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WW2 years

1970

Barris, George (USA) Casa de Eldorado station wagon built for rat-pack member Dean Martin at a reported cost of $18,000 ...not including the base car!  At least four were built and there were other orders on hand, in 1970, for twelve more units. One of these may have been owned by singer Glen Campbell. For more details about this car, refer to the Brooklands book, Cadillac Eldorado, 1967-1978, ISBN #0-948207-01-9 [check out also the "Unknown" Cadillac station wagon, below, reported to have been built also for Dean Martin]

    

   
In the early 1990's the Dean Martin Eldorado wagon was restored by Dick and Tony Baker of Custom Coach, Lima, OH:
at that time it was owned by someone on Put-In Bay island, near Sandusky, OH
[ These 2 photos © and courtesy Tony Baker ]

       
The Dean Martin car (or one much like it) was offered for sale on EBay in November, 2007; the car sold for $25K
[ Photos: EBay web site ]

 

 

Burke (PA, USA) reported to have custom-finished a 1970 DeVille Convertible that the current owner [7/2000] says almost certainly belonged to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. It was purchased at the Long Island estate auction held after Aristotle Onassis' death by a friend of a close friend of his. Unfortunately, he does not have any documentary proof of the car's former ownership. It was customized by Burke in Pennsylvania and may have been one of the last jobs they did before the company closed in 1970.

Fleetwood (USA) The custom electric sun roof was introduced with the 1970 Fleetwood Eldorado models [photo] and later became a popular option; even though I am sure that  more than ten units were made, I feel that this "custom" model deserve a place in this section.

 

E & G Classics (USA) This firm, like many others in the seventies, specialized in "pimping up" top-of-the-line Cadillac models (inter alia) like this Eldorado coupe.

   
Looking like a 7-wheel job, this overloaded conversion has twin sidemounts AND a simulated
continental kit (in addition to the usual door saddles, imitation landau bars, trunk luggage straps and  grille cap)

 

GM/Cadillac ??? (USA) This was posted on the bulletin board of the CML [Cadillac Mailing List] in May 2001: I own a special edition Eldorado that they only made in 1970, and they [?] only made 100 of them. They [?] designed this car to a performance oriented car. It has certain suspension, handling, and ride modifications which made it MUCH better then the regular Eldorado. The engine was a high performance 500 CID with 470 horsepower and 585 lb. ft. torque. It also had special design models which set it aside in appearance from the regular Eldorado. It has special Cadillac emblems and logos in the interior. It has front seat split bench, AND rear seat SPLIT bench seats, ashtrays for all four passengers, extra woodgrain trim throughout, a special analog clock with a special Cadillac emblem, stuffed pillow style leather with 8 way power adjustable seats, power lumbar adjustments, a/c vents inside the trunk (don't ask me why they installed these, guess to keep your groceries cold on the way!).  Further details/photos welcome

Lehmann-Peterson Inc (USA) custom 4-door convertible based on the De Ville convertible model. Photo McC p.388. About that car, it's current owner wrote (in March,. 2006]: The '70 DeVille convertible coupe was made into a convertible sedan by Lehmann - Peterson in Chicago, at the time it was new. It was first leased to a race track in Arlington Heights IL. for 2 years. It then went to auction and ended up for sale by a Ford dealership here, in the Washington DC area. It was purchased by long time [CLC] member [now deceased] Bob Webster, who had the car until I bought it from his estate about 5 months ago. The quality of the conversion is excellent. The car was featured in the book "80 years of Cadillac LaSalle" by Mc Call. I advertised it for sale and have just sold it to a gentleman [non-member] from Vermont who has the means to provide a complete restoration. I'm sure he will be joining the club as I'm sure we will all want to see it in the future.

   

   
[ Photos:  © 2006 and courtesy Richard Sisson ]

 

National Coach Company (Knightstown, IN, USA) custom 9-passenger station wagon on Fleetwood Series 60 special chassis.  National wagons are most easily recognized by the two piece quarter window, shaped like that on regular, full sized GM wagons of that era, but built in 2 pieces with a small triangular pane at the trailing edge.

Universal Coach Corporation (USA) [check the previous "Dream cars" section for more details about these 'trimmed up' models.

 

[Unknown, USA] special stretched limousine for pop group, Blood Sweat and Tears (special issue CCON, p.24);

[Unknown, USA] special 4-door Sedan for 3 Dog Night (special issue CCON, p.24)

 

[Unknown, USA] this 1970 convertible appears to have had a chopped windshield, although part of the effect here could be the result of a modified digital photo.

