PEBBLE BEACH - 1952 CADILLAC CUSTOM BODY

[Marty Roth]

This custom-bodied 1952 Cadillac was at Pebble Beach.

Note the interesting body work, as the rear seat was eliminated.

Also, note the additional guages on the right side of the dashboard.

Getting better shots is tough when the crowds are so thick.

Edited August 24, 2011 by Marty Roth
additional content (see edit history)

[1937hd45]

When did the Pre WWII year cutoff die?

[West Peterson]

Many, many moons ago.

[West Peterson]

Did they use an Oldsmobile clock casing for that direction indicator thingy.

[Guest Old48Truck]

That's not a thingy, West. It's a whatcha-ma-callit.

[Bleach]

Looks similar to this car from this website.

drm5253

[john2dameron]

In the 50's (I was thinking 1953 or so) Cadillac built a show car without a back seat and I am pretty sure they called it the "Le Mans." It was blue and maybe predated the 53 Eldorado by just a bit.

[Marty Roth]

I think BLEACH nailed it. The top of the dash was dark on the original, instead of mono-tone gold. Both cars have the absence of a hood ornament, and the dash additional guages appear the same.

[TG57Roadmaster]

This is how the car looked in June, 1996, at Detroit's Auto 100 Parade and Show.

Dave B. and I had my '57 Buick there and we talked with the owner, who as I recall

was related to a former Cadillac exec. The book in her hands had the car's history

in period pics and press releases.

Larger

Larger

If memory serves, she mentioned something about the automatic power antennas.

It was a great, but very hot weekend (hence the 2-liter "pops").

TG

[Bleach]

I've read some interesting details about this car. It was built on a Series 61 chassis that was shortened 10". The only thing was, the Series 61 was discontinued during 1951. All the trim on this car is a '52. Also it has the 331 engine with two 4-bbl carbs which was also in soon to be introduced El Dorado.

That's probably Priscilla Roney, grand-daughter of Harold R. Boyer, in the photo.

[earl e rizer]

Didn't Cadillac build a later version of this also? Say around 57?

[Guest]

Did they use an Oldsmobile clock casing for that direction indicator thingy.

_______________________________________________________________

West, that pod/clock is also a option on a 1951 & 52 Chevy too.

D.

[Guest South_paw]

Didn't Cadillac build a later version of this also? Say around 57?

The following year Cadillac built four two seater cars like this, called the Lemans.

Dream Cars: Two Cadillac Show Cars and Their Unlikely Fates

[Guest David_Temple]

The 1952 Cadillac Custom Convertible (also being referenced as the Special Roadster) was the subject of an article I wrote several years ago for the now defunct magazine, Car Collector. Thanks to the late Charles D. Barnette I learned about this car and arranged for it to be photographed by Car Collector's editor, Dennis Adler. I don't have the rights to his photos, but can post my article on my Dream Cars blog, but someone will have to contribute some photos taken at Pebble Beach. I do have some photos of the car as it neared completion. Any interest in allowing me to borrow a few photos to post with the story?

David Temple, author of GM's Motorama

[jscheib]

The later car (or one of them) was still owned by GM in 2008 and on display in their Detroit museum, I think. Did it go to auction when they thinned the collection?

John

[Guest David_Temple]

I proceeded to publish my article about the 1952 Cadillac Custom Convertible on my blog and used photos of the car taken in the shop where the car was nearing completion. Links to the photos here and to some on the Cadillac Database were posted at the end of the story. Dream Cars: 1952 Cadillac Custom Convertible

[Caddieman53]

Something odd here. The car in the photo is a 51. Or at least a 51 front clip. Note the egg crate design under the headlights. The 52 had a winged emblem.

:confused:

[Bleach]

That's a '51 no doubt. The grille extensions, turn signals, headlight rings and hood emblem are are '51.

It also has the wheel covers from a 61 series model which was last produced in '51.

[Guest David_Temple]

"Bleach" and "Caddieman53" are very observant guys. I never noticed the car in the posted photo is a 1951 model. Note the date on the photo. It's same car which appeared at Pebble Beach. Also, check the picture of the newspaper article about the car on my Dream Cars site; the car is the same color but has an updated front end. Evidently, a 1951 model was transformed into the Custom Convertible - not a '52.

[StillOutThere]

A quite thorough article also exists here: Dream Cars: 1952 Cadillac Custom Convertible