1918 Cadillac Type 57 – World War I Support Vehicle, American Expeditionary Forces

This remarkable 1918 Cadillac Type 57, designated U.S. 1257X, embodies both American engineering prowess and military history. Featuring a groundbreaking 90-degree, side-valve V-8 engine producing approximately 70 hp, this seven-passenger touring car passed rigorous military testing and was chosen for use by the U.S. Army and YMCA during World War I, making it the first mass-produced V-8 ever to serve in combat operations.​

Purchased by Rev. Dr. John Hopkins Denison, the vehicle transported military personnel, including Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt (wife of Theodore Roosevelt Jr.), and supported troops at pivotal moments like the Second Battle of the Marne—a key turning point in the war. Today, it is the only surviving Cadillac verified to have served overseas with a full, documented record. It retains its original craftsmanship, materials, and even the scars of battlefield service, such as a bullet hole in the front fender.​

Deployed from 1917 to 1919, it represents America’s growing reliance on modern motor vehicles for logistics, communication, and support. Its legacy is safeguarded by historians and organizations such as the Historic Vehicle Association.

Features:

• Authentic 1918 Cadillac Type 57, U.S. military designation 1257X

• First mass-produced V-8 engine in a U.S. Army wartime vehicle

• Seven-passenger touring car on a 125-inch wheelbase

• Documented combat service and transport roles for AEF and YMCA

• Original materials and components with visible wartime wear

• Significant artifact in both American automotive and military history

• Exhibited at museums; registered with the National Historic Vehicle Register

• Ideal for collectors, historians, museums, and automotive enthusiasts

• Includes extensive historical documentation on service in France and AEF support roles

Honor the innovation and resilience of wartime America with this iconic 1918 Cadillac—an enduring testament to engineering, service, and history.