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NEWS
Jay O'Dell: Rare World War I era military Cadillac found
During World War I (1914-18) Cadillacs, Dodges and other passenger cars were supplied to the military. Until recently it was believed that no Cadillacs used by the U.S. Army survived.
A 1918 Cadillac, type 57 touring car was retrieved from a Spokane, Wash., storage facility, and its history unraveled. When it was found, it was in largely unrestored condition, and the military color and markings were still in place.
The man who owned the car acquired it in a trade. The car had previously belonged to a military collector. The car was stored but never touched for 70 years.
Cadillacs were being used and modified by the military as early as 1904. Some cars had machine guns mounted on top. This Cadillac is likely the first Cadillac used by American forces on French soil. It arrived in Brest, France, in August 1917.
The Cadillac was originally ordered by John Denison who traveled to France with the car. He and the Cadillac were still in France after the soldiers left in 1919. Denison and his Cadillac were in the Second and Third Battles of the Marne along with French troops.
Denison also drove Eleanor Roosevelt around France in 1918. Denison and Mrs. Roosevelt drove the Cadillac to French casinos and resorts and rented them for U.S. troops as places for relaxation and rest.
The U.S. government conducted an official test among vehicles in 1917 within the Texas desert. The Cadillac performed well. The Cadillacs, a seven-passenger touring car and a sedan were chosen by the government as the vehicles for military officers. There were approximately 2,000 cars shipped by the war's end. All vehicles were painted green.
The seven-passenger touring car was shipped from New York. The car is one of the earliest examples of U.S. military output directed toward France.
It is not known where the Cadillac was stationed after World War I. After 20 years it was sold for surplus in California during 1936. On that day the first civilian owner took possession of the car.
Jay O'Dell is a senior master judge and exhibitor of antique show cars. Suggestions for column content or other inquiries can be sent to him at P.O. Box 469, Lavalette, WV 25535.
