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T41 [more commonly known as the M-41] Cadillac built more than 3700 Walker Bulldog light tanks at the Cleveland Ordnance plant, for the Korean war. It carried a 76mm gun. Photo McC p.293

Tail-fin history: MT, 100th anniversary , p.94, also SIA11, p.16; photos available of tail-pin evolution to 1959 and to 1966.

Talisman: An astrological charm, carved on stone or metal, carried on one's person to avert evil, protect from danger, safeguard health, etc. An excerpt from a Cadillac catalog reads: "Webster defines 'Talisman' as something producing apparently magical or miraculous effects. So does Cadillac!" The company used the name to designate a limited-edition, 4-seater luxury Fleetwood Brougham sedan, built from 1974 to 1976. The front and rear seats were separated by an upholstered console in the same velvet material as the seats and door panels [articles, photos in Bond No. 39, CLC10/96, p.6].

Tallman, Jack: Decatur, Ill., Cadillac dealership; Jack visited the me in 1974, who repaid the visit in 1978; has collection of old Cadillacs including three presidential models.

Tangier Tan copper leather: special trim available on 1955 Fleetwood 60S, has beige nylon square pattern fabric.

Tanks: Cadillac helped build tanks and airplane parts during WW2; tanks were powered by two V8 engines and Hydra-Matic transmission mounted side by side; good photo of tank engine in catalog "From Peace to War" 1943-44]. Article by John F. Gordon, Cadillac Chief Engineer, in CLCA/92, pp.8-17. Australia also built tanks in WW2 powered by three Cadillac V8s, the Cruiser MK1 "Sentinel" (article in CLC, 1/92, p.11)

Tappett, Ted [see Frick-Tappett]:

Templin, Robert J.: Men of Cadillac, was chief engineer in 1973.

Tendelet: a French term for a protective cover that could be placed over the rumble area of 2p. roadsters, coupes and convertible coupes.

Tenite: a hard plastic material used in the manufacture of steering wheels, transmission and signal control knobs.

Ternstedt:  The Ternstedt Manufacturing Company of Detroit was a unit of the Fisher Body Corporation.  It was that company which made the door handles window winders, robe rails, foot rest brackets, light fixtures, switch plates and gearshift knobs,  for the Cadillac and La Salle models of the twenties and thirties.

   
Left: this ad appeared in the Saturday Evening Post in 1929
Right: this is from a 1930 LaSalle product catalog
[ both pieces illustrate well the type and quality of the company's products ]

 

Thermostatic Cooling System Control: Introduced by Cadillac before WW1 [1962 publicity piece {in JMR collection}]

Thibivilliers, Claude: French scale-model maker; created limited series of Fifties and special stretched versions in 1/43 scale.

Thomas, LaRue: Cadillac dealer in Los Angeles who was very helpful in allowing me to photograph his impressive collection of Cadillac cars in 1978; corresponded with daughter, Vicki, on "miniature Seville" model built on Honda Civic chassis. He sold the bulk of that collection at auction in April 1996 [report in CLC 9/96].

Thompson, Earl A.: Men of Cadillac, engineer- extraordinaire, creator of Syncro-Mesh "clashless" and Hydra-Matic "automatic" transmissions; photos, SIA20, p.26 and SIA 4/1980, p.22.

Thousand Miles Trial (1903): H75, pp. 43 & 59.

Tiger Hunt: special V16 Roadster. for Indian Maharajah of Orccha [see "Pininfarina"].

Tikari, Maharaja of: commissioned from Cadillac in 1930 a special, Fleetwood style 4260 sport phaeton with right-hand drive. It was reportedly built for Maharajah Bhupinder Singh of Patiala¹ who subsequently gifted it to his friend, the Maharajah of  Tikari, in India. At that time it joined the Maharaja's other 151 private cars and he is reported to have used it on tiger shoots!  The car was acquired in 1938 by Maharajkumar Fatch Singh but spent most of the next 10 years in storage on account of war rationing (of tires and petrol).  It came back to the USA in 1966, after an 18-month struggle with Indian authorities to get it out of that country. No fewer than 4270 man-hours were put into its restoration by Robert Lonsdale of Montgomery, AL. Russell Head, its subsequent owner, put in another 400 hours to bring the car up to concours condition.  A multiple prize-winner, this car is considered by most as the crown jewel in one of the finest West Coast auto collections.   Enthusiast, David Hayward (e-Mail address: gmhistorian@btopenworld.com) wrote in July, 2002: The r.h.d. 1930-31 Sports Phaeton # 702927 has belonged to an acquaintance of mine, Ron Hickman, on the Island of Jersey for many years. It has also been featured on a Jersey stamp (thanks for the info, David). More reading: Fit for a Maharajah, by Arch Brown, CC&CC. Sept., 1983.
_____________________________________________________
¹ The story goes that the Maharaja of Patiala was snubbed by snooty British salesmen at a Rolls Royce showroom in the U.K.; he is reported to have got his own back by buying up the entire consignment of 50 vehicles on display and turning them into garbage trucks back home. An English paper printed a picture and the story, which sent company representatives scurrying to Patiala with an olive branch. It is interesting to note that the Maharajah  never bought another RR in his life, nor did his children. As Capt. Amrinder Singh remarked, "He hated Rolls Royces for the pomp and snobbery attached to them". The family were great fans of American Cars.

 

Tilt-Beam headlights: Introduced by Cadillac before WW1 [1962 publicity piece {in JMR collection}]

Tire inflator (power): popular optional accessory first made available in 1912 and last seen mentioned in Fr. catalogue for 1923 cars [could have been available also for a few more years]; it ran off the motor.

Tilt/telescope steering wheel: The first tilting steering wheel was introduced by Cadillac on the 1914 models. At that time it was to facilitate entrance and egress. In the mid sixties, there was a move back to this useful feature, first with "tilt" only wheel (in 1963), then "tilt and telescope" in 1965.

       
Left: the 1914 "tilt" wheel: Center: 1963 "Tilt" wheel; Right: 1965 "tilt and telescope" wheel

 

Tonneau (detachable): on early Cadillac models, additional seating for two passengers, mounted (detachable) at rear of body behind the front seats; it comprised a single door at the rear and was available on "Runabout" models from 1903 to the end of 1905; in later cars, the "tonneau" was the passenger area behind the front seat; the term also may describe the piece of cowling sometimes installed behind the front seat to protect the occupants of the rear compartment, as in Fisher-Fleetwood so-called "sport phaeton" models; the second cowl could be raised to facilitate entry to and exit from the rear seat. Sometimes it was fitted with a folding, secondary windshield.

