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This is the original prototype Coupe De Ville by Fleetwood. General Motors Transportation Unlimited Exhibition was the first post-World War II auto show and was the precursor to its traveling Motorama Exhibitions. The first show was staged at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York and then the old Convention Center in Detroit. The purpose was to preview the newest innovations to consumers in order to gauge public interest.
It incorporated many firsts, the two most significant being the Coupe deVille styling and the new 331 CID overhead valve, V-8 engine with over-square bore and stroke. It had the first one-piece curved windshield and first with chrome wheel arch trim.
The Coupe deVille styling was also referred to as a hardtop convertible. This show car has a 133-inch wheelbase whereas production models had a 126-inch wheelbase. It also had power windows, power vent windows, power seats, a shortwave telephone and a rear armrest containing vanity items such as a secretarial kit, lipstick holder, and perfume atomizer. Four different styled prototypes were built for this show and this is the only one that has survived.
Opening in January 1949, it ran for eight days then moved on to Detroit. A total of 600,000 people visited the elaborate displays of 32 production vehicles at both locations. This custom hardtop was the Superstar of the shows. It took 2 months to build and cost $30,000.
When GM's president, Charles Wilson, left GM in 1953 to become Secretary of Defense for Eisenhower, GM gave him the car as a gift. He drove it during his time as Secretary of Defense. After Wilson died in 1961 the car disappeared and was mostly forgotten. The car was found in a Connecticut barn in 1978 and the present owner performed a full and authentic restoration. Thankfully, many original documents remain, which assisted with the restoration. Special leathers and cloths had to be located.
It incorporated many firsts, the two most significant being the Coupe deVille styling and the new 331 CID overhead valve, V-8 engine with over-square bore and stroke. It had the first one-piece curved windshield and first with chrome wheel arch trim.
The Coupe deVille styling was also referred to as a hardtop convertible. This show car has a 133-inch wheelbase whereas production models had a 126-inch wheelbase. It also had power windows, power vent windows, power seats, a shortwave telephone and a rear armrest containing vanity items such as a secretarial kit, lipstick holder, and perfume atomizer. Four different styled prototypes were built for this show and this is the only one that has survived.
Opening in January 1949, it ran for eight days then moved on to Detroit. A total of 600,000 people visited the elaborate displays of 32 production vehicles at both locations. This custom hardtop was the Superstar of the shows. It took 2 months to build and cost $30,000.
When GM's president, Charles Wilson, left GM in 1953 to become Secretary of Defense for Eisenhower, GM gave him the car as a gift. He drove it during his time as Secretary of Defense. After Wilson died in 1961 the car disappeared and was mostly forgotten. The car was found in a Connecticut barn in 1978 and the present owner performed a full and authentic restoration. Thankfully, many original documents remain, which assisted with the restoration. Special leathers and cloths had to be located.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
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(Data based on Model Year 1949 sales)
Cadillac Coupe De Ville Prototypes That Failed To Sell At Auction
1949 Cadillac Coupe De Ville Prototype's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
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1949 Cadillac Coupe De Ville Prototype
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