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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Cars in Yards: 1957 Cadillac with Elvis’ touch


How often do you see a 1957 Cadillac hardtop coupe bought by Elvis Presley parked on the roadside? This long-suffering Cadillac’s current owner, Herman, bought the car from an old friend of Elvis Presley’s mother. The story goes like this. “Elvis bought the car for a friend of his mama,” Herman told me. “Elvis’ mama’s friend lived in Center Point, Alabama,” when Herman bought the car, “25 or so years ago.” When I circled the Cadillac I felt the year ’75 recessed in the car’s rusty 'Heart of Dixie'  license plate. Herman had plans to restore the car when he bought it. Those plans took a backseat for a quite few years. He still hopes to get the Cadillac out of the weather before it’s too late. The car remains a landmark of sorts for area residents but how many of them know that Elvis Presley, the king of rock ’n roll, once held onto its keys? 

For three decades this Harley Earl-designed Caddy has been standing watch at the end of a long dirt driveway not far from Herman’s business. People stop and ask if the car is for sale often. It’s not hard to wonder why. The car was once a majestic piece of General Motor's chrome-laden legacy. Elvis’ Cadillac connection may inspire someone to make Herman an offer he can’t refuse. Right now the legend and legacy of a 1957 Cadillac coupe lives on a well-traveled road in the most populated county in the state of Alabama.

If you know more about this car or want to share your cool car stories and photos send them here. Click on images for larger photos.




















4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Elvis was always buying cars for folk, so there might be some truth in the story, it is a great symbol of the fifties and would be well worth restoring, as it's apart of history and that culture. Hope it get's done and you post the pics!!!

Anonymous said...

I restore cars professionally here in Mt Dora,Florida. I would take on the challenge to restore this Caddy to Showroom Condition. My shop is known for taking these and making those proud of days gone by. If the owner is interested, I would be honored to fulfill his lifelong dream of getting his "Baby" back on the road.....one more time again......

Ken
Mt Dora Jeeps
Mt Dora,Florida
kenkirker007@aol.com

Anonymous said...

When I was a Kid in the late 1960s there was a Guy Named "DIGGER ODALE" Who had a market and Gas Station on Hwy 431 outside of Phenix City Alabama. He had bought Elvis Presleys first Cadillac a Purple 1955 Convertible at a Charity Auction. They had it at the Gas Station as a Tourist attraction under a wooden Carport. Over the years the Carport fell in thru the roof of the car, the car was ignored and finally just pulled out into a field for 10 years or so. It was finally rescued and restored. Just thought I would share my story of a Elvis car.

Anonymous said...

Sorry that was a 1956 not a 55 Cadillac.