 

[Unknown, USA] possibly Custom Craft Division of Automobile Specialty Corp., Detroit, 4-door station wagon conversion on 60 Special chassis. Photo McC p. 388 [possibly this car, or the one below it]

       
Wheel discs are of more recent vintage than the car
[  Photos:  Internet, 3/2001 ]

 

[Unknown, USA] possibly Custom Craft Division of Automobile Specialty Corp., Detroit, 4-door station wagon conversion

   

 

[Unknown, USA] possibly another creation by Custom Craft Division of Automobile Specialty Corp., Detroit.  This 4-door station wagon was photographed by the author in Santa Clara, CA, in June, 1999.  The owner was unable to provide any info about the coach builder.

   
[ Photos:  © 1999, Y. Saunders ]

[Unknown, USA] And one more custom station wagon, this one said to be built on Series 60 Special chassis, by a Philadelphia dealer. It was offered for sale on eBay in July 2004. Vendor alleged that about 12 custom wagons were produced of this particular variety.  It was a  6-seater (no third row seat). 

[ Photos:  Internet, July 2004 ]

 

[Unknown, USA] This one is a conglomeration of Cadillacs from 1957 (the tail-fins?), 1959 (the tail-lights) and 1970 the bulk of the body.

 

[Unknown, USA] Here is another custom station wagon on DeVille chassis [this one is in relatively poor condition, as you can see !]

 

[Unknown, USA] This one was for sale in Athens, GA, circa 2000

 

[Unknown, USA] Here is another custom station wagon built on the Cadillac chassis.  Its current owner [2002] writes: As  for the story behind it, it was built in late 72 for Dean Martin (I never was able to get an exact build date, but judging by the use of 1973 quarter panels I would imagine it was close to 73). Around 1976 the car was auctioned off in Las Vegas, and purchased by a man here in Evergreen Park, Il. My father and a friend found the car advertised in the Tradin' Times newspaper, in 1988, for something like $1200.00. We went to check it out, and ended up buying it right away. When we got it, there was extensive sun damage in the rear compartment (the windows weren't tinted), and it had been sitting outside, so there was a lot of surface rust on the hood & roof. Dad had it painted, and basically replaced the whole interior except for the seats, and that's how it is today. When we bought the car it had about 55,900 miles on it, now it has about 56,700 miles on it. We don't use it much. [check out also the George Barris custom Cadillac station wagon, above, also reported to have been built for Dean Martin].

   
[ Photos: courtesy, Bill Buckingham ]

[Unknown, USA] custom Del Cavallero; info from Ben Singh, new member of Cadillac Mailing List (CML) on December 29, 1999.

[Unknown, USA] one of these trimmed-up Eldorados was offered for sale on eBay in September, 2005.   Vendor claimed it was "one of 13 built by Cadillac". In reality, these would-be "custom" models were sold through Cadillac dealers across the country at a premium of $2,500 to $4,500 over factory list.  Trim packages usually included lots of additional chrome, wider grilles, repro '41 hood goddess, large bumper guards, upper door "saddle", Tiffany imitation landau bars, script names like Del Cavallero, El Caballero, El Cavellero,  Del Caballero [Spanish speakers often pronounce the letter "B" as we do the letter "V", which may account for these spelling variations!] fender scripts, custom wheel covers, pinstriping, trunk deco panel, push-button sunroof, etc. These gussied-up Cadillacs were popular with some buyers in the late 60's and early 70's. You'll see a few examples in the Cadillac Database©.

   

       
These trimmed-up models came with m,any different nameplate variations :  El Caballero, Del Caballero, Del Cavallero,

   

 

   

   

   
This car was advertised for sale on e-Bay, in September, 2001
The car was on display at the CLC Grand National, Detroit, 2002
[ Photos (second row, right, and bottom row): © 2002.   J. Scott Harris ]

 

[Unknown, USA?] Database visitor Steve Kelley (kelleysw@corning.com) wrote:  The first Hershey I attended was 1972.  Parked in the flea market area was a 1969 or 1970 Eldorado, all black, no vinyl top, quarter windows filled in and angled forward rear edge of the door window, small round window in the sail panel; Derham Body tag on the cowl panel.  I have no record of this car

[Unknown, USA?] Unknown custom job with retro "suicide doors", Callaway-type headrests molded in steel and Fiberglas, detailed interior, bucket seats, console, hand made fender vents, Fiberglas hardtop, rear spoiler, custom headlights, Camaro hood scoop, etc.

