Why can’t rust be a finish?

This vintage 1947 Cadillac has an amazing finish that has been aged to perfection over the past 73 years. It’s truly a work of art. This car could never be replicated no matter how hard you tried! It was absolutely amazing watching this piece of history drive down the city streets in Rochester. The sound was amazing too! Find a minute to take it all in, the shape, the rough textures, and the strong build. Now try to image the sound that it would make. It makes a sound so unique yet so fitting for itself. This Cadillac sounds like so many different engines all at one time. It sounds like an old World War II tank as it’s coming up to speed and once it gets to speed it sounds faintly like a tractor with a lopey cam, all the while still sounding like a V8.

Did I say that it sounds like a tank? That’s because this flat head V8 engine was designed for American tanks used in World War II. It was later adapted and converted for pedestrian use. It’s such a rad piece of history!

So is this as good as it gets? Nope, there is still more to it’s story! This car was shipped out of the states early in it’s life time. Where it landed was South Africa! The car was owned by a film studio, but the studio’s specific uses for the car are unknown. The Cadillac’s owner Mike thinks that it was either used in films or to transport actors. Mike has still yet to find which, if any movies this car was used for. It was later shipped back stateside and sold. It sat outside for a long while until it was used for the owner’s son as transportation to his school prom.

It was hilarious how many second glances and attention this car received when I was shooting it. The Cadillac wasn’t just keeping Mike and I entertained, but it also captured the attention of several people driving by. In the few hours that I shot photos of this beast, we had at least 3 or 4 cars stop to either ask what it was or to share their stories and love for old Cadillacs. It was an amazing experience!