Earl, Harley J.
[former Cadillac Design Chief,
creator of Art & Color section]

1950-51 Buick Le Sabre

Why a Buick in the Cadillac Database?
Because this one is the mother of all Cadillac show cars

Eastwood, Clint
[film star, director and producer]

1959 Cadillac Series 62 convertible

Whether Clint ever owned a Cadillac has yet to be determined.  He is seen here with
co-star Bernadette Peters in a couple of movie stills from the aptly-named  Pink Cadillac

Bernard Charles "Bernie" Ecclestone (1930) is a British business magnate, president and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration. He is generally considered the primary authority in Formula One racing.  His early involvement in the sport was as a competitor and then as a manager of drivers Stuart Lewis-Evans and Jochen Rindt. In 1972, he bought the Brabham team, which he ran for fifteen years. As a team owner he became a member of the Formula One Constructors Association. His control of the sport, which grew from his pioneering the sale of television rights in the late 1970s, is chiefly financial, but under the terms of the Concorde Agreement he and his companies also manage the administration, setup and logistics of each Formula One Grand Prix.

(Source: Wikipedia)
 

Bernie's fortune was estimated at $3.18bn in January 2014!

Eisenhower, Dwight D. "Ike" [1]
[former U.S. President]

1938 Cadillac Series Sixty Special

elow (top row, left), Ike in battle-dress cruising down the Champs Elysées
in Paris on the running-board of a 1938 Cadillac Series 75 sedan;

1941 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two convertible

    
Ticker-tape parade in Kansas City, aboard a 1941 convertible

This convertible sedan of 1941 vintage
is said to have belonged to General Eisenhower
[ but is it the car in the previous row? ]

1942 Cadillac Series Seventy-Five

         
Left: Ike looks over the 1942 Cadillac that served as his staff car in London, when he became
Commander of the European Theater of Operations (ETO); the car is pictured on the White House south grounds
[ Photo United Press Telephoto, March 6, 1957 - courtesy Historic Images ]

Center: arriving at SHAPE headquarters in Fontainebleau, near Paris,
 
Right: this car was later sent to the Eisenhower Museum at Abilene, TX
[ Ike's 1942 Series 75 staff car is almost identical to my own "Black Pryncess" ]

Ike's driver, Kay Summersby, with unidentified "Ike" car

1942 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible

Here, on an official visit to Hawaii

1952 custom Cadillac Series Seventy-Five limousine

         
This formal limousine is said to have been owned (or used) by the former US President

1953 Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado

        

    

              
1953 Eldorado #2, used by Ike in his inaugural parade, January, 1953  
Closely following behind Ike's '53 Eldorado are the two 1938 V-16 White House security cars

The retired 1953 Eldorado #2,  in which Eisenhower was driven to his inauguration

There exists an interesting amateur home movie of Ike's inaugural parade. This came in, in May, 2008, from Cadillac aficionado, Frank Schmidt: Roderick Cox of Bethesda, MD, took the home movie. He was a school teacher at the Friends School, a private school in Washington,   D.C. (still operating).  He is since deceased. By the way, he grew up near Detroit and his dad worked for a bearing company there. Salesman to the auto companies, Rod went to the University of Michigan and was on a football team with Gerald Ford, later president of the U.S.  Rod was on the track team too and won the National Hammer throw championship in the early '30s. Hopefully, Frank or his brother will upload a digital version of that home movie on You Tube and I will put a link to that site here in due course. 

 

1955 Cadillac Eldorado

          
In other parades, Ike used this 1955 Eldorado

1956 White House security car and parade limousine

Here, Ike is seen riding with his wife and family,
in company with Vice-President Richard M. Nixon

         
On a State visit to Manila, Philippines in 1960

    
Left: Ike rides in a 1961 Series 62 convertible (unidentified venue)
Right: Former US President Eisenhower at the peak of his career

1962 Series 75 limousine (no other details)
[ note erroneous wheel covers for this model (I'm guessing these covers are for 1968-69 Cadillacs) ]

On the topic of presidential parade or security Cadillacs, I understand from Cadillac enthusiast, Erik Calvino, Tokyo (1998) that the
Smithsonian Institute warehouses near Dulles Airport are home to dozens of rare Cadillacs. Can anyone confirm this?

 

Eisenhower, Mamie
[wife of former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower]

1955 Cadillac Series Seventy-Five custom Fleetwood parade limousine

Built on order by  Hess & Eisenhardt (USA), this special custom limousine was used mainly by Mamie Eisenhower, wife of the then US President. Features include elimination of "C" pillars, a Series 62 coupe rear window, a rear roof line with lower, Florentine curve, alloy "sabre wheels" and a retractable roof panel over the rear passenger compartment.  At latest news [1999], the car was owned by Olivier Delafon,  in France; Olivier has a small collection of "Presidential" cars and cars of state housed in his chateau home near Auxerre.

Late Extra: (Fall 2011)  [excerpt from RM auction report] Commissioned in 1955 for the First Lady, Mrs. Eisenhower’s use, as well as to serve as a formal and parade vehicle when needed, this important parade car was delivered straight from the factory in March 1955 to Hess & Eisenhardt, where it underwent a number of special modifications. These included the replacement of the rearmost part of the roof with a section and rear window from a Series 62 Coupe de Ville, resulting in a pillarless “hardtop” limo to allow an excellent viewpoint for press photographers, along with the addition of a sliding sunroof to allow the President and Mrs. Eisenhower to stand in full view of the public when desired. A grab rail was added inside the leading edge of the sunroof to ease the strain of standing in the moving car.

After completion, the car remained in the White House garage for the remainder of Eisenhower’s term before being reportedly sold to an American general. It was acquired by Olivier Delafon, a French collector of presidential automobiles and cars of state, in 1988, before it was acquired by its current owner in 2006. It is expected to fetch between $175,000 and $225,000 at next week's auction.

"Presidential cars have long held a public fascination as they represent an important slice of American history" says Donnie Gould, President of Auctions America by RM. Having spent an extended period in Europe, this particular example has remained largely under the collector's radar. Fresh to the market, we anticipate strong interest when it crosses the block next week”   [in fact the car was a NO SALE at that auction].

 

    
Part of the Olivier Delafon collection in France, with Olivier (right)

 
Internet photo [RM Auctions?]

These two original showroom photos were found in an old album that the factory had discarded;
recovered in a dumpster in MI,  the album was subsequently sold on e-Bay in 2003

 

     
This is later addition to Mamie's cars: a 1976 Cadillac limousine

 

Ellington, Duke
[renowned jazz musician]

1931 Cadillac Series 452A V16 roadster, Fleetwood style #4302

Entwhistle, John
[Bassist, The Who, UK pop group]

1970s customized Cadillac limousine


[ Sadly, John passed away unexpectedly in June 2002 ]

[ Photo;  Walter Miller collection ]

Errol, Leon
[ Comedy actor and "rubber man" ]

1928 Fisher-bodied sport phaeton

Born Leonce Errol Sims in Sydney, Leon first managed a traveling vaudeville troupe and gave a young comedian named Roscoe Arbuckle his first professional opportunity. In America, Errol became a well-knownvaudevillian who appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway, and played skits with such notables as Bert Williams and W. C. Fields. His comic trademark was a wobbly, unsteady walk, moving as though his legs were made of rubber.

Everson, Cory
[Ms. Olympia, world body-building champion]

This car was a Seville from the factory and converted new.  It sold new, in Houston,
Texas for $68,000! The car is currently in Arizona. It is gorgeous white with a burgundy interior

[ photo needed  ]

Fahd
[King of Saudi Arabia]

1950 custom Cadillac Series 75 limousine

The king commissioned a score of these custom-built, desert-proven, stretched limousines for the comfort of his many wives. The passenger compartment had one-way [mirror] glass all round to prevent ordinary mortals from being able to see inside the car.

