On this Valentine’s Day, let us celebrate a love that is stronger than that between any man and woman — namely, the love of grown men for proper luxury sedans!
What a wonderful read. I was just old enough to remember when buying a Cadillac meant something. There is no car today that would impress the neighbours the way a Cadillac would back then. You didn't just buy a Cadillac. You worked your way up in life to it. Once you had acquired the proper station in life, the privilege of buying a Cadillac would be yours.
I recall when a dentist friend of the family came over to show us his new 1975 Fleetwood Brougham in dark brown, with matching vinyl roof. He had parked it on the street in our middle class/professional neighbourhood, and of course the neighbours came over to admire it. He had grown up in Australia, and had always dreamed of one day making it, and having a Cadillac of his own.
Interestingly, while it might sound like he came over to show it off, that was really the case. Or at least not fully the case. He came over to show us the car, and we all took part in the celebration that one of our own had "made it". I don't recall any comments of envy or jealousy that followed that visit. Just a longing to share in the success that he had achieved, symbolized by finally being deserving of a Cadillac.
It still angers me that in only a few short years, Cadillac pissed all of that away. And while the mid 70s Caddies were no longer the Standard of the World, they were special in a way that no car is now, or has been in a very long time.
Sad, but true. It’s almost like there aren’t any luxury cars anymore. The car magazines ruined everything by creating an artificial demand for every car to be a BMW.
I think the other issue is the destruction of the middle class. Especially the comfortable middle class. Folks who were just happy and content with their lot in life. The full size Ford wagon set. The weren’t always aspiring to get more. So something that was realistically unachievable for them, always drew their interest. Now, every secretary drives a Bimmer on a $299 payment.
Hey Jack, how about this idea for a future article:
Things automotive ruined by car magazines.
Car magazines held a lot of sway in years past, and their tastes had an oversized influence on the market and the car companies. I don’t see anything nefarious in what they did. Just a matter of their tastes and enthusiasms overwhelming things.
Thank you for the story, Mr. Gardner. While much classier, your car reminds me of the '73 Buick LeSabre 4-door sedan that glided me around as a small child. I have a soft spot for those large GM vehicles.
Keep up the good work! I look forward to future submissions.
The stories make things that much more special. It warms my heart to know that Caddy wound up with someone like you. It deserves to be treasured; and you deserve each other.
That is a beautiful automobile. There is a Coupe DeVille of similar vintage parked on the street around the corner from my house, and I eye it with more than a little lust in my heart each time I walk by it. It was at one time a golden color but that has been oxidized and faded, but the car appears straight and the interior is clean.
There are undoubtedly finer examples to be had, so I don't feel the need to pursue this one. But given my Italian heritage, I believe it is almost a birthright that I should, as my grandfather did, own a Cadillac at some point.
My guess is it would be due to a height restriction in the parking garage. Back when I was more frequently seen in urban environments, height was often a problem when parking my trucks in some garages. Once worked in a building where my 4x4 Toyota pickup had less than two inches of clearance over the cab in some areas of the garage. The antenna stood up three inches over the cab so there was some rubbing.
When we lived in Japan we had to measure every dimension of our Mazda5 to make sure it would fit in the hotel's little parking space in Tokyo, because every tiny square centimeter is important there. I've seen full-size American pickups there, but I don't know if I would want to drive one in that environment.
The one at my office, with a 72” height limit. People have figured out by experimentation that you can go up to 78” if you are careful to avoid a couple of pipes, but even that leaves out some recent factory trucks and anything at all lifted.
Most of the spaces would be too small for this thing but there are a few that would fit it.
tshatx, the garage was built in 1970 and has less then 7' of clearance under the sprinkler pipes as the pipes are suppeneded several inches down from the garage ceiling. Also the ramps are directly behind the roll up garage doors and if trying to enter the garage with a Silverado or F-150 your roof will hit the rolled up garage door when the front wheels begin to go up the ramp.
This was a total treat to read-- and not just because I've lived within 5 miles of Lindsay Cadillac for the last 30 years. Adding CLC events to my beat for this year, in hope of meeting this lovely in person. (Does she ever waft up to Katie's, or is that place so crowded no-one goes there anymore?)
Sorry to be that guy but it's Fauquier County, pronounced more than a little like someone from Boston dissing your town and all those around it..
Redlineblue, auto spell check got me on Fauquier County..... sorry about that :-) :-) Never been to the Saturday Cars and Coffee at Katie's in Great Falls. That is place is to rich for me. It is more for the Ferrari, Lamborghini, Cullen, Macan McLaren kind of get together. Lots of new money in Great Falls.....
Absolute beauty and love your writing style. Both formal and intimate at the same time.
Yes, a very well written and interesting story indeed .
All through the 1990's lovely Caddies like this landed unwanted at my favorite local Pick-A-Part junkyard .
I ove these land yachts but don't like driving them .
So sad that today's new drivers will never had the opportunity to experience them .
-Nate
Great story! Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful read. I was just old enough to remember when buying a Cadillac meant something. There is no car today that would impress the neighbours the way a Cadillac would back then. You didn't just buy a Cadillac. You worked your way up in life to it. Once you had acquired the proper station in life, the privilege of buying a Cadillac would be yours.
I recall when a dentist friend of the family came over to show us his new 1975 Fleetwood Brougham in dark brown, with matching vinyl roof. He had parked it on the street in our middle class/professional neighbourhood, and of course the neighbours came over to admire it. He had grown up in Australia, and had always dreamed of one day making it, and having a Cadillac of his own.