   
The detachable "tonneau" (left side of image)
is affixed to the sloping back of the 2-seater runabout

   
1928 Fisher-bodied sport phaeton (left)
Secondary cowl in raised position for easy access to rear seat (right)

 

Tonneau cover: a soft, fabric envelope (later made of rigid fiberglass) to hide the unsightly soft top frame and material when in the folded position; some post-war Cadillac models had sliding or folding metal panels under which the folded soft top disappeared completely out of sight [e.g. 1953 Eldorado].

Tonneau windshield: an auxiliary windshield mounted to the "Tonneau" and which, in general, could be folded forward, flat against the tonneau to let the "air in your hair". In two special Fleetwood V-16 styles the tonneau windshield could be lowered into the partition between front and rear seats (styles 4260 and 4260-A); in these cars there was no additional cowl for rear-seat passengers

Top bows: in open, convertible cars, cross "beams" of folding framework supporting cloth top and keeping top tight in closed position; formerly wood, then metal they attached to lateral top irons.

Tops [convertible]: Early Cadillac cars had either rubber or mohair tops. The former were made of high quality, rubber-covered 3-ply cloth with heavy jeans backing; it was web-reinforced and padded with cotton wool; the top held its shape well and gave the car a smooth top line. The mohair top was of black mohair Mackintosh cloth. Priced from $55 to $95 they included side curtains and a stowage cover. Early Cadillacs also offered slip covers for the seats in light-gray, twill-backed jeans with rubber interlining.

Torpédo: French equivalent of Phaeton (see 1924 catalog )

Torque: in simple terms, the force that turns the rear wheels [excerpt from 1959 press release]. Used as name of publication of Michigan Region CCCA.

Tourer: UK equivalent of Touring car or Phaeton (see 1927 styles in SAB book, p.46).

Touring or "Touring car": an early Cadillac body style designating an open car accommodating at least 4 persons; fitted with a folding top (and occasionally waterproof side curtains) for use in inclement weather; more generally, a large family-sized convertible automobile with 4 doors and a seating capacity for 5 to 7 passengers.

Town car: generally a chauffeur-driven automobile with an open front compartment and, sometimes, a metal or makeshift leather covering to protect the chauffeur in inclement weather; the passenger compartment, separated from the driver by a fixed or mobile glass division, usually had exceptionally luxurious appointments; many town cars had a "speaking-tube" mounted on the "B" pillar, the outlet of which stood close to the left ear of the driver; the driver's seat and front door panels of all Fleetwood town cars were finished in fine grain leather; a waterproof foul-weather cover was stored in a special compartment in the division, behind the front seat; it could be pulled out and buttoned on the windshield to protect the driver

Town [whatever]; an advertising copy-writer's gimmick to sell large, difficult-to-park automobiles to the metropolitan dweller; the Cadillac-La Salle owner would use the "Town Sedan" for shopping and the "Sport Cabriolet" for "cruisin' down the highway"

Townsman: Golden anniversary model, 1952, CLCA 1978, inside front cover.

Toys, scale-models, miniature replicas: Many were made of Cad-La Salle automobiles. I probably had up to 1989 the world's largest collection numbering some 700 of them; I sold it in 1989 and the buyer has continued to expand the collection; book on Cad toys entitled "Greenberg's Guide to Cadillac Models and Toys" by Jeff Gurski published 1992 [ISBN 0-89778-288-7] is well illustrated but unfortunately very incomplete.

Track Master: This technical innovation was made in 1971;  it is described briefly in company merchandising literature as a computerized, rear wheel, skid-control braking system (the fore-runner of ABS?);  the system was optionally available on the  Eldorado in 1971 ($211) and on all models starting in 1972 ($205).

Traction Control: Another Cadillac suspension system innovation;  it was made available on the 1992 Fleetwood and was optional on the DeVille model that year;  it was integral with the Teves Mk IV ABS system.

Trademarks and Licensing: use of the Cadillac and LaSalle crests, wreath, "V" design, script requires a license agreement that may be obtained from the firm's licensing agent, the DMB&B licensing Group (D'Arcy, McManus, Benson & Bowles); article in CLC, 2/92, p.5.

Traditional Coachworks Ltd, of 9344 N. Oso St., Chatsworth, California was a popular custom coach builder in the seventies. They did a number of wagon conversions and other Cadillac-based custom jobs on Cadillac chassis.

Transformable: (as opposed to "stationary") indicates that a portion of the car roof could be removed [see also "stationary"].  The front seat of   transformable cars were open to the elements but could be enclosed during inclement weather.  The 1930 Fleetwood color portfolio attests that this "transformation" could be effected  in just a few moments.

Transportation Unlimited: Title of first GM auto exhibition at New York's Waldorf Astoria hotel in Jan. 1949 (also called the "Autorama"). Similar show was staged in 1950. There were none in 1951/1952 [during the Korean war]. The GM exhibitions returned in 1953 under the title "Motorama"; it opened Jan. 16. in New York, then traveled on to Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas and Kansas City. 1.5 million spectators viewed the 1953 extravaganza. On show were the Chevy "Corvette", Olds "Starfire", Cadillac "Orleans", Cadillac "Le Mans", Buick "Wildcat" and Pontiac "La Parisienne";

Transmissions: article by MH, CC&CC 1/1986, pp.46-47.

Trimatic: Three-way casket table in hearse models; name coined by Miller-Meteor; enabled casket to be inserted or withdrawn from funeral vehicle from rear door or from either of side doors; loading from side door allowed more intimacy for bereaved family.

Trombley Avenue # 480-500: location of the former Leland and Faulconer factory, then the Cadillac pattern shop in Detroit in 1903; I visited the spot in 1994. The foundry and machine and sheet metal department were on the other side of the railroad tracks.

Trophée d'élégance féminine automobile: prize awarded at Paris Concours d'élégance in late Twenties and early Thirties for combined chic of automobile and lady owner [see also Coupe de l'originalité and Coupe de la Carrosserie].

Trump Golden Edition (stretched Limousine): built by Dillinger-Gaines Coach Works, a New York firm, specializing in "stretched" Limousines. The "Golden Edition" was built 1988 in collaboration with New York developer, Donald Trump; picture in Cadillac news sheet, Vol. 2, issue 1 (in 1988 literature drawer); also catalogue/folder "The Trump Series " (includes "The Executive" Limousine)

Trunk and trunk rack: until the mid-30s most cars were fitted with a folding luggage rack at the rear on which was strapped a removable trunk; in the 30's there was a move toward a fixed trunk rack and trunk in which fitted luggage could be carried. The integral trunk made its appearance on the 1938 Cadillac Series 60 Special sedan.

