I saw a car this past summer that was supposed to be Alfred Sloans personal car. It was a 41 sedan that looked like it was chopped 3. Anybody have a photo or where I could see it? Its in a book somewhere but cant remember the title.
I did take a picture of it but not a very good one.
Thanks
Where did you see that car? To my knowledge, there has never been a picture of that car published. Bob
Shane,
There is a ’41 on pages 24 and 25 of Roy Schneider’s “Cadillacs of the Fortiesâ€. It’s appears to be a chopped Sixty Special and approximates your description. However, it is listed as built for William S. Knudsen. There may have been others built in the series for other executives.
Hope this helps,
Ralph
Hi Ralph, the Sloan car is a modified 62 series car. Most of the rest of the factory customs are 60-S cars. Bob
Thanks for the replies...Cadilllacs of the Forties...thats the book. Have to get that book. I though it was Sloans car...guess I was wrong.
It was bought back in the early 60s out of a police impound in Compton. Wasnt always a rough place. Same person still owns it.
Here is the only picture I was able to take of it. Its here in California.
http://static.flickr.com/104/254618070_affa42490c_o.jpg
Drip rail looks like 60Special to me.
Wasnt the Sloan car similar to the one built for the Duke of Windsor? The top of the drip rails and door openings in this photo are rounded like a 42 60S as opposed to flat like those of a 41 60S.
Jeff
Page 56 of Roys Schneiders book has the Duchess car.
I found this car in a collection about 10 years ago. Needed to be restored, but what a great looking car.
I agree with Jeffs reference to the 42-style door features. Note also the windshield header radio aerial ( I think)-Did Cadillac ever use this Buick feature??
Hi Shane,
I’ve seen, and have a picture of Sloan’s car but can’t find it. It was a late 30’s fastback four door sedan built on a Sixty Special chassis. It was not a very graceful design. While looking for it, I read the caption on the Knudsen car and discovered it was not chopped, rather it was lengthened which produced the same visual effect.
Has anything been done to the Knudsen car in the photo you posted? Is it at least in the hands of a knowledgeable collector or caretaker? Is it for sale? It’s a pretty important piece of Cadillac history.
Ralph
I cant remember exactly, but I think that it was the CE Wilson car that a friend of mine bought around 1968. It had been maroon, with black padded top. It could have been the Knudsen 60S, though. Anyway, I drove the car for him across Detroit. It was lengthened in the rear door, and possibly a bit in the front door. It had the divider window, much as my own 41-60S. The Hydra-Matic shifted very nicely (for a prewar trans). The added frame graft is very visible from underside, and the car rides a little funny as a result of the frame stretch.
My friend kept the car for possibly a year, and sold it to someone in California (I do remember his name). I think its been restored. You might ask some of the California guys.
Opps..meant to post this responce here. Need an editing/deleting button.
Ralph
Funny you should ask, because it is for sale along with a PILE of other ones. I think 135 Cadillacs/LaSalles altogether. 1937-1949. Easily 3 tractor/trailer loads of parts as well.
The last I heard it was a cool million for it all including the building and land. Might be ready to part out the cars one by one. Look in the photo gallery at the junkyard pictures I posted and youll see some of the parts cars included in the deal.
This car in the picture was bought here, like I said, out of an impound lot in the 60s for the impoung fee plus a tow bill. My friend was offered it first but passed it on to the current owner. Never had a padded roof. I was shown the picture of it in the book when I was standing in front of it. The rear doors didnt longer to me, just the roof line was dropped. Might have another picture of it...have to look.
Its no secret out here as to where it is. Everybody knows about this car.
Can anybody scan in the picture from the book? Would like to see the Duchess car too.
Thanks!
Shane & Ralph, to my knowledge, there has NEVER been a photo of the Sloan car published. The fast back car was built for Knudsen. The Sloan car is a modified 62 series car with a lot of 60-S items added. I have seen the car firsthand. If anyone is interested in that car, contact me directly & Ill try to help. It really needs to be saved. I wanted to buy it but just had too many other projects. Bob
Hi Bob
Interesting to know...Im getting the numbers off the car this coming week. Ill post them when I get them. Now Im really curious.
Are we talking about the same car in SoCal?
Hi Shane, yes we are, theres only one.
I heard from the owner and I have a price if anyone is interested. I can put in you touch directly. Email me if you are interested.