Period 37 photo

[Steve Passmore]

New 37 convertible just waiting for a new owner.

[harry s]

How could you walk past that and not buy it?      Harry

[Steve Passmore]

It would be cool if someone recognized the location.

[TMoore - NTCLC]

Credited as being a showroom in Berlin

[Steve Passmore]

Where did that information come from Mr Moore?  Have you seen the picture somewhere else?

[BJM]

I too am curious. The photo could not be enlarged on my laptop. The street looks odd, not American I must admit.  The CADILLAC also looks almost muted compared to what you might find in the U.S. and U.S. showrooms were "grander", although we do not see what is to the right in the photo.

[STS05lg]

Harry, that was an aspirational car in 1937. When the Census  data was released for 1940 I looked up to see what dad made in 1939, hard to believe but he earned $300 for the year working full time as a truck driver. So a Cadillac was aspirational, something to aim for.   

[Big Apple Caddy]

The Getty Images date tied to the picture is June 3, 1939.  "A new motor car in the window of a Cadillac showroom in Berlin."

[Steve Passmore]

The Getty Images date tied to the picture is June 3, 1939.  "A new motor car in the window of a Cadillac showroom in Berlin."

Just shows you can't believe everything you see on the web. That is categorically a 1937!  I could go along with a European country though.  Sidelights on the fenders give it away.

[Jim Miller]

The first shop sign says MILCH - milk in German

[Big Apple Caddy]

Just shows you can't believe everything you see on the web. That is categorically a 1937!  I could go along with a European country though.  Sidelights on the fenders give it away.

I'll take your word for it that it is a '37.  As far as the June 1939 date, perhaps it was a two year old picture that wasn't first published until 1939 or maybe was republished in 1939, perhaps car shown was a used or very leftover '37 Cadillac in 1939.  I really don't know.

[BJM]

Could be a late build 1937, and remember this is the great Depression era and it is Germany.  Germany may have not allowed imports ? after a certain date.  We can only speculate unless a CLC member is an automotive historian and can provide better insight. 

I suspect these were lightly imported and as a convertible, it was not in great demand.  Wealth was centralized in the hands of the Nazi party. If you were wealthy and in the party, then I doubt you buy a Cadillac 2 door, 3 seat convertible. 

This car may never have sold before hostilities got going in 1939 and may have gotten bombed and was never sold. 

[Steve Passmore]

I think we can now be certain it's taken in Germany, what with the 'milk' sign and someone has also translated the words in the showroom window to 'Once in a lifetime opportunity'
Could be a leftover car? Could be a secondhand car? that's if the photo date of 1939 is to be believed. Can't imagine anyone buying a car like that in 1939 when we were at war but who knows.   My guess is it's either a 1937 or 38 picture and they knew what was coming.
In case anyone's in any doubt about the year of the car please don't take my word for it but make your own comparisons against my car.

[Jim Miller]

Beautiful automobile.

[Steve Passmore]

Thanks Jim.

[6262]

I do not recognize the exact location but I am pretty sure it is the Kurfuerstendamm in Berlin.

There are not many streets in Germany with sidewalks that wide. It still looks very similar today.

I would also be the logical place to sell an exotic foreign luxury car.

https://cdn1.pureglam.tv/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/KEMPI-Berlin-Das-Kempinski-Hotel-Bristol-Kurfuerstendamm-Kudamm-Fasanenstrasse-Geschichte-014.jpg

[Steve Passmore]

You could well be right there Nils. thanks for posting.

[chrisntam]

New 37 convertible just waiting for a new owner.

Very cool pic!

Thanks for posting it.  Its fun to look back at the past.

[Steve Passmore]

It's thanks to Quentin Hall who first posted it on facebook.