1950s Cadillac fifth wheel parking concept.

[Eric S. Maypother #15104]

Interesting, I've seen these somewhere on-line before in a period video, I wonder how many were made and still out their.

http://www.wimp.com/fifthwheel/

[R Schroeder]

My cousin sent that to me the other day, but I couldnt figure out how to get it on here. Pretty neat.

[Tito Sobrinho]

Very interesting concept and the car shown is a 1951 which, didn't have power steering a feature incorporated in all 1952's Cadillacs.

[TJ Hopland]

I have seen that clip many times over the years.    Anyone ever see any more pictures or any technical information?  A hydrostatic drive for the wheel would seem ideal and then you had the hydraulic power there for the up down part.   I think that is about the time hydrostatic drives started to exist but I dont think they got popular till at least the 60's.   

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The funny thing about the unit is that is states that the vehicle's own drive shaft powers it, but I don't see the vehicle's rear wheels rotating as the vehicle is moving sideways.

Plus, it would be a real pain to have to remove the spare wheel to replace a puncture, and think of all that dust that is going to enter the trunk whilst driving on dusty roads, or even in the rain with the hole in place for the wheel to go downwards.

Bruce.