 

Trivia:  Back in 1985 I bought from the King, albeit through his chauffeur who had got it in a gift from the
Saudi Princess, a more prosaic 1976 Seville sedan which had been owned by one of the King's many wives.

Fairbanks, Douglas
[Screen Star]

Cadillac V-16 special phaeton, Fleetwood style #4260 

Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. was an American actor, screenwriter, director and producer. He was best known for his swashbuckling roles in silent films such as The Thief of Bagdad, Robin Hood, and The Mark of Zorro.  When he married Mary Pickford, in 1920, the couple became Hollywood “royalty” with Fairbanks constantly referred to as “The King of Hollywood”.

     

Farouk
[King of the former Egypt]

Various Cadillacs from the forties

According to a snippet from TIME magazine [date unknown], King Farouk is said to have sent the Cadillac Motor Co. an order for
25 limousines, pointing out that he was a style-setter in the Middle East and that it would be nice all around if he got delivery right away.
Unfortunately, TIME said, Imperials [???] were are not yet in production, with or without leather seats, gold fixtures and red paint.
Perhaps the copy writer got the Chrysler and Cadillac companies mixed up ... or Farouk wanted to imitate Fahd of Saudi Arabia.

On the occasion of his wedding (the 2nd one), to Narriman Sadek, a commoner,
the streets of Cairo were filled with Cadillacs of the forties from Farouk's own stables;
three of them may be seen in this shot, behind the King's Rolls Royce

Farouk
[King of the former Egypt]

1959 custom Cadillac Eldorado Seville landau

[ actually a myth ]

The King's alleged corruption in Egypt and the country's defeat during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, led to a military coup on July 23, 1952, directed by Gamal Abdel Nasser, who forced Farouk to abdicate and exiled him to Italy and Monaco, where the former king lived the rest of his life. He became a citizen of Monaco in 1959.

Farouk continued to live a lavish life even in exile.  A confirmed glutton, the former king became dangerously obese, weighing nearly 300 pounds.  He collapsed and died at the dinner table, in Rome, following a characteristically heavy meal,  on March 3, 1965.

It was long believed that GM's Fisher Body Corporation had been commissioned by Farouk to build this custom, half-top, town car (at one time, the King was reported to have literally hundreds of Cadillacs).  However, in 2007, I was contacted by the brother of the person who effectively converted this car; he was Gordon (Frog) Glover, an amateur customizer from Maryland [read more about this conversion, here]. The original color of this car was Hampton Green.   Some of the hardware was subsequently gold-plated.

One owner of this "wild", half-finned Cadillac landau was a restaurateur of Montreux, Switzerland. I believe he had some financial problems
that compelled him to sell the car for very little money.  In  2001 it was in the custody of friend and Cadillac buff, Roger Zimmerman of Bienne,
Switzerland. Subsequently,  the car was offered for sale on e-Bay, in April 2003, by a German auto museum.  Latest:  the car is believed to
have been acquired by a wealthy Swiss collector, a former neighbor of mine, who wishes to remain anonymous.
[ Photo:  © 2004 and courtesy F. Roux ]

Ex-King Farouk of Egypt
with Queen Narriman, in exile in Rome (1953);
the couple split in mid-March 1953

 

Fields, W.C. [1]
[screen star]

1939 Cadillac Series 90 V16 sedan

The well-remembered comedian is reported to have owned, inter alia, a 1938 Series 90 V16 Coupe as well as the 1939 Series 90 V16 convertible sedan and the 1939 Series 90 V16 sedan both shown below (the latter had a wet-bar full of the comedian's self-styled pineapple juice

    
The car on the right was on display at the Imperial Palace collection, Las Vegas, NV.
The two wax figures beside the car represent the comic actor and his lady companion, Carlotta Monti

         
I need confirmation that these really are interior shots of the Fields' car; I have two other sets,
below, one showing a gray broadcloth interior and another in very light taupe;  which is which ?

        
[ These photos:  © 2004 and courtesy Howland Blackiston ]

Fields, W.C. [2]
[screen star]

1930-31 Cadillac Series 452-452A V16 Landaulet (Fleetwood styly #4375-C)

These images are movie stills from a 1930s B&W production co-starring Buster Cra bbe.  There is no specific   indication that Fields  actually owned this superb landaulet (of which only 2 were built. If he were NOT he owner, then it is possible it was owned by a Hollywood movie director or producer.

 

        
Stills from IMCDB, captured by Ross Morgan of Australia

 

Forbes, Malcolm
Financier and  Multi-Millionaire

1949 Fleetwood Series 75

This car was offered for sale at auction in Scottsdale, AZ, in January 2001 [lot #1047].  Bid up to $28,000 it did not sell. It was once more offered at auction in April, 2002

 

Forbes, Ralph
[pre-WW2 movie celebrity]

1927 Cadillac convertible phaeton

Photo:  Modern Man, Nov. 1955

Ford, Gerald ¹
[ 38th US President ]

1975 Cadillac limousine

This car was subsequently used during the Carter administration

Ford, Gerald ²
[ 38th US President ]

1973 Fleetwood limousine

Ford, Gerald ³
[ 38th US President ]

1983-84 Stretched Cadillac parade limousine
[as guests of the Reagans]

(Generalísimo) Franco Bahamonde, Francisco (1)
[ aka El Caudillo - Spain's former fascist head of state ]

1947 Custom Series 75 limousine

Francisco Paulino Hermenegildo Teódulo Franco y Bahamonde Salgado Pardo de Andrade (4 December 1892  – 20 November 1975), commonly known as Franco, was a Spanish military general and head of state of Spain from October 1936 (whole nation from 1939 onwards), and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November 1975. As head of state, Franco used the title Caudillo de España, por la gracia de Dios,( Leader of Spain, by the grace of God).

Spain became a republic in April 1931 when King Alfonso XIII abdicated and went into exile. In 1933, Spain's  far right was spearheaded by a newly formed party called the  'Falange' (phalanx), led by Franco, that advocated the fascist ideals of Hitler (Germany) and Mussolini (Italy).  Unrest between the nationalists (franquistas) and the republicans led to the Spanish Civil War that lasted from July 1936 until April 1939.  Spain fought indirectly in WW2, on the side of the German. A state of martial law remained in effect until 1948. Hundreds of thousands of republicans were imprisoned and thousands summarily executed. In 1953, an agreement was signed with the US granting aid in exchange for access to Spanish military and naval bases. Spain was admitted to the UN in 1955 (El Caudillo's Cadillac may have been ordered around that time). In 1969, following three months of civil unrest, Franco designated 32-year-old prince Juan Carlos de Borbón, grandson of former King Alfonso XIII, as heir to the Spanish throne and his successor. Franco died, in Madrid, on 20 November, 1975.

