Eldo at LA auto show 1954

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

http://gt350lady.com/images/CAR%20SHOWS/image058.jpg
This is what you do with a brand new Eldo in 1954. Does this car still exist?
Bob

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

Bob,

Up until his death I believe it was in his Las Vegas museum......Proof that taste should not e confused with money.

Ralph

[Davidinhartford]

A web search came up with these two pics.

[Davidinhartford]

And this article;

http://chromundflammen.de/szene-live/motor-features/detailansicht/article/celebrity-caddy.html

[R Schroeder]

Why does Bob's picture look different. Was the car changed by someone over the years .
Roy

[Davidinhartford]

Well,  apparently it wasn't flashy enough (as delivered by GM) for Liberace and he had it striped and the piano fender ornaments added.

[Davidinhartford]

Bob,

Up until his death I believe it was in his Las Vegas museum......Proof that taste should not e confused with money.

Ralph

Correct.  After his death, 13 of his cars were sold in the Estate sale. 

[Dave Ventresca]

It is rather obvious, that the 54 eldo in the Bob's opener article is an early 54, and the other eldo is a late 54. also notice the location of the candelabra in one car and it' s a minorah(sp.) in the other. 2 totally different cars.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Dave,
Good observations. However, the posting by David Smith of 2 plus 1 pictures are of the late car & the group of 4 pictures are the car I posted at the show. So... what happened to the early show car?
Bob

[Davidinhartford]

Seems unlikely that someone would fake a second car.   As far as we know there aren't two of them around today.    It does seem plausible that the original car was repainted since 1954.      It could just be that some of the trim was also changed when the car had the paintwork done and those piano fender toppers added.     The original version was stock outside other than the continental kit.    What good is that in Vegas?  LOL

[Quentin Hall]

Dave V is correct. They are two different cars. The first is an early series Eldo with the "wing vent flaps" and the second car the latter style with the "fixed vent frame".
I remember seeing a video about the latter car being in Germany.

[Davidinhartford]

Dave V is correct. They are two different cars. The first is an early series Eldo with the "wing vent flaps" and the second car the latter style with the "fixed vent frame".
I remember seeing a video about the latter car being in Germany.

Wow!    I didn't notice the vent windows being different!    You've convinced me.  The second car is a fake!     Huh. I wonder where the original one went?