   
[ Photos:  Internet, 2002 ]

 

[Unknown, USA?] Custom factory landau limousine with locking safe in rear compartment.Reportedly used by musician Jimmy Hendricks during trips to South Florida. Champagne body with matching interior and Black leather in front compartment; factory Tobacco Landau roof package with false landau Bars. Power glass divider with dual A/C.

   

   
This car features, inter alia, a safe deposit box hidden behind the rear seat arm rest
[in my 1956 Sedan de Ville, I had installed in the same spot ...a roll-out mini-bar!]

 

[Unknown, USA?] This exotic conversion of a Series 75 limousine body style was offered for sale on eBay in December, 2003. I have my doubts about the rigidity of that body after such a radical roof chop !

   

    
[ Photos:  Internet ]

 

[Unknown, USA?]  Two-door hardtop wagon built on the short wheel base, Coupe de Ville rear wheel drive chassis.   The car is owned by "Karl", a Pontiac collector; he is looking for any info or  leads about this car.

[ currently - no photo ]  

 

[Unknown, USA?] Custom Eldorado with sliding sun roof and  "Ultima" decorative package

       

       
If I recall correctly, the car belongs to Les Young of Alberta, Canada who kindly supplied the photos

 

[Unknown, USA?] Custom snakeskin roof covering and upholstery trim in was used in this seventies Eldorado that was offered for sale on eBay.

   

 

[Unknown, USA?] Super-Fly anyone?

[Unknown, USA?] Not sure about this one;  it appears to be covered (docorated?) with bottle-caps.

 

[Unknown, USA?] This "pick-up" was advertised for sale on Ebay in Feb., 2008

       

 

Wisco (USA)  custom El Clįsico (this is the correct spelling - acute accent on the "į" and single "s")

Photo from cover of original product brochure

   


[ Photos: Internet, 5/2000 ]

   

   
Here's another one that's a bit worse for wear; this one features an imitation continental kit
I believe the owners are Les & Judy Y oung of Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada; Les
told me [December 2007] that restoration is under way but there is still much to be done

   

   
Another survivor, seen on eBay [Internet auction site] in 2004
The ad read: This auction is only for the El Classico / Del Caballero kit and NOT the entire car.
This is an original kit that will fit any 1967 1968 1969 or 1970 Cadillac Eldorado.
This kit includes all the trim pieces, fiberglass top, landau irons, hood extension, trunk accent
and door glass to fix up your El Classico / Del Caballero or convert your stock Eldorado.

   
Mildly customized De Ville convertible ...fitted with Texas long horns

 

Zagato (Italy) special Cadillac Eldorado  rear-engined, 2-door, 2+2 sport roadster built for the son of N.Y. Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti, well-known racing driver who headed the North American Racing Team N.A.R.T., hence the car came to be known as the NART, by Zagato. The engine was Cadillac's standard 472 c.i., 375 HP unit mounted "in reverse" to propel the car from the rear [Zagato claimed that the car would deliver 400 HP - and the air cleaner carried a decal to that effect]. The aluminum spider type body, designed by Luigi Chinetti Jr. and built by the Italian coach builder, Zagato, to Luigi's specifications, featured an inward curving rear window and modified 1967/68 Eldorado wheel covers (in fact, I was long convinced that it was a 1967 model until I got from Zagato in the early eighties a photo of the designer's drawing dated 1970; in that photo the car is shown with special, alloy wheels). GM participated to some extent in the project but dropped out in 1969 owing to the numerous production delays and the economic difficulties of 1969. At the 1971 Turin Auto Show the Cadillac NART was on display at the Zagato booth [photos]. At the New York International Automobile Show it was on Chinetti Motor's stand. By the time the prototype was completed, Chinetti's Ferrarii business was requiring all of his attention. A second prototype was scheduled but was never created leaving this the only Cadillac NART ever built. and New York, where orders were taken. However, only one car was ever built. It was acquired in 1987 by Melvin A. Olshansky of Glencoe, IL and restored over a period of 2½ years by Mill Creek Motors and Upholstery Unlimited of Clinton, IO [articles in unknown French magazine and, more recently, in CA, 8/92]. Late Extra [6/2006]:  CLC member, Cliff Graubard, told me the car was owned (in 2006) by the same collector who has the Saoutchik-bodied 1948 Cadillac [see this page]; he sent me some updated color pics, below.  Thanks Cliff.  At the 2006 RM Auction it was estimated to sell between $50,000 - $100,000. The owner, who had owned it ever since buying it from Luigi Chinetti, Jr., nearly twenty years ago, was willing to part with this magnificent creation. Later [8/2006] The lot was sold by RM auctions in Monterey, CA, for $57,750. Also this web page was active in 2007 and gives details about this interesting custom job. Latest [5/2008] The car has found its way to Belgium; once again it was offered for sale on Ebay.  Obviously, this car is not a "keeper" but a "seller".

