Factory contintental kit for 1956?

[Charlie Petty]

Did the factory offer a continental kit in 1956?  If so, anyone have a pic of it?  If not, who where the major manufacturers?  Any pics?  THANKS A LOT.

[Walter Youshock]

I think it was a dealer option.  I think an aftermarket company mad them and were approved by GM.

In '57, there were 2 styles--one where the entire bumper was extended and another where just the center bumper bar was changed to accommodate the tire.

[35-709]

This has been discussed before and as I remember the bottom line is the factory never offered a continental kit, they have always been aftermarket.

[Conny]

Did the factory offer a continental kit in 1956?  If so, anyone have a pic of it?  If not, who where the major manufacturers?  Any pics?  THANKS A LOT.

Take a look here: http://www.fenderskirtking.com/ContinentalKits/

Conny

[Warren Rauch]

 This was discussed, but the short story is Cadilac only offered them for part of 1957. There were non GM types  installed by Cadillac Dealers , and Cadillac in 1954 issued a letter asking them not to do it.Try the search  feature on this forum, it should turn up something. Warren

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Whilst searching around all the Continental Kit equipped vehicles when I went to the '02 GN, I was amazed at all the different types, and their methods of attachment and locking.

Very few had a "Factory" look about them.

I do know that the Chevrolet ones were built with quality in mind, and every one I have seen was all controlled and locked the same way.

Bruce.

[Walter Youshock]

Here's a little dealer piece from 1957...

Personally, the only GM car that looks good with a Continental kit is a '58 Chevy.

No idea who made thes, but they must have been good enough.

[Charlie Petty]

Thanks to all for the responses.  Walter, that brochure is really neat.  Now why didn't Cadillac call them Continental kits like everyone else???   

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The type shown in the Brochure is nothing like I have seen before.

What I have seen are either the "Full-bumper-move-back-with horrible fillers" or the adapted or modified "late '50's" Chevrolet type, whicl although they look very nice, lok nothing like the one shown for 1958.

I am actually going to construct one for my 1972 Eldorado Convertible, but doing something a tad different.

Hopefully, I will be able to complete it, and post pictures within the next 10 years, or early 2010.

Bruce.

[Walter Youshock]

Why weren't they called "Continental" kits--

Probably for the same reason Lincoln Anglicized "Sedan deVille" into "Town Car"!!!

As a Lincoln trademark from Edsel himself, Ford (Lord, help me...) did a decent job incorporating the feature into the Continentals for a long time.  BUT:  Cadillac was about FINS, not spare tires!

Have you ever heard of "Gilding the Lily"?

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

I tend to agree with Walt. I used to like all that bolt on stuff, unity spotlights , continental kits etc., but a 50's Cadillac doesn't need any of that. In my opinion these things look like just what they are - bits bolted on. I really don't like those kits that move the bumper out. Anyway, enough of my rants , each to their own !!
Phil

[Cadcliff]

Here is a picture of a stunning, well thought out 56 Cadillac "spare tire carrier".
Made by the Huddleston Company out of Ohio ( I think).

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

I must admit, that one looks much nicer than the type I previously mentioned that moves the whole bumper outwards.
Phil

[Cadcliff]

This seems to be the ONE kit that can change those that dont like Continental Kits.
I have had 2 cars with this style kit on it, I still have one loose kit on my shelf....NOS with the instructions.

[Otto Skorzeny]

Try putting luggage in the trunk with one of those things on there.