Friends:
I saw this rough but mostly original nice running 53 Eldo in Albuquerque today. It was on a Rt. 66 driving tour with a bunch of other cars from Norway.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/wsullivan711/images/Eldo.jpgI believe he said it was #506, I took a picture of the number plate.
Interesting, that car was imported to Sweden a few years ago and then it was sold to Norway. Seems they are over in the USA to drive Route 66(?).
We have been planning on doing the same thing with our 1973 Eldorado indy 500 pace car replica - nice vacation trip :-)
/Rikard, Sweden
I would be curious to know what the owner eventually plans to do with the car. To what degree is he going to restore the car, or just leave it more or less "as is" and use it as a daily driver. While I am basically from the "using our cars for pleasure" camp, I think certain models from Cadillacs History should be given special attention, such as the 53 Eldorados. While Cadillacs were always in the luxury car class, certain models were introduced to put them ahead of the pack, such as the multi cylindered cars, the 57-60 Eldorado Broughams etc. I think the 53 Eldorados were one of the more important cars in Cadillac history. They came out at time when Lincoln and Packard, were still trying to give Cadillac a run for their money. With the creation of the Eldorado model in 53, Cadillac was able to maintain their edge as the luxury car leader, until well into the 70s.
Thought only 503 were produced or was it 513?
Dan
Quote from: Bill SullivanFriends:
I saw this rough but mostly original nice running 53 Eldo in Albuquerque today. It was on a Rt. 66 driving tour with a bunch of other cars from Norway.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/wsullivan711/images/Eldo.jpg TARGET=_blank>http://mywebpages.comcast.net/wsullivan711/images/Eldo.jpg
I believe he said it was #506, I took a picture of the number plate.
Geez that is a nice car. I do not mind that the body isnt perfect. Hope he keeps it as a driver and makes some small improvements to keep her in shape.
I am thinking of moving to Albuquerque myself. It is a good place to live. One more beautiful Cadillac for a nice city. :)
As for keeping it original and restoring it, if it is in original condition and isnt terrible (hard to tell from that distance) then I would say leave it in original shape, otherwise restore it properly. I agree, it is a bench mark as the first year of Eldorado (a shame what they became). But by all means drive it!!! The younger generations need to see what a beautiful, well built cars America once produced!!!
I am restoring my 6219 to be used.
It was 532 units, even if the last one carries #533.
Indeed, it could be #506 whose current home is in Norway. These Scandinavians - like their Viking ancestors - are not afraid to travel. I would not be surprised if the owner just up and decided to transport the car to the States, just for the pleasure and "adventure" of traveling route 66 with it. Im sure hell let us know. He may have attended the Grand National in Santa Barbara.
This Eldo is part of a 17 car group that is touring Rt. 66. I think that all the cars are from Sweden or Norway and will probably be returning to Europe after the tour. They have a website,
http://Cruise66.com That blogs the tour. There are some rare high quality cars in the group, such as a 55 Pontiac convertible, 55 T-bird, 60 Imperial Convert, etc.. Most of them are handling the heat and distance of the tour rather well.
Apparently collecting and driving old American cars is an active hobby in Europe, there is even have a magazine devoted to it.
Bill, Albuquerque, NM
This could be the Norwegians who are traveling route 66 all the way.In the Summer issue of Cadill-ikes [54-56 Cadillacs]a Mikael Nilsson is talking about this trip.There will be 17 cars shipped from Norway to the U.S.The cars will not all be Cadillacs.
The 53 Eldo that was spotted in New Mexico belongs to Mr. Mikael Nilson of Norway. He is a Swedish gentleman residing in Norway. He is also a part of 17 Classis American cars to be driven on the Route 66 trip that AMCAR (American Car Club of Norway - 13 000 members) has arranged.
The cars were transported by ship from Gothenburg, Sweden to New York and transported to Chicago by car haulers. The cars will arrive in LA on the 25th of June. All of the cars will be shipped back to Norway after the trip is over - isn`t it great that some people are just plain crazy!
Last time I spoke to Mikael about his car he told me he planned to keep it in unrestored, original condition. He also told me a story of when he purchased the car back in the 80`s. A fellow worker of him also bought a brand new Ford for the same price he paid for the old 53 Eldo. He said the guys at work made fun at him for spending so much money on an old car.....look whose laughing now!
