McIntosh & a '59 Cadillac

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

In addition to Cadillacs, I also enjoy collecting vintage McIntosh audio equipment. For those who don't follow the hobby, McIntosh is one of the oldest and most respected names in home audio equipment, otherwise known as "hi fi". McIntosh is also the only remaining manufacturer of hi fi gear in the US which continues in Binghamton NY to this day after many US makes such as Fisher and Marantz have fallen by the wayside long ago, whose once-proud names exist in name only, if at all.

Needing some of my pieces serviced and being it had been a lovely Fall day here in NEPA, what could be better than combining the two hobbies? So I loaded up the trunk of the Woodrose '59 Cadillac I had just gotten and took it up to Audio Classics, which is a specialist in McIntosh & repairs.

Needless to say, the '59 was a big hit with the A/C gang and I jokingly said this was probably the first '59 Cadillac in all morning! LOL.  My friend Ryan who works there needs to go on a parts run to McIntosh HQ over in Binghamton, where it turns out the president of McIntosh is an old car guy himself.

So off we go, pulled right up at the front door and out came Charlie Randall, President and recent co-owner of McIntosh Laboratory Inc. We had a very pleasant visit and Charlie, Ryan and me managed to fritter away 45 minutes talking about the '59, Ryan's '66 Galaxy and Charlie's collection and of course managed to squeak a little McIntosh discussion in there!

Afterward, I asked Ryan if he wanted to drive the Caddy back which he did - and he drove it like he'd been driving it for the last 25 years. They're surprisingly easy cars to drive.

In short, it would be difficult to imagine a more enjoyable day! 

**Incidentally I have COMMANDED Ryan to make Hershey next Fall after two previous failed attempts. Come hell, high water, biblical catastrophe, loss of life, limb there will be no excuses this time! That goes for Charlie as well! lol!

***Any CLCers who are also into hi fi, would enjoy hearing from you!

Eric

[Dan LeBlanc]

Eric,

I can't tell you how insanely jealous I am of you right now as I spent the day in my office looking at another 4" of snow we got today.  The Fleetwood is put away for another year and those four eyes are looking at me saying, you need to move somewhere warm where I can be loved all year round.

[quadfins]

That's a beautiful color, and a nice way to spend a day. I often take my '61 to Starbucks or some other created "errand", in order to get it out into the public eye. It's always fun to share the car.

In fact, I had a similar experience this morning, with my '66 Mustang fastback. One-man car show wherever it goes.

I will make a note, as a moderator, that we should keep the topic on Cadillacs. Let's please not digress into Mustangs or Electronics.

Jim

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Thank you Jim.

Although the names of Cadillac & McIntosh are unrelated categorically, they are both representative of the best of what US engineering and technology had to offer at one time. Both are highly regarded premium products and as it had been noted, Cadillac & McIntosh ownership often overlapped.

[Dan LeBlanc]

I really like the shot of the 59 in front of the McIntosh building.  The blue glass, the Wood Rose, and the lighting all seem to marry well into a cornucopia of harmonizing colours.  Really makes the car stand out.

[76eldo]

Personally, I find it refreshing to read about someone doing something interesting with their Cadillac.  If it carries over into electronics, Mustangs, or any other topic, so be it.

It's a nice break from trashing an overzealous ebay listing or arguing about antifreeze.

Eric, I worked in a store in the mid 70's that sold records, tapes, audio equipment, and musical instruments.  I ran the instrument department.

I will never get rid of my Pioneer receiver, Techniques direct drive turntable, and set of Micro Accoustics floor speakers.  Still have all of my original vinyl, well over 1000 albums.

Loved your story and appreciate the time spent on composing it and taking the pics.

Brian

[Dan LeBlanc]

Strangely enough, my last trip in the Fleetwood was to the grocery and hardware stores to pick up a few things.  I've learned that when taking the Cadillac to do errands, never be in a rush to get home.  I had a batch of charcoal firing in the chimney getting ready to roast a chicken, but the onlookers were out in droves that day, took me forever to get back, supper was late by an hour as I had to start all over again. 

I've often stood back and saw other old cars in the parking lot at the store where folks have taken them to do errands.  People walk buy and look, but when you're there in a long, black, shiny Cadillac, people stop, talk, and take pictures.

[STS05lg]

Jim, what great photographs, everyone is right the Blue makes the Rose Wood stand out. 

Dan, you are absolutely correct, when I stop for gas in the Jennifer Blue 75 or the 76 Talisman I usually can’t get away from the pumps. I know one reason is what someone told me the other day when filling up. They said up unit just a few years ago they would see a 1970’s full size car on the road almost every day and then all of a sudden they just stop seeing them. I can’t imagine how much better it is to be driving a 61 Fleetwood or a 59 Coupe… might as well just stay at the station…. Oh, I don’t know if you all do this, but I have block two pumps when I fill up. I refuse to pull all the way to the end pump and leave 18 feet if my car sticking out into the gas station drive. So I line up the stern with the first pump and the second and some time the third pump  is not accessible.  I don’t mean to be rude but I refuse to put the front of my car at risk by having it so far out in the station traffic lane. 
Happy Motoring,
Lynn

[Dan LeBlanc]

Of course, Lynn, driving these cars, we have to pretty much live at the gas station anyway.  They'll pass anything EXCEPT gas stations, LOL.

It's all part of the fun, of course.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Thanks for your comments Brian and Dan & Lynn.

One of the best things about our Pride & Joys is how they always seem to bring the best out in people - and in the most unexpected places.

[Belgium1958owner]

Hi,

Nice shot of the 59' and McIntosh building :-)
I have a vintage Mc240, early 60's, that needs electrical restoration. Good shape ans presentation, but one transformer is out of service.
It comes from my father.

Emmanuel

[INTMD8]

^^^ That looks awesome. 

Best of luck on it not getting deleted.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Sweet! - I have an MC 240 myself.

What's really cool is that you can polish it just like a prized Cadillac! 

McIntosh is the Cadillac of audio.