The 2003 Cadillac 16 stars at Amelia Concours d'Elegance

The stunning design cues of the Sixteen have shown up in the Cadillac lineup over the years, as rumors repeatedly hinting at a select few of the super-flagships being built surfaced during the last decade.

"We wanted a super luxury flagship," said Wayne Cherry, the retired Vice President of GM Design who led the Sixteen design project. "The Sixteen had to have a presence. We wanted it to be the ultimate expression of Cadillac; to reinstate Cadillac as a world leader in design and technology and a reminder of the heritage of Cadillac."

The 2003 Cadillac Sixteen startled the world with its 1000-horsepower, 13.6-liter (831 cubic inch) V-16 and design aspects channeling the spirit of the vehicle’s 1930’s predecessor.

The concept's breakthrough Displacement on Demand system only utilized all 16 cylinders for pedal-to-the-metal acceleration. For maintaining highway speed it only used four of the pistons and just eight for normal city acceleration. This ability gave the seriously overpowered luxury car 21-mpg on regular fuel – brilliant!

Amazingly the vehicle had only a four-speed transmission – with one of the amazing 8-speed automatic transmissions available today, this car would likely have set performance records worldwide. Notably the long, lean looker has four wheel steering to help it maneuver through the urban landscape.

Other notable design features included a solid crystal Cadillac logo in the steering wheel and a Bulgari clock in the dash.

The 2003 Cadillac 16 Concept will not only be the star of the Amelia Concours d’Elegance, it has been a star of film and television as well.

James May of Top Gear reviewed the Sixteen during the 10th episode of the second season of the popular auto show in 2003.

In 2006, the Sixteen appeared in the Adam Sandler vehicle Click, about a truly universal remote control. The Cadillac Sixteen was driven by his character when he visited the future in 2017.

Additionally, the Sixteen appeared in the 2011 film Real Steel, starring Hugh Jackman. When Charlie Kenton meets with his son’s mother and rich step dad in the early storyline to collect his money for relinquishing custody of Max, the couple is riding in the Cadillac.

The super luxury performance car will be the star of the 18th annual Amelia Concours d'Elegance's Cadillac Concept Car Class.
It will be in stellar company beside examples of the 1949 Coupe de Ville, 1952 Convertible Coupe, 1953 Le Mans Concept, 1953 Le Mans, 1953 Supercharged Eldorado, 1956 Eldorado Brougham Motorama Town Car, 1958 Eldorado Biarritz, 1959 Cyclone, 1961 Eldorado and 2002 Cien.

The 18th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is scheduled for March 8-10. For more information.