Chassis No.
536262805
The years immediately following World War II marked one of the most exciting periods in automotive history. With peace restored and the American economy flourishing, manufacturers found themselves no longer constrained by wartime production, allowing designers and engineers to imagine automobiles unlike anything seen before. Consumers, eager to embrace the future, were captivated by bold styling, advanced technology, and the promise of a new era of motoring. Across the Atlantic, Italy's celebrated coachbuilders, which included the likes of Pinin Farina, Touring, Ghia, and Zagato, were producing elegant, hand-crafted automobiles that blended artistry with performance, while in America, manufacturers looked toward increasingly dramatic designs that reflected the nation's optimism and prosperity.
Most evident of this shift was at General Motors, where legendary Design Chief Harley Earl transformed the automobile into a symbol of aspiration as much as transportation. Through the company's annual Motorama exhibitions, GM unveiled a succession of spectacular dream cars that introduced the public to futuristic styling themes, innovative engineering concepts, and luxury features that would influence production automobiles for years to come. Vehicles such as the Bonneville Special, Le Sabre, and Ghia Coupe, demonstrated that the boundaries of automotive design were limited only by imagination, inspiring enthusiasts and collectors alike while fueling America's growing fascination with bespoke automobiles and European-inspired grand touring machines. It was within this atmosphere of post-war optimism and design innovation that this remarkable Cadillac, known around the world as Elegante, would come to life.
Inspired by the excitement surrounding America's dream cars and Europe's finest coach-built automobiles, noted commercial artist Harry Birdsall envisioned creating a luxury convertible coupe unlike anything offered by Detroit. Joining forces with his friend, contractor, and importer J Mascari, the pair selected a 126-inch wheelbase 1953 Cadillac Series 62 chassis, and its 331-cubic-inch V-8 engine and four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission as the foundation for their ambitious project. The pair also retained GMs innovative Electro-Hydraulic system to operate its windows and clever convertible hardtop. Harry Birdsall sketched the initial design, and then turned the project over to Albrecht von Grtz, who had recently opened his own design studio, Grtz Industrial Design.Grtz had been encouraged by his mentor, legendary designer Raymond Lwy, to open his own studio in New York City.Elegante was most likely the first automotive design from his new studio. Two years later he was recruited by none other than famous importer Max Hoffman to design two cars for BMW: the 503 and the legendary Type 507. Grtz was also one of the first non-Japanese designers hired by Japanese automotive manufacturers to assist them in creating more worldwide, generally-accepted designs.
The final design was sleek and sophisticated, one that married Cadillac's proven engineering with distinctly European proportions and restrained elegance. With the design ready to be crafted, and Mascaris personal connections from importing speedboats from Italy, construction was entrusted to respected coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Rocco Motto of Turin, Italy. Taking a reported 30 months and $30,000 to finish, an astonishing figure during the mid-1950s, the hand-formed aluminum body is truly that of its name, Elegante. To complement the aerodynamic body, the chassis was lightened and lowered by eight inches, resulting in a sleeker profile. Among its most striking bespoke details are the hydraulically-operated, disappearing retractable hardtop, lavish leather interior, a Lucite steering wheel, custom-made bronze castings with gold-plated exterior trim, and the wraparound windshield with built-in window vents. Of course, there are countless other appointments that reflected the craftsmanship of Italy's finest, Motto.
When this one-off Cadillac concept was brought back to the U.S. shores, it made its public debut at the 1955 New York International Auto Show, where it caused quite the stir being displayed on a rotating platform. Published in the April 28, 1955, issue of *The New York Times,* the headline read, GOLD-PLATED CAR BECOMES A FACT; $30,000 Cadillac Is Star Of Yonkers Show. Elegante was enjoyed by Harry until his early passing at the age of 49 in 1960, when it was then acquired by Mascari who sold it to a fellow speed boat racer.
This singular example would then be sold to Stan Marks, a road construction executive and Orange Bowl Committee president. The Birdsall family made many attempts to purchase Elegante, but Stan Marks refused to sell, as he had fallen in love with its incredible craftsmanship. Mr. Marks would pass in 1990, but his widow, Irene Marks would retain this Cadillac until 1992 when it was finally acquired by Richard Dicky Birdsall, the youngest son of Harry, the original creator. Upon his purchase, the coachwork of Elegante had mellowed and weathered, so he set out on a comprehensive and correct restoration, bringing the car back to its original form that his dad had originally crafted. Dicky was a talented, lifelong fabricator of custom cars, and had won many awards throughout the years in shows all over the United States. He was the perfect man for the job. It took him 16 years to perform the exquisitely accurate restoration. More than just an accurate representation, he restored it mechanically to as-new operating condition. A true labor of love, Elegante would make its second public debut upon completion at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours dElegance where it captured the Peoples Choice Award. This concept would go on to win various other awards and be displayed at a limited number of events during that same time period as its Amelia Island appearance.
Included with the sale of this concept car is a custom-built enclosed Pegasus Race trailer that features air-conditioning and a power lift gate for effortless loading, unloading, and transportation. Along with the trailer, the next caretaker will also receive various period photos that include Elegante when on the stand at the New York Auto Show, photos while it was in Mottos shop, a copy of the article in the *New York Times*, a copy of the cover of *MotorSports* when it was featured in 1955, restoration photos, and a scale model by Brausi which was limited to just 200 examples produced worldwide.
Today, Elegante stands as an exceptional survivor from an era when imagination knew few limits and craftsmanship outweighed production efficiency. Equally at home on the concours show field, in a museum, or among the finest automobile collections, it represents an exceedingly rare opportunity to acquire one of the more ambitious coach-built Cadillacs created. A singular opportunity and being offered publicly for the first time since its conception, Elegante embodies the creativity, optimism, and artistry that truly defined the golden age of custom concept coachbuilding.
* A one-off custom concept car known around the world as Elegante
* Featured at the 1955 New York International Auto Show and published in*The New York Times*
* Designed by Albrecht von Grtz who further designed the legendary BMW Type 507
* Recipient of a comprehensiveand correct restoration
* Peoples Choice Award winner at the 2014 Amelia
