Tuesday 7 June 2011

Two 1959 Classics

It has been a tough week and very emotional, but more of that tomorrow perhaps.


I must be feeling a bit better as I finally brought my 59 Caddy out into the sunshine after almost a year of hibernation in the bat cave (my garage). I have been lucky enough to own my dream car since I was 16….of course it was in pieces when we first met.


A freshly charged battery and some high test dribbled into the centre carburetor to prime it (she has the rare Q engine option otherwise known as, tri-power, three 2 barrel carbs). I am pleased to report she fired right up. After a quick check of vital fluids and tire pressures we were ready for a test drive around the block.


Later that day I took her for a late night drive along Lakeshore road with the top down. Sublime, the cool night air off the Lake Ontario, lights twinkling on the far shore and the 390 cubic inch big block purring, I could have driven all night.


The next day my friend Natasha dropped by and we took the Caddy for a spin. I picked up the children from school on Monday and after dinner we drove to a local cruise night. I swear the car has had more use in the last few days than all of last year.


I first fell in love with 1959 Cadillacs when I was at boarding school in the UK. Not long after I saw my first 59 Caddy I caught the 1966 film Funeral in Berlin and spotted well you can guess…



Bonus points for seeing the irony in Harry's embarrassment at explaining the contents of his sample case.


As a change from my usual rockabilly related selections here is The Little Sparrow from her 1959 appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. I just watched the bio pic La Vie En Rose, a great film that moves back and forth in time culminating in the performance of at the Paris Olympia in 1960. Such a terrible and sad childhood but what a voice.



Hugs,

April

1 comment:

  1. Hi April,

    Beautiful car. I remember it well. Remember when it came out even. Those big beautiful fins and bullet tail lights. And a convertible no less. The introduction of the new car lines used to be a real big todo. Not anymore. Maybe because there isn't much to look forward to. You sure have an impressive collection.

    Wish I still had my 55 Chevy and 70 Camaro. I started to restore my Dad's 46 Chevy pickup, but some kid hit him with a 59 Chevy one night and totaled it. Back in the 60's you couldn't straighten frames like today, and parts weren't readily available.

    Nice post anyway,

    I'm still praying for you and your family,

    Hugs,

    Cynthia

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