That V-16 coupe was rescued from the scrapper in 1959 after it ran in a demolition derby. The teenager who did the rescue back then just passed away this past summer. His dad had the welding concession at the racetrack outside Chicago, so he had access to the cars. From time to time, he would snag one of the big classics before they were sent to be cut up after the demolition derby. In those days people considered them big, goofy used cars. He'd park the ones he grabbed on some land his father owned. When his dad sold the property, the cars were sold. This Cadillac eventually made its way to Sonny Elliott, protege of the famous "Cadillac Jim" Pearson. Sonny restored the car and it took second in its class at Pebble Beach a couple of years ago. Quite a comeback.
Chris Cummings