     
Here are two views of the regular Cadillac trunk from 1930-31, as mounted on the V-16 chassis

 

Trumpet-tooter: [see "Hood mascots"].

 

Tulip panel: panel between bottom of rear window and rear of trunk lid [???]

Turret-Top: This solid steel top was introduced on the closed body Cadillac and LaSalle models of 1934 (1935??) , as were Knee-Action wheels and the concealed spare tire.

TV in cars: According to a cutting from a Chicago newspaper dated March 29, 1951 [seen at the home of literature buff, Z. Taylor Vinson] Cadillac built a custom limousine that had a TV receiver installed in the rear compartment at a cost of $1,000. A TV monitor was installed in the dash of a 1956 Buick Centurion Motorama show car; it was in fact a CCTV monitor, fed by a camera mounted in the rear; it replaced the traditional rear-view mirror (this gadget never made it into mass production on a car). Car TV did not catch on.  The next time Cadillac used the idea was in the Westchester, a custom Series 60 Special sedan mood car on display during the 1955 Motorama [MT 4/55, p.25]. The set was installed in the back of the front seat back.  In 2005, a shrewd used car vendor from Florida attempted on three occasions to sell on eBay [for a MILLION dollars, no less] a re-bodied '59 Cadillac convertible that was fitted with a '60 convertible body and that had a B&W TV mounted in the dash; he asserted (first) that it was "the" 1959 GM Motorama show car, and had a couple of witnesses testify to having seen it there, in October 1959, when in fact the show was held one year earlier! He later changed his tune, alleging it was an authentic "GM design experiment" from Harley Earl's skunk works (the first '59 Cadillac built with a '60 body, with in-dash TV!) Nobody believed him. In January 2006, he tried to sell the car during the annual Barrett-Jackson venue in Scottsdale, AZ, but ended up having to buy the car back himself ...at considerable expense.

   
Interior of Cadillac Westchester, the 1955 GM Motorama show car

Dash panel of the 1956 Buick Centurion,
another GM Motorama show car

The "TV" in this car (a 1956 prototype Buick Centurion made for that year's Motorama )
was the CCTV kind, intended to repalace the traditional rear-view mirror; it never caught on

              

    

   
The alleged "1959 GM Motorama" car and subsequent
"GM Design Experiment" [ beware of  Marvin Friedman, a Florida used car vendor ! ]

TV Shows: The Cadillac organization was featured on NBC's "Today" show on 12 December 1975.

Two-speed rear axle: Cadillac claimed ownership of this mechanical innovation in 1913.  In fact, the system was discontinued the following year following a law-suit filed by Austin Auto Co. of Grand Rapids, Michigan who claimed the invention as their own. Here is an interesting merchandising piece; it came in four parts, or "Cantos"; this is the fourth (the other three mentioned Cadillac feats that could not be done, but were). About the selfstarter, here is part of an interesting merchandising piece. It came in four parts, or "Cantos"; this is the text of the third one. The other three "Cantos"   mention other feats that could not be done, but were. A manuscript note was pinned to the first sheet; it reads: If possible, have this news item run in your papers without alteration.

CANTO IV - And now comes another revolution: The Cadillac two-speed direct drive axel [sic]. Like preceding Cadillac innovations, it marks the beginning of another epoch in motor car progress. We will not go into details here concerning the manifold advantages of this axel [sic] further than to say that by it the Cadillac endows the motor car with: A new element of efficiency, A new quality of luxury, A new source of economy. We simply was [want?] to make a prediction: to prepare you for what is to come and to forewarn you as to what you may expect. Expect hands to go up as usual. Expect the chorus “It can’t be done.” Expect most anything. Be surprised at nothing you hear. But remember.

          

 

Two-plane crankshaft: Cadillac mech. innovation for 1923 was the balanced, two-plane crankshaft (???) (photo of 1923 V8 engine SIA5, p.24).

Two-tone paint: were readily available through 1933 but the 1934-1938 models listed only single colors. In 1939, two tones of paint were offered only on the 60S; from 1940 on, two-tone paint was again offered (CLC 4/92, p.8).

 

U  U  U  U  U  U  U  U  U  U  U  U  U  U  U

 

Umbrella : Part of the standard equipment in Fleetwood limousine styles was a handy umbrella "pocket" in the passenger compartment;   usually it was located in the partition, on the (RH) side. The example, below, is from the Fleetwood style #4330 5-pass. limousine belonging to my friend, Chris Cummings.   The umbrella is NOT from 1930!

 

Upholstery repairs [vinyl]: article , CC&CC 8/1986, pp.52-55.

Uppercu, Inglis M.: owned the "Detroit Cadillac Co." (not to be confused with  "Cadillac Motor Car Co.", a division of GM); he was the Manhattan (NY) Cadillac distributor, with headquarters at 59th and Broadway; it was later renamed the "Uppercu Cadillac Corp.". The latter had a custom body department that was headed by J.R. McLauchlen  in collaboration with the coach-building firms of  Hollander & Morrill [H&M] as well as Healey & Co. in New Jersey; H&M was a continuation of the well-known Amesbury carriage builder Lambert Hollander; they built only aluminum-clad, wood-framed composite automobile bodies; by 1913 they were building bodies for Uppercu. According to historian Keith Marvin, Uppercu specialized in sales of sedans, limousines, town cars and roadsters. H&M's specialty was closed bodies and their bodies were much in demand with high quality chassis retailers in Boston and New York (they built also at least one phaeton - see photo). Prior to Cadillac’s later association with Fleetwood, many of Uppercu’s town cars, landaulets and limousines were designed by McLauchlen and built by either H&M or Healey & Co. in New Jersey (Uppercu was H&M's best customer). Following the 1923 reorganization of the Detroit Cadillac Motor Car Company, as the Uppercu Cadillac Corp. By the end of 1924 it become apparent to GM's Cadillac Motor Car Co. that the continued success of the company depended on the availability of low cost, yet high quality custom coachwork; at the urging of Lawrence P. Fisher, the Fisher Body Corp. made an offer to purchase outright the Fleetwood Body Co., which was one of the chief competitors of H&M  and Holbrook; the Fisher deal was consummated on July 18, 1925 and Uppercu’s own custom body department was disbanded in 1926. [Extracts: © 2004 Mark Theobald - Coachbuilt.com with special thanks to Amesbury historian Steve Klomps and the estate of Frank F. Morrill]; SIA 4/1980, p.51, CLC, 5/90, pp.8-9 (photos).

