Registration No: BD 371
Chassis No: 24850
MOT: Exempt

• Presented in 'garage find' condition having not been seen publicly since the 1970s
• Understood to be in exceptionally well preserved original order
• Previously part of the James H. Farr collection
• Presented with original UK registration number and showing only one keeper since 1938
• Known history within single-cylinder Cadillac circles and presented with a period photograph

The first Cadillac, the Model A was launched at the New York Motor Show in 1903. Three cars were finished in time for the show, and by the time it was closed, all three were sold at the show and by mid-week orders had been taken for 2,286 further units, each one requiring a deposit of 10 Dollars. Designed initially as a two-seater 'horseless carriage', the Cadillac was at first powered by a 10hp single cylinder engine developed by Alanson Partridge Brush that was renowned for reliability and the car was built by the Leland and Falconer Manufacturing company of Detroit, Michigan. The hardy single cylinder Cadillac was continued even when the company began building four-cylinder models, which culminated in the Model S and Model T of 1908, for which there was little difference between the two other than the Model T lacked running boards. The Model S and T replaced the Model K and Model M with the main difference being an extension in wheelbase to 82 inches. In 1909, the single cylinder Cadillac was discontinued when it was decided to standardise the range with the four-cylinder Model 30.

Understood to have been built in 1908, according to the VCC dating letter on file, 'BD 371' is thought to have been imported to the UK by Cadillac concessionaires, F.S Bennett when new. Little is known of the early history of the car, apart from a photograph dated to the 1920s which was recently shown to us via the internet. According to the buff log book on file, in 1938 the car was owned by a Mr Richard Baiwwie. It is thought that shortly afterwards that Mr James H Farr, who owned the Wardie garage in Ediburgh until the 1960s, purchased the car as part of his private museum. Mr Farr is understood to have kept the Cadillac until the mid-1970s, when the car is understood to have been purchased by the current owner, Mr Lapwood, from an auction for Mr Farr's estate - which also included the Rolls Royce 20hp which is also offered for sale at the Duxford Imperial War Museum. Sold to the current owner as a 1904 model, there are some humourous letters on file from the late 1970s demanding the reimbursement of his investment - but for whatever reason Mr Lapwood kept the car for many years afterwards. An MOT on file suggests the car was running as recently as 1980, however the car has been off the road for a number of years and is now in need of recommissioning or restoration. Unfortunately, Mr Lapwood's health has deteoriated to the point where his family have now decided to sell the collection of vehicles that he has, as he is unable to manage them himself.

Upon our inspection, we noted that the bodywork appeared very solid and that the storage garage was notably dry and has thankfully preserved the car very well indeed. The wheels roll freely and the engine also is unseized. Sold strictly as viewed on a No Reserve basis, 'BD 371' is the perfect opportunity for mild recommissioning and is eligible for a number of VCC events.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430