Brian
Norway
All I can say is that I wish I was there with them.
They WILL have a really fun time, and their excitement will rub off onto everyone they meet.
Bruce,
The Tassie Devil(le),
60 CDV
P.S. Lucky buggers.
Wake up America! Not only are "American Car" clubs VERY active in Europe but also they are taking YOUR cars away (especially Cadillacs)at an alarming rate. The American Car Club de France has over 2000 active members and has a glossy monthly magazine that puts many US club magazines to shame. I think the Scandinavians are 6,000-7,000 strong!
Quote from: Yann Saunders, 12588Wake up America! Not only are "American Car" clubs VERY active in Europe but also they are taking YOUR cars away (especially Cadillacs)at an alarming rate. The American Car Club de France has over 2000 active members and has a glossy monthly magazine that puts many US club magazines to shame. I think the Scandinavians are 6,000-7,000 strong!
Taking away? at an alarming rate? Am I to understand that you see this as a national disaster? What difference does it make who "takes" these cars, as long as its someone that has an appreciation of them and wants to give them life? I dont think the CLC has a problem, since our club is an International Club.
The Cadillac & LaSalle Club, Inc. (CLC) is an international organization of nearly 7,000 members with 18,000 collectible automobiles built by Cadillac. It provides activities and services for enthusiasts of all Cadillacs from the single cylinder models to the exotic V-16s. Membership is open to persons anywhere in the world and ownership of a Cadillac is not required. The CLC is headquartered in the USA with offices in Columbus, Ohio.
Gday Johnney and Yann,
The best part of these cars coming to other countries is that we can enjoy them in our own, and probably safer environs.
Bruce,
The Tassie Devil(le),
60 CDV
P.S. Wish we had more.
Hi Yann, Bruce and John,
The US Car Environment in Scandenavia probably hosts the largest group of USA Car Enthusiasts in the world outside of the US. The ACCN (American Car Club of Norway) has appr. 13 000 members and nationwide probably a total of 25 000 members of different US car clubs. In Sweden ACCS is big - and Sweden must have at least 50 000 members in different US Car Clubs.
Powermeet in Vesterås in Sweden is Europe`s largest car meeting with over 11 000 US cars attending each year!! In Scandenavia a large number of US Car shows and meetings are arranged each year.
The Classic American Car Environment is a rapidly growing hobby in all countries in Europe - even in Eastern Europe! - all aspects of the hobby attracts both the young and the old ....Classic Cadillac, Muscle Mopar, Dragracing, the music, the food, anything goes, as long as it is American and V8!!!
Yes, America, wake up!!
And Bruce, you don`t find much safer environs on the planet than Norway...
Brian
Norway
Whatever... but most countries in the world try to conserve their "national heritage" and historic vestiges by passing laws intended to prevent "art treasures" from being taken out of the country. Does America have such laws ?
Im not saying you can compare a 53 Eldorado with Tutankhamons gold-bedecked mummy, or Michaelangelos statue of David in Florence. On the other hand and IMHO, a rare Cadillac (e.g. with a "one of" body by a defunct coach-builder) has its place in a national museum, not on the streets of Malmo.
Just kidding, Sven !
Quote from: Yann Saunders, 12588Whatever... but most countries in the world try to conserve their "national heritage" and historic vestiges by passing laws intended to prevent "art treasures" from being taken out of the country. Does America have such laws ?
Im not saying you can compare a 53 Eldorado with Tutankhamons gold-bedecked mummy, or Michaelangelos statue of David in Florence. On the other hand and IMHO, a rare Cadillac (e.g. with a "one of" body by a defunct coach-builder) has its place in a national museum, not on the streets of Malmo.
Just kidding, Sven !
There is no question that the 53 Eldorado, is an important artifact of Cadillac, and even automotive history if you will, but keeping things in perspective, to the majority of people, a car is just that, a car. The masses dont have an appreciation of older cars like we do. To try and explain to them that some cars are "national heritages", they would laugh at you. The fact of the matter with our planet becoming more of a global economy, everything is up for sale! Didnt the Japanese buy Rockerfeller Center awhile back?
Your are right, Johnny, everything is for sale, the Japanese know this, the Europeans know this and certainly the Americans know it. I would feel sorry about selling nice cars out of the country, but on the other hand I might see them again when travelling abroad, but...