   

  

    

   
Not sure if the color photo (right) shows an earlier or later respray; I'm guessing earlier

       

            
[ Color photos in above two rows: © 2006 and courtesy Cliff Graubard ]

       
[ Color photos in this row: Internet ]

In early 2008, the Zagato Cadillac was for sale in Belgium

      

        

[ Photos in these 3 rows:  Internet, Ebay web site ]

 

1971

Auto Gard, Inc., (USA)  conversions of Buick, Cadillac, Ford and Pontiac models. Special  "Superfly" headlights for 1974 Cadillac DeVille and 1973/74 Cadillac Eldorado, repro Goddess hood ornaments. Remember that wild '71 Eldorado pimpmobile driven by Super Fly? Craig Seman describes this as the Pimpmobile [seventies]; it is UGLY, has huge headlights, white vinyl on the roof and trunk, lake pipes and every bolt-on accessory known to mankind. The owner advertises it as the car from the movie but since Craig has never seen the film he's always just taken his word for it. Interesting to hear that it really is on the level. A database user in the Netherlands, Arjan Massar, believes he knows the current whereabouts of this car [alleged to have been owned at one time by Elvis Presley - another one!].  I saw (and photographed) the car in the Nationaal Automobielmuseum in Raamsdonksveer in the Netherlands. This museum is the property of the Toyota distributor in the Netherlands, who also has some more famous and rare cars. I reckon if Elvis had owned it, we would have seen plenty of pictures of him and his car.

   
[ Photo (right): courtesy Arjan Massar, Holland ]

   
Top photo:  Internet, 4/2000,
Lower photos: © 2001, Yann Saunders

 

Trivia: In a past issue of Deals on Wheels, a guy in California was selling the ultimate Superfly Cadillac. It was a 1974 Brougham with gold paint, partially gold plated wire wheels, a customized interior, TV, antenna on the trunk, blacked out windows, a humongous grill, and what looked like a propeller with a shroud around it in front of the headlights. And it also mentioned that the car was once owned by Elvis Presley [sounds just like the previous car mentioned on this page].

   
This conversion possibly was done by the same firm

 

Automobile Specialty Corp., ASC. (Custom Craft Division) (USA) Fleetwood Brougham Astro Estate Wagon, station wagon conversion based on Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham, featuring roof luggage rack and opera lights. Photo McC p.393

Baker, Dick and Tony [see "Custom Coach", below]

Barris, George (USA)  Custom Cadillac Eldorado Del Cavallero, a car with a would-be Spanish- Portuguese sounding name that might be interpreted as Del Caballero meaning "of the gentleman", or "the gentleman's car". There was an article about it in Autoweek for Jan. 13, 1997. This is an iteration of the 1967-68 Barris Del Caballero that sold through Cadillac dealers at a premium of $2,500 to $4,500 over factory list price for the base model.  This year Barris began with a fully-loaded factory original and added an anti-theft system and electric door releases hidden under flip-up Cadillac crests.  Additional chrome trim included a larger grill and huge bumper guards, grilles over the side-marker lights,  Del Cavallero fender scripts, polished panel at base of windshield, false landau irons, custom rear wheel skirts oval opera window   inserts, pinstriping, trunk grille and straps, chromed steel wheels, wire hubcaps.   Cadillac enthusiast, Rick Anderson of Boston, MA, had this to say about these customized Cadillacs:: The term "El Caballero" is the title we, on the East Coast, used for customized El Dorados and "De Caballero" for the De Villes and Fleetwoods.

   
[ Photos: courtesy and © M. Park Hunter ]

Caldwell, Rebecca (USA)  This "Carthedral" is a 1971 Cadillac hearse modified with 1959 Cadillac tailfins. Welded on top is a VW beetle and metal armatures with fiber glass. It is a rolling, Gothic Cathedral, complete with flying buttresses, stained glass pointed windows and gargoyles.

   
[ Info and Photo:  Internet, 2006 ]

 

Custom Coach [Dick & Tony Baker] (Lima, OH, USA) Estate car  conversion on 1971 Cadillac chassis.  The photos kindly supplied for the Database by Mr. Baker unfortunately are small and of low resolution.  However, better a poor image, I say, than no image at all.

