Yahoo Autos Cadillac Drops Two Special Edition Blackwings at Le Mans
Despite being knocked off of the pole at the last possible moment, Cadillac is still gearing up for an exciting run at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans. In celebration of the brand’s history at the race, General Motors unveiled two new special edition Blackwing models under the Collectors Series banner on Friday: the 2025 CT5-V Blackwing Le Monstre Edition and the 2025 CT4-V Blackwing Petit Pataud Edition. Here’s everything we know about the limited production sport sedans.
Both of these special edition models pay homage to the 1950 iteration of the race, during which Cadillac campaigned some of the most famous Le Mans entrants of all time. The two-car effort was helmed by none other than Briggs Cunningham and consisted of two Series 61 models. The two racers couldn't have looked more different from one another however, despite their shared factory chassis and powertrains (aside from some larger carbs). The pair marked the first time that an American car had participated in the race since 1935, when a single Duesenberg arrived in France.
The 2025 CT5-V Blackwing Le Monstre Edition is based on the more extreme of the two cars, which also bears the same moniker. The original Le Monstre is mechanically identical to the other Series 61 racer, but features a wildly unique aerodynamic body. The strange shape was developed with some help from a Grumman engineer, with a wind tunnel even being used to study aero adjustments. It measures in at three inches narrower than the standard car, and was even capable of a top speed of 130 mph. A collision with a sandbank ensured that the car wouldn’t take the win over its Cadillac teammate, but it's remained an absolute icon of endurance racing in the 75 years since its debut.
The 2025 CT4-V Blackwing Petit Pataud Edition pays homage to that second car under the Cunningham banner, which was raced by Miles and Sam Collier. Unsure of how the radical Le Monstre would play out, Cunningham opted to leave their second entry in a more traditional spec. Despite the fact that the Caddy didn't have a sports car lineage, the Collier boys managed to finish in 10th overall, five miles ahead of Le Monstre. Both cars still exist today and can be enjoyed by enthusiasts via a visit to the Revs Institute in Naples, Florida.
Both of these new Collectors Series models will receive the same visual adjustments. The exterior is slated to be finished in the Magnus Matte hue, accented by Stormhawk blue-tinted carbon fiber components. The blue theme continues on the bespoke brake calipers, while black mirror caps and badges give the sedans a more menacing vibe. Customers will also have a number of interior color and trim options, including the new Phantom blue setup with Jet black and Santorini blue accents. Like every Collectors Series model, the cars also receive bespoke d-printed shifter medallions, a model-specific sill plate, and a serialized B-pillar plaque.
Cadillac hasn’t shared any information related to the pricing for these models, but don't expect them to be sitting on dealer lots. Only 101 examples of the Le Monstre model are set for production, one for every year that the 24-hour race has been run. Only 50 Petit Pataud models will be built as well, a nod to the brand’s 1950 debut at Le Mans. Production and deliveries are currently slated for early 2025, so be sure to contact your Cadillac dealer soon if you want to have a shot at one of these Le Mans-inspired models.
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