordered in a variety of models, 10 basic body styles, plus about 30 additional designer styles. For the 1930 model year, only 54 Cadillac V-16’s were produced.

Why I would want one: With only 54 built for 1930, and the fact that it’s the premiere model year for the Cadillac Sixteen, it makes the car highly desirable to collectors.

Fun fact: At the New York Auto Show of 1930 came the introduction of the Cadillac Sixteen, right after the stock market crash of 1929. It was the most expensive model built for the time period.
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Car: Yenko Chevrolet Nova

Year: 1970

What makes it special: Starting in 1957, Chevrolet dealer and race driver Don Yenko set up a performance shop for Chevrolet cars. Customers could either order high performance parts or have their cars modified in-house by Yenko’s own mechanics. Yenko began to modify Chevrolet products like Camaro Super-Sports, but then included Chevelle’s and Nova’s giving them L-72 V8 upgrades.

What made it famous: When the 1970’s started to see the decline in muscle cars due to the heat of higher insurance and tighter emission rules, Yenko countered buy putting a unique touch on the 1970 Chevrolet Nova. Instead of putting a big-block 427 cu in V8 in his version of the Nova, he convinced General Motors to place a very potent small-block 360hp, 350 cu in V8 that was shared by the new Z-28 Camaro and the Lt-1 Corvette. Adorning the Yenko body were dealer specific decals and badging.

Why I would want one: These were made in limited numbers making them fairly rare, plus these were given enough performance upgrades to make them faster than the ordinary Nova offerings for 1970.

Fun fact: In 1972, Yenko stopped selling modified Chevrolets and started to publish a catalog from performance to cosmetic modifications. One of his more notable products was the ZL-1 engine, which was produced under permission of Chevrolet.
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