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1953 Cadillac Derham Imperial Limousine Info request

Started by bongo7777, March 22, 2013, 09:16:11 PM

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bongo7777

My son and myself recently purchased a 53 Cadillac Derham Limousine and imported it here in Melbourne, Australia.  It has 32K miles and in very nice condition (one repaint a number of years ago)
Does anyone know how many 53 Limousines Derham modified?  It is hard to find much at all about the Derham Company.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Graham.
Graham Waddingham.
1941 Cadillac Sedanette, 1942 Sedanette, 1955 Fleetwood, 1955 Meteor Hearse,
1956 Sedan DeVille, 1956 Fleetwood 75, 1956 Eldorado,
1957 Fleetwood, 1957 Eldorado, 1958 Fleetwood 75 series, 1959 75 Limousine, 1960 Flat Top, 1960 Limousine, 1960 Fleetwood, 1960 convertible. 1953 Cadillac 75 Imperial Derham, 1949 Cadillac Imperial,

okccadman

Beautiful 53!  All Derham archives were donated to the AACA Museum.  i wa sable to obtain copies of some photos of 1956 and 1958 Cadillacs when researching my 56 Derham but was told no production or sales records are available.
Jim Jordan CLC# 5374
Oklahoma City, OK

55 Series 62 Sedan
56 Series 62 Coupe
56 Fleetwood 75 Derham Limo
59 Fleetwood Sixty Special
66 Fleetwood Brougham
66 Superior Hearse/Ambulance
67 Fleetwood Sixty Special
68 Fleetwood Eldorado
76 Coupe de Ville d'Elegance
90 Brougham
92 Fleetwood Coupe
93 Allante
94 Fleetwood Brougham
02 Eldorado Commemorative Edition


bongo7777

Thanks for your help.
I did contact Dale wells at CCCA Museum a couple of months ago and he explained that most of the files were lost when the company closed it's doors. They were left in a warehouse to deteriorate, what a shame.
I just thought someone may have some knowledge of Derham and their vehicles in the 50's they could share.  I don't even know how many 53 Limousines were modified by Derham in 53.
I have found a couple of magazine articles that are interesting. Dream Cars 1953 has some info on Derham and also Motor Trend, June 53 has an article, but thats about it.
Graham Waddingham.
1941 Cadillac Sedanette, 1942 Sedanette, 1955 Fleetwood, 1955 Meteor Hearse,
1956 Sedan DeVille, 1956 Fleetwood 75, 1956 Eldorado,
1957 Fleetwood, 1957 Eldorado, 1958 Fleetwood 75 series, 1959 75 Limousine, 1960 Flat Top, 1960 Limousine, 1960 Fleetwood, 1960 convertible. 1953 Cadillac 75 Imperial Derham, 1949 Cadillac Imperial,

bongo7777

Just reading the 1953 Dream Cars magazine and it seems John D Rockefeller, Jr. Owned a black with white top 52 Limousine. I wonder where that is now??
Graham Waddingham.
1941 Cadillac Sedanette, 1942 Sedanette, 1955 Fleetwood, 1955 Meteor Hearse,
1956 Sedan DeVille, 1956 Fleetwood 75, 1956 Eldorado,
1957 Fleetwood, 1957 Eldorado, 1958 Fleetwood 75 series, 1959 75 Limousine, 1960 Flat Top, 1960 Limousine, 1960 Fleetwood, 1960 convertible. 1953 Cadillac 75 Imperial Derham, 1949 Cadillac Imperial,

Bill Caddyshack

I think this is a 1958 Derham. No badges. One repaint, I think. Comments?

bongo7777

It is without doubt a coach built/modified vehicle but, I am not sure it was done by Derham.  The rear window is not the shape that Derham used, they were more of an oval shape.
You may be able to track down where the car was sent when delivered new.  GM Archives may be able to tell you.
Whatever it is, it is rare!
Graham.
Melbourne, Australia.
Graham Waddingham.
1941 Cadillac Sedanette, 1942 Sedanette, 1955 Fleetwood, 1955 Meteor Hearse,
1956 Sedan DeVille, 1956 Fleetwood 75, 1956 Eldorado,
1957 Fleetwood, 1957 Eldorado, 1958 Fleetwood 75 series, 1959 75 Limousine, 1960 Flat Top, 1960 Limousine, 1960 Fleetwood, 1960 convertible. 1953 Cadillac 75 Imperial Derham, 1949 Cadillac Imperial,

Bill Caddyshack

Quote from: bongo7777 on May 17, 2014, 10:22:00 PM
It is without doubt a coach built/modified vehicle but, I am not sure it was done by Derham.  The rear window is not the shape that Derham used, they were more of an oval shape.
You may be able to track down where the car was sent when delivered new.  GM Archives may be able to tell you.
Whatever it is, it is rare!
Graham.
Melbourne, Australia.

Thanks, Graham, am asking for the build sheet. Do you have any links to Derham information?

All I know about this car is that it has been sitting for 10 plus years. I am going to be cleaning the fuel system today. It runs, but just barely, brakes are spongy and MC seems to be leaking, but no other leaks.

The top seems relatively new, but can't feel any rust bumps under it. Chrome is new or replated. Radio works! Interior is perfect, right patterns, but wrong material. No rust I can see.