1949 Cadillac Coupe de Ville Prototype Resurfaces After 64 Years

The 2014 Cadillac ELR has been given the mildly ironic nickname "Coupe de Volt," in honor of its Chevy Volt-based underpinnings--and Cadillac's legendary Coupe de Ville. This March, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance will feature the original prototype of the Cadillac Coupe de Ville by Fleetwood, a car that hasn't been shown to the public in 64 years.

Only four of the prototypes were built, each different, and this is the only surviving example.
Its history is unique, as well, as it was given as a gift by General Motors to former CEO Charlie Wilson upon his departure from GM to serve as President Eisenhower's Secretary of Defense in 1953. During his four-year stint as the defense secretary, Wilson droove the Coupe de Ville prototype.

The car itself is powered by a 331-cubic-inch overhead-valve V-8, the first to come from GM, paired to a four-speed automatic transmission. In 1949 dollars, the prototype cost $30,000 to build over its two-month construction process. In 2013 money, that's about $290,000.

The Coupe de Ville prototype also featured a one-piece curved windshield, another first for GM, a two-way radio/telephone, power windows, power seats, a lipstick holder, a perfume atomizer, and a back-seat secretarial kit for those on-the-road dictation sessions.

This stunning example of automotive history will make its first public re-appearance in nearly two-thirds of a century at the 18th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance on the grounds of The Golf Club of Amelia Island, March 8-10, 2013. Cadillac's iconic 1959 Cyclone and 1953 Le Mans Roadster concepts will also be on display, along with the 2002 Cien concept.

Courtesy of foxnews.com

Cadillac Unleashes New Luxury Hybrid Into Auto Market

General Motors is trying to take the Chevrolet Volt's electric technology upscale with a new Cadillac.

The company on Tuesday introduced the ELR, which has the same battery and gas-powered generator as the Chevy version. The new car has angular lights and fenders like other new Cadillacs, but it also has a more sloped, forward-leaning aerodynamic look. It also has a plush new interior that differentiates it from the Volt and sets the tone for future Cadillacs.

Don Butler, vice president of marketing for Cadillac, said GM isn't expecting huge sales, but that's not needed to make a luxury car a success.

"With luxury it's not necessary to reach a lot of people. Luxury buyers want something that's special, that's unique, that's different from everything else on the road," he said.

Production starts late this year, and the car will hit showrooms early in 2014 in North America. GM promises to produce a limited number to make the car unique on the roads. The car will be exported to China and Europe:

UNDER THE HOOD: The ELR has a 5.5-foot-long, 435-pound T-shaped battery that can take the car about 35 miles on electricity. A 1.4-Liter onboard gasoline generator kicks in after the battery runs down, so owners don't have to worry about getting stranded when the juice runs out. The system has the equivalent of a gasoline engine's 207 horsepower. Just like the Volt, GM is putting an 8-year warranty on the battery. The generator runs on premium gas.

HOW IT ROLLS: The ELR will have 20-inch wheels pushed to the edge of the body, with tires designed For performance and fuel-efficient low-rolling-resistance.

BRAKES: Like the Volt, designed to use braking energy to help recharge the battery, especially in city driving.

SEATS: Four.

WHERE IT'S MADE: Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant.

Courtesy of: The Associated Press 

Hilarious Drive-thru Prank!

Cadillac ATS Lightweighting Heavy on Chemistry

DETROIT – Engineers on the Cadillac ATS took a chemistry-lab approach to deliver the brand's first entry into the compact luxury sedan segment.  Metals such as Martensitic alloys and ultra-high strength steel, among other materials, help make ATS one of the lightest vehicles in the class.
Still, the ATS is among the safest, earning a 5-star overall crash test rating in the New Car Assessment Program run by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology.

Courtesy of GM.com

Cadillac ATS vs. The World

 

The all-new Cadillac ATS traveled the world to challenge some of the most punishing roads on Earth. Watch as we challenge the ATS' advanced features and set the standard in every corner of the earth.

Cadillac ATS vs. The World

The all-new Cadillac ATS traveled the world to challenge some of the most punishing roads on Earth. Watch as we challenge the ATS' advanced features and set the standard in every corner of the earth.

New Year's Resolution #1: Test drive the 2013 Cadillac ATS. We think this will be your best resolution of the year.

Great job Ken! Another satisfied customer.

"I was very pleased with the friendly and professional treatment I received from Ken Goldberg when I was purchasing a Cadillac CTS in May of 2010. I did not hesitate to contact Ken for advice recently when I was researching possibly upgrading to a 2012 CTS; which I purchased with his guidance in December 2012." - NLK

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