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1953 Cadillac 7533X Limo

Started by Jim Black #21089, June 11, 2005, 06:34:53 PM

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Jim Black #21089

Need some help. I have just purchased the above car and have a few questions. I am sure as I have time and Tropical Storm Arlene leaves, that I will have a lots more. The car underwent a complete frame off resto 10 years ago and has had limited use since then. 1) How does the divider window work and where are the controls? The previous owner had no idea. 2)There is a floor mounted switch directly above the headlight dimmer switch. What does this do? 3)There is a control knob directly below the windshield wiper knob. What does this do? 4)Also, in the back seat, there is a red button between the window controls and a switch type button that rotates. What do these do? Well, well start with these. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks

Ray F CLC #21128

Hi Jim â€" congratulations on your new toy.

I own a 1952 7533X with coachwork by Derham, and with the notable addition of air conditioning in 1953 (requiring 12 volt electrics), and a slightly different front clip, I think our two cars are very similar.

In my 1952 7533X, the division window is hydraulically controlled, by the same hydraulic pump that elevates to side windows.  There are no controls for the division window in the front chauffeur compartment; only the rear passengers can raise and lower the division.   This was considered a mid-century security measure to protect the rear passengers from potentially nefarious plots by their chauffeur (that’s also why the right passenger door is keyed separately from the rest of the car).  Two rocker switches, a cigarette lighter, and an ashtray are grouped on the outboard armrest on each side of the rear settee.  The outer most rocker switch controls the rear side window; the inner most rocker switch controls the division window.

The mystery control knob below the wiper control is called the “fog light control switch.”   This may function slightly differently in your 1953 compare to my 1952, because the 1952 has its front turn lamps/fog lamps/parking lamps are all integrated into one unit.  In my car, the mystery knob turns to dim the front fog/parking lights.  When the main headlight switch is in the middle parking setting, this mystery control knob is rotated to dim (but not extinguish) the fog lights.

There is no second floor switch above my headlight dimmer switch, but I think this second floor switch was an optional tuning knob for the signal seeking radio.

I think the red button and the rotating button in the rear compartment are optional rear controls for the radio â€" red for on/off and rotating for tuning.

Now I have a question for you:  Does your 7533X have front bumper parade mounts for diplomatic flags?  If so, how are they designed?

Hope this helps.  Send some photos of your land yacht to me at owner@yachtsilverswan.com.

Jim Black #21089

Thanks very much for the reply. The radio control knobs dont work right now, but maybe with a little work I can get them working. The division controls do not work at all. I wonder if the switches are simply bad or perhaps the hydraulics need attention. As soon as our weather clears today, I will begin investigating these things. I do not have the parade mounts on mine. Didnt realize they were available. Thanks again, youve been very helpful. Jim Black

Warren Rauch

    THe second dimmer switch button is part of the automatic head light beem controls. Pushing it when the system is in low beam will put you in high beam as long as it is held down, I think . Check the owners manual if you have a copy. Warren

John Niederhauser

Ray and Jim,

I am trying to obtain any information you may have come across regarding a 1952 Cadillac Series 75 Derham Limo, allegedly owned new by President Eisenhower for escorting dignitaries. There is information about a Fleetwood for his inaugural parade in 1952, but nothing else.  Thanks for any help you can give. I have seen this vehicle being restored and am trying to help the owner.  John N. email: johndtr6@charter.net

Ray F

Evening John - heres a link to a photo of my 1952 Derham

http://www.cadillaclasalleclub.org/cpg132/displayimage.php?album=topn&cat=0&pos=0 TARGET=_blank>http://www.cadillaclasalleclub.org/cpg132/displayimage.php?album=topn&cat=0&pos=0

and a painting of the car by automotive artist John Lander:

http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=derhampaintingps1.png TARGET=_blank>http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=derhampaintingps1.png


I have not heard the story of the 52 Derham you described, but would like to hear more.  Im particularly interested to learn how the Diplomatic Flag Masts in these cars were designed and installed.  Send me some photos of your friends Derham - Id really like to see the car.  I was under the impression that President Eisenhowers 1953 Inaugural Parade was famously led by a 1953 Cadillac Eldorado convertible with Ike aboard.  I did know that many of the 1952 (non-Derham) Fleetwoods were purchased by the US Government for diplomatic use.

Pictures, John - we want pictures.

Ray
yachtsilverswan@mindspring.com

John N

Ray,

I emailed separately. Yes, I believe that it was either a Fleetwood or Eldorado Ike was conveyed in for the inaugral.

Thanks again. Hope to be in touch.  John

Jack L

I have a 1952 Cadillac Derham limo and the switch above the dimmer switch operates the air horn on my car. Does your car have an air horn if not perhaps it did at one time.