Any reports from the Grand National?

[veesixteen]

Rarely is the GN held in June; this year was an exception, so Gita and I were able to attend [in July-Aug, we usually spend 8-9 weeks with our family in Geneva]. We got to see many old friends and make new ones. We saw some shiny cars but not too many of my favorite "twelves" or "sixteens". Eldorado Brougham #208 was there in glorious Burgundy metallic ... with a custom V12 power plant by Dale Armstrong. We were signed up for the Sun Belt and Imperial Palace tours; both were impressive. I got to chat with Don Williams (Blackhawk auto collection, Danville, CA) about his V16 roadster with the Swiss body; he was excited when I said I could provide him with copies of photos of the car from 1937. 

I chatted briefly also with Roy Schneider; he is working on a new "V-16" book!!! Later, instead of taking Gita to a fancy restaurant to celebrate our 37th wedding anniversary, I spent $100 on Maurice Hendry's new, 2-volume history, "Cadillac at 100".  I am somewhat disappointed to find quite a few erroneous or incomplete photo captions in the book; for that kind of money I would have expected a correct caption for the photo on p.160 [a Fleetwood fixed-roof "sedanette cabriolet", style #4082, described as a convertible sedan]; also I would expect to see some of my favorite models identified as more than just a "1940 LaSalle" (p.178), for example.

Kudos to Morgan Murphy for making it to the GN despite the troubles with his blue '58 Eldo Brougham. Members of Rik Gruwez' "Cadillac Mailing List" got together for tacos and margaritas (the Hirschs, the Houltons, the Kozandas and the Saunders'). My "International Activities Award" went to a well-deserving Peter Griffith, President of the UK chapter of the CLC. Dirk Van Dorst was to have got it last year ...but it got "stolen"?  This year, Dirk earned the Maurice Hendry award ... and it too was "unavaillable for presentation"!. This is bad, guys; some heads will have to roll!  Elvis and Priscilla were there with their pink '56 SdV; he later gave a rousing performance during the gala dinner.

The venue was ideal as far as exhibiting the cars is concerned. Nevertheless, Gita can tell you that the South Point Hotel & Casino is NOT "minutes away from the Strip", as vaunted in their brochure; it's more like ONE HOUR away ...unless you happen to have your own helicopter or you drive an XLR without heeding any traffic rregulations!

[veesixteen]

More pics, less talk...  Peter Griffith (UK) shows off his "International Activites" award. Gita poses with 1948 Series 62 convertible ...with 1953 wire wheels.

[veesixteen]

Were there lots of white Cadillacs at the show, or was it just an impression?

[veesixteen]

Candid shots from Dirk Van Dorst:

Dirk Van Dorst, Steve Stewart and Yann Saunders at the Board Meeting breakfast.
The Board meeting:  we mean business !

[veesixteen]

Two more pics ... then off to bed!

-  1959 "Travellin Man" combo
-  One of only twelve 1956 sightseeing coaches made for the Broadmoor, CO, by Hess & Eisenhardt

[veesixteen]

I forgot to show you the hotel !

[Rusty Shepherd CLC 6397]

Later, instead of taking Gita to a fancy restaurant to celebrate our 37th wedding anniversary, I spent $100 on Maurice Hendry's new, 2-volume history, "Cadillac at 100".  I am somewhat disappointed to find quite a few erroneous or incomplete photo captions in the book; for that kind of money I would have expected a correct caption for the photo on p.160 [a Fleetwood fixed-roof "sedanette cabriolet", style #4082, described as a convertible sedan]; also I would expect to see some of my favorite models identified as more than just a "1940 LaSalle" (p.178), for example.

As fine a book as Maurice Hendry's 1973 edition of Cadillac Standard of the World The Complete Seventy-Five Year History is and as much as I have enjoyed it, it, too, has several picture caption errors.  Two examples (and these are not difficult cars to identify, particularly when they were three and six years old) are labeling a 1967 Sedan de Ville as a 1970 model and labeling a 1970 Sedan de Ville as a 1967 model.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Maybe the proof-reading and printing was done in a Non English Speaking Country?