Interestingly, while it might sound like he came over to show it off, that was really the case. Or at least not fully the case. He came over to show us the car, and we all took part in the celebration that one of our own had "made it". I don't recall any comments of envy or jealousy that followed that visit. Just a longing to share in the success that he had achieved, symbolized by finally being deserving of a Cadillac.
It still angers me that in only a few short years, Cadillac pissed all of that away. And while the mid 70s Caddies were no longer the Standard of the World, they were special in a way that no car is now, or has been in a very long time.
Sad, but true. It’s almost like there aren’t any luxury cars anymore. The car magazines ruined everything by creating an artificial demand for every car to be a BMW.
I think the other issue is the destruction of the middle class. Especially the comfortable middle class. Folks who were just happy and content with their lot in life. The full size Ford wagon set. The weren’t always aspiring to get more. So something that was realistically unachievable for them, always drew their interest. Now, every secretary drives a Bimmer on a $299 payment.
You're not far off, particularly in California where entry-level Benzes are simply omnipresent.
Hey Jack, how about this idea for a future article:
Things automotive ruined by car magazines.
Car magazines held a lot of sway in years past, and their tastes had an oversized influence on the market and the car companies. I don’t see anything nefarious in what they did. Just a matter of their tastes and enthusiasms overwhelming things.
That's my Rich Corinthian Swaybars article which could use an update.
Where do we find that?
My only other critique of the article, aside from mis-naming the county, is that the author never tells us what the Nürburgring time is.
Easily under thirty minutes, assuming the brakes are in good shape when you start!
Back in the 70’s and before, you had to be able to actually buy the car vs. be able to make the monthly lease payment.
Thank you for the story, Mr. Gardner. While much classier, your car reminds me of the '73 Buick LeSabre 4-door sedan that glided me around as a small child. I have a soft spot for those large GM vehicles.
Keep up the good work! I look forward to future submissions.
Absolutely wonderful story, but at the risk of drawing a sound and fury down upon myself, it's Fauquier County.
A heart-warming and lovely story! Happy Valentine’s Day.
Great story.
I'd take a Blackwing CT5 (manual) over this car, but just barely. I'd definitely take this over the CT4.
Bravo! Love the story. We need more of this kind of stuff on ACF!
Some things really aren't as good as they used to be and Cadillac is one of them.
Thanks for sharing a great story!
The stories make things that much more special. It warms my heart to know that Caddy wound up with someone like you. It deserves to be treasured; and you deserve each other.
That is a beautiful automobile. There is a Coupe DeVille of similar vintage parked on the street around the corner from my house, and I eye it with more than a little lust in my heart each time I walk by it. It was at one time a golden color but that has been oxidized and faded, but the car appears straight and the interior is clean.
There are undoubtedly finer examples to be had, so I don't feel the need to pursue this one. But given my Italian heritage, I believe it is almost a birthright that I should, as my grandfather did, own a Cadillac at some point.
Lovely, what a wonderful piece of Americana.
Great story! 1 question - what kind of parking garage would not fit an '08 Silverado but would take this boat?
Presumably one with a sub seven foot ceiling!
My guess is it would be due to a height restriction in the parking garage. Back when I was more frequently seen in urban environments, height was often a problem when parking my trucks in some garages. Once worked in a building where my 4x4 Toyota pickup had less than two inches of clearance over the cab in some areas of the garage. The antenna stood up three inches over the cab so there was some rubbing.
Had the same experience with my Toyota 4x4 years ago. The only time I ever had a problem due to an appendage that was too long.
I hate taking even non-lifted 1/2 ton trucks in to 7' garages.... always end up crouching down in the driver's seat, as if that would help!
I would presume than a urban <7' ceiling height would have small spaces too. But maybe he lucked out with a "low and wide" garage!
“Put da evidence in da cah, Junior!”
From S&TB, Chapter 2:
“If Junior can get up in da moanin’, tie his shoelaces, and take a pee, I’m not proud! I’m uh-MAIZED!”
When we lived in Japan we had to measure every dimension of our Mazda5 to make sure it would fit in the hotel's little parking space in Tokyo, because every tiny square centimeter is important there. I've seen full-size American pickups there, but I don't know if I would want to drive one in that environment.
The one at my office, with a 72” height limit. People have figured out by experimentation that you can go up to 78” if you are careful to avoid a couple of pipes, but even that leaves out some recent factory trucks and anything at all lifted.
Most of the spaces would be too small for this thing but there are a few that would fit it.
tshatx, the garage was built in 1970 and has less then 7' of clearance under the sprinkler pipes as the pipes are suppeneded several inches down from the garage ceiling. Also the ramps are directly behind the roll up garage doors and if trying to enter the garage with a Silverado or F-150 your roof will hit the rolled up garage door when the front wheels begin to go up the ramp.
This was a total treat to read-- and not just because I've lived within 5 miles of Lindsay Cadillac for the last 30 years. Adding CLC events to my beat for this year, in hope of meeting this lovely in person. (Does she ever waft up to Katie's, or is that place so crowded no-one goes there anymore?)
Sorry to be that guy but it's Fauquier County, pronounced more than a little like someone from Boston dissing your town and all those around it..
Redlineblue, auto spell check got me on Fauquier County..... sorry about that :-) :-) Never been to the Saturday Cars and Coffee at Katie's in Great Falls. That is place is to rich for me. It is more for the Ferrari, Lamborghini, Cullen, Macan McLaren kind of get together. Lots of new money in Great Falls.....
That yacht would outclass all that eurotrash. Just get some longshoremen to help you dock, I mean park it.
Simply splendid, Mr. Gardner!