    
This convertible parade vehicle appears to have been once a Fleetwood series 75 sedan or limousine
[ Photos:  courtesy Alejandro Espejo, Spain ]

 

(Generalísimo) Franco Bahamonde, Francisco (2)
[ aka El Caudillo - Spain's former fascist head of state ]

1952 Series 75 limousine

 
[ Photo:  courtesy Alejandro Espejo, Spain ]

 

 

(Generalísimo) Franco Bahamonde, Francisco (3)
[ aka El Caudillo - Spain's former fascist head of state ]

1952 Series 62 convertible

[ Photo:  courtesy Alejandro Espejo, Spain ]

 

 

(Generalísimo) Franco Bahamonde, Francisco (4)
[ aka El Caudillo - Spain's former fascist head of state ]

1955 Series 62 sedan

The (illegible) sign, ar left,  describing the car refers
to it, in error, as a 1954 Cadillac Eldorado
[ Photo:  courtesy Alejandro Espejo, Spain ]

 

 

(Generalísimo) Franco Bahamonde, Francisco (4)
[ aka El Caudillo - Spain's former fascist head of state ]

1956 custom Series 75 limousine

Note the shaved off tail-fins, squared off headlights
and parade lights mounted inside the "Dagmars"
[ Photo:  ©2005 and courtesy Joe Bortz ]

 

(Generalísimo) Franco Bahamonde, Francisco (5)
[ aka El Caudillo - Spain's former fascist head of state ]

1970 Fleetwood 60 Special Brougham

    
[ Photos:  courtesy Alejandro Espejo, Spain ]

 

(Generalísimo) Franco Bahamonde, Francisco (6)
[ aka El Caudillo - Spain's former fascist head of state ]

1975 Fleetwood Limousine

[ Photo:  courtesy Alejandro Espejo, Spain ]

 

Frederik XI, King of Denmark
[ then H.R.H Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark ]

1939 Cadillac Series 60 Special convertible sedan

Martin Lund, a Danish Journalist/TV editor wrote in December 2001, that he was researching for National Danish Television, information about a 1939 model Cadillac Cabriolet that was presented to His Royal Highness during a State visit to the USA that year.  Martin says the Prince spoke at the World Fair and was later presented with the car by Cadillac's then Danish CEO, William S. Knudsen.  Martin is looking for news film footage or photos of the event, as well as any information about the car and the Prince's visit to the USA.

    

 

Gabin, Jean
[ Renowned French movie actor ]

1953 Cadillac Series 60 Special

In this photo Gabin's car in a scene from the movie ... starring sex-kitten Brigitte Bardot

 

Gabin, Jean
[ Renowned French movie actor ]

1956 Cadillac Eldorado

As may be seen in the photo below (excerpted from France's NITRO Magazine for Oct-Nov, 2003), Gabin may have used his own car in some of his gangster movies.  One of the best of
the genre was called Le Cave se Rebiffe which, loosely translated from French, means The (crime) Boss Strikes Back; some scenes were shot in Paris' reputable Avenue Foch (below)

In this photo Gabin's car is being towed in a movie shot by
a modified 1950 Fleetwood Series 75 limousine

 

Gable, Clark
[Movie Actor ]

1937 Custom La Salle speedster by Hollywood Coachworks

This car is purported to have been built for Clark Gable as a gift from his wife, actress Carole Lombard. The car was brought to my attention by Belgian auto enthusiast and friend, Philippe Hulet de Limal who kindly supplied some three dozen images of this superb speedster.  Plaque (on firewall?) reads:
Made for Clark Gable, all my love, C.L, by Hollywood Coachworks, August 1937

 

Gamble, Earl
[ any relation of James Gamble, co-founder of Procter & Gamble ]

1955 Custom station wagon by Hess & Eisenhardt
[ car #7 of only 7 built ]

In 1837 William Procter and James Gamble formed a humble but bold new enterprise. What began as a small, family-operated soap and candle company grew and thrived, inspired by P&G's purpose of providing products and services of superior quality and value.  I am guessing James would not have been alive when this car was built [or he would have been 92 years old!]. Anyway, the story goes that Earl Gamble owned this car and was a member of the Gamble family of soap fame.  It is believed to be owned today by Wayne Turner of Ohio. Originally baby blue, it featured woodgrain trim but no real or faux woodgrain.

Possibly this car, or one of the other 6 built

 

Garner, John, Nance
[ former Vice-President of the USA ]

1934 Cadillac V-16, chassis #5100030

According to Matt Larson, CLC archivist par excellence, this engine number belongs to a flat-windshield 1934 V-16, Fleetwood style #6275 presumed to have been owned first by John Nance Garner, Vice President of the USA in the Roosevelt administration.  However, the body currently on that chassis [photos below] has a "V" windshield as well as enclosed rear quarters; also, there is no vent pane in the rear door window glass, which seems to suggest that it is a conversion made from a standard Fleetwood style #5875 limousine.

A car with this chassis number was later owned by Mr. R.E. Byrd of Boston, MA, whom I suspect to be the son of Admiral Byrd, the South Pole explorer. I believe that is the V-16 town car [conversion] that as been for many years in the Museum collection of Count J.O. Raben, of Nysted, Denmark. I got the car's engine number from Mr. Raben's secretary in 1977. The Museum catalog tells this story:  The Admiral's son [Admiral Byrd?] wrote to the Museum [no indication of date] asking whether the car might be of interest to it. He admitted it was in poor condition as it had lain out in the open for fifteen years, so the price was reasonable. Unfortunately, although the initial cost to acquire the car was low, restoration proved to be very expensive.  The engine, however, was in good condition. All that was needed was to clean out the fuel lines; the car started up after only a few engine revolutions.

 

This is exhibit #86 in the Aalholm Museum, Nysted, Denmark

    
This town car conversion  currently (2002) is located in Denmark;
it has engine #5100030.  Could it be the car of former US VP, John Nance Garner ?

Garroway, Dave
[ NBC-TV commentator ]

1950-51 Buick Le Sabre

Mr. Garroway is seen here in the driver's seat of the famous GM show car, the mother of all Cadillac show cars [which is the reason I have included it in this Cadillac Database].   The photo was taken at Andrews Air Force base, near Washington DC,   on May 2, 1954 during one of NASCAR's first race events, the National Sports Car Race.  Garroway was NOT allowed to drive the car; at the wheel is Major-General Robert W. Burns, deputy chief of staff of the US Air Force.

 

Garson, Greer
[ Screen star ]

1939 Fleetwood 75 limousine

This magnificent 1939 Cadillac V-8 limousine was
the MGM studio car for Oscar-winning
actress Greer Garson. She starred in 25 films,
including Pride and Prejudice

         
[ Photos: Self Starter, courtesy Howland Blackiston and  Dave's Classic Limousine Pictures

Gellar, Sarah Michelle
[singer-actress]

1976 Cadillac

[the car may have been used only for this publicity shot]

Geller, Uri
["spoon-bending" showman]

1974-75 (?) Contorted Cutlery Cadillac

        
A car covered in bent spoons ?

Geneva State Council (2)
[ Conseil d'état de Genève - governing body of the city of Geneva, Switzerland ]

1963 Fleetwood "75" limousine

I was reminded of this "Personality car" by Mr. Jean-Claude Ferrier,  a journalist on the staff  of  La Tribune de Genève, Geneva's daily newspaper.  And I remembered having admired it once, in front of the Headquarters of the International Telecommunication Union¹ in Geneva (where I worked for 30 years), on the occasion (as  I recall)  of the Union's centenary celebrations.  I remember being taken aback by the car's low odometer reading (11,000kms - or about 7,000 mi); of course it may have tripped the 100,000km mark (on these models the highest odometer reading was "99,999.9").

____________________________________________
¹  At that time, the Union's official car, which served the terms of then Secretary-General,
Dr. Mohamed Mili and his successor, Mr. Richard Butler, was a 1967 Series 60 Special sedan

 

            
The car used to be on display in Geneva's Musée de l'Automobile [Auto Museum] located  near Geneva's Cointrin airport, but the latter closed its doors in 2007; according to a
press cutting on March 4, 2007, the car has gone back to the Council's depot at Bachet-de-Pesay; the city's driver, Andre Letourneur (far right) remembers the car well;

    
[left] Artist's bird's-eye view of the 1963 Fleetwood Series 75 sedan and limousine model
[right] The City of Geneva's official parade limousine, photographed on mission in the old town

George,
King of Greece

The ad is from the now defunct French weekly L'Illustration for March 1, 1924.   Translated, the headline reads Cadillac - Standard of the World.  Below the photo the caption  reads The Cadillac is the favorite car of the world's high- ranking personalities.  This photo shows King George of Greece driving off in his Cadillac.

