The comic value of an early Cadillac

• 
• 

Most readers of PreWarCar.com will have been surrounding themselves with old vehicles for some years or more, in which time they will have gradually cultivated a quiet appreciation for them. Few things can match the pleasure we obtain from our hobby, but we still take our cars and their history seriously.

To other people less initiated in their ways, early cars are not always seen as innovative and ingenious pieces of engineering and craftsmanship, but as incomprehensible contraptions which are, by their very nature, strange and perhaps even funny.

Just look at what people said about this 1906 Cadillac, which spent the early 1960s as a photographer's prop on the island of Jersey in the English Channel, amusing high-spirited holidaymakers. The first photo, for example, which is dated October 1961, carries the caption 'Bell and me on the Brighton Run from London'. Oh dear, not even grandfather rights can account for that.

The second picture doubles up as a postcard:

Dear Peter & Margaret,

You will be pleased to see the photograph of the car we have hired for the fortnight. Unfortunately Mr. Woods can't get the hang of it yet, as you can see from the expression on his face whilst changing gears. Unfortunately the weather has not been good today, so we have had to have the hood up. Barring accidents, we shall see you 12 noon next Tuesday.
Love from all the Jerseyites.

While we might be inclined to wince a little at the general ignorance being levelled at these vehicles, most of all it's just nice to see people having fun with veteran cars. The make-believe motorists obviously have a genuine appreciation for the Cadillac, even if it isn't a sophisticated one, so we're pleased that they had an opportunity to get close to it and try it out for size. Some people may not think a photographer's prop to be a sufficiently dignified use for such a venerable old motor, but in such a capacity it does far more to promote our interest than a car which spends all its time in a private collection.

Sadly, there's no chance of stumbling upon any such cars at the seaside today unless a rally happens to be taking place, but we wonder if anyone has any memories of seeing cars like this during their childhood holidays? We're aware of at least one other car, a 1904 Star 7hp, which was also used for souvenir photographs around the same time.

We also wonder where the Cadillac is now. Does anyone know?

Words: Zack Stiling; photographs: Stiling Collection
 

Kommentar abgeben...