Phaeton by H&M for Inglis Uppercu

 

 

V  V  V  V  V  V  V  V  V  V  V  V  V  V  V

 

V-Type engines: Cadillac introduced the V8 into mass production in 1915. Fifteen years later it produced also the V16 and V12 multi-cylinder power plants (details below). For those interested in V-Type engine principles, check the article in "The Motor" (UK) for January 13, 1931 (pp. 1128-1130).

V-Windshield: A design masterstroke by Fleetwood used on Pennsylvania-built cars from 1928 to 1930

V8 engine: It was first developed in France by De Dion Bouton (I have an advertisement showing that first V8 motor in 1914 Ill).  The new motor is described in detail by L.V. Spencer in an article published September 17, 1914 in The Automobile, a trade publication of the time.  The 75th anniversary of V8 is mentioned in CCI, 30.7. Cadillac perfected the idea and launched its own V8 motor in September of 1914. In the Cadillac unit, which replaced the 4-cyl. model, the banks of 4-cylinders. were set off at a "V" angle of 90°, hence the label "V8". Bore was 3 1/8 inch and stroke 5 1/8 inch, giving 314 cubic inches of displacement. History and evolution: CLC 8/93, pp.12-13 and 10/93 pp.12-13. Major changes in V8 configuration were wrought in the following years: 1926-27, 1936, 1949 [new bore & stroke, lightweight "slipper" pistons, with a skirt shaped ... so the piston could fit between the counterweights of the crankshaft at the bottom of its stroke, 5 main bearings, 7.5:1 compression. ratio, to take advantage of higher octane gasoline, overhead valve train with hydraulic lifters, 160 hp at 3800 rpm, 331 cu", 200 lbs lighter, improved durability and performance, greater fuel efficiency],  big changes in 1964, 1968, ... "Northstar", etc.

V8 Magazine: Fr. language magazine with many articles on surviving Cadillacs .

V8-6-4: 1981 engineering innovation, "modulated displacement" fuel-injected engine based on Cadillac's 6 liter V8, designed to run on 4, 6 or 8 cylinders for fuel economy, standard in DeVille, Fleetwood Brougham, Eldorado and Limousine; optional in Seville, McC p.438.

V12 Engine: Introduced already in September 1930 the V12 models made their official appearance at the annual New York show in January 1931. In their first issue for January, Automobile Topics had this to say about the new car: "The Cadillac V12, reflecting Cadillac engineering and manufacturing leadership in a new example of multi-cylinder motoring, is appearing for the first time at the Show (...) the V12 price range extends from $3795 to $4895. (...) Mechanically, the V12 is virtually a duplicate of the V16 except that it is a shorter car and powered with a 12-cylinder engine. As such it inherits many of the remarkable features pioneered by the V16 and described previously in AUTOMOBILE TOPICS. Among those are automatic valve silencers, thermostatically controlled crankcase ventilation, two individual carburetors controlled in unison by a single accelerator, harmonized steering, and safety mechanical brakes."

V16 Engine: Article on V-16 In CC, 3/1980; there is some info on applying canework. Cadillacs with 16-cylinder motor were built for two distinct periods: 1930-1937, OHV motor and 1939-1940 L-head motor; distinguishing features 1933-1940 were three horizontal hood vents and matching front and rear fender spears [similar hood vents were used on Chevrolet Master in '34 and possibly other makes]. A V16 engine was exhibited on the Cadillac stand at the Motor Show at Olympia, London, in October 1930. That was possibly the engine for which no build sheet is on record in the Cadillac archives. The show report published in "The Motor" (UK) on October 21, 1930 says "To technical enthusiasts an outstanding exhibit at Olympia is undoubtedly the 16-cylinder Cadillac engine, which is displayed on a separate dais. This power unit, which has achieved great success in America, is beautifully finished and is provided with two blocks of eight cylinders each mounted at an angle on an aluminum crankcase. Overhead valves operated by push-rods are employed, a unique feature being an automatic adjustment of rocker clearance which requires no attention and ensures silent running. The sparking plugs are supplied from a large duplicated distributor and contact-breaker unit mounted vertically at the forward end of the engine. The exhaust and inlet manifolds for each block of cylinders are arranged along the sides of the engine and at the front there is a large belt-driven six-bladed fan. The remainder of the chassis specification follows orthodox lines, and includes the well-known Syncro-Mesh gearbox." On the same stand was shown a beautiful, blue 16-cylinder Cadillac limousine costing 2450 sterling pounds [possibly style 4375, engine #2762, that was shipped to New York in October 1930 and diverted for export to London]. Of the V16 it was said, "There is no power plant in any motor car so smooth, so quiet, so flexible." Anton Bruehl, photographer to the stars, was commissioned to photograph the first and mighty V16 engine for an advertising brochure in 1930. It is truly a beautiful and rare piece of artwork. Comparison with Marmon Sixteen: TQ 7-8/79, pp.6-13. V16 article in OCW, 22.8.1991, p.30.

Here is the V16 engine with the heads off

 

V63: [see Type V63].

V-windshield: so-called because they were shaped like a "V" when viewed from above; they were generally vertical and had separate, swing-out ventilation panes.

Vacuum Antenna: service notes, CLCA 1975, pp.20-22.

Vacuum Parking Brake Release: This feature was introduced with the 1960 Cadillac models (see Data Book for details)

Vacuum Systems: Many manufacturers used such systems powered operating off the vacuum created by pistons sucking air and gasoline into the engine. There is a good technical article about repairing and maintaining such systems in CLC 5/94, pp.7-8

Valance: a sheet of sometimes pre-formed metal to enhance the lines of a car or obscure unsightly body parts (e.g. valance masking chassis frame rails and curved valance hiding the rear-mounted fuel tank of cars of the 20s and 30s). Valances could be of the hinged or sliding variety; in their open position they made for easier access, for example, to passenger areas; a typical such valance covered part of the rear passenger compartment in sport phaeton bodies and carried a secondary, generally folding windshield for the added comfort of rear seat passengers; it was known as the secondary or dual cowl. In the late Twenties, some coach builders made an effort to hide the chassis valances by covering the frame rails with the body and doors.

Valleau, Eric: T A Canadian-born artist who drew the superb jeweled magazine ads of the late forties through the mid-sixties.  He also painted scenes for some Cadillac sales catalogs of the fifties. Eric did most of the Cadillac account work for the La Drière agency.

