1956 Cadillac "Maharani" show car

[jerry c.]

The New Times web site (NYTIMES.COM) has a good slide show of the 1956 Cadillac Maharani show car....go to Autos section of the site, on the right hand side.

[Gergely Szentmartony 25603]

Does anybody have a photo of 1956 Cadillac Maharani at its actual location of the 1956 Motorama?
I've been searching for a photo like that but could not find any.
There's not too many 1956 Motorama photos on the web anyway. I found only this one below showing a huge crowd but I have no idea where and how was the Maharani Cadillac displayed.
I was also reading about three other Cadillac show cars like the Maharani (being the Maharani the only survivor) but I could not find the names and special features of them.
Could you please help me to find out?

[Otto Skorzeny]

Hi Gerg,

You might find some more information on Yann's website. He has the goods on all Cadilllac show cars and concept vehicles by year (along with regular production Cadillacs)

http://www.car-nection.com/yann/Dbas_txt/Drm56.htm

[Gergely Szentmartony 25603]

Of course, I always start with Yann's website if I am looking for information about Cadillac history. I found this photo there. However, I cannot find the info on the actual location where it was exhibited.
Somewhere I read that "The show's 63 exhibits and 26 production cars occupied 26,000 square feet of ballroom space plus adjoining rooms." In my opinion, the Maharani could not be in the Grand Ballroom.
It would be nice to see a photo where the Maharani Cadillac is surrounded with people in its actual place.
Unfortunately, I do not have the Bruce Berghoff’s book. Maybe there’s a photo like that there. I do not know.

By the way, I found the names of the other three 1956 exhibition Cadillacs: Castilian, Gala, Palomino. They are all mentioned and shown on Yann's website just as the Maharani.

[Alan Harris CLC#1513]

Those of us who were at the 2008 Grand National were lucky enough to see this car in person.  Lou, the Southpaw, was parked right next to it. 

One wonders what GM was thinking when they thought that a toaster and a kitchen sink were suitably glamorous accessories for a custom car.

Is there anyone here who can honestly picture the woman being chauffeurred around in that car making her own toast and washing her own dishes?   

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

 

One wonders what GM was thinking when they thought that a toaster and a kitchen sink were suitably glamorous accessories for a custom car.

Is there anyone here who can honestly picture the woman being chauffeurred around in that car making her own toast and washing her own dishes?   
[/quote]

 It was the same person that approved the ad showing a 55 Eldo conv. with the top DOWN and 2 ladies in winter clothes. They have their skies & poles stowed in the car. How STUPID!
Bob

[David King (kz78hy)]

You might check this poster to see if any of the cars you are interested are shown.

http://www.gmphotostore.com/Motorama-Poster-I/productinfo/P1120/

The GM photo store has a lot of stuff.

There are a few others listed in the auto show tab.  I did not take the time to look under the concept cars.

David

[Gergely Szentmartony 25603]

David,
Thank you for the tip.
I have checked them all but none of them is about the Maharani.
This is the best quality original photo I found. However, it does not show the location of the car but the Maharani's inside with the lady.

[Gergely Szentmartony 25603]

I almost forgot.
While searching for the photo I found this video about the 1956 Motorama. It is just fabulous.
I guess the Cadillac which is shown from 2:58 to 3:20 should be the Fleetwood Gala (Wedding Car).
Eldorado can also be seen live from 5:55 to 6:08.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_ccAf82RQ8
Don't forget the popcorn before clicking.

[Quentin Hall Australia]

    Now if Cadillac had only had the foresight to include a deep fryer, a potato chipper, a burger griddle (could convert to a herring smoker for the Norwegian Motorama), and a ketchup, thick shake and napkin dispenser and called it the "Burgerama ". . . .  I truely think it would have been well received by the American public.
     "Life on the highway, wind in your hair, wife by your side, cooking burger number 7, just the way you like it. New for 1956 Cadillac Burgerama"   

[Otto Skorzeny]

I think that would have been the Coupe de Grille.

I'm here all week, folks. Two shows on Saturday.

[Brad A. Ross]

It is interesting to note that Pontiac also had a 1963 Bonneville show car named "Maharani". This could make you wonder whether the designers of the Pontiac had something to do with the Cadillac Maharani. My apologies if this has already been mentioned.

http://www.highperformancepontiac.com/features/0408pon_1963_bonneville_maharani/index.html