       

       
[ Photo: © 1971, and courtesy Tony Baker ]

 

Dunham Coach, Boontown, NJ (USA)  I love a good controversy; here's one that will keep enthusiasts on the edge of their seat.  It relates to the Pimpmobile that was featured in the classic James Bond movie, Live or Let Die, starring Roger Moore [I'm a Sean Connery fan myself!]. Since I don't have access to the "real facts", I have to place my trust in those who claim to have them. In this case we have three enthusiasts each with his own opinion. I will not take sides; I shall give each of them the opportunity to air their views and then leave it up to Database users to decide who they think has is closest to the truth.

Roger Moore in Live or Let Die

1.  Rick Anderson from Boston, MA, was first to supply information about the Bond car. He wrote: I have found your site fascinating, fun and I marvel at the work that's been put into it! I do, however, have some corrections to inject, if I may. In the Movie section Live or Let Die, the white pimpmobile  isn't a chopped or modified El Dorado. It's actually a Corvette with a fiberglass molding of an El Dorado attached. The builder is Les Dunham of Dunham Coach 234 Division St., Boonton, N.J. (973-299-1900). The Corvorado and the other exotic cars in the film were supplied by him (including the Fleetwood currently [2003] owned by a gentleman in Texas). The reason I know these facts is that my uncle still owns a '67 Eldorado customized by Dunham. Les owned also a newer edition Corvorado. The car in the Superfly movie was also a Dunham work and the original owner, "KC", is featured in the film wearing a red hat in a bar scene. He too, is from here in Boston.  The car was later repainted to it's original color (white) after the movie was finished. Dispelling the rumor of it's existing anywhere else in the world, the good word on the street is that it was destroyed in Delaware, years ago. Dunham has supplied cars for several movies including Superman, Fort Apache, The Bronx (with Paul Newman) and others. Finally, in your Dream Cars section, the Black Eldorado pictured in the junkyard  [below] says Dunham Coach, NOT  El Deora, on the outside rear-view mirror]. BTW, the term El Caballero is the title we, on the East Coast, use for customized Eldorados; we use also De ["Del" ?] Caballero for the De Villes and Fleetwoods.   It's obvious a lot of effort has gone into creating this database. And to that, I have supplied you with the correct information and sources to further verify it [Signed: Rick Anderson / On-Air personality, WILD-AM 90, Warren St., Boston, MA 02119]. Mr. Anderson supplied kindly these front and rear images of a genuine customized Eldorado (NOT a Corvorado); this is NOT the Bond movie car:

   

   

2.  In September 2003, in the CLC forum, a Canadian enthusiast from Ontario (John Giles) contended that Mr. Anderson's claims were inaccurate. Mr. Giles claims to have THE movie Cadillac, on which Sir Roger Moore is said to have signed the dash "Congratulations Dunham Coach, well done, respectfully, Roger Moore". It is a rare, 2-door, 3-window custom coach coupe with a split rear window. He wants to dispel the rumor that the car, featured in the Bond movie, Live or Let Die, is a Corvette with a fiberglass Eldorado body. Mr. Giles indicated that his car had been registered previously to the Oh Cult Voodoo shop and sat in the garage beside the shop with the license tag 347 NDG [the movie still supplied by viewer #3, below,  shows a Corvorado with that license tag]. He said it was a 1969 Eldorado customized by Dunham for the movie at a cost of some $30,000. The VIN is H9289308, which makes it a 1969 Eldorado, NOT a Corvorado. The original owner of Mr. Giles' car was Floyd Arnold Gogo; he was the first registered owner in Canada. Mr. Giles and his father acquired the car from the second owner who had it stored for many years in a barn, in Ontario, Canada. He says the Bond Pimpmobile was NOT destroyed in Delaware, as Mr. Anderson seems to believe, but is currently (2003) located in Canada. More recently, Mr. Giles' offered his car for sale on this Internet auction site, with a long, confusing description [the URL appears no longer valid - 10/2004].

