1940 Cadillac Series 75 Town Landaulet

Cadillac in 1940, released only three of the 75 Series 75 town car chassis produced by outside coachbuilders. Two went to Derham, the first of which was this town landau limousine, custom built for Mrs. Jesse Woolworth Donahue; the second was built for Mrs. Florence Parker Lambert Busch, wife of Budweiser heir Adolphus Busch III; and the third 1940 Cadillac Series 75 chassis went to Brunn and was ordered by E.J. Julas, president of Otis Steel Company and former general sales manager of the Peerless Motor Car Company. Over the years, this automobile had several owners, including the wife of a movie producer, a museum in Illinois, and then was sold to several private owners. The latest owner was Dr. Wayne Hey, who lives in Texas. Through the efforts of John Mueller, a member of the Board of Directors, Dr. Hey donated the car to the Swigart Museum. It arrived from Texas in January 2011.

The Derham Body Co., which operated from 1887-1971, was located in Rosemont, a suburb of Philadelphia, with additional facilities in Philadelphia. After World War I, Derham built custom bodies for many automakers, including Pierce-Arrow, Packard, Chrysler, etc. Derham also built nearly 40 bodies for Duesenberg's Model J and SJ chassis. Specialties of the Derham body are the collapsible landaulet, with a fixed center second; one-pierce windshield; a collapsible rear roof; and a removable cover over the open chauffer's compartment.

Power is from a Cadillac flathead V8, L-head engine which develops 140 horsepower at 3400 RPM. It has a curb weight of approximately 5200 pounds and rides on 7.5 x 16 tires. The fuel tank capacity is 26.5 gallons. The base price of a 1940 Cadillac Series 75 Town Car was $5,115. A Derham body cost an estimated $15,000 to $20,000.