Armored And Bulletproofed, Al Capone’s 1928 Cadillac V8 Town Sedan

Ever wondered what the infamous American gangster and businessman, Al Capone’s bulletproof car looks like, well this is it, the 1928 Cadillac V8 Town Sedan. 

It was purchased new by him and modified at his direction into an armored bulletproof car, making it the first of its kind in the world at the time.

Initially, the Cadillac V8 was unveiled in 1926 with a 5.1-litre V8, then, two years later in 1928 an upgraded version, a 5.6-litre V8 with an increase in torque, horsepower, and speed was revealed.

Despite it not being a certainty, it was likely that the additional power of the 1928 Cadillac got the attention of Capone. 

Be it so, with all those armored fitments, Capone’s bulletproof Cadillac V8 resulted with thousands of kilograms in weight, up to 1,361 kg to the vehicle’s curb weight.

Two main aspects were involved in armoring Capone’s Cadillac V8. First the rear cabin’s plate glass was removed and replaced with a one-inch-thick glass with modified window frames.

Then, the side windows also similarly modified, used heavy spring lifts to allow the windows to still be opened and closed.

Just like the latter, the rear window could be dropped open, allowing the occupants to return fire on any potential pursuers.

Second aspect of the project was done by Ernest Capstran, a local auto body shop owner in Chicago, where Capone reigned at the time.

Interestingly, when the car arrived at the shop it was reversed in as Capone’s men didn’t want passersby seeing the work that was being done to the rear and the sides.

This part of the modification, which completed the whole build, involved adding plate steel armor wrapped in asbestos, within the doors and body of the car.

The steel plate is said to have lead lodged in it from some earlier testing to ensure it was able to stop bullets effectively. Each steel section was cut to size and installed wrapped in fireproof asbestos. 

Unfortunately, Capone didn’t get to use his armored Cadillac V8 for very long, as he was arrested and imprisoned in 1929.

Though, at the time his assets were being seized, this bulletproof car of his was somehow overlooked, possibly because he had two newer, far more exotic Cadillac V16s in his possession.

Remaining in a garage, the car was eventually sold to a family in show business, who had it touring around the U.S as a paid exhibit in the 1930s.

Later the car was sold to an owner in England. The new owner of Capone’s Cadillac V8 exhibited the car there for a number of years before it was returned to the United States.

At some point in the 1950s the car was restored, probably to reduce the weight back down to a more manageable level.

In 2012, it was sold off by RM Sotheby auction house for USD 341,000 (RM 1,509,096). But now, it’s on sale again at Celebrity Cars in Las Vegas with a USD 1,000,000 (RM 4,425,500) asking price.

A fitting amount for a notoriously owned vehicle, it’s been on offer at the said classic car dealership for two years with no takers as of yet.