Some where I read that the color white (or any color available during 1937) could be special ordered for a cost of about $35.00 during the year for the 1937 Cadillac.
I cannot locate that information now but I notice in my copy of "The Complete History By Maurice D. Hendry" . Fourth Edition Update by David Holls there are photos that appear to be white or pale yellow used for the years 1935 and 1936. See page 244 Sixty-first Shrine Concave official car, a 1935 V-8. Also page 265, an 1936 convertible sedan immediately above.
Can you verify that white was available as a special order color during 1937 for Cadillac?
Thank you,
Ty Stinson, Sr
CLC22330
The 1937 Cadillac Data Book lists a color called "Italian Cream", #20734, as a standard color. I don't know how close it was to white. Perhaps it was a light yellow shade.
In any event, I would have thought that in 1937, ANY color could be special ordered on a Cadillac, and especially on a V12. Perhaps the question is whether such an order was ever placed. I doubt that records of that exist, but perhaps someone who reads this message board will know more.
Good luck!
John Emerson
Thank you John. I do have a color chip for Italian Cream and it is a very light mellow yellow.
Ty Stinson, Sr.
CLC22330
In the 1939 Extra Charges for Special Features the following statement is made:
The use of white or colors of delicate shade, which are difficult to apply should be discouraged. Although some such colors are included in the durable line of lacquers, the use of these colors involves additional labor to apply and are necessarily furnished on individual quotations.
While white was probably available, at the time, I read that it was very, very hard to apply using the pigments of the era. Cigarette Cream is just that. A yellowish shade, but quite far removed from white. I can't remember the source where I read it, but while you could talk your dealer into most any color that you had in mind, you really had to work at it if you wanted white. And the price for (most) special order colors was $25.00 I believe.
Ty, you might wish to contact DuPont or Rinshed-Mason to see whether they offered white in the late Thirties.