MccJoseph

I apologize if this is listed in the wrong area. I am the Antiques class chair for the Des Moines Iowa Concourse d Elegance. I wanted to capitalize on the power the internet to reach out and invite members of the AACA to apply for this years show. My class specialty is 1900-1927 and although the closest I have been to owning a horseless carriage is a model T, I love the evolution that occurs in the early years of motoring. We have traditionally had steam or electric power cars also show in the antiques class and it shows an automotive landscape that is not that much different than today with alternative fuel sources. I would love to get to know members and their cars as well as share information about the Concourse. I am shooting for 10 cars for this year and have 1 tentative and 1 confirmed yes. This is my first year as a class chair for the show, I also am a shop teacher and take a group of high-school students for student judging. I want to build a great show and would appreciate any help in finding or locating cars worthy of showing. I will attach a flyer below. One thing that I have heard numerous times is how hospitable the DSM Concourse is and how exhibitors truly feel appreciated. I want to continue that tradition so Please feel free to pass along this information and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

That looks slightly different than the airflows I remember.

Jay Leno just did an episode on his YouTube channel that goes into that engine quite a bit.

This is a really cool car and one I would be interested in but would I be wrong in thinking that most parts are made of “un-obtainium”?

I do and always will have a soft spot for Model T's. They are the car that put America on wheels. The quirks of driving them add to their allure for me. I have had two different ones and they both were great and fun little cars to work on and drive. I think few cars have the allure and pull people together like the Model T does.

This one really does it for me. I just bought one Cadillac but two sounds even better plus I am sure it would enjoy having some company in the garage 😅

I think these are just the coolest car, the styling is so out there I love it. The headlights and the interior. There have been quite a few of these on the market lately. Everyone must be getting tired of their 60s Chryslers 😅

I wish there was a directory to follow cars like this their whole life and we could just see what happens or where they end up.

This is so different I like it!

Is this an all steel body or was there wood in there also? If the interior is that far gone then that could be a serious concern.

Gosh this looks like a lot of fun!

Gosh that back window is amazing!

Judging from your profile picture it looks like you’ve got yourself a very nice Caddy! Leave some for the rest of us 😉

What is the issue with the water damage around the back window? It does not line up with the asking price.

Well I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. I was tickled to be surrounded by friends and family for a few days, and that in itself is the greatest gift. I did manage to get some photos of the horn and the firewall tag. The title on the car says it’s a Deluxe Touring but I always thought touring cars were convertibles (such as the Model T Touring car). Any insight that the tag can provide would be appreciated. I also took photos of the horn and it managed to find an original service document for it. It makes a buzzing noise so I think some critical Lubrication and adjustment should get it operational again. Finally, I have been calling around to try and find a Trans Pan gasket for the hydramatic on my car. It seems many other people have needed the same pre war gasket to no avail. After sever phone calls back and forth, it appears Olsens Gaskets will make me one and also start to offer them for those in need.

Thank you very much. I still have kids that see me in the hallway and say that going to be a student Judge at the Concourse was the best experience of their life and want to get involved more with old cars. I was very fortunate to grow up around them and that is a real luxury that many kids do not have today. If your parents or grandparents were not into old cars chances are you wont get any other exposure. I think this has really opened the eyes and doors for some students. I have a senior this year that really wants to go to McPherson for automotive restoration (he previously wanted to be an architect) and he said he did not even know there was anything like this out there. Thank you for that feedback. I think I may go with them, I have yet to find anything negative, I was just worried about restrictions but I am glad that's not been the case.

Walter said it was a "Highway Horn" apparently it is incredibly loud. It does not currently work, and he said it needs oil added to the pump. It is air powered and I can hear the pump kick on but it does not blow the horn. I plan to get the information out of it when I go back on Monday and will share that here on the forum. I also will oil it and see if I can get it to make a sound. Walter seemed to think the seals were dry. Whatever I find out I will be sure to report back. I was debating taking it off because I was not sure if it was period correct but judging by the switch and the wiring it sure seems like it could be. Not to mention the canister style pump under it. I was hoping someone else might have seen one before.

That was just for the Cadillac. My truck is $115 per year.

I brought a group of 10 students for the youth judging at the concourse last year and was helping in the pre-war classics myself so we may have crossed paths already and not even known it. Thank you very much for that. I will do that this week. Also, I am going to get classic insurance for the Caddy and open to suggestions if you or anyone else has any. I have Hagerty on my truck but for the Caddy they want $267 and Grundy quoted me $162. That is a big difference for the same coverage supposedly (minus Hagerty sends you a magazine 😅) I would love to hear feedback or other companies even that others have worked with. Thanks again!

