[rustybear3]

Forget the fact that it didn't have modern technology and would only get about 16 MPG.....were talking 1000Hp and 1,000 lbs ft. of torque without the use of forced induction; at that time state-of-the-art design (2003). The Sixteen had the Cadillac logo carved out of solid crystal on the steering wheel and a Bulgari clock on the dashboard. You can see it's influences in our ATS,CTS,XTS and upcoming CT6 Cadillac. It almost came into production.....assuming that it had a more realistic cost and design (which it wouldn't as is; hell the paint job itself was 20 coats of pearl black at about $50,000) would you have contemplated buying it?

 

[Guest]

Seeing something like that on the street would have probably made me a fan of A&S at a younger age, It could have had the same effect the Escalade did.

 

[jeffroeson]

Sure......with your money!!! No other logical reason to.

 

[duneless]

If I had the money sure. I might opt to by something else though. You said 50k for paint? Waste for me on that part. If I was rich I wouldn't care. I would need a couple parking spaces for that beast in my underground parking garage. Near my personal helicopter and jet hanger.:rant2:

 

[Stingroo]

I've seen it in person, and touched it.

It's still beautiful even to this day.

 

[brandondeleo]

If I weren't poor... DUH. :lol:

 

[orconn]

At a different point in my life I would have been in line for sure. I would have settled for a V-8 and I like the absence of all the tech garbage on the dash and console. I think that the car is gorgeous.

 

[talismandave]

Having seen and touched it myself, if I were of a higher economic class I would surely go for it over a Rolls, Bentley,or Maybach.

That would be the class it would have competed in, and more than likely would have handily beat in style, handling and price.

Cars in that stratus do not need high volume, and would have made every other lower model of the brand more valuable by association. The lack of that kind of brand building is what is keeping the current line-up at bargain only sales. It is what Cadillac needs to break out of the "Rebates and Lease Specials"of GM past.

That was why when Mercedes released the 300 class and the SLK they were so popular. Not because thousands of people said to themselves "Great, they finally made a MB small enough for me!"
It was that the cubicle dweller could finally get a car that looked like the CEO's!

If executed as well as the prototype, with slightly more down-to-earth materials, it could have become The Standard of the World.
:hmm:....that has a nice ring to it.....:bulb:

 

[rustybear3]

I couldn't have said it better talismandave. It's the very fact that it is for the most part, unattainable for most of us, that a similar model emanating from the concept would have IMO advanced the demand for such designs and innovations at a much earlier time point in that decade. I am amazed how much it influences the design of Cadillacs today from this concept way back in 2003.

 

[DavidATS]

Even if I had the money my answer would still be "No" as I am not interested in really big luxury vehicles. My current cars are a small daily driver (ATS) and a weekend sports car. If I was willing to spend the money I would go up to the ATS V or CTS V (even it seems big) as a daily and a nicer weekend sports car but above that in size I don't see a point.

 

[maeng9981]

 

[talismandave]

Just another reason Bob Lutz should have been CEO instead of product manager or whatever BS title they gave him.

That should have been his daily driver.

 

[mikesul]

The picture does look like Lutz approves of that car.

 

[77CDV]

If I had the money, HELL YEAH!

 

[MrHolland]

^^^^That!!!

 

[orconn]

With all the V-12's available today, a V-16 would have made a real statement. Unfortunately GM management didn't realize that there is actually a market for a car like that from Cadillac. Unlike the 1957 Eldorado Brougham, that fared so poorly against the Continental Mark II, the Sixteen has sophisticated styling that appeals to the truly wealthy set. Would they have made money on the Sixteen, probably not. But considering the amount Cadillac has spent on worthless advertising, the press coverage and prestige the Sixteen would have garnered from the right ownership and being seen in places where Cadillacs once were often seen (instead of Mercedes) would have had very real marketing value.

 

[Stingroo]

All the V12s available today?

Are we in the same marketplace? Because I'm not sure we are.

Nobody builds a V12 anymore except Mercedes-Benz and Lamborghini.

 

[orconn]

I thought Rolls still came with the BMW V-12 and Ferrari no longer makes a V-12? There are a couple of Chinese makes that put V-12's in their limos.

 

[Stingroo]

There are Chinese V12s?

Ferrari does still have the 12 in the F12berlinetta (I hate the name of this car oh-so-much) and the LaFerrari I suppose.

Not sure about RR either. All they make now are the Ghost and Wraith, which are touted up BMW 7-series. Eh.

 

[orconn]

Yeah, both the Rolls Wraith and the Ghost are powered by BMW V-12's. So I guess there are still a few V-12's in the upper price car market.