Late 20s advertisement : which year and model ?

[Philippe M. Ruel]

I found an old French advertisement for Cadillac automobiles, from "l'Illustration" magazine.

I would date it back to 1927-1931. Who can tell more precisely ? Thanks

[Steve Passmore]

I think its the 1929 Transformable Town Cabriolet style 3520, or the Transformable Limousine Brougham 3591.  hard to tell them apart.

[Louis Smith]

I think its the 1929 Transformable Town Cabriolet style 3520, or the Transformable Limousine Brougham 3591.  hard to tell them apart.

I don't think its either, as neither had side by side door handles.  The 3591 had two tool compartments above the running board.

[Steve Passmore]

I don't think its either, as neither had side by side door handles.  The 3591 had two tool compartments above the running board.

Your quite right Louis, i missed that little detail. So what then?  Its definitely a Transformable. The 3550 had no tool box's and side by side door handles but a closed rear quarter panel. So, one of the custom bodies perhaps?

[Louis Smith]

Your quite right Louis, i missed that little detail. So what then?  Its definitely a Transformable. The 3550 had no tool box's and side by side door handles but a closed rear quarter panel. So, one of the custom bodies perhaps?

Using Walter M.P. McCall's "80 Years of Cadillac LaSalle", I can't find an "exact match"  The book states that there were "no less than Fleetwood-bodied Transformable Town Cabriolets"  Many of these were "one-off full customs for Cadillac" from the design studios of Fleetwood.  I might suggest that since the ad was drawing, quite possibly the artist designed his own personal version, using different styling from different models.  If you are able to blow up the attachment, you can notice that the top model has the side by side door handles while the other 2 don't.

[Steve Passmore]

Using Walter M.P. McCall's "80 Years of Cadillac LaSalle", I can't find an "exact match"  The book says many of these were "one-off full customs for Cadillac" from the design studios of Fleetwood.  I might suggest that since the ad was drawing, quite possibly the artist designed his own personal version,

We share the same reference library Louis. I too cant find a perfect match.
I whole heartedly agree that there's a lot of artistic license going on here also.  Its got two chauffeurs, that tells you something

[Philippe M. Ruel]

You're right, it may be an advertiser's design, or even a design by one of the numerous French coachbuilders of the time, although it definitely "looks American".


What about the year ? The cowl side louvers' pattern looks to be 1928-29er, what do you think of it ? Any other possible reference mark on this (clueless) side view ?

[Louis Smith]

You're right, it may be an advertiser's design, or even a design by one of the numerous French coachbuilders of the time, although it definitely "looks American".


What about the year ? The cowl side louvers' pattern looks to be 1928-29er, what do you think of it ? Any other possible reference mark on this (clueless) side view ?

Yes the cowl side louver appear to be 28-29, as they appear to be set back further then the 1927. At a quick glance all the Transformables appear to be very similiar.  What I can't find is one with just one tool box lock above the running board.  Also not many with the two side windows with landau bars.  Fairly close is a 1928 Salon version of the 128 Cadillac Series 341 with semi-custom Transformal Town Cabriolet body by Fleetwood.  Page 124 of the book.   The only difference is that in the book, it has 3 round chrome(?) circles above the running board.  It appears as though the main lock is in the middle, just as in the picture.  It has the landau bars, and the spoke design appears to be exactly the same.  It also has the trunk shelf in the rear in the upright position.  Thats my final answer LOL