Update: The following message was received from Mr. Giles on March 8, 2004. It is somewhat confusing and I give it to you in extenso although only the last sentence (which I have highlighted) is relevant to the debate. It seems that Mr. Giles' car was just one of a number of GM cars modified by Dunham Coach for the movies. The way I read it is that Mr. Giles is now retracting his statement that his '69 Eldorado car was the "Pimpmobile" used in the Bond movie.  Here is the message [my additions/comments are in square brackets]: 1969 General Motors Institute marks its 50th anniversary THIS HANDCRAFTED LUXURY MOTOR CAR A Unique Rare Conversion Custom Built 2 door 3 window Soft Top EL Dorado Coup.  Modified {FROM NEW} IN NEW YORK [New Jersey?] 4 A Bond Movie. AUTOGRAFED by Actor [Roger Moore] This was 1st time that the Chevrolet Motor Division provided vehicles in a Bond film L.A.L.D. This is The Original One From G.M. @@ made @@ The Custom Builder still HAS his COPY of a fiberglass Replica 1ONLY Corvorado NOW RED and WHITE- customized even more HE PUT IN Barrett-Jackson auction Nov. 2003 in Florida PIC IN LINK . BOTH These CARS had Modifications added 4 SAID movie back then . MILEs Orginal on COMPLETE CAR NEVER WINTER DRIVEN . Eldorado body for 1969 was transferred from the Fleetwood plant in Detroit to the Fisher Body plant in Euclid Ohio.The Proto Type pimpmobile for the Superflys BONUS Adding A VIRGIN Never Been Dicked With A 1998 4 Wheel Drive New Holland Compact Tractor 3 cyl disel with frontend loader-center mower-scaper blade and rear bush hog in deal 2 MY FATHER MAY U REST IN PEACE MURDERD JAN 2004 The Dbate this car was built 2 use in movie the C Builder of this steel car and the fiberglass Replica copy used the number 2 car in the movie shots GO 2 ABOVE WEBSITE 4 MORE changing INFO ON CAR AND SOME B.S. FROM OTHERS claims of unknown demise REASONE THERE CAN ONLY BE 1 RIGHT MR C BUILDER hoped crusher got this number 1. This car was from movie set i retract statement not in movie shots.

3.  In February 2004, I got this additional information from an enthusiast who has got close ties to Les Dunham and who has asked to remain anonymous. He wrote:  I have some information regarding Dunham Coach and the Cadillac Corvorado used in the movie Live and Let Die that should cause you to remove the last addendum to your Les Dunham description, which is incorrect [sorry, but I can't do that; I must first give everyone a fair hearing].  First, Mr. Rick Anderson of Boston is absolutely correct in all of his assertions about the building of the car in question, though I cannot yet confirm its demise. The white Dunham Corvorado [Corvette + Eldorado]  utilized in the film Live and Let Die was crafted from a Corvette with 1972 Eldorado body panels;   the entire passenger compartment, doors, side glass, roof, etc., from the cowl back, are Corvette.  The car had 2 doors, 2 seats, a red interior and a T-Top. In the movie the vehicle is driven by Earl Jolly Brown ("Whisper") not Cadillac.  No other white Eldorado or Corvorado was used in the movie. I have studied in detail all the material and assertions from Mr. Giles, and his car is NOT a Corvorado -- it is a custom padded-roof Eldorado.  It was NOT used in the movie. Whether or not Roger Moore actually signed the dash on the Giles car is open to debate [with all due respect, I doubt that Mr. Moore could tell the difference between a Cadillac and a Corvette disguised as a Cadillac].  As a further means of disproving Mr. Giles’ specious claims, I'm attaching a picture of 1973 Corvorado #1Z37J3S422365; that one would have been built within 6 cars of the Live and Let Die Corvorado. Since your site is the absolute authority in Cadillacs generally [we try our best and appreciate any input we can get from such enthusiasts as you], I wanted to set the record straight and ensure that the information remains of unquestioned quality. I respect your wish to allow all users of the Database to freely express their opinion; however, I strongly oppose Mr. Giles' claims [I can only assume that his purpose is to boost artificially the value of his car, contending that it played a role in a James Bond movie]. So far as I can see, yours is the authoritative site on Cadillac; I hope you will continue to try to publish only the "facts" [signed:   "Relan"].

   

   

       
I think the movie stills in the preceding four rows prove the point that "Whisper"'s white pimpmobile in the Bond movie Live or Let
Die was a Corvette  with some 1972 Eldorado body panels and not a regular 1969 Cadillac as alleged by Mr. Giles of Canada

   

       
I believe the car in gthe preceding two rows is #2 of seven  Corvorado models built/converted by Les Dunham
[i.e. a custom combined Corvette+Eldorado]; it was sold on Ebay to its new Floridian owner, Larry Hogan

       
This one is #7 of the seven cars built; it was last seen in Las Vegas,
where it was offered for sale by its then current owner, Ed Roman

 

Late extra: This statement from Les Dunham himself was passed on to me by Cadillac enthusiast Robert Nussbaum: Yann, I just hung up the phone with Les Dunham.  Here’s the deal.  He retained ownership of the Live and Let Die car for several years after the movie. It was indeed a Dunham Coach Corvorado [Corvette with Eldorado body panels].  It was also in the movie Superfly.   The car was modified several times for different movies.   Subsequently, Les sold the car to a friend in New Jersey who still retains ownership of the vehicle ( I, myself have seen this car).  Les says, the distinguishing factor of this Corvorado compared to others he’d built is that, unlike the others, this particular vehicle had an entire steel front end and steel skirts; only the hood was fiberglass.  As for the Roger Moore signature, Les says the only thing Roger Moore signed was a 20 dollar bill that belonged to a friend of his and subsequently it was stolen from his friend's residence.  Hope this helps. I got it from Les himself.