 

Geronimo,
Famous Native American,
Chief of the Apache tribe

This old color PC and the B&W photo at the right are reputed
to picture Apache chief Geronimo at the wheel of a 1907 Cadillac tourer

Recent research has identified this car as a Locomobile !

Gibbons, Billy (1)
ZZ Top lead guitarist

Customized 1948 coupe powered by a state-of-the-art 8.2 liter Cadillac fuel-injected engine.  Only the traditional horseshoe-shaped instrument housing and the Goddess hood mascot remained untouched on this unique coupe christened appropriately CadZZilla for Billy Gibbons, lead guitarist of ZZ Top.

 

 

Gibbons, Billy (2)
ZZ Top lead guitarist

1961 Cadillac coupe (all original except for optional air-ride suspension system)
Billy acquired this one in 2004

    
[ Photos: courtesy American Car Club de France ]

 

Glenn, John
[ US Astronaut of repute ]

1962 Series 62 convertible or Eldorado Biarritz

Glenn was the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the earth; here the people of his hometown of
New Concord, OH, give him a well-earned hero's welcome

 

 

Gotti, John
[ Mafia boss ]

1979 Custom "Paris" roadster

This car came up for sale on Ebay in Feb., 2008;
it was attributed to the Mafia boss (no actual
documentary evidence was provided)

 

 

Grable, Betty
[ Screen Star ]

1939 Series 60 Special sedan

 

            
This car, said to have been owned by the screen star,
was offered for sale on the Internet in December, 2002

 

Grant, Cary (1)
[Movie star]

1940 town landaulet by Derham

In fact the car belonged to socialite Barbara Hutton whom Grant married in 1942

[ see below ]

 

    
These photos:  courtesy Gerald and Scott Manning

 

Grant, Cary (2)
[Movie star]

1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz

The car was offered for sale in 2009 by the Daniel Schmitt group who described it thus:

1960 CADILLAC ELDORADO BIARRITZ CONVERTIBLE, ORIGINALLY OWNED BY CARY GRANT

Finished in classic Lucerne Blue with beautiful matching leather interior and power convertible top. This exquisite motorcar was purchased new in 1960 by famed actor Cary Grant in Beverly Hills, CA. It was then, in 1961, sold to a friend and TV/radio personality, the late Wayne Thomas (the producer of the popular “Your Choice for the Oscar” program). Mr. Thomas had the car restored in California by some of the greatest craftsman at an astronomical cost. It was then featured in Motor Trend magazine special retrospective edition in a 3-page article. This magnificent motorcar is truly one of the finest restored Eldorado Biarritz convertibles you will find on the market today! With the provenance of Cary Grant as the original owner and then Mr. Thomas, make this one of the greatest investments in the motoring world one can make. I truly believe the investment potential of this great American classic will grow far beyond your imagination. This year, 2009, marks the 50th anniversary of the Eldorado Biarritz [in fact, the FIRST "Eldorado Biarritz" was built in 1956, when the "Biarritz"bname was added, that year, to distinguish the Eldorado convertible model from the new Eldorado 2-door coupe model, named "Eldorado Seville¨], a car that was the grand finale to the era of sky high dreams and open road automotive aspirations that will never pass that way again. This is an opportunity to own a piece of American history at an investment price. Bid with confidence – you will not be disappointed in this truly one-of-a-kind find!

[ © http://www.schmitt.com/viewimage.asp?ID=4011 ]

 

           
Note that the center armrest, in the rear, was not an option on this model; we must assume, therefore, that it was custom built by special request

many more photos here: http://www.schmitt.com/viewimage.asp?ID=4011

Guitry, Sacha
[ French theatrical and movie actor ]

The actor is reported to have owned this 1939 V-16
town car  that was converted (for him) from a regular
sedan or limousine style; the car is currently  [1993] part of
the Keyaerts Cadillac Museum collection in France

Gustaf V, [2]
Late King of Sweden

Custom stretched 1937 limousine on 162" (4m12)  wheelbase, by Gustaf Nordberg of  Sweden.  The King used this car up to the time of  his death

Gustaf V, [4]
Late King of Sweden

1939 Cadillac Series 61 sedan

    
In the background to the color photo, right, you can see a custom landaulet on 1930-31 V-16 chassis by Swedish master coachbuilder, Gustaf   Nordberg

Image:  CCCA Bulletin #3, April 2005

Hamilton, Charles F.
[ CEO, United Air Transport ]

1930 V-16 Madame X, Fleetwood style #4130

One of the earliest V-16s to come out of the old Fleetwood coach works in Fleetwood, PA, was this elegant style 4130 limousine for 5 passengers. When production of the sixteen moved to Detroit, the Madame X series got a new, flat, 18º slanting windshield to replace the less stylish, split-V type seen here.

Another source attributes this car [probably rightly]  to MGM boss, George W. Hill. Indeed it resembles to a tee the car that Mr. Hill received as a gift from his wife, journalist and Hollywood screen writer Frances Marion. You can see the same car lower down on this page.

Hanin, Roger
[French screen star]

Apart from riding in his favorite Bentley, the actor [brother-in-law to France's late President François Mitterand]  enjoys cruising also in a top-down, front-wheel-drive Eldorado.   From  the photo [right] my guess is that it's a '76.

 

Harlow, Jean (1)
[fabled Hollywood screen star]

1931 V-12 convertible coupe

Jean Harlow was born in 1911 -just like my late mother in law .  She was an American film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s. Known as the "Platinum Blonde" and the "Blonde Bombshell" due to her platinum blonde hair, Harlow was ranked as one of the greatest movie stars of all time by the American Film Institute. She starred in several films, mainly designed to showcase her magnetic sex appeal and strong screen presence. Sadly she died, suddenly, from renal failure at only 26.Harlow became a superstar at MGM. She was given superior movie roles to show off not only her beauty but also what turned out to be a genuine comedic talent. In 1932, she had the starring role in Red-Headed Woman, for which she received $1,250 a week, and Red Dust, her second film with Clark Gable. By the mid-1930s, Harlow was one of the biggest stars in America and hopefully MGM's next Greta Garbo. She was still a young woman with her star continuously in the ascendant, while the popularity of other female stars at MGM, such as Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer, was waning. Harlow's movies continued to make huge profits at the box office, even during the middle of the Depression. Some credit them with keeping MGM profitable at a time when other studios were falling into bankruptcy. Harlow complained about having pains on May 20, 1937 when she was filming Saratoga. Her symptoms – fatigue, nausea, water weight and abdominal pain . Harlow died in the hospital on Monday June 7 at 11:37 am. Harlow had suffered serious kidney failure which could not have been cured in the 1930s.

     
Two views of Ms. Harlow's V12 Cadillac
[ Photo (left):  Walter Miller collection ]

Harlow, Jean (2)
[fabled Hollywood screen star]

1934 Series 370D V12 Cadillac town car

Jean Harlow (March 3, 1911 – June 7, 1937) was an American film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s. Known as the "blonde Bombshell" and the "Platinum Blonde" (owing to her platinum blonde hair), Harlow was ranked as one of the greatest movie stars of all time by the American Film Institute. Harlow starred in several films, mainly designed to showcase her magnetic sex appeal and strong screen presence, before making the transition to more developed roles and achieving massive fame under contract to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Harlow's enormous popularity and "laughing vamp" image were in distinct contrast to her personal life, which was marred by disappointment, tragedy, and ultimately her sudden death from renal failure at the age of 26.

