NEW AMERICAN CLASSIC: These Cadillac V-Series Blackwings Set The Standard

Written by Nicole Ellan James

Blackwing is an identifier of mythical birds, expensive pencils, the 4.2-liter twin turbo V8 engine that powered the CT6 and CT6-V, and the moniker for the latest pair of Cadillac performance sedans. Blackwing comes from the original Cadillac crest, which featured the Merlette, a mythical black bird without feet. This crest comes from the founder of Detroit, Michigan: Antoine De La Mothe Cadillac. Today, Cadillac says the Blackwing name denotes “the very highest standard of execution.”

This name is also exclusive to the V-Series Cadillacs, which debuted as part of a rebranding exercise in the early 2000s. General Motors’ objective was to bring Cadillac back as the “Standard of the World” with a new “Art and Science” design that would enter it into direct competition with Stuttgart and Bavaria’s standard marks, specifically those appointed with their letter designations like AMG, M and RS.

The first-ever V-Series model of the Cadillac brand came in 2004 with the CTS. The debut took place at Germany’s famed Nürburgring racecourse. It was a first for Cadillac, but the CTS-V was a Cadillac like no other. At 400 horsepower, it was the most powerful car the brand had ever produced, and was only offered with a manual transmission.

The company chose the letter “V” to honor post-World War II Cadillacs. These vehicles had a V-shaped ornament below their crowned wreath logo, which was not considered a letter at the time.

From its inception, the V-Series lineup grew to include eight vehicle platforms: CTS, XLR, STS, ATS, CT6, Escalade, CT4 and CT5. Each has a unique expression of performance and shares a heritage of racing-bred aesthetics and technologically advanced driving dynamics.

Barrett-Jackson is pleased to be offering two V-Series Blackwings at the 2022 Houston Auction: a 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and a 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.

The 2022 CT4-V Blackwing (Lot #696.1) offered with No Reserve is powered by a Cadillac-exclusive twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 engine, rated with 472 horsepower and backed by an automatic transmission. The car has 7,112 actual miles.

Alongside the CT4, a 2022 CT5-V Blackwing (Lot #696) will also be offered with No Reserve. It is powered by a 6.2-liter hand-built supercharged V8 engine rated with 668 horsepower, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It has 9,360 actual miles.

Both cars accumulated most of their mileage during the same One Lap of America event in May 2021. Each of these Cadillacs comes with visuals, a commemorative plaque and a story about the experience from the GM drivers who participated in the event, which will be displayed during the auction.

Join us in Texas to see these two “Standard of the World” vehicles cross the block with No Reserve during the 2022 Houston Auction, October 20-22 at NRG Center. Register to bid today to make one or both of these amazing vehicles yours.