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Dean Martin Wagon Cadillac?

Started by Floris55, August 14, 2017, 10:49:07 AM

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Floris55

Hello

I am trying to find out if my Cadillac de Ville Wagon 1972 was owned by Dean Martin. Does anyone knowes the history of this car? see enclosed picture

It is the same car as the Elvis one only the badges are not in Gold.

Does somebody knows which company made the wagon conversion?

Looking forward to your replies

F. de Raadt

Mike Josephic CLC #3877

I've seen these before, knew that Elvis had one but never Dean Martin (though that's
entirely possible -- there were a number of them made).

As to "who made it" -- most all of the custom coach builders put a small data plate
somewhere on the vehicle identifying their model, year and other data.  That is
normally on the drivers side doorframe somewhere but, depending on the maker,
could be most anyplace.  Do a thorough search and I'll be surprised it you do not find
one.  Check around the rear hatch area and under the hood, as well.

When I was active in judging, and a member had such a "custom build" in the show,
that was one of the first things we asked to see in order to authenticate the vehicle.

Mike
1955 Cadillac Eldorado
1973 Cadillac Eldorado
1995 Cadillac Seville
2004 Escalade
1997 GMC Suburban 4X4, 454 engine, 3/4 ton
custom built by Santa Fe in Evansville, IN
2011 Buick Lucerne CX
-------------------------------------
CLCMRC Museum Benefactor #38
Past: VP International Affiliates, Museum Board Director, President / Director Pittsburgh Region

Phil Weber

#2

Floris55

Quote from: Mike Josephic  CLC #3877 on August 14, 2017, 10:17:54 PM
I've seen these before, knew that Elvis had one but never Dean Martin (though that's
entirely possible -- there were a number of them made).

As to "who made it" -- most all of the custom coach builders put a small data plate
somewhere on the vehicle identifying their model, year and other data.  That is
normally on the drivers side doorframe somewhere but, depending on the maker,
could be most anyplace.  Do a thorough search and I'll be surprised it you do not find
one.  Check around the rear hatch area and under the hood, as well.

When I was active in judging, and a member had such a "custom build" in the show,
that was one of the first things we asked to see in order to authenticate the vehicle.

Mike


Thank you for your answer, till now I could not find such a data plate but I will search further

Floris55

Quote from: Phil Weber on August 14, 2017, 10:23:52 PM
Some info here on wagons. Interesting article .

http://oldhippiewillie.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/doug-youngs-1972-cadillac-wagon-way.html

Phil

Thank you for you information, so it is probably a ASC

can someone confirm this statement   "In 1972 ASC built two of these custom vehicles, one for Elvis and the other for singer Dean Martin. The whereabouts of Dean’s car is unknown."



Floris55



Doe anybody know how I can contact Ken Lucci of Bellaire Beach, Florida? Former owner of the Elvis car he seems to know more about my Dean Martin Wagon Cadillac?

Phil Weber

You can find him on Facebook.

Phil

D.Smith

#7
Dean Martin had a custom Cadillac wagon, but it was an earlier Eldorado version.    I've never seen or heard of him having a later model one.

Below: Singer Dean Martin's car and driver outside The Candy Store on May 1, 1970 in Beverly Hills, California.

Floris55

Quote from: D.Smith on August 15, 2017, 08:15:11 AM
Dean Martin had a custom Cadillac wagon, but it was an earlier Eldorado version.    I've seen or heard of him having a later model one.

Below: Singer Dean Martin's car and driver outside The Candy Store on May 1, 1970 in Beverly Hills, California.

Thank you for the nice pictures, still it is possible that he owned later a 1972 model

Floris55

Quote from: Phil Weber on August 15, 2017, 04:34:08 AM
You can find him on Facebook.

Phil

I cannot find him on Facebook, can you please send me the link of his facebook page?

Phil Weber


Floris55

Quote from: Phil Weber on August 15, 2017, 04:35:45 PM
Here is the facebook link.

https://www.facebook.com/ken.lucci.5

Phil

Thank you very much I have sendt  him  a message, hope he knows more and that he will reply

Phil Weber

Found this website devoted to Cadillac Wagons

http://www.cadillacstationwagon.com/

Give them a go for info.

Also try Google search on your VIN number.

Phil


D.Smith

 I've been tracking Custom Cadillac wagons for years.    I've got 546 photos of them in my archives from online classified listings and car shows.     Aside from the 1970 Eldorado wagon Barris made for him, the only other one to come up with a Dean Martin claim was a 76 Fleetwood wagon, but the seller had zero documentation to back up the claim.

I honestly think that what happens is some people recall that Dean Martin had a Cadillac station wagon (the 1970 Eldorado wagon) and non-car people don't have a clue to years and models.  So anytime they see a custom Cadillac wagon they say :"Hey you know Dean Martin had one. Maybe this one is it?"   And of course as they are so rare everyone gets excited on the thought they may have his car.   So they then tell people "This could be his car" when there is no proof.   

If you find some photos with him and your car that would be great!  Please share them with us so we can document him as the owner.     

These wagons were time consuming to convert.  So only 3 or 4 were made a year by any particular company.  I'd be surprised if more than 6 a year were made by all coachbuilders combined.    They were very costly too.    So regardless of who bought it new, you have a rare car.  And something to be proud of.

My gallery of Cadillac wagons: https://www.flickr.com/groups/1158735@N25/pool/

Floris55

Hello D.Smith,

Thank you for your complete explanation. and link to your nice collection pictures of  wagon Cadillac's.

It is not me who is saying that my car could be Dean Martin's one. it is mentionned on several places on the internet in combination with the car of Elvis, for example on the website of Mecum, on youtube and others:

https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail/FL0111-103052/0/1972-Cadillac-Station-Wagon/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBxDddbxbPA


https://oldhippiewillie.blogspot.nl/2011/05/doug-youngs-1972-cadillac-wagon-way.html?showComment=1467623592121#c7779164318255664699

I am wondering if the satement that only 2   1972 Cadillac wagon were made and that the other was made for Dean Martin is true?

I am certainly enjoying the car, I love shooting Brakes and having a coach build pillarless wagon is like a dream !