Valkyrie (Die): a romantic name from Wagner's opera "Siegfried", designating a Cadillac-powered prototype convertible-coupe, with removable HT, designed by Brooks Stevens in 1952 and built by Spohn, in Ravensburg, Germany; the 2-tone [black & white] car was shown first at the 1954 Paris salon; MC Autumn 1974, p.23; six were reportedly built by Spohn to special order but only two have appeared in photos: the Paris Salon car, built in 1954 and a second unit built in 1955 for the wife of the designer (that one is known to have survived and was in the Joe Bortz collection in 1997).  More info: SIA20, p.42; also CA 10/1989.

 

Van den Plas, Antoine & Sons: 61 Avenue de l'Armée, Brussels, a renowned Belgian coach-builder; they built a number of bodies on Cadillac chassis including:

1. the 1928 Cadillac featured in McC p.125
2. a fully collapsible, 3-position. 1929 Sedan [McC, p. 133]
3. two 7-pass. de luxe limousines, one for Ivan C.C. Tchaperoff in red with black roof and fenders, the other for Mrs. F. Jenkins (color not recorded); the notable styling features of these two car were their raked, flat windshield and slender windshield posts; they had four, rear-opening "suicide" doors; Mr. Tchaperoff's car is featured in a rare literature item issued in 1931 for the British Cadillac-LaSalle dealer, Lendrum and Hartman, in London
4. two Town Landaulets (one on the 1930 V8 chassis [McC, p.134] and a very similar body on the 1930 V16 chassis); the latter car is featured also in the 1931 Lendrum and Hartman portfolio; the car was pale blue with black roof and fenders; styling features included slender windshield posts for the vertical, flat windshield, opening rear roof section, doors reaching down to partly cover the frame rails, "suicide" rear doors. The report published in "The Motor" (UK) on October 21, 1930 described that V16 landaulet as having extra-wide doors with private locks and center armrests to the front and back seats. It said "The two comfortable occasional seats face forward and are concealed in the partition when not in use. The partition has a one-piece winding window. The landaulet has a fitted cabinet between the occasional seats, the companions are incorporated in the inlaid garnish rails and the silk blinds are concealed. The Colour scheme is light blue picked out black." The latter car was later shipped back to America and owned for some time by the late "Cadillac Jim" (James Pearson) of Kansas City. I believe the car may have been sold at a Movieland auction of "Cars of the Stars" in the Seventies, suggesting that it might have been owned at one time by a screen star. It was later acquired and restored by J.C. Leake, the well-known automobile collector and dealer in Oklahoma City. He kindly let me take many pictures of it during its restoration in the early Eighties. Van den Plas built also a Sports Saloon on the V16 chassis with RHD [possibly engine #2873, chassis #2987 exported to London in December 1930 following the Olympia show in October]. A photo of another Cadillac phaeton with Van den Plas body appeared in LaC, 6/31, p.9.

Van den Plas (Carrosserie), S.A.: The second name of the Belgian coach building firm headed by Antoine Van den Plas from Brussels.

Van Gelderen, Ron: Twice President of the Cadillac-LaSalle Club, Inc. Ron became a long-time friend in 1974, when he visited Gita and me, in Switzerland, for the first time.  We enjoyed two subsequent visits with him in Switzerland, before we emigrated to the USA in 1997, where we get to enjoy his company more frequently  Ron was instrumental in getting me started as a Cadillac-LaSalle historian; he is a mine of information, having been a Cadillac and LaSalle enthusiast for close to a half century.

 

Vanden Plas, Ltd [England]: of The Hyde in Hendon, NW London; they were the English agents of the Belgian firm. Thanks to reader John Fobian for the following comments: Van den Plas [British]: The correct spelling of the name, according to the Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Motorcar, Coach building, is Vanden Plas. While originally affiliated with the Belgian coachbuilder Van den Plas, the British company has been a separate company since 1913, with a different format to its name.

Vanity Cases: Were part of the luxurious appointments of   cars of the classic era. They consisted, usually, of a vanity case for the ladies; the latter was mounted on the LH quarter panel (with 8-day clock, hand mirror, leather cigarette pouch and two ash receivers). On the RH panel was a smoking set for the gents (with on the RH panel. Those furnished with Fleetwood bodies were very ornate, made of burled walnut and sometimes decorated with silver (or other metal)  inlays.

   
Vanity and smoking sets from 1929-30 Fleetwood data book

       
These Fleetwood vanity cases are from  a V-16, style #4330  limousine owned by my friend, Chris Cummings

 

Vanity Fair: Quality pre-war US magazine that occasionally featured nice Cadillac-LaSalle ads.

Vanvooren: another prestigious Parisian auto designer and coach-builder; he is reported to have completed a number of convertible styles on Cadillac chassis, probably in the mid to late Thirties (have a photo of a Vanvooren creation on the 1935 Cadillac chassis from LaC, 7/35, p.9) [information: Laurent Friry, Paris, 1996].

Vapor Lock (and hard hot starting): a frustrating mechanical problem not exclusive to Cadillac/LaSalle cars. Check CLC 2/92, pp.8-9 for solution to problem.

Victoria: body style introduced for the first time with the 1916 Cadillac models [check catalog >>>>>]; familiarly known as the Cadillac "Vicky"; originally enclosed 2-dr., 3-passenger type, later 2-door convertible style for 3-4 passengers. Have an ad dated 1917 featuring the Victoria.

Videos: Cadillac began making [and issuing for merchandising purposes] video recordings of its models in the eighties; they are popular collector items today, e.g.