[Source:  Wikipedia]

         
[ Photo (right):  Daily Mail, 2012 ]

Unique 1940 Series 90 V-16 Cadillac chauffeur-
driven sport coupe, custom-built by Derham

   
These two photos depict a custom coupe designed and built by Derham of Rosemont on the 1940; V16 chassis.  It has survived, has been restored
and is currently [1999] in the collection of Jack Nethercutt [Merle Norman cosmetic products]

This car currently [2002] is in the
Merle Norman collection, San Sylmar, CA

Hassan II
[King of Morocco]

1962 Custom, stretched Cadillac convertible

The King had many Cadillacs. This special, stretched convertible sedan on the Cadillac Series 75 limousine chassis was designed and built for the Moroccan ruler by Paris' Henri Chapron; the car is believed to be still in the royal automobile stables at Marrakech. The two White House security cars [to left and right of the presidential Lincoln] escorted Hassan during a state visit to the USA.

 

Hayes, Isaac
[musician, singer, composer]

1972 custom Cadillac "Superfly"

CLC member, Ed Kenny, wrote on the CLC Forum in December, 2003 : A friend of mine was talking about a Cadillac that composer Isaac Hayes had built for himself in the mid 70's that was trimmed with real 14K gold. Mr. Hayes no longer owns the car because it was repossessed by the IRS during a bad time with them.

 <

Late extra: In March 2004, a visitor to the Database gave me a tip where to find a photo of  Mr. Hayes'
exceptional car:  http://www.soulsvilleusa.com/index2.cfm  [the link no longer worked]; he said: Write me via email
to find out any details; we have the spare tire and wheel (Vogue custom built Tire) from the 1972 gold Cadillac Eldorado Superfly
of Mr. Hayes. We removed the spare tire and the transmission to lighten the car for a display area

Photo:  Internet, 2004
Elvis Presley is reported to have owned an identical model

Hayworth, Rita
[fabled screen star]

1953 custom Cadillac coupe by Ghia, Italy

The actress had many superb automobiles, though not all Cadillacs.  This looks anything but Cadillac, yet it is a special coupe by the Italian coach-builder, Ghia, on the 1953 Cadillac chassis.  Before it was (over-) restored, covered with gaudy, gold trim  and fitted with the wrong 1956-58 Eldorado sabre-spoke wheels, it was recognizable by its original, stock 1953 Cadillac wheel covers and instrument panel. Two of these cars were built. The upper photo (below) shows one of them in a factory publicity shot of the period.

 

 
Photo Credit: Richard Rowlands

         
These rows show BOTH Ghia custom jobs on the '53 Cadillac chassis; the three lower photos
were taken by me at the Blackhawk Museum [Don Williams collection], Danville, CA in June 1999;
I'm not sure which of these two cars is the one acquired by the star; Don Williams believes it's his car

1961 Series 75 limousine
This car was advertised on eBay as having belonged to
the Hearst family; don't take my word for it

1970 Custom Fleetwood limousine

    
Reported to have been used by the rock star during trips to South Florida, 
the car featured, inter alia, a safe deposit box hidden behind the rear seat arm rest
[in my 1956 Sedan de Ville, I had installed in the same spot a roll-out mini-bar!]

Greg Rykman of Senzel Limousine, Toronto, Canada
acquired the car from the estate of Hendricks' grandmother

1967/68 Fleetwood "75" limousine

   
The B&W photo (left) was supplied kindly by Database user and Cadillac enthusiast, David Link;
it shows the musician leaning against a 1967/68 Fleetwood "75" (artist's renderingright), purported to be his own

[previously identified in error as a 1972/73 model, the eror was discovered, in July, 2008 by Database user, Jim Charbin ]

1948 Cadillac Series 62 convertible

This factory publicity shot from the collection of the late Dave Holls, former Cadillac styling chief, shows Norwegian-born Miss Henie taking delivery.

1948 Cadillac Series 62 convertible

This car was offered for sale on the Internet and listed as having been owned by the star

George's car is Fleetwood style #4335 convertible coupe
Frances' car, behind the couple, is believed to be either
Fleetwood style #4130S (the sedan) or #4130 (the limousine)

Hill, George
[Diector of MGM studios]

1930 Cadillac Series 452 Convertible coupe, Fleetwood style #4335

George got this fabulous car as a birthday gift from his wife, screen writer Frances  Marion. He had surprised her, for her own birthday, a few days earlier,  with a similar gift of a V16 sedan.

The latter car appears on this page under the name Charles F. Hamilton, which a friend pointed out is probably a mistake. I shall be checking the sources and will make the appropriate correction.

 

 

Hoffa, Jimmy
[Union activist and teamster of ill repute]

1958 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special sedan

Hoffa was a union activist from a young age; he was an important regional figure with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) union by his mid twenties. By 1952, Hoffa had risen to national vice-president of the IBT, and served as the union's General President between 1958 (photo) and 1971. He secured the first national agreement for teamsters' rates in 1964 and played a major role in the growth and development of the union, which eventually became the largest single union in the United States with over 1.5 million members at certain times in Hoffa's "reign".

Hoffa became involved with organized crime from the early years of his Teamsters work, and this connection continued until his disappearance in 1975. He was convicted of jury tampering, attempted bribery, and fraud in 1964. Hoffa was imprisoned in 1967, and sentenced to 13 years, after exhausting the appeal process. In mid-1971 he resigned the Teamsters' presidency, an action that was part of a pardon agreement with President Richard Nixon, to facilitate his release later that year. Nixon blocked Hoffa from union activities until 1980 (which would have been the end of his prison term, had he served the full sentence).

Hoffa was last seen in late July 1975, outside the Machus Red Fox, a suburban Detroit restaurant. His disappearance gave rise to many theories as to what happened to him and where his body was hidden.

Holly, Buddy
[Rock 'n Roll artiste]

This may be just a hoax, but I did find for sale on the Internet, in March, 2001, a copy of the title to a 1954 Cadillac Series 60 Special sedan,
issued in the name of one Buddy Holly,  of Lubbock, TX,  on September 12, 1958

  
[ not this car, but one like it ]

Hoover, Herbert Clark (1)
[31st U.S. President]

In the press photo (below, left) we see the former U.S. President boarding a 1931 Cadillac Series 370A V12,
twelve-cylinder special phaeton; I'm not sure if the other photo is the same car. I think the lattter car might be a Packard.

On the topic of presidential parade or security Cadillacs, I understand from Cadillac enthusiast, Erik Calvino, Tokyo (1998) that the Smithsonian Institute warehouses near Dulles Airport are home to dozens of rare Cadillacs. Can anyone confirm this?

