Is anyone familiar with the 4 Maharani models that were built in 1956? According to my sources only one remains and was sold for 225K. It has instead of the front passenger seat you'll find a toaster, refrigerator, hot plate, cutlery holder and, yes, a kitchen sink.
Dubbed as "the kitchen sink Cadillac".
They used to say "Everything but the kitchen sink, and now what?
My guess is that these were created after market. I doubt Cadillac went to the trouble of designing and building them, especially it there were only four!!
I did see one of these and even had the opportunity to judge it.
There was one at the Grand National about 6-7 years ago. I don't remember
which one. It was fairly complete with the sink and most of the appliances.
The interior was rather strange, it had a type of faux fur run, for example.
I don't know who built them -- it wasn't the factory.
There was a write-up someplace about the car after that -- maybe in the
"Self-Starter" (?). I believe it was also discussed here at some length.
Mike
Believe that car was at the 2008 GN in Cherry Hill, NJ.
This car was built by Cadillac and is the only known survivor of the 4 Cadillac mood cars built for the 1956 GM Motorama show circuit. The other three were the Castilian , a modified Eldorado SeVille. The Palomino , a modified Series 62 Convertible. And the Gala, a modified Sedan DeVille. The Maharani , as of 2008 had only 1,700 miles on it and wore her factory installed tires at that point.
So Bill, you're saying that the one I saw those (10?) years ago at the GN is
the lone survivor and the same car as pictured here?
If so, some detail work was done on the interior and accessories, because
it wasn't this complete.
Is there any documentation that GM built these for the Motorama -- or
is this just speculation. If it's available please post it! We'd love to see
it.
Mike
From the Cadillac Database:
Fleetwood (USA) Cadillac Maharani. The "Maharani" is the wife of the maharajah, ruler of one of India's former native states, or a woman vested with the same powers as the latter. The Cadillac Maharani is a special Series Sixty Special sedan, more recently nicknamed the Kitchen Sink Cadillac; it is one of four mood cars show during the 1956 Motorama circuit; it featured recessed toaster, folding table, hot-plate, cutlery tray, cooling unit (the compressor is in the trunk), coffee and water dispensers and a flip-out table; in addition the appointments include a small safe and a safety deposit box; outside color is burgundy/maroon , upholstery is snake skin and a satin print, carpeting is mouton fur; currently owned (1995) by Joe Bortz, Chicago. The press release described it as follows: A Series 60 Special Sedan styled in an exciting Far Eastern motif, the Maharani features a rich metallic maroon body with a contrasting soft maroon and gold interior with chased silver and carved ivory ornaments to further enhance the Eastern mood. This model is one of four specially appointed production show cars which are being displayed by the Cadillac Motor Car Division in the 1956 General Motors Motorama. About the Maharani interior the press release said: A specially styled roll-top cabinet occupies the right front compartment of the Maharani. The locker contains such appropriate touring conveniences as a folding table, a hot plate, a recessed toaster, a cutlery tray, a cooling unit and coffee and water dispensers which are supplied from tanks installed under the hood. A built-in combination safe and ladies vanity case are also in included. The car was mentioned in SSA 1979, inside rear cover, and again in OCW special issue, 27.8.92, p.37; good photos appeared in SS 8/91, p.10. Currently [2009] the Maharani is owned by Joshua Modlinger of New York, NY.
I believe there was just one Maharani. There were three other "Mood car" models used in Motoramas in 1956 model year.
John Emerson
1952 Cadillac Sedan 6219X
Thank you all or your replies
Mike the details I gave are given in the excellent book " Motorama " By David W. Temple ISBN # 978-1-61325-159-1. An excellent book . I recommend it.
Hi, don't if it was this particular car,
but there was one at the 2008 Grand National in Cherry Hill, NJ.
Quote from: Bill Young on October 28, 2017, 08:30:25 PM
Mike the details I gave are given in the excellent book " Motorama " By David W. Temple ISBN # 978-1-61325-159-1. An excellent book . I recommend it.
Thanks for the book recommendation -- that's one I don't have.
When we judged this car at the Grand National in N.J. it was a difficult
task. We had no real criteria to go by as far as knowing (authenticity-wise)
what was correct and what was missing. I recall the fur rug and it was in
pretty rough shape. It was redone (with a more standard type) for the
pictures above. The sink wasn't connected to anything and other pieces
were missing. It looks much better in those pictures than I remember
(but that was about 10 years ago).
We also didn't realize that it was "one of a kind" and a Motorama Car.
Mike
Mike you happen to own my all time heart throb , a 1955 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible and it appears to be in Bahama Blue with white top. Don't tell me it also has the Blue and White interior. Sorry I have Loved those since I was about 7 and I am 62.
Hello Bill:
Thanks for the kind words. I've owned her since 1981! She was a
"driver" at that time, but had quite a bit of rust in the floors, trunk
and needed a total restoration.
The interior is all blue. That was the way it came from the factory and
I kept it original. The exterior is Bahama Blue as original. It was a
"Best of Show" at the Savanna Grand National in 2007.
By the way, I took your advice and ordered the Motorama book. Looking
forward to getting it. Also, I'll be 68 on December 15th!
Mike
[quote author=Mike Josephic CLC #3877 link=topic=147296.msg375360#msg375360 date=1509241
We also didn't realize that it was "one of a kind" and a Motorama Car.
Mike
[/quote]
Mike,
I'm very surprised you didn't know that. I'm also surprised the owner didn't know that either??
Bob
The "owner" was a young guy who I believe was the son of the actual
owner. He was not very helpful in filling us in as to what the story was
when I asked questions regarding authenticity. If he would have told
me "It's a one of a kind Motorama car from 1956" it would have helped.
I (nor anyone else on the team of 4) had ever seen or heard of the car,
not that unusual since only 1 was made.
He did get an award (I don't remember what) since our president and
chief judge did recognize it for the rare car it was.
Mike
Thirty years ago this car was owned by a collector in Atlanta's father. It was a genuine Cadillac "dream car" as they called it. I will try to get more info
This car was present at our 2008 Fall show with the theme "Dream Cars" featured at Capital Cadillac. The car belong to a young guy out of New York. He lost the keys to the car during the show and being that I own a complete set of GM master keys I was able to "cut" him a new set of keys.
I was in error. The special car my friend's father had was a Motorama 54 Buick Roadmaster, with formal division and convertible top over rear seat. It went to Joe Bortz,. Sorry.