• 1992
  • Eldorado
  • Seville
• 1993
  • Fleetwood Brougham
  • Northstar series
• 1994
  • Competitive focus
  • deVille/Concours/Fleetwood models
  • De Ville Concours new car announcement
  • De Ville new car announcement

Viewmaster: [see "Custom Viewmaster]"

 

Vignale, Alfredo: Italian coach-builder, born 1913; killed in automobile accident, aged 56, in 1969 when firm was absorbed by Ghia, itself absorbed by Ford in 1973; at 17 was assistant panel-beater and, later, a foreman with Farina; first body was on Fiat Topolino (spare-time project); first contract with Cisitalia; international exposure thanks to "Grand Prix d'Europe" for cabriolet version of Fiat 1500; contracts with Lancia, Fiat, Ferrari followed; single-unit production; designer was Giovanni Michelotti; built small series Cunningham race cars through Luigi Chinetti, NY Ferrari importer; also "Fina Sport" [Ford-bodied sports car, some with Cadillac engine] for Perry Fina, NY importer of European cars; Vignale started business in '46 in Turin, making cycle fenders and modifying motorcycles; the first "Bill Frick Special" was built on a modified Studebaker chassis with a 1955 Cadillac motor; it was red with a black top [RT, 7/55, SCI 5/56]; an order was placed with Frick for a second car (a convertible model) by one George Clark of Palm Beach, FL; a third car (with roll-back roof) was ordered by one John Wood Blodgett, Jr., the son of a lumber baron in Portland, Oregon; it was powered by the 1955 Eldorado motor and featured a steel body (others were made of aluminum).  Frick broke off his association with Vignale after this car; the whereabouts of the 1955 prototype and the Clark car are unknown (1994); the Blogett car is owned since November 1989 by Michael Pomerance (1994); previous owners were Blodgett's secretary (mid-sixties), Emmet Boitz (an Oregon truck driver), Earl Benz (also from Oregon), then various West Coast dealers; SIA143 pp.24-31.

[Photo: © 1994, Special Interest Autos]

 

Vision Magazine: Published quarterly since the mid-nineties by GM's Cadillac Motor Car Division and intended for buyers of new Cadillac models. The magazine often includes articles and photos relating to older Cadillac models as well as interesting historical facts about the company.

 

"Voitures de Rêve": Beautifully illustrated book by Jean-Rodolphe Piccard on the American and European "Dream" and "Show" cars, published by Edita S.A., 1980, ISBN 2-88001-087-X; many Cadillac models are prominently featured.

Vogel, R.A.: Men of Cadillac, was Manager of Purchases in the Fifties [back of 1955 factory photo]

Vogue: Quality pre- and post-war US magazine that occasionally featured nice Cadillac-LaSalle ads.

Voll & Ruhrbeck: German coach-builder who built at least one body on the 1930-31 V16 chassis (a 2p. Convertible Coupe [photos in book of German coachwork - sold to José Mayor, 9/1995].

 

Voyage: Sometimes seen spelled "Voyáge" or "Voyagé" [but pronounced with stress on letter "a" as in "park", and not on the final "e" as in "day"], concept car designed by Jerry Brockstein, inspired by the Seville sedan, first shown GMT&T exhibition, New York, 1/1988; 4-dr., 4p. sedan, V8 motor, 4467cm³, 279 HP, 304cm wheel base, 540cm overall length, 1725kg weight; pictures in CLCA 30th anniversary issue, pp.65-67; also in Cadillac news sheet, Vol. 2, issue 1, top, side and interior views (in 1988 literature drawer); missing original brochure seen in ZTV collection (have photocopy).

 

W  W  W  W  W  W  W  W  W  W  W  W

 

Wagon de Ville: on 1965 chassis, by Cadillac Wagons Limited, Linden, NJ.

 

Waldock, Bob: (and Ted Grill of Bayshore, NY) probably the world's keenest collectors of '59 Cadillacs; in 9/94 Bob had 17 of the 99 Eldorado Brougham cars built in '59; he had the Biarritz model in all colors except white (one Seminole red one was originally Champagne Gold and will be repainted that color); aside from '59 Cadillacs, Bob has a beautiful 1930 V16 town car styled after the rare 4264B razor-edged model with painted canework on the lower rear body; six of these were built in 1930-31; only three had the canework motif; the car started its life as another town car [which model ***]; it was built for a Mr. Watts and Bob still has the original seat back material featuring the Watts' family emblem embroidered in needlepoint [photo]; the 4264B body was built (from approximately the firewall back) on the original chassis and engine (Bob has the original documents for the car); the conversion was done over a period of some 20 years by a Mr. Holtzmann in Michigan; Bob bid for the car after it had registered "no sale" at a couple of auctions. In view of the fine workmanship that has gone into rebuilding this automobile it is unfortunate that the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) don't consider it a "Classic"

Walters, Phil: Participated in Le Mans road race (France)  in 1950 aboard Briggs Cunningham "tuned-up" 1950 Cadillac Series 61 coupe.

Wallace, Greg: [men of Cadillac]  Greg heads the Cadillac Historical section; for a fee of $50 you may obtain from him the build sheet for your old Cadillac (up to 1970 but excluding 1968 for which records somehow disappeared (that year, there were some labor disputes that may have caused this "incident")

 

Waltham: U.S. clock manufacturer. An 8-day model was used by Cadillac first in its 1916 models.

War production: [see also WW1 and WW2 production] a modified Cadillac 346 c.i. [3½" bore, 4½" stroke] L-head V8 was used extensively during WW2 in the following vehicles: M5 and M5A1 and M24 light tanks made from 1943-1945 (replacing M5) made by both Cadillac Motor Car Division and Massey-Harris, M5A1 light tank by American Car & Foundry Co., M8 Howitzer motor carriage, M19 gun motor carriage, M37 Howitzer motor carriage by American Car & Foundry, T64E1 Howitzer motor carriage by Massey-Harris, Australian government cruiser tank, B-FT2 Snow-A-1-Snowmobile, by Farand & Delorme, Ltd., L.V.T.III amphibian craft by Graham Paige & Ingersoll Steel & Disc Div., CT-20 universal carrier by Morris Motors Ltd.; the stock V8 was modified and toughened for war use as follows: molybdenum added to cylinder iron, drain slot added to rear main bearing, babbitt replaced with Durex bearings, pistons redesigned, chrome plate added to piston rings, oil sump depth increased, front engine cover redesigned, triple belt drive to water pump and generator, modified carburetor float mechanism, intake valves hardened, valve guides treated with Ferrox, fuel pump removed from engine to gas tank, oil cooler built into transmission housing, alloy steel screws added to flywheel cover, planet pins nitrited, ignition and electrical units redesigned [Articles CLCA/92, p2-17]. With the outbreak of the Korean war Cadillac started building other combat vehicles at their new Ordnance Plant in Cleveland, Ohio, including the M41 "Walker Bulldog" tank and the M42 "Duster", a self-propelled twin 40mm Anti-Aircraft weapon (1951); in 1957 the M56 "Scorpion" tank with 90mm anti-tank gun was also produced at Cleveland

 

Warhoops: Detroit-area wrecking yard, near the GM Technical Center in Warren, MI, where some surviving GM dream cars were found in the 80s [e.g. 1956 Eldorado Brougham town car, below, and the two 1955 LaSalle II models].

