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You knew that the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing was an expensive sedan. Like $126,000 expensive. But this first one built just sold at auction for an incredible $250,000. It’s the first limited edition CT5-V Blackwing 120th Anniversary Edition. To celebrate the milestone Cadillac will make only 120 Blackwing sedans. 

You may wonder why Cadillac is celebrating a somewhat odd anniversary. Look, any anniversary past 40 or 50 years is worth celebrating in the car business. Actually, in any business. And anything past 100 years is incredible. 

What comes with the CT5-V Blackwing 120th sedan?

2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing 120th Anniversary Edition | GM

What’s special about the 120 Collector Edition CT5-V sedans? 

  • VIN serialization of the commemorative year between 1902-2022
  • Unique sill plate with the Cadillac Crest design from commemorative year
  • B-pillar builders’ plate with the graphic and commemorative year
  • Shifter medallion (for cars equipped with manual transmission) with 120th-anniversary commemoration
  • Steering wheel plate with the commemorative year
  • Certificate of authenticity
  • Spring Mountain V-Performance Academy driving experience

Note that the special 120th shifter medallion comes only with manual transmission Blackwing. Yes, the Blackwing can be optioned with a manual Tremec TR6060 six-speed. This is the only American-made sedan available in 2022 with a manual transmission. And regardless of whether you get the manual or the 10-speed automatic, the Blackwing’s top speed is over 200 mph. The 0-60 mph number is 3.7 seconds. 

Who sold the Blackwing 120th sedan?

2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing 120th Anniversary Edition shifter | GM

The sale of this special Blackwing sedan happened this weekend at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction. The full quarter-mil was given to the SAE Foundation. In turn, SAE will use the funds to increase student STEM experiences globally. And for its part, Barrett-Jackson waived its requisite fees and commissions. 

“Everyone at Cadillac is thrilled with this auction result. We proudly support the SAE Foundation and are grateful to Barrett-Jackson for providing this opportunity,” said Rory Harvey, vice president, of Global Cadillac. “We will help create a new sustainability-focused challenge for high-school students across the country, as well as provide hands-on immersive STEM learning for students in under-resourced communities.”

When was Cadillac founded?

2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing 120th Anniversary Edition door plate | GM

Henry Leland founded Cadilac in 1902, quickly establishing itself as one of the pinnacle American car manufacturers. He ended up selling the company to GM in 1909 but continued as its head until 1917 when he had a falling out with GM head William Durant. 

Leland then started the Lincoln Motor Company in 1917, which started building Liberty aircraft engines for WWI but soon was manufacturing its own line of luxury automobiles. He sold the company to Henry Ford in 1922. 

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing has a lot of firsts

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing 120th Anniversary Edition shifter badge | GM

Back to the Cadillac Blackwing, it features a lot of first for the 102-year-old company. It is the most powerful and fastest vehicle Cadillac has ever made. The advanced braking system features the largest factory-installed brakes of any Cadillac. Aiding in superior braking are lightweight carbon-ceramic discs, which also reduce unsprung weight and better heat management. 

Cadillac is ramping up its return to LeMans this year. Through its racetrack efforts, the Blackwing sees benefits or the CT5-V Blackwing series. We’re looking forward to more hyper-sedan specials from Cadillac. 

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