The Cadillac Twelve was a multi-cylinder companion to the Sixteen and announced nine months later. The 1930-1937 Cadillac Twelve was basically the overhead-valve V-16 with four fewer cylinders and commensurately less power. The smaller bodies were mounted on a chassis shared with the Eights.

The 1932 Cadillac V-12 All Weather Phaeton, part of the 1930-1937 Cadillac Twelve line of collectible cars.
1932 Cadillac V-12 All Weather Phaeton.
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Though not as fast as the Sixteen, the free-revving Twelve was well known for its smooth, even power, and it cost considerably less. The light roadster -- $3,945 in 1930 -- would approach 85 mph with the standard rear axle and can still cruise a modern Interstate at 70.

As with the Sixteen, sales never recovered from the Depression, and the Twelve lingered on in diminishing volume. It was scrubbed from the Cadillac line in 1938.

Pluses of the 1930-1937 Cadillac Twelve:

  • Full CCCA Classic status
  • Elegant, luxurious body styles
  • High investment value
Minuses of the 1930-1937 Cadillac Twelve:
  • Expensive to buy and own
  • Not quite a Sixteen, and always takes a back seat in comparisons -- unfairly
Production of the 1930-1931 Cadillac Twelve:
5,725

Production of the 1932 Cadillac Twelve:
1,709

Production of the 1933 Cadillac Twelve:
952

Production of the 1934 Cadillac Twelve:
683

Production of the 1935 Cadillac Twelve:
377

Production of the 1936 Cadillac Twelve:
901

Production of the 1937 Cadillac Twelve:
474

Specifications of the 1930-1937 Cadillac Twelve:
Length, inches: NA
Wheelbase, inches: 140.0, 143.0 for 7P (1930-31); 134.0 for rdstr, cpe, conv cpe; 140.0 for others (1932-33); 146.0 (1934-35); 131.0, 138.0 (1936-37)
Weight, pounds: 4,800-6,040
Price, new: $3,145-$6,495 (U.S.)

Engines for the 1930-1937 Cadillac Twelve:
TypeSize
Horsepower
Years
ohv V-12368.0 cid
135/150
1930-1937

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