   
Joe Bortz, right, of Chicago's Blue Suede Shoes museum
clinches the deal with the Warhoops representative;
the restored car [RH photo] later sold for ...$750,000 !

 

Warner, Harold G.: Men of Cadillac, general manager from 6.1.1960 to 3.31.1966; later a GM Executive Vice-President; photo with 2.5 millionth Cadillac, CLCA 1994, p.5.

 

Washington coach door line: name coined by US designer Brooks Stevens to designate a curving Coupe door allowing access to rear seats with out disturbing front seat occupants; MC, Autumn 1974, p.24.

 

Waterhouse: of Webster, MA, (USA) Coach builder, responsible for at least one (perhaps the only) custom body on a Cadillac V-16 chassis in 1930; it was a town car landaulet with fully collapsible rear quarters and was commissioned by William Rhinelander Stewart.. Full company history and V16 photo in CCCA, June 2000.

   

 

Wax: was first used to model Cadillac bodies in the early years [circa teens]; a plaster-cast followed, then a die for stamping out the parts in sheet steel

Weinsberg: A German coach-builder; he built a special body for the La Salle.

Wassell, Scott: Men of Cadillac; auto designer under Dennis Little

Welfare Cadillac (Bicentennial): book "Automobile and Culture" p.153 (HW collection ) {***}.

Welt (or seaming): (upholstery term) a feature of upholstery work consisting of a double-edge, strip, insert or seam; a fabric or leather covered cord used to separate or outline a section of a cushion or back-rest.

Werner, Calvin J: Men of Cadillac, general manager from 9.1.1966 to 6.30.1966 and GM Vice-President; photo with 3'000'000th post-war Cadillac, CLCA 1994, p.10

 

Westchester: designation of special "60-S" built for 1955 Motorama, CLCA 1979, inside front cover; sp. news release from Cadillac 13.5.1955, padded black, long-grain leather roof and Korina gold lower body, glass partition, Korina gold wood paneling inside, upholstery of black cloth interwoven with gold metallic thread, black "mouton" fur carpeting, telephone, tape recorder, TV set combined in built-in unit in rear of front seat; front compartment in black leather.

       

 

Wheel covers: The first Cadillac wheel covers were introduced in 1932;  it is rumored that chauffeurs and owners alike were getting tired of cleaning spoked wheels! Of note is the fact that four different wheel options were offered that year, inter alia:  (1) the standard, demountable wood artillery wheels, (2) the standard wire wheels, (3) stainless-steel spoked wheels and (4) wire wheels with the new, full wheel discs and center caps.  Wheel covers are an important distinguishing feature of post-war Cadillac cars; their design was generally changed every year [exceptions 1954-1955, 1963-1964...others ???] SIA 4/1981, pp.21-22; SIA 62, p.21.

White, A.E.F.: Men of Cadillac; he was the first Vice-President of the initial Cadillac Automobile Company.

White, McCall, D.: Men of Cadillac, chief engineer from 1914 to 19.5.1917; graduate of the Royal Technical College in Glasgow, worked at Daimler and Napier before going to USA

 

White-Lens Tail Lights: these made their appearance on the 1962 Cadillac models. In normal daylight the lens looked white but at night it operated in four ways: back-up light, tail light, stop light and turn signal.

Wicker basket: this was a popular option on first Cadillac models; suspended on outside of detachable tonneau, LH side, it provided picnic and other storage.

 

Wiese: U.S. manufacturer of upholstery materials such as broadcloths and Bedford cords.

Wild Boys: Title of 1990 movie by Joe Roth featuring 1954 Eldorado

Wilen, Stanley: Men of Cadillac, chief designer from 1.4.1968 to 1.9.1974.

 

Willoughby Co.: reputed coach-building company Utica, N.Y.; built at least one body on the 1928 La Salle for the Salon circuit [McC, p.128].

Wilson, Charles E.: GM President from 1946 to 1953. He was born in Minerva, Ohio, on July 18, 1890. Wilson resigned to become secretary of Defense in the Cabinet of President Eisenhower on Jan. 26, 1953. He served in that capacity until Oct. 2, 1957. He died Sept. 26, 1961. As GM Chief he could have just aboiut any Cadillac he wanted.  He once operated a custom-built town car that was trimmed throughout in Sterling silver. After the Autorama show of 1949 (Transportation Unlimited) he recieved as a gift the first Cadillac "Coupe de Ville", one of four custom models built for that show. Later, he donated it to his secretary.

    
The gentleman on the left (in the RH photo) is James Roche, the Cadillac General manager; the other person is unidentified
 

Wilson, Woodrow: U.S. President, in 1919 Cadillac, CLCA 1978, p.13.

Windlace: (upholstery term) the fabric or leather covered, spongy piping or "wind hose" applied around doors to prevent drafts.

Window reveals: body styling terminology; the frame around the body side windows, which could be chrome-plated or painted a lighter color to make them stand out.

Windows, electric: used already in 1940 on special 60S for GM President William S. Knudsen.

Windshields: Windshields of early cars were a flat, one-piece of glass set vertically in the "A" pillars; as styling became the order of the day in the twenties there was a move towards "V"-shaped, two-piece windshields, for better air penetration, then back to a flat configuration raked back at a sometimes steep angle, cutting down wind noise and improving even more the penetration factor. Shaped glass was introduced gradually after WW2 and reached their epitome in the late fifties when there was such a vast expanse of windshield, back light and side glass to make some Cadillac detractors refer to them as "rolling greenhouses".

Windshields ("Vista Panorama"): introduced by Cadillac in 1959; featured compound curve. Chrysler Bulletin No. 2 for Chrysler salesmen, published on 26.9.1958, boasted that "[Chrysler] Imperial owners have enjoyed the benefits of such a windshield for the past two years." However, a Cadillac loop film for Cadillac salesmen compared their windshield with that of Imperial and showed how the Imperial shield deformed the view of driver and passenger in the upper windshield corners.

Windshield wipers (three-speed): introduced by Cadillac in 1959 [according to Chrysler bulletin No. 2 for Chrysler salesmen, [see above entry] "Chrysler and Imperial owners have enjoyed the safety of this type of windshield wiper for years".

Wire wheels: Wire wheels made their appearance almost at the same time as the wooden so-called "artillery" wheel but they were an expensive option; hub and rim were connected with cross-laced steel spokes; after the war the wire wheel made a comeback on the 1953 Eldorado model [532 built]; these wheels were optionally available on other models.  In 1954 [???] Cadillac also introduced a wire wheel disc cover, simulating the Eldorado wheel. I have photos of 1951 [a later addition], 1953 and 1954 models with these wheels or disc covers.

