Shine and Glamour of Retro: Al Capone’s Legendary Cadillac

Cadillac has long been synonymous with luxury, admired by the rich and famous from its earliest days. One of its most notorious owners was the American gangster Al Capone, whose Cadillac sold after his death for a staggering $314,000. This story takes a closer look at that classic piece of American automotive history.

Cadillac is among the oldest car brands in the world. The company was essentially born out of the remnants of the Henry Ford Company and was named after the French explorer and adventurer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, recognized as the founder of Detroit — a city that would become one of the most important automotive centers of the 20th century.

In 1902, William Murphy and his partners from the Henry Ford Company hired Henry Leland to appraise the company’s factories and equipment, initially considering shutting it down. Leland completed the appraisal but instead proposed building a new car. His advice was heeded, and a new company was born.

Over the following years, Leland launched several innovative models under the Cadillac name. By the time General Motors acquired the company in 1909, Cadillac was already well-known as one of America’s premier luxury automakers. Innovation became a hallmark of the brand, with Leland working closely with some of the best inventors of the era.

Thanks to Charles Kettering, holder of 186 patents, Cadillac introduced the electric starter, electrical systems, steel roofs, and more. It’s no surprise that a brand focused on technology earned a reputation for quality and innovation.

Some of Cadillac’s early standout models included the 1905 Model D, the 1907–1908 Model G, and the 1909 Model 30, which remains celebrated as one of the finest of that legendary generation.

The prestige of Cadillac was famously captured by iconic American singer Etta James, who once said, “When I rode in a big Cadillac, dressed beautifully and well-fed, nothing else mattered to me.”

The success of the Model 30 inspired Cadillac in late 1912 to adopt the slogan “Standard of the World.” That same year, the company made automotive history by introducing Kettering’s fully electric Delco system, used for starting engines and powering lights.

In today’s fast-paced world, treasures like original Cadillac Model 30 Touring cars are exceedingly rare. Only a few remain, and most collectors would go to great lengths to keep one in their collection.