Vehicle Description
Purchased new by Los Angeles resident Pierre La Vine on May 12,
1955, this amazing 1955 Cadillac Coupe de Ville with a special
order Eldorado leather interior is a true survivor with less than
49k original miles. I am only the third owner of this truly unique
piece of automotive history. Pierre was a middle class guy who
pampered this car until his passing in 1999, leaving it with only
17k miles on the odometer. When I met his widow, Charlotte, in
2002, she told me he would let it warm up completely in their
modest one car garage prior to taking it out for a drive, and then
only on days with zero chance of rain. Adding to that, she also
told me that if by chance she and/or their daughter happened to be
joining him for a drive, he kindly asked them not to "touch
anything" while in the car. This car was his pride and joy! After
Pierre's passing, Charlotte (who never had a driver's license) sold
both the Cadillac and Pierre's daily driver (Lincoln) to a neighbor
who had grown up just a few houses down and always admired the
Caddy as a young man watching it slowly cruising up and down their
Blythe Ave neighborhood. From 2000 to early 2002 the car simply
moved a few garages down the street but still was cherished and
rarely driven. In early 2002 I had decided to look for a late 50's
Cadillac and was fortunate enough to find the car I would
affectionately refer to as "Sophi." I flew to LA and fell in love -
the car at that time had 17,165 miles! Over the past 19 years I've
traveled over 30k miles behind her wheel and have accumulated
nearly as many memories, including an epic East to West Rt. 66 road
trip with a swing through Las Vegas and returning through the Rocky
Mountains on the way back to WI. Countless car shows, the pinnacle
being honored as the "poster car" for the first ever "Elvis Presley
Motor Classic" event held in 2010, where Sophi was awarded "Best
Original" and was photographed outside the front doors of
Graceland, looking VERY much at home, I might add. As she sits
today, with 48,475 miles, I would not hesitate to jump in and drive
across the country. Coker wide whites are only 4 years old with
very few miles. Brakes are like new. Stainless exhaust from front
to back after the Rt. 66 trip still keeps her as quiet as a Caddy
should be. She's just as comfortable cruising for hours at 70mph as
she is 35. A Pertronix ignition is about the only "non-stock"
change I made. A full service of all fluids was done in 2015. I
have every receipt going back to 2002, as well as the full report
from the Cadillac Archives in Detroit documenting her "special
order" lineage, build date of 4/27/55, and complete ownership
history down to the days. On the day I became the third owner, I
was able to share a few minutes with Pierre's widow, Charlotte, and
I sure wish I could go back and spend a few more - so many
questions that I wish I had thought to ask! But the memories she
did share proved to me that this was a special automobile that had
always been cared for like a queen. I will let the pictures speak
for themselves. Wedgewood Mist Green (80) beneath a Pecos Beige
(42) top. She is a beautiful survivor who has aged gracefully.
Paint, chrome, and Eldorado leather (95) interior have never been
restored. All gauges and lighting in working order. Beautiful dash
lights after dark! There is some wear, mainly in the driver's area,
most notably the split seam on the seat back and the carpeting in
the footwell area. Other minor items to mention include the power
window on the passenger side only operates from the driver's master
switch, clock is inop; WonderBar radio did work when disconnected
in 2003 in favor of a hidden stereo/CD player in the glovebox,
connected to a disc changer in the trunk. Autronic eye may or may
not work, never cared to try. Heater only blew warm on one side
last time I tried some years back. All in all, she is a no-excuses
cruiser ready for a trip across town or state, wherever you'd like
to take her!