Surprising what mistakes can happen whewn people don't know what they are doing.

Bruce.

[Jim Salmi #21340]

Maybe the proof-reading and printing was done in a Non English Speaking Country?

Surprising what mistakes can happen whewn people don't know what they are doing.

Bruce.

Even a non-English speaker would recognize the year of manufacture mistake.  Maybe they were also non-Cadillac speaking.   

[Otto Skorzeny]

Here are two pictures of Bob Hoffman's Cadillac at the GN.  Sorry these pictures are so dark, as were taken inside the parking garage.
Bob sure did a nice job in filling in the rear side windows - not a trace of the former windows.

Fred

Why did he do that? Or I could ask Bob. Why block out the rear windows? It gives it a business coupe look. For the successful Fuller Brush Man, I suppose.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Forrest, I did it because I WANTED to do it!. I feel the Fuller Brush comment was a low blow, but I'll overlook it. I just sent you a side shot directly. FYI the car was very well received at the GN. If you had attended you could have seen it in person. There are a lot more modifications then the blanked out windows. Bob

[Otto Skorzeny]

No low blow intended, Bob. I like the look.

It just reminds me of the business coupes of that era that had blanked out windows and a large storage area behind the seat. Any successful door to door salesman would much rather have a Cadillac business coupe than a Dodge any day.

[Fred Zwicker #23106]

   While I was not able to get a good picture in the very dark parking deck, want to say that the car really caught my attention and I liked the look.  What was really a surprise was the quality of the body work in filling in the side windows.   You would think it came that way from the factory.  Good job Bob.  I wish you were there at the time so that we could have met and also so that you could have explained the other features of the car.  How about mentioning these features on this forum? 

Fred

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Hi Fred, thanks for posting the pics. I also wish that we could have met. After 40 years in this club doing only stock work, I decided to do something different. I found this solid but neglected 41 coupe & went to work. I consider it a tribute car to Hollywood 1941, Don Lee &  Coachcraft. The top is chopped 2", the windshield raked another 16 degrees, the back glass raked a few more degrees & 1 1/2 shorter. Every molding on the top & doors has been modified. Almost drove me crazy. LOL  The rest of the body is stock except for the flush fitting skirts & the extremely rare SS stone guards. The drive train has also been modified. Modern front end, 500 motor, T-400 trans & 70 Cad posi rear end. I've also added PW & AC. My goal was to create a tastefully designed car. I hope that I have. I've sent 6 pictures to Forrest. If he doesn't post them, maybe you can. I don't know how. Glad you like it. Bob

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

G'day Bob,

Armed with the new information, I had to go back to the picture and observe deeper.

Beautiful work, and it is a gorgeous looking vehicle.

Any chance of sending some more of the pictures to me?

Thanks,

Bruce.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Bruce, here they come. Thanks, Bob

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Thanks Bob.

A masterpiece of tasteful alterations.

Bruce.

[Fred Zwicker #23106]

Sure Bob - email the pictures to me and I should be able to post.  I can always post my own pictures, but not sure of those taken by others, as I am only familiar with my own camera (Sony DSC-T1).   Send them to my email address and I will do the rest.  I have been having trouble with my email lately, so if they don't come through, send me a PM.  Thanks,


Fred

[Otto Skorzeny]

Bob asked me to post pictures of his car and I will... tomorrow. Even though tomorrow's already here, I just drank a bottle of wine with some ice cream and cake while watching the movie, Gran Torino after having a ribeye steak for dinner. I'm tired and bloated so I 'll post a bunch of pics and details in the morning. You quys will love it. Copy them and post on the Modified board. This car is the cat's pajamamas. Bee's knees? The bomb? All that and a bag o' chips? The $hit? Choose your slang superlative.

Oh yah, rent Gran Torino. It's Clint Eastwood's best effort to date. I kid you not. It's funny as hell. My girlfriend and I thought we were watching my dad on film.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Sorry Forrest,

Seeing as you have had a heavy day, and night of it, I took the liberty of doing it for you.

Here is Bob's lovely vehicle.

Bruce.