The parade at this event was a hit with three of our Caddy Convertibles providing transportation for executives and Royalty alike.  Wayne Christmas’s two red converts conveyed the Sidney Red Haute Society of Sidney and Wayne McCallum’s Eldorado carried the Royal Bank executives from start to finish in grand style.  Well done Gentlemen !!
 Many thanks to those who helped make this event so successful. 

 

PRIDE & JOY

 

     The following is the story of another Vehicle found here on the lower Island.  The article has been published in the Cadillac LaSalle Club magazine “The Self Starter” and the VandenPlas Owners Club magazine “Carriage Craft”.  Since publication, some information has surfaced regarding another like vehicle built for someone in England and the search continues.  Enjoy!

 

                                                     TREASURES OF THE NORTHWEST
                                                      By Lorne Scott

 

 

     While perusing a copy of the newly published book “LaSalle, Cadillac’s Companion Car” at a car show, the books owner and CLC member introduced me to another Cadillac owner, who he heard had some LaSalle parts that he wished to dispose of.  He thought the radiator may have been from a ’28 or ’29.  Could it be that it would fit Lady Victoria?  Arrangements were made for pick up and while there I was treated to a private viewing of his collection.  Among the collection of special interest vehicles, such as an Auburn Speedster, a ’56 Continental, an early Buick under restoration and many others, was “The Princess”.  She was stored in a corner at a different location with another few treasures awaiting the owner’s attention.  She had been partially dis-assembled then well stored for many years but was still able to make a Cadillac owner drool.

 

     Two names in the automobile world, synonymous with luxury, quality and sophistication are Cadillac and Vanden Plas.  When joined together in a vehicle the result is phenomenal. This happened in 1930 on the Princess. Even in her present state she maintains her regal appearance. . At the request of the original owner, the chassis, drive train, fenders and front cowling were shipped to the Vanden Plas factory to be bodied and appointed.  This was very unusual in those early years as Cadillac was determined to maintain the quality control of the product displaying the Cadillac crest.

 

     *Vanden Plas of Belgium began building carriage wheels and axles in 1870 and in 1884 moved from Brussels to Antwerp where they started building custom horse drawn carriages.   Vanden Plas has been adding their touch of elegance to European coachwork since 1900 on such marques as De Dion Bouton, Berlier, Germain and at present works with Austin and Jaguar. Vanden Plas England began in 1913 under license from Belgium and by 1923 they became independent then in 1946 became a subsidiary of Austin.  

 

     The Princess is a 1930 series 353 Cadillac with a 353 Cu. In. 90 degree V8 of which 11,005 were built by Cadillac with Fleetwood, Fisher and very few other custom coachbuilders completing the Limousines.  At the moment, we have no idea how many are left especially those completed by Vanden Plas.   Mounted on the limo chassis with 140-inch wheelbase, she is equipped with 19X7:00 wire wheels, tires and side mounted spares.  Other features include right hand drive, Luggage rack and trunk, double disc clutch with a synchromesh transmission, four wheel brakes and double windshield wipers on a front opening windshield.  The upholstery is of tooled leather with a divider window, an intercom, an eight-day clock, a wet bar, reclining rear seats and recessed blinds on all rear windows.  The jump seats are hidden beneath the back of the front seat under the divider window and are also covered in tooled leather.  All windowsills and door panels have been inlaid with wood.   She weighs in at between 5000 and 6000 pounds depending on how full the huge gas tank is at the time.  The over-all length is 17’6”; width 80” and height is a massive75”. The running board lights illuminate the built in running board toolboxes, which incidentally contained the original registration plate number GN56, from England.  Sorry, no stereo!

 

    The Princess began in Detroit like so many others but she was ordered by a well to do Russian immigrant that had migrated from Russia to England just before the Russian Revolution in 1918.   The running gear and limited sheet metal were delivered to Vanden Plas of England in 1930 for their exquisite coachwork completion.  From there she went to the London Cadillac/LaSalle and Buick dealership “Lendrum and Hartman Ltd.  The time of arrival in Victoria B.C. Canada is uncertain but an invoice for a tune-up in 1937 at the original dealership was found in the car when the present owner started the initial clean-up, post purchase. As far as can be determined The Princess arrived sometime just prior to the Second World War along with the original owners.  She was later sold to a limousine company, “Veteran Tours” who did tours for visitors to Victoria.  After a few years, the original owners Grandson again became interested in the automobile and repurchased it from the Tour Company for personal use.  The car was well known to the present owner and his family as they resided in the same neighbourhood.  In 1977 after some unidentified illness, the “Nanny Guardian” of the Grandson, phoned the present owner to see if he was interested in the car.  There was no hesitation once a closer viewing had taken place and the Princess was moved yet again.  The last time the car had been exercised seems to have been 1966 according to the license plate, so some maintenance had to be done.  The double disk clutch had frozen so with much pressure being brought to bear on it and a very large noise, it popped free and was back in action.  The Princess got another 50 miles or so added to her already 85459 miles then back into storage, as other priorities rose to the top of the list and overshadowed her need for restoration

