Video of the 1957 Eldorado bubble top

[Davidinhartford]

Rare video of the 57 Bubble top Eldorado.

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/royal-tour-canada-arrival-at-canadian-air-force

[Walter Youshock]

They were able to get in that back seat very easily.  I doubt her Highness would do that today, however.

I believe that car was copper.  Someone was trying to track that car down awhile back.  His father either worked on the car or was part of the military detail at the time.  No one came forward with information as to its survival or where it may have gone.

Thanks for finding that video!

[Davidinhartford]

I stumbled across that video in my search for more 59 Bubble top info.     I have not come across anything on the 57 however.

I'm sure it still exists.   I can't believe anyone wouldn't save it.

[N Kahn]

Wow, did this car survive? I can only imagine what it took to blow the top.

[Series75]

What classy ladies (Queen & Car).  Surprised the car is not a limousine, I always thought the vehicle she rode in had to have the blue light on its roof and lit signifying her occupancy.   And of course flag stantions.  Tom CLC # 6866

[Davidinhartford]

This is the only photo I have found so far.



  It is actually from Dr. Charles D. Barnette, whom I greatly miss talking Cadillacs with.   RIP.

[N Kahn]

I can only imagine how hot it got in there. I wonder if it's a one piece bubble or if it was glued together in pieces?

[Davidinhartford]

Found another photo in one of my books.   Sorry for the poor scan.

It appears to be a one piece top.

[Davidinhartford]

[Walter Youshock]

Interesting how it fit around the parade boot.  Notice, too, that it appears to have bucket front seats. 

[N Kahn]

There's a famous customizer who claims to have the largest bubble top ever blown and I don't think it's anywhere near this big.

The form for this thing must have been immense and immensely difficult to make.

[Walter Youshock]

I believe this car was Starlight silver with black and white interior.  Obviously not a standard Biarritz with that front seat.  I wonder how that top attached at the trunk area...

[Quentin Hall]

    My sheetmetal skills were learned in my Dad's business which was and is skylight manufacturing. We'd blow domes that are up to 8ft wide in 6mm Acrylic. We'd heat up sheets in a big oven and then drape them over an upstand on a bench and clamp the perimeter and then pump with compressed air. Normally the highest you can blow is about 3 ft high on a big size sheet before the compressor will run out of air. You want higher domes you need more air.   The WWII bombers used plexiglass/acrylic for the fuselage gun turrets. These were more likely vacuum  formed over a mould. Same goes with this 57 roof . They would have draped the floppy sheet over a mould that was the shape of the roof, clamped it down and then put a vacuum on it. A lot of sign manufacturers make illuminated signs using this technique.

[canuckinkirkuk]

CLC Members:
I have just located this forum - I am Mark McClure - son of the late Robert McClure who built the formwork and Lexan bubble for the Queen's Cadillac Biarrtiz in 1957, in Malton, Ontario, Canada.
Although my father has passed, I continue to search for this car, and retain photos of my father during the build, which I'm sure the current car owner would cherish.
If accurate information pertaining to the car's location can be forwarded, I can be reached at : canuckinkirkuk@yahoo.com.
To answer a couple of the questions posted above:
- The car was silver with black and white interior - my father also fabricated custom wood interior trim.
- the top was fabricated in one piece, approx. 3/4" thick - cutting edge vacuum forming technology of this era, and retainied excellent optics for the viewing public.
Thanks for your help and best regards

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

Thanks Mark,

Is there any way you could post some of those build photos with your dad?

I'm sure we all would enjoy seeing them.

Also you guys with a Starlight Silver 1957 Eldorado, take a look at the back of your hard boots for some strange mounting holes that the bubble attached to.

Maybe you have this car!!

Thanks, Mike Baillargeon  #15848

[Quentin Hall]

Mine is Starlight Silver . . . but all red interior; damn. Years ago I remember taking my grandmother for a drive in my Biarritz and she moaned and struggled to contort herself into the back seat and I always wondered how the Queen maintained her royal composure as she did the same. Now I know. Q