 

Hoover, Herbert Clark (2)
[31st U.S. President]

1930 Cadillac V16 limouisne

This car is widely reciognized as having been used during the Hoover administration

 

    
Left: George Tolan, the presidential chauffeur poses proudly beside the White House 1930 Series 452 V16 limousine
Right: a photo of the sixteen-cylinder car when it was still in service

Hoover, Herbert Clark (3)

[31st U.S. President]

Cadillac V-16, Fleetwood style #4302 roadster

 

    
President Hoover is said to have owned
also this sporty 1930 V-16 roadster

Hoover, Herbert Clark (4)
[31st U.S. President]

1932 Cadillac V16 Limousine

This car came up for sale at auction in 2010 and is documented as having belonged to the President

 

                
[ Above photos:  Bonham's sales catalog ]

   
The styling elegance of this Fisher-built limousine is undeniable;
IMHO 1932 is to pre-WW2 Cadillac styling as 1960 is to post-WW2 styling - timeless and superb!
[ These 2 photos: © 2009 and courtesy Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum ]

Hoover, Herbert Clark (5)
[31st U.S. President]

1932 Cadillac V16 Limousine

This second car came up for sale at auction in 2010 and is documented as having belonged to the President

A link to the "Conceptcarz" web sitedescribed the car thus:  The original of this owner [the original owner of this car?] was Herbert Hoover, the ex-president of the United States. During the final months of his presidency, Hoover purchased this V16 Imperial Limousine. It features a Fleetwood body of Style 5175. Hoover kept the car for many years, using it often, before selling it to his friend, Gordon Garland. Garland served in the California State Assembly from 1937 to 1942. It remained in Garland's care for several years and [was] used often during the first part of his ownership. It was later put out of service and used very sparingly. The car is currently in unrestored, yet well preserved condition. The odometer reads a mere 2,000 miles since new

 

             
The "American Eagle" hood ornament seems to bear witness to the car's "presidential" origins

Hoover, Edgar J.
[former FBI Director]

1961 Series 75 Limousioe

Lyndon B. Johnson had use of this car during his term of office as President  of the USA, while the presidential Lincoln Continental was being rebuilt.

Mr. Hoover is also reported to have had an armored Cadillac
built for his own use by Hess & Eisenhardt of Cincinnati

Hopalong Cassidy
The "Singing Cowboy"

See BOYD, William

Hope, Bob (1)
[Comedian and movie star]

The actor is seen here taking delivery
of a new, 1946 Cadillac at the factory

Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS, was born Leslie Townes Hope, (May 29, 1903 - July 27, 2003). He was born in England but became an American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel. Throughout his long career, he was honored for his humanitarian work. In 1996, the U.S. Congress honored Bob Hope by declaring him the "first and only honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces." Bob Hope appeared in or hosted 199 known USO shows.

 

[ Photo: courtesy GM/Cadillac PR ]

Hope, Bob (3)
[Comedian and movie star]

The actor is seen here riding passenger in Harley Earl's dream child, the Buick Le Sabre, mother of all Cadillac show cars. Bob is seen here with Dave Garroway, star of NBC-TV, at Andrews Air Force base near Washington DC. The date is May 2, 1954. The venue was one of NASCAR's first race events, the National Sports Car Race, where Hope amused the fans with an off-the-cuff, impromptu  monologue.

[ Photo: courtesy Richard Earl ]

Hope, Bob (3)
[Comedian and movie star]

During an episode of Dream Car Garage on Speed TV, in
March 2006,  Peter Klute drove a 1958 Cadillac Eldorado
Brougham #571 purported to have belonged to the star.  I have heard
that he may have owned also 1957 Brougham #114. Another source
tells us Bob Hope owned gthe car from 1958-1984 and then it was on display
on a turntable in an office building lobby in San Diego.

 

Hughes, Howard (1 + 2)
[Millionaire and recluse]

1940 Fleetwood Series 75 formal limousine
This car was featured for many years in the
Astor collection that was auctioned off
in July 2008

1941 Cadillac Series 62 convertible sedan

 

    
[ for more photos of this car, visit the Imperial Palace Collection, Las Vegas ]

    
Photos: courtesy "Pre War Car" (internet, 2012)

1941 Cadillac Series 62 convertible sedan

Hussein Bin Talal (3)
[ late King of Jordan, replaced by Abdallah, his son]

1953 Custon parade convertible
with coachwork by Jacques Saoutchik of Paris
(built on order from the brother of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia)

   
Two views of the unique Saoutchik Cadillac parade car at the coachbuilder's own premises in Paris, before shipment to Saudi Arabia

I believe more than one of these custom parade cars were built by Saoutchik;
this one does not appear to  have the same  front ensmble as the preceding one

         
This one was a gift (or a loan?) from a family member, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia;
again it seems to have different rear quarters to the two preceding cars
[lower 3 photos:  stills from Pathe newsreel of April, 1955 ]

Info from this Web page

Hussein Bin Talal (4)
[ late King of Jordan, replaced by Abdallah, his son]

Armored 1956 Cadillac limousine (by Hess & Eisenhardt?)

1956 Cad 75, armored: The 1956 Cadillac was the most luxurious car offered in America. It was fully equipped with signal-seeking radios, automatic air-conditioning, power seats, power windows, as well as an “electronic eye” that automatically switches the headlights from bright to dim when an oncoming car is approaching. Only 955 8-passenger limousines were made, and only a handful were bullet proofed. Armored cars were first used by the British Army in the colonies. By WWI, they became more common as personnel carriers and for officers’ transport. In the Middle East, T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) used the first armored Rolls Royce (10) cars while assisting the Great Arab Revolt.

King Hussein received this car as a gift from General Eisenhower, president of the U.S.A. (1953-1961), it was the first bullet-proof car used in Jordan. It is also equipped with an early GE radio transmitter. It was used by King Hussein in the 1950s and also occasionally in the 1970s. Cadillacs were used extensively in Jordan as official cars. King Abdullah I used a 1947 Cadillac Limousine for official occasions, while King Hussein had a 1957 convertible as well.

Info from this Web page

 

NOT this car but one much like it

 

Hussein Bin Talal (6)
[ late King of Jordan, replaced by Abdallah, his son]

Armored 1961 Cadillac limousine by Hess & Eisenhardt

 

 

Hutton, Barbara
[Socialite and millionaire
heiress to the Woolworth fortune]

1940 town landaulet by Derham

Barbara Hutton married screen star, Cary Grant,  in 1942.  She was the niece of Jesse Donahue, heiress to the Woolworth fortune, the car was  a gift from a rich aunt

 

Jackson 5
[Black pop group (Michael Jackson and his brothers)]

1971 custom Cadillac station wagon

This snippet of information was passed on to me in January, 2005
by a Database enthusiast who has acquired this wagon and has been
told it was the family car of the group. 

 

 

    

             
A subsequent buyer recalls: ... once, with Jermaine standing directly ahead of me in line, I introduced myself. I asked, "by any chance, do you remember an old tan Cadillac station
wagon that your mom used to drive you guys around in?" He wasn't sure at first. But once I described the inside of the car with the little black & white television it all came back.
"Yeah, yeah. I remember that. You have it?", he asked. I told him that I did, and he was happy to know it was still around. This is as close as I've gotten to verifying the background of the car.

 

Jackson, Alan
[Country singer]

This 1999 Cadillac Seville was on sale on e-Bay in 7/2001; it was said to be the former property of the singer

1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible

Jean-Michel is probably France's best-known modern music composer-performer.  This is (was) his weekend toy.  It is one of only 815 built that year.
Late Extra: this car recently changed hands (2001-02); I spoke to the new owner who lives near Paris, in a western suburb

         
Jean-Michel with his Biarritz and his trademark white fedora with black hat band

 

In the latter part of April 1917 the French and British governments sent delegations to the United States to coordinate assistance and offer advice on the form of possible American involvement in the war efforty. The French mission was led by former French Premier René Viviani and Marshal Joseph Joffre.   Marshal Joffre, the former French Army Commander and victor of the 1914 Battle of the Marne, suggested that an American division be sent to France to symbolize American participation.

