Jay Leno Drives 92-Year-Old Cadillac V16, Says It’s the Bugatti Chiron of Its Era

Cameron Richards, J.B Nethercutt’s grandson, gave Jay Leno a tour of the immaculately preserved 1930 Cadillac V-16 at the Jay Leno’s Garage. The former comedian also got the chance to drive this rare gem that currently belongs to the J.B Nethercutt Museum (named after the founder).

It seems Cadillac just got a jolt from its old spirit with the new Cadillac Lyriq. It’s a phenomenal build reminiscent of what the automaker stood for more than a decade ago – perfection in luxury and performance.

Like the Lyriq, the 1930 V16 452A put Cadillac on the map. Designed in secrecy, this classic’s debut aimed to cause ripples in the industry – and it did. Donning a V16 engine under the hood, the 452A Cadillac was a game changer and departure from the commonly used V12 engines.

Leno compares its uniqueness back when it was released to a Bugatti Chiron or Koenigsegg. Cadillac outdid themselves when it came to engineering perfection. The 1930 V16 452A Cadillac might not have been the fastest car (even with a V16), but it offered something better – effortless perfection.

At first, the 452A Cadillac was offered like the rest of its competition with a V12 engine. But in secrecy, the automaker was working on a V16 variant to take the industry by storm. There was so much pressure on the team that they had to use an older body on the new drivetrain and chassis.

“This was for the banker, you know, the prestigious wall street guy. This is the car that really put Cadillac on the map,” Leno revealed.

Leno couldn’t help but marvel at the 1930 Cadillac V-16’s engine bay. For a car released 92 years ago, its layout aesthetic was unrivaled even by today’s standards. Behind the wheel, its smooth running engine, in his words, was “unbelievable.”