1948 Cadillac Series 62 Saoutchik 3-Position Convertible Coupe
edited by David Barth, 25 November 2008.
Courtesy "The Auto Collections" showroom at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino in Las, Vegas, Nevada, USA. Photos were
taken 18 November 2008.
Identification number: 486234577
This car is one of two that was built.
Some of the most flamboyant and expensive coachwork ever to come out of France was created by
expatriate Russian cabinet maker, Jacques Saoutchik. Although firmly established before the beginning of World
War I, it was not until the 1920's that Saoutchik rose above most of his contemporaries.
After World War II, more
lavish and flamboyant designs were built by Saoutchik. In 1948, noted New York City furrier, Louis Ritter,
commissioned J. Saoutchik to execute a special convertible on a Cadillac chassis. The car was completed in time
to be displayed at the Paris Salon of 1949. The car stole the show and, after having it shipped back to New York,
Louis Ritter drove it to California. Ritter used the car around Beverly Hills for a number of months and then, as usual,
offered the car for sale.
It was then purchased by Harold McLean, a modest, retired Midwestern businessman living
in Santa Barbara, whose wife's favorite colors were lilac and purple, and where it was frequently seen.
This car is one of two 1948 series 62 Cadillac chassis that received similar coachwork. Of the two designs, this is
the more elaborate three-position convertible coupe creation. The car was recently restored to its national prize-winning
condition and in the same color and canework combination as when it was new. Among its many honors are first place
awards at A.A.C.A. and C.C.C.A. events and the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance.
At the time these photos were taken, the car was not for sale.