1916 Cadillac Type 53, V-8

    
Ticker tape parade for Joffre and Viviani

 

1974 custom Cadillac De Ville

 

Johnson, Lyndon B. [1]
[Former U.S. President]

In a TV segment about the LBJ Library in Texas, you can see Lyndon Johnson and guests after a  hunt; their kill is spread out on the hood of a dark green '49 Cadillac Series 62 convertible. Later in the film there is a scene showing LBJ driving the same car.

His wife, Lady Bird, remarks that the '49 was a big, heavy-to-drive old car, but they didn't part with it because it just kept on running.
 
Anyone know if it survived? 

Not this factory drawing, but a car just like it

Jolson, Al
["The Jazz Singer"]

1933 Cadillac Series 452C V16 all-weather phaeton. 
This car was for a long time in the collection
of the late Bill Harrah, in Reno, Nevada.

Jones, Charles ("Buck")
[Movie Star]

1931 Custom Cadillac "finned" racer

Buck Jones, 1891-1942.  was an American motion picture star of the 20s, 30s, and 40s, known for his work starring in many popular western movies (the "B" movies). In his early film appearances, he was billed as Charles Jones. Wikipedia
 

Jones, James F.
[ aka "Prophet Jones" ]

Custom 1951 Cadillac Fleetwood, Series 75, by Derham of Rosemont

Jones (1907-1971)  was a preacher and religious leader. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, James F. Jones, popularly known as "Prophet Jones" (no relation to the notorius Jim Jones), he achieved national prominence as a flamboyant religious leader in Detroit during the 1940s and 1950s. He became one of the few African Americans featured regularly in the mainstream, white-controlled mass media of his era, only to have his acclaim tarnished at the height of his fame with a morals arrest for propositioning an undercover policeman.

Jones arrived in Detroit in 1938 and soon began preaching and prophesying on a weekly radio program. Through his broadcast pulpit, he attracted predominantly African American working-class followers to rousing all-night services, first at a wood frame church in the city's slums.

The Prophet alighting from his 1951 Cadillac
wearing a a full-length ermine coat
[ Photo:  LIFE magazine ]

Jordan, Michael
[Basketball Superstar]

At the Kruse auction venue in Auburn, IN, in Sept. 1999, a 1984 formal Cadillac limousine was offered for sale (lot #1467); it was reportedly used in the eighties and nineties to chauffeur basketball great, Michael Jordan. Kruse determined that this made it one of a kind ! The final bid was $6,000 but no sale ensued.

Jordan, Dorothy
[30s Movie Actress]

1930-31 Cadillac V-16, Fleetwood style #4260 special phaeton
(actress Joan Crawford had one just like it!)

She was born in Clarksville, TN, in 1906 (same year as my late dad) and had a short but successful career in talking pictures in 1929. She studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and performed in some Broadway musicals. She made her screen debut in the 1929 and made 22 more films over the next four years, starring, inter alia, with Wallace Beery,  Marie Dressler, Bette Davis, Ramon Novarro, Clark Gable, Lionel Barrymore  and Jimmy Durante. She retired ftom the movies after marryimg a film director. They lived in Coronado, CA. Her husband died in 1973 and Jordan died 15 years later.

 

H.E. Kassem, Abdul Karim
[ President of Iraq in the 50s and 60s ]

Various Cadillacs, from 1957-1961

 

My job with a specialized agency of the UN took me to Baghdad, Iraq, in March of 1983, three years into the Iran-Iraq war that ended in a stalemate, in 1988, following a UN-brokered cease-fire.

During that visit, I had the opportunity to peek inside a heavily guarded auto museum located in Baghdad’s Fawzah park district, that was said to house cars of Iraq’s ruling officials of the time.   Judging by the car models (ranging from 1957 to 1961), I’m guessing they were used in the main by President Nuri as-Said, who was overthrown by President Abdul Karim Kassem, in a bloody military coup, on 15 July 1958.

In addition   to these and other Cadillac of the same period were a couple of 1958 Lincoln Continental convertibles and a splendid 1935 Mercedes Benz that had belonged to the former King Ghazi.

President Abdul Karim Kassem

 

This custom armor-plated Series 75 limousine was prepared by Hess & Eisenhardt;
I wonder if it is the same 1961 Series 75 Cadillac limousine seen above, right

Kelly, Grace
[ aka Princess Grace of Monaco ]

The movie star become princess is reported to have once owned this 1957 Eldorado Brougham.  It is believed to have been acquired, circa 2008, by Mohammed Bin Sulayem, one of the wealthiest men in Abu Dhabi who owns a vast  collection of mainly low-mileage classic and collectible cars (many Cadillacs) that he buys from museums and car collectors all over the world

 

              
[ Lower 3 Photos:  Internet, 2008 ]

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald (1)
[ 35th US President ]

1956 White House "Security Car"
( custom convertible sedan )

In June 1963, President Kennedy made a memorable four-day trip to his homeland.  He described it as the best 'four days of his life'. Tragically, five months later he was assassinated in Dallas.

 

    
On June 28, 1963, the President rode through the streets of Cork
in the 1956 White House “security car”, flown in from Paris for the occasion
[ Photo: Robert Knudsen ]

Different venue: Kennedy rides the Lincoln; the Caddy serves as security car

On November 22, 1963, the President was assassinated by a lone (?) gunman, just seconds after this
historic photo was taken,  as he rode with Jackie through the streets of Dallas, TX; the White House
security car immediately behind the Lincoln parade vehicle was unable to prevent the national tragedy

Kennedy, John F. (2)
and
Kennedy, Jacqueline, Bouvier
[ America's 35th and favorite President and First Lady ]

(1) 1959 special Bubble Top limousine

The Bubble Top limousine was built for the Kennedy's official tour of Canada that year;
it was subsequently used for the State visit of  H.H. Elizabeth II, the Queen of England

(2) 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz

    
[ For further, detailed photos of this custom job, check out this page - search under ... "Queen Elizabeth"]

    
Jack and Jackie parading aboard a 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald (3)
[35th US President]

1961 Fleetwood Series 75 limousine

This car was delivered that year to the US embassy in Vienna, Austria, to be used by  President and Mrs. JFK during the summit meeting there, in June 1961, with Nikita and Mrs. Kruchchev.  Mrs. Kennedy rode in the same car to visit Vienna's world renowned Spanish Riding School in company with Austrian Chancellor Alfons Gorbach. Whenever President Kennedy rode in the official Lincoln limousine, Jackie would follow in this Cadillac.

Mrs. Kennedy, en route to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna
[ BTW, the white "blob" (at lower left) is not a flaw in the photo,
it is the white rain cover of a Viennese policeman's peaked cap ]

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald (4)
[ 35th US President ]

1962 Fleetwood Series 75 limousine

I assume this was just another "official" car placed at the disposal of the President on one of his many diplomatic missions.  Who can identify  the event/location, and the other person in the photo?

 

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald (5)
[ 35th US President ]

1962 Series 62 convertible

President Kennedy met with British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan and other officials, at Nassau, from 17 to 21 December 1962; they concluded a special agreement in accordance with which the United States undertook to supply Polaris missiles to the United Kingdom.   It was the result of a series of meetings by the two leaders over three days, following the U.S.'s cancellation of the AGM-48 Skybolt, the planned basis for the UKs entire nuclear deterrent in the 1960s. Under the agreement the US was to provide the UK with a supply of nuclear-capable Polaris missiles in return for which the UK was to lease the Americans a nuclear submarine base in the Holy Loch, near Glasgow. The agreement was clear that the UK's Polaris missiles were part of a 'multi-lateral force' within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and could only be used independently when 'supreme national interests' intervened.

Someone with a keen sense of humor put a sign up at the entrance to the Holy Loch submarine base.  It read:  Sold to Sam for a tin of spam !