 

Wisco Corporation: coach builders of Ferndale Michigan; did a number of conversions on Cadillac chassis, including one for King Khalid of Saudi Arabia on a 1976 limousine base.

Wolfington: custom coach-builder; did at least one body on the 1919 Cadillac chassis (see ad in CLC 3/92, p.15)

Woodgraining: the art of giving an imitation wood finish to metal surfaces; articles in SIA11, pp.20-23, CLC 1/92, p.7. The Di-Noc company of Cleveland are believed to have supplied Cadillac with the materials for the original burl walnut finish on 1941 instrument panels. The pattern for restoring 1941 Cadillac wood grain is 299-C-7544.

Woodill, Woody: Californian engine and sports car manufacturer, built sporty "Wildfire" model of which some were equipped with Cadillac engine; story & photos, SIA21, pp.49-54.

World's Fair (1904), New York: In line with the fair was staged a motor car race from New York to St. Louis for automobiles rated from 10 to 80 HP, ranging in price from $1000 to $6000. The event was won by a single-cylinder Cadillac [Model A or Model B?]

World's Fair (Chicago, 1933): article on World's Fair aerodynamic Coupe in AT, 15.7.1933, p.412 {***} and AT, 12.8.1933 {***}; also TQ, 5-6/79, p.11. Sensational new body design, first fastback coupe, teardrop fenders, 35° slanting V-windshield, first all-steel roof on an American car, spare wheel hidden in trunk, recessed license plate and gas cap; this car was a Harley earl trend-setter.

 

WW1 Production: The illustrations below are from the 1919 book Cadillac Participation in the World War of which I traded my copy to Hungarian aficionado, Greg Szentmartony in (part) exchange for his kindness and hospitality to Gita and me when we visited his country in June of 2011.

 

WW2 Production: During WW2, Cadillac built: the M5 (1943) light tank with 37mm gun; the M8 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage (1943); the M19-A1 twin 40mm gun motor carriage (1945); the M24 with 75mm gun used in European and Pacific theatres of operation (1944-45), one of the world's fastest and most maneuverable combat vehicles of its kind; the last one rolled off the production line on 24 August 1945. Article on possibilities of using Cadillac tank engines in passenger cars: CLC 10/92 pp.6-8

 

X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X

 

X-Frame [tubular center]: introduced by Cadillac on the 1957 models >>>>>.

XP-300 [Buick]: Buick "|Le Sabre" concept car [GM First 75 Years, p.119]

XP-838: Planned Cadillac experimental prototype 1965 4-door convertible. Mentioned in article by GM/Cadillac designer Pierre Ollier in SS 5/96.

 

XP-840 [Cadillac]: Cadillac proposal for post-war V12 or V16, SIA 8/1981, p.29.

 

Y  Y  Y  Y  Y   Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y

 

Y-Job [Buick]: first GM "experimental" [in aeronautical parlance, a "Y" job meant an experimental design], designed by Harley Earl, started 1938, introduced 5.4.1940, Earl used as personal transportation throughout 40s.; MT 100th anniversary , p.142; front and rear views in GM First 75 Years, p.88; SIA3-4/71, p.43; SIA91, p.30; photo/drawing , SIA4, p.43; SIA157; TQ 5-6/79, p.12; Sch40, p.12

Young, Allen: [men of Cadillac] He was Program chief at GM design staff.

Your Cadillac Choice: article by Maurice MH, CLCA 1981, p.20-21.

 

Z  Z  Z  Z   Z  Z  Z  Z  Z  Z  Z  Z  Z  Z  Z  Z

 

Zagato: Italian coach-builder; did custom body on 1968 Eldorado chassis for son of Luigi Chinetti, director of NART [North American Racing Team]; CA 9/1982; dimensions given in French magazine as 3m12 wheel base, 5m32 overall, 1m88 wide, 1m29 tall; 2-door, rear-engined car said to have Chevrolet V8 engine [in fact Cadillac] located between rear wheels, fuel tank and spare in front, small luggage space at far rear, independent 4-wheel suspension, automatic transmission, two air scoops each side of hood near windshield , convex rear windshield [like Ferrari Dino by PF], protective rubber molding all round acting also as front and rear bumpers, special inward-facing dual rear seat design, retractable headlights, alleged to have hit 365kph on track tests, price given as 55,000,000 lire in 1967! Photos in post-war "Custom" album. See also CA 8/92, project started 1968 with GM and Luigi Chinetti, NY Ferrari importer; result was 1970 Cadillac NART Zagato; GM contributed Eldorado 472 V8, Turbo Hydra-Matic, front drive transaxle, modified '68 Eldorado chassis, with engine mounted in rear for rear-wheel drive; Zagato built 2+2 (almost) aluminum body; car has modified Eldorado' 68 wheel covers, modified '68 Eldorado dash, steering column, 4-wheel disc brakes, etc. gas '68 Pontiac GTO tail-lights. Delays and economic difficulties drove out GM in 1969; two other designs never got off the drawing board; bought from Chinetti family in '87 by Melvin A. Olshansky of Glencoe, IL, car was restored by Mill Creek Motors and Upholstery Unlimited of Clinton, Iowa and Baileywicks of Fulton, IL.

Zukosky, Mary Ann: is a "woman of Cadillac"; she worked in the merchandising department in the fifties. In a competition run by Cadillac's advertising agency MacManus, John & Adams, Inc., she came up with name El Dorado for the 1952 Golden Anniversary custom convertible model exhibited on the show citcuit that year [there was no Mototrama in 1952, owing to the on-going war in Korea]. At the end of the year, the name El Dorado [two words] was adopted for Cadillac's new, bespoke luxury convertible of 1953. Mary Ann's reward for winning the competition was a $25 Defense Bond [circa $190 in 2006 dollars]. Read the story in SS 1/95.

   
Many years after she came up with the name, "Eldorado",  for the bespoke 1953 convertible model,
Ms. Marini (nee Zukosky) posed for this souvenir photo with the 1976 version of that well-known Cadillac
At the right: the letter she got from the advertising agency informing her of her winning entry.

 

THE CADILLAC-LaSALLE CLUB INC. AND YANN SAUNDERS, COMPILER OF
THE CADILLAC DATABASE ARE SEEKING QUALIFIED VOLUNTEERS TO
DOCUMENT THE SECOND CENTURY OF CADILLAC PRODUCTION, FROM  2003 UP.
PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING OUT