Caddy-Yak, Part III
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In the last few blog entries, we talked a lot about Cadillac, particularly the CTS. What we have to look forward to in that department is the CTS-v, and the not-yet-official-but-how-could-they-not-build-it CTS coupe. I was rummaging around in our photo archive the other day and found these two photos I thought you might enjoy.
Cadillac has a long history with Italian design house and coachbuilder Pininfarina. There were limos in the '30s, lots of projects in the 1950s and early '60s, even the (still handsome) Allante in the late '80s.
These photos show a four place coupe and convertible, which made the show-circuit rounds in 1958. While the four-headlight front end was less than successful (even the best make mistakes), the rest of the cars are elegant, tasteful, and luxurious. The coupe features an all-glass roof, and note the slim roof pillars, a Pininfarina trademark. The cabriolet gets sporty wire wheels, and just a hint of fin is seen at the edge of the rear fenders.
I'm not a fan of the XLR; The look is wrong, the interior doesn't measure up to cars costing half, and it's overpriced. Car buyers agree: One study I read said that its sales dropped 47 percent in 2007...and that was starting from a low volume number to begin with. That said, it's now one of the oldest designs in the Caddy lineup, and Ed Welburn and company will certainly do a better job of it next time around, should Cadillac decide to stay in the premium-roadster business.
Still, I wonder if a well-cut, Italian designer suit from Pininfarina wouldn't be a great way to fly. What do you think?
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