The photos below are NOT of the Bond car either, but a similar car converted also by Les Dunham; this car has been saved from the crusher by an enthusiast from Cincinnati, OH, who has begun the massive task of bringing the car back to its original splendor. I have asked him to keep us appraised of progress.

       

   
This sad-looking Superfly survivor was seen on the Internet (e-Bay site) in June 2002;
the outside rear-view mirror (top row, right) reads Dunham Coach; Rick Anderson,
a Cadillac enthusiast from Boston, MA, gave the coach-builder as Les Dunham, Boontown, NJ.

Latest [Feb., 2006]: Restoration of the "Sad Superfly" is now complete and the new proud owner, Tom Tindera, has supplied the following images to show the extent of the work he has done. Tom says: the entire Superfly Package has been restored and transplanted onto a rust free, low mileage California host unit. As you can see, I took some liberties with the color of the exterior vinyl trim, but I believe it really put it "over the top." Feel free to use my home e-mail address, ttindera@aol.com, in your website. I always enjoy hearing from others who share an interest in these types of cars. The pictures are fairly low resolution, so they shouldn't take up too much space or be too hard to work with. I hope you like the finished product. Regards, Tom Tindera Cincinnati, Ohio.  Great work Tom; thanks for the pics.

   

   

 

Fleetwood (USA)  Prototypes and clays for 1971 Eldorado, built from 1968 up; photos, ELD pp.99-105

 

Harper, R.S. (USA) Custom Estate Brougham station wagon conversion on Calais or De Ville hardtop sedan; power rear window, padded vinyl roof, luggage rack, automatic level control. Photo McC p.392

 

Sbarro, Franco (Switzerland)  This "mobile executive suite" on the Eldorado chassis was built by Switzerland's Franco Sbarro.

 

Sbarro, Franco [???] (Switzerland)  Similar to the above car, the body on this rolling laboratory, built for the "Technicum" (technical school) in Bienne, Switzerland, for measuring tire friction under various load conditions, is believed to be also the work of Franco Sbarro. Despite its 8 tons, the car is capable of speeds in excess of 100mph.

 

[Unknown, USA] custom Eldorado station wagon [photos, below], with sunroof, leather upholstery, roof rack, custom grille, hood emblem and rear air suspension. This car was offered for sale on e-Bay in September, 2001. It was advertised as one of two 1971 Eldorado Cadillac wagons built in late 1970. The other one was said to have been acquired by singer, Glen Campbell who subsequently lost it to his wife in a divorce settlement. The car below came from St Louis, then went to Pittsburgh and ended up in Chautauqua, NY. Stuntman, Evel Knievel had one of these 1971 wagons too.

   
The Evel Knievel wagon on De Ville chassis
[ Photo: courtesy Mike Mike Draper, a former member of Mr. Knievel's team ]

Is this the same wagon as below?

 

[Unknown, USA] Special Cadillac Eldorado El Camino

   
[ Photos:  Internet, 11/2003 ]

 

[Unknown, USA] Special Cadillac Eldorado station wagon

 

[Unknown, USA] Special Cadillac custom DeVille coupe (possibly Wisco)

   

 

[Unknown, USA] Special Cadillac Eldorado Cabriolet

[ no images ]

 

1971-1974

(  ) Caribou pick-up wagons.  This image is from a specification sheet on how to update your Caribou pick-up with new, rectangular headlights; they fit all four years.

[ Image:  Internet, 2/2006 ]

 

1972

American Sunroof Corp. (ASC) (Custom Craft Division) (USA) El Deora, custom trim package on Eldorado chassis. I have no idea how many were produced but they are obviously quite rare. None of these "custom" packages had Cadillac's seal of approval. Under project Manager Mike Alexander, a limited number of these Cadillac El Deora custom Eldorado coupe models were built.[possibly only three of them]. This company may also have designed a number of other custom cars on Cadillac chassis including a special Eldorado station wagon previously (?) owned by Cadillac enthusiast, Bill Buckingham. He believes it was built by the Detroit Sunroof  Corp.(?) which he heard was taken over by American Sunroof Corp.

