Digital DeconstructionAl Capone’s 1928 V8 Cadillac
The 1928 V8 Cadillac once owned by infamous American gangster Al Capone can be yours at auction.
The car is one of the earliest examples of a bulletproofed vehicle.
New research has shed light on period documentation from newspapers, the IRS, and information from the family of the second known owner, as well as from an eyewitness to the development of this car. While the provenance of the “Al Capone” armored Cadillac has never been questioned, its origins were never confirmed beyond reasonable doubt until now.
Nefarious connection aside, this is among the earliest surviving bulletproof vehicles, fitted with glass almost an inch thick and lined with nearly 3,000 pounds of armor plating. Heavy spring lifts permitted the side windows to operate, while the rear window was rigged to drop quickly, allowing occupants to fire upon would-be pursuers. The modified windows were also equipped such that the glass could be raised an extra inch or so, revealing a circular cutout large enough to accommodate the muzzle of a machine gun. Mr. Capstran stated that when the Cadillac arrived at his father’s shop in the summer of 1928, the doors and windows had been bulletproofed elsewhere and that they only worked on the rear of the body.
It’s estimated the car could fetch upwards of $500,000.
Anyone want to go 1/10,000 with me?
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