A true Capitalist will sell the rope to his own hangman.........
Brian
Norway
Quote from: Brian Daum, 18809Your are right, Johnny, everything is for sale, the Japanese know this, the Europeans know this and certainly the Americans know it. I would feel sorry about selling nice cars out of the country, but on the other hand I might see them again when travelling abroad, but...
A true Capitalist will sell the rope to his own hangman.........
Brian
Norway
I personally dont have a problem with who ever "adopts" our classic cars, in fact I see it as whenever someone from outside of the US takes ownership, as a compliment to our once proud heritage of producing the most desirable cars in the world.
In all honesty, I would prefer to sell my 64 Series 62 Coupe to someone in Europe or Australia because at least they would appreciate it "as is."
The last thing I would want would be to sell it to someone here (USA) that would lower it, customize it, and otherwise destroy its originality.
Jack
Gday Brian,
Just out of curiosity, I wonder how many Saabs and Volvos get snapped up in Scandinavia and taken to places like America, Australia and Europe?
Bruce,
The Tassie Devil(le),
60 CDV
P.S. Yes, I have done my share of stripping USA of 5 cars so far, and more to come.
06-7-06
Brian, ...and some people would complain if hung with a velvet rope...
Good Luck, JIM
Jim,
It isnt the rope that hurts, it is the thirteen circles that make up the knot that strikes hard at the jaw and face as the strain is suddenly taken up as the body drops that really hurts.
If the knot wasnt stiff, then the head wouldnt be "tilted" fast enough to snap the neck.
A real neck breaker.
Bruce,
The Tassie Devil(le),
60 CDV
Hi Bruce,
I can`t imagine anyone would ever be so stupid as to ever collect a Volvo or a Saab, or any other European car for that matter.
If it was up to me they could export the whole lot, and preferably to Antartica.........
Brian
Norway
Quote from: Brian Daum, 18809Hi Bruce,
I can`t imagine anyone would ever be so stupid as to ever collect a Volvo or a Saab, or any other European car for that matter.
If it was up to me they could export the whole lot, and preferably to Antartica.........
Brian
Norway
Even Rolls Royces and Simcas?
Volvo lovers can go to .....
http://www.vcoa.org/theclub/Rumor has it theyre organizing a Brian Daum day, just a rumor of course.
Simca fans can go to .....
http://www.centuryinter.net/SIMCA/Its all there for you!
Our old Sales Manager used to say "theres an a** for every seat."
Im hard pressed to slam Volvo or Saab after the crap GM foisted on us in the 80s, at any rate entirely different cars with an entirely different approach to engineering.
All various brand vehicles have a different approach to engineering , the consumers determine the value.
GM does well when they focus on a specific car, can be world class but you cant deny their many faux pax attempts at building cars for the masses with value and quality.
For years Volvo has set the standard for safety, Saab has many attributes that must be considered.
When all is said and done an auto has an ethnic cultural background.
Porter
06-18-06
BRAIN, please do not drag Bruce into this "dog-fight", he does not even have a dog in it.
As for collectors-restorer of the Volvos, dont forget Retired Gen Colen Powell, Former Sec. of State, prior to Sec of State, Ms. C. Rice. Ret. Gen. C. Powers is a Volvo NUT. He restores old Volves.
Good Luck, JIM
Quote from: JIM CLC # 1500006-18-06
BRAIN, please do not drag Bruce into this "dog-fight", he does not even have a dog in it.
JIM
Jim,
I dont mind being dragged into anything.
I just would love to own a Volvo Bertone Coupe, and I once transplanted a potent 350 Chev into a Red Volvo and retained all the safety items and Power Steering and A/C for a mate. That car went like a good car should. The only way that anyone knew it wasnt a 4 cylinder was when they heard the exhaust rumble.
I like a challenge.
Bruce,
The Tassie Devil(le),
60 CDV
Hi Bbrian,
Speaking as someone who works in Antarctica (from time to time), we have enough challenges without stumbling over Volvo 740s in the snow! :-)
Actually, there are many European cars I have enjoyed over the years, and many Id collect, given the space and funds. Sometimes it can be the sheer novelty of a car. When I used to drive my D series Citroen here, it got every bit as much attention as my 47 6207 (though I suspect for much different reasons!).
Dave