   

   
[ Photos :  Internet 2/2002 ]

 

American Sunroof Corp. (ASC) (Custom Craft Division) (USA) another  El Deora, custom trim package on the Eldorado chassis.

   

Immediately above:  a "project car" for someone with a passion for custom Cadillacs ...and deep pockets!

 

Fleetwood (USA) This custom electric sun roof was introduced with the 1970 Fleetwood Eldorado models.

 

Fleetwood (USA) Special Cadillac Eldorado Blue Boy convertible for Bill Mitchell's own use. According to CML [Cadillac Mailing List] member, Paul Freda [May, 2001], that particular  Custom Eldorado currently is in the hands of a member of the Michigan region, CLC

 

Harper, R.W. Custom Coachbuilders. (USA) Station wagon conversion (on Fleetwood model ?)

 

Moloney (USA) Station wagon conversion on Fleetwood 60 Special Brougham; vinyl covered roof with roof rack. Photo McC p.397

Moloney (USA) (similar to above car) see photo McC p.397

Moloney (USA) Eldorado custom station wagon

 

[Unknown, USA] Fleetwood Series 75 limousine with Derham-style rear window

 

[Unknown, USA] This wagon is reported to have been the property of Elvis Presley ...one more!  What amazes me is that despite this artist's immense media image [probably surpassed only  by the late Princess Diana of England], there are in fact just a half dozen or so photos of the King driving [or seen with] any of his reported "hundreds" of Cadillacs. I am convinced that amateur and professional paparazzi alike must have spent hours around the Graceland gates, just waiting for a glimpse of him in one of his cars.  So where are all the photos ?!?! Was he that "inaccessible" ?

[ Photo:  Internet, 12/2001 ]

       
The car remained for a long time at Graceland, after the king's death
[ Photos (above row): © and courtesy of the current (2007) owner, Ken Lucci ]

 

[Unknown, USA] One more wagon built on the Cadillac (why Cadillac would ever build an SUV but not a station wagon beats me!) This one was offered for sale on the Internet in February, 2003. In my opinion, the "C" pillar on this particular conversion is "unfortunate".

Possibly the car shown in color, below

       
[ Photos:  Internet, 2/2003 ]

   
[Above two rows] Could this be the same car as the previous one ?

[Unknown, USA] Custom station wagon on Fleetwood chassis; this one was offered for sale in Self Starter in October 2007.

 

[Unknown, USA] Custom Eldorado station wagon [photo, below]

[ Photo:  Internet, 1999 ]

 

[Unknown, USA] Custom Eldorado "Mirage" pick-up; possibly from Traditional Coachworks. The owner bought it off EBay from Wisconsin. It is now in Neptune, NJ. It has 34000 original miles. All the colors are correct. The Steer Horns were not an option.

       
Photos: © and courtesy of the owner, Danny Siciliano

 

[Unknown, USA] Custom DeVille convertible (?)

 

Webasto Sunroof Corp (Wisco?) (USA)  Customized Eldorado coupe

 

Wisco (USA) El Clįsico coupe.  It's amazing what a pair of false landau bars and a grille cap can do for an otherwise ordinary Cadillac! The pictures of this yellow 1972 Coupe De Ville El Clįsico belong to Tim Gitzinger of Dayton, OH.  He was kind enough to identify the car as having been built by Wisco Corp. It was sold new in Dayton and still resides there. Tim has three of these cars in different stages of restoration. The following figures are from an original 1972 WISCO 'El Clįsico' conversion price sheet, for the Fleetwood Brougham. Some items were not available on the Eldorado convertible; prices were slightly cheaper for Coupe de Ville and Eldorado Hard-Top models: Chrome Front End- $595,  Sun Roof- $695, Landau Bars- $260, Restyled Wheel Covers- $220,  Outer Door Panel Trim- $170,   Rear Deck Trim- $175,  Pin Striping- $60, Lower Bumper Treatment to Match Car- $60,  Hood Ornament- $120, Right-hand Remote Mirror- $45. Total standard El Clįsico Conversion package (including installation), for the Fleetwood Brougham = $3,630. The following optional items were available installed: Repro Goddess Hood Ornament- $75, T.V. Set- $335, Padded Vinyl-covered Dash- $120, Custom Vertical Grille- $265, WISCO Simulated Deck Wheel with Vinyl Insert- $575, Padded Vinyl Half-top with Chrome Bar- $375. Final price for all items listed: $5,375!!!

   
[Photos:  courtesy the owner, Tim Gitzinger, Dayton, OH]