Thank you all very much for the kind words. I truly appreciate it. I plan to drive the wheels off in 2023 😁. I am helping with the Des Moines Concourse this year and hope to have it shown as HPOF. Thank you also for breaking down the details on the car. I was not sure what came stock and what was an add on option. I am trying to learn as much as I can about the car. I will post a picture of the firewall tag when I get down there to see it again on Monday. I am an Industrial Arts Teacher and I teach auto maintenance and my students all asked how fast it can go. I brought a 1927 Model T Touring car into my class to show the humble beginnings of motoring in America (we spend 2 weeks going over history of the automobile and brands that have come and gone). Every student got to see how it runs and was given a ride in it if they so desired (we have a little triangular track outside our auto shop door). Well when I mentioned I purchased the Caddy, everyone asked how fast it can go knowing the Model T only does 35mph. I said "well I cruised home at 70mph in it." Many of their eyes got as big as silver dollars and everyone was amazed that in 15 years we went from a mass produced car only capable of 35 to one capable of 100. I do have a few questions for those that have more experience in this department. I really would love to wax/polish up the car but am really afraid of damaging the paint further, it has cracking as you can see on the back of the drivers side and in a couple other places. Is there a good way to clean up the paint without causing further harm to the paint? I do not want shiny spots and flat spots. Also, what are the rules on HPOF. There are a few things I would like to change to improve the longevity of the car such as door seals, and some gaskets that are cracked around the taillights. Would this disqualify the car from HPOF? What I have read is that it would not, but I want to verify it.

Thank you Rivguy, Merry Christmas to you also and a happy new year!

I am happy to report that I purchased this car and would not have found it if it were not for this forum. My wife and I had been looking for something to take to shows and enjoy with the Des Moines Region AACA and this car fit the bill perfectly. We had looked at a lot of cars ( mainly Packard's) and sadly had kind of lost hope because every one we went to look had serious issues that were not disclosed. This car was close to the town we used to live in and we thought "Why not, what do we have to lose." I will say that a 41 Caddy was not even on my radar but WOW, what a great car and the seller was a true gentleman. The car was much better in person than described and I did not think that I would like it as much as I did. I sat in church Sunday morning thinking about the car after I had seen it on Saturday. I called the Seller to try and negotiate a price, and thought we would not come to an agreement but he called me back a few hours later and we sealed the Deal. Monday I drove to pay for the car and pick it up. I drove it to my storage garage where it will stay until this spring. Walter (the gentleman that sold me the car) had the entire history of the vehicle going back to when it was new. It was in Clinton Iowa its whole life, and bought new from the Ray Dodge Motors in Clinton. The lady that purchased it was named Alma Calanan, and she was a spinster who (as legend goes) was having an affair with Ray dodge himself. Supposedly she would call the dealership and say the car wouldn't start and ask that they send Ray out to take a look. Well, the Cadillac was not the only thing Ray got running 🤣. Alma would drive the car to the Waldorf Astoria In Chicago, and stay there from time to time until she was too old to drive and resorted to taking the Train. She passed away in December of 65 and the car was purchased from her estate by Bill Powers. He was supposedly very active with the CCCA and petitioned for 1941 Cadillac Series 62 to be recognized as full classics. I have no way to collaborate this, but would love to know more if anyone knew Bill or when 1941 Cadillacs were added to the CCCA list. Walter purchased the car in July of 2001 and I purchased it December 19,2022. I am the 4th owner. The car came with the original owners manuals, the tool to remove the hubcaps, and then in the trunk there is the Jack and a tool pouch full of tools which I am guessing are also original to the car? I will upload some photos to better show the car. I am over the moon happy. Everything on the car works, the radio, heat, defrosters, the thermostatic shutters. It does leak a little trans fluid which I think is a pan gasket maybe? I also think it may need U-Joints. The door seals are also very dry. I cruised home at 70 mph effortlessly and the car had plenty of power to go. It is so smooth and quiet, you almost don't even know its running. All in all a fantastic piece of Automotive History for $13K. I plan to continue to preserve and enjoy the car while maintaining its history and originality. I think the next thing for me to do is to join the Cadillac/LaSalle Club 😇

Wow. That is very impressive. I read horror stories about cars being down for parts but it’s good to know there’s people and parts out there to help. That has been my other biggest worry was finding something I could enjoy without worrying about something breaking and it being down. I also wanted something unique that you don’t see as much as The big 3. Franklins are looking better and better! Is it true that the gearing in the rear end made a Franklin outperform a similar Packard? (I was reading this in an old thread on here)