Kennedy, John F. (6)
and
Kennedy, Jacqueline, Bouvier
[ America's 35th and favorite President and First Lady ]

1962 Series 75 limousine

I assume this too is just another "official" car placed at the disposal of the President on one of his many diplomatic missions. 

 

  
Who can identify  the event/location?

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald (6)
[former U.S. President]

1964 funeral coach, Miller-Meteor combination

The tragedy of President Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, will remain forever fresh in the public consciousness.
It was in this historic vehicle that the President took his "last ride".   It is car #1 of the 1964 professional car production of Miller-Meteor,
in Piqua, OH.  This hearse was  ordered from the O'Neal Funeral Home in Dallas; it carried Jacqueline Kennedy and President Kennedy's body
from Parkland Memorial Hospital to Air Force One at Love Field. Originally built for show at the National Funeral Home Directors Association
Convention, held in Dallas in October 1963, the O'Neal funeral home took delivery of the vehicle following the show. It was not known to have survived
... until January 2010 when a commercial car very much like it (and touted as THE Kennedy car) was offered at auction by Barrett-Jackson.
So car as I know, that car has not been fully authenticated.

 

    
Top (left): the hearse at Parkland Memorial hospital in Dallas
Top (right): later, at Love Field, with Air Force One in the background

         
More press photos of the Kennedy hearse


This car is the one  that transported Mr. Kennedy's body
from the Parkland hospital in downtown Dallas, to the waiting "Airforce 1" jet liner:
it was sold at auction, in January 2012, for $160,000

Kettering, Charles
[Inventor of the electric self-starter]

The 1912 Cadillacs were the first to be fitted with an electric self-starter as well as electric lighting. He was the Cadillac engineer responsible for both.  He came to Cadillac from the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (DELCO). The self-starter brought Cadillac the Dewar Trophy in 1912, for the second time.

Kettering demonstrates his invention

Khalid Ibn Abdul Aziz
King of Saudi Arabia

Stretched 1975 Fleetwood Brougham

The conversion was done by Wisco of Ferndale, MI,  to a design suggested by
Mrs. Dollie Cole wife of then Cadillac Gen. manager, Edward N. Cole.  It had the longest padded roof in the industry
(almost 14 feet), and  one-way mirror windows all round; 300 hours of work were needed and it cost $100,000 cost

 

Khan, Ayub
[ Former Premier of Pakistan ]

1955 Cadillac Eldorado

Ayub Khan's era is known for the industrialization in the country. He created an environment where the private sector was encouraged to establish medium and small-scale industries. This opened created new job opportunities and boosted the country's economy. Khan also tried to raise the education standards of the country by introducing educational reforms. He was the first Pakistani ruler who attempted to bring in land reforms but the idea was not implemented properly. Labor, law and administrative reforms were also introduced during his regime. He moved the country's capital from Karachi to Islamabad in 1962.

I believe this Cadillac was actually owned by the Indian Government and, in this photo,
was being used during an official State visit to India by the Pakistani Premier

 

King, B.B.
[Renowned American "Blues" guitarist]

1966 Cadillac De Ville convertible; B.B.'s Lucille (the guitar on the
right) shares a quiet moment with Eric Clapton's Fender Stratocaster

Knievel, Evel [1]
[Famed U.S. stunt man]

Custom Cadillac station wagon

The pics below were supplied kindly by Mike Draper, a former member of Mr. Knievel's team.  This custom-built, yellow De Ville station is photographed herec wagon  was takenbeside his truck and me beside his 1974 pickup (when I was young) outside Carl Greens Enterprise's shop who did some customized work on Evels cars.  We updated the 1974 Pickup's headlights to 1977 rectangle instead of round, wow what a difference that made in looks.  I have no idea where the yellow caddie station wagon went, but the red, 1974 (77) Pickup is alive and well in Eureka Kansas, owned by a John Mock. Himself and his restorer, James Humphreys in Turon Kansas restored the pickup to its beautiful state of red with all of Evels logo on it. John recently met up with Knievel in Grove Oklahoma at a personal appearance and Evel was really impressed. He got to drive it in the parade leading a very large group of motorcycles.  He came back and commented to me that it has been 30 years since he drove that car.  John has been very generous in taking the Car when Evel does a personal appearance and would like the car for display.  The only thing, I saw that on your website it shows this car was made by Caribou? Anyway great site, neat cars.  I will send more pictures when I can of the new owner John Mock, if you want.

   
Thers pics of Evel's car were supplied kindly by Mike Draper, a former
member of Mr. Knievel's team; behind the car you can see part of the rig
(red truck and trailer) used on the road by the stuntman and his aides

Knievel, Evel [2]

1974 Cadillac-based pick-up truck

Aficionado Glen Yadon says that the 1974 custom pickup truck, above,
was made for stuntman Evel Knievel
   [ Photo: Glen Yadon ]

At left is one of two custom conversion for Evel Knievel; the round '74 headlights were changed to the '77 rectangular kind,
possibly by Carl Greens Enterprises; the red Caribou (right) is alive and well in Eureka Kansas and owned by John Mock

    
This is the car seen in the preceding row, at lar left;
The daredevil-stuntman carried two of his bikes on its flat bed

    
The red Evel Knievel pick-up on De Ville chassis
[ Photos (above 2 rows): courtesy Mike Draper (seen here), a former member of Mr. Knievel's team ]

1933 Series 452C V16 special
Cadillac aerodynamic coupe

During his term of office many fine cars were placed at his disposal, including this unique show car that had been Cadillac's exhibit at the 1933 World's Fair, A Century of Progress, in Chicago.  Knudsen used it until the first production aerodynamic coupe came off the line the following year (1934)

1959 Series 75 Limousine 

During the official visit of the Soviet Premier, from September 15-27, 1959, the US government pulled out
all the stops and put at Mr. Kruschchev's disposal, this 1959 chauffeur-driven parade limousine; this was
not the year of the shoe-banging incident,  when the infuriated leader of the Soviet Union pounded his shoe
on his delegate-desk; that incident occurred during the 902nd Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly
  held in New York on October 12, 1960

Kruschchev and Nasser
[respective former heads of state of Egypt and the USSR]

On an official visit to Egypt in May 1964, to inaugurate the Assouan dam, designed and built by Soviet engineers, the parade
was halted  briefly when a woman admirer leapt across the hood of the ceremonial 1958 Cadillac convertible (photo)

 

    
[ Same photo - different crop level ]

(résumé en français)

La Cadillac, symbole de luxe par excellence, a longtemps été la préférée de l'élite mondiale.  Parmi ses illustres propriétaires passés:  la reine Wilhelmine des Pays-Bas, le roi Baudoin de Belgique, le roi Gustav de Suède de même que les Papes Pie XII et Jean XXIII. Aux Etats-Unis elle fut longtemps la favorite de la Maison Blanche sous Teddy Roosevelt, Ike Eisenhower, Richard Nixon ...et maintenant Bill Clinton. Rois et reines de l'écran les adoraient également (Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, Fred Astaire...) comme le faisaient aussi d'autres "vedettes internationales" (Salvador Dali, Elvis Presley...) et même un certain Al Capone, dit "le balafré". 

Les automobiles Cadillac et La Salle jouissent depuis toujours d'une réputation justifiée d'élégance, de fiabilité et de confort.  Dans les années vingt (les "années folles") une campagne publicitaire fut orchestrée autour de la Cadillac, en France, par son importateur parisien, la société commerciale de vente d'automobiles SOCOVA. Dans la "who's who" de la firme furent cités cinq rois, deux reines, une princesse royale, huit princes, sept ducs et pas moins de dix-huit marquis et marquises.