 

     The accompanying photos show a brief summary of her condition when she was moved last and her resting-place at present.  The black and white ones were originally taken in England with “BENSON” the Chauffeur in attendance.        

 

     The Princess is complete, which is a good beginning but a lot of commitment of labour, finances and emotion will be required for the restoration she deserves.  Meanwhile this vehicle may sit idle for some time to come but she will still maintain her air of dignity.  One day this piece of rolling sculpture will again grace the highways of Vancouver Island showing how the wealthy lived in years gone by.   

 
       

 Information courtesy of the Vanden Plas Owners Club.
 History of vehicle courtesy of Owner – Mr. Brian Holker

 

Club Sponsors:

    The following are the sponsors of the club at this point. We will publish additional sponsors as they are brought on line. These sponsors have provided support to the club either financially or otherwise and as a club, we would like to assist in the promotion of their efforts. If you are in need of any of their services please don’t hesitate to call.
Craig Reeder – Coast Capital Real Estate – 592-1723 – Craig has been the main benefactor in our web site production and maintenance. He is the Webmaster for the club and conducts his very busy real estate business to the joy of his many clients. Thanks Craig for making this all possible.
CLCC Commercial Friends and Associates
LORDCO – This western Canadian auto parts company has supported us with club membership discounts and prizes. This is a full inventory parts and accessory store that caters to many businesses as well as retail sales. LORDCO has many branches throughout B.C. as well as machine shops on the lower mainland for service work.
The JB Group – This fine group of Auto Parts stores has been in business since 1970 and has a full service machine shop, paints and other auto related merchandise for the amateur and professional automotive enthusiast. They now have five branches on the Lower Island to serve you and mention that you belong to the Cadillac LaSalle Club of Canada for the club discount. If you don’t have their card, please contact me and I will get the application to you ASAP.
STYLES UPHOLSTERY – Styles is a full service upholstery and trim shop specializing in Auto and Marine equipment. They have provided a Club discount for members of the CLCC and are located at 631 Princess Street in Victoria, Ph. 1-250-384-5442
FINISH LINE MOTOBILIA-This magic toy box has opened at 2008 Douglas Street in Victoria, Ph. 1-250-361-1562. It contains a plethora of Die-Cast Models, Clothes, signs, Videos etc. etc. etc. The shelves are stocked with a great quantity of items only superceded by their quality. It is sure worth a browse if you are interested in anything concerning automotive or motorcycle memorabilia. They have also been known to do favors for clubs, their members and activities.
Many thanks to the above sponsors of our club and their endeavors, without them the CLCC would still be an unorganized group looking for a place to enjoy their Cadillac habit.

FREE OFFER FROM CANADIAN TIRE !!!!

Click on this link www.cadillaclasalleclubofcanada.com/evapo_rust.htm to find out about a FREE 1-Litre bottle of EVAPO-RUST especially for CLCC members.

Grease for the Squeaky Wheel
     When turning off a vehicle with carburation, some drivers have been known to rev the engine prior to turning the key to leave fuel in the cylinder for a fast start next time.  This is not advisable because the fuel will run down the cylinder walls, washing the oil into the crankcase, damaging the oil and causing a dry start next time out.  Fuel injected cars stop the fuel flow as soon as the key is shut down thus preventing this problem from occurring. 
Wayne McCallum

 

Cadillac of the Month !! 

1951 Cadillac Convertible – Norm & Lou Marr

     Norm has been working on this gorgeous piece of machinery for some years now and has taken it from basically ground up to what it is today.  He also has many parts from many donors still adorning his shop walls and parts car areas.  It came out for it’s first club showing recently when we visited his residence while on a tour.  He says he is still not happy with some of the items that came from other vendors but it is hoped that these minor problems will be ironed out in the near future. We would all be proud to have a vehicle such as this in our garage.  Well Done Norm & Lou !!!