March 29, 2024

The Car History of Alex Beloff III

WHILE DELIVERING SOME CHOICE AUTOMOTIVE MEMORABILIA FROM MY ARCHIVES TO PETE KRELL OF PETE’S CLASSIC CARS, CONNIE AND I NOTICED THIS MOST IMPRESSIVE RWH CADILLAC FLEETWOOD BROUGHAM IN ACADEMY GREY WITH RED LEATHER.  IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND THE RED LEATHER ANYMORE AS THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE LEATHERS WERE ABOLISHED BY CADILLAC IN 1996 AS JUST TOO EXPENSIVE TO REDYE THE HIDES.  WE ARE LEFT WITH TAN, BLACK AND GREY.  THIS FLEETWOOD HAD A MOST DESIRABLE PEDIGREE.

THE ORIGINAL OWNER NEVER DROVE IT IN THE WINTER OR ON A WET STREET.  I HAVE A THREE INCH BINDER FULL OF EVERY DOCUMENT, OIL CHANGE, SERVICING, STATE INSPECTION RECEIPTS SINCE NEW.  IT IS EVIDENT TO ME THAT PERHAPS THE GENTLEMAN’S WIFE DID MOST OF THE DRIVING BECAUSE THE DRIVER’S DOOR REFLECTS NO SCRATCHES FROM A MAN’S WATCH, RINGS, OR FINGERNAILS.

THE CARPET AT THE SILL MOLDING ON DRIVER’S SIDE IS FREE OF ANY ABRASIONS OR CARELESSNESS.  OF COURSE THIS NON-SMOKING INTERIOR IS ABSOLUTE PERFECTION, NO SIGNS OF WEAR ANYWHERE INCLUDING UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

THE ORIGINAL PAINT AND THE ENTIRE ORIGINAL CAR HAS A SMALL ATTRACTIVE STATE OF TEXAS STICKER ON THE LEFT REAR QUARTER WINDOW THAT SAYS “MADE IN TEXAS BY TEXANS” – ARLINGTON ASSEMBLY PLANT.  MOST ALL RWD CADILLAC WERE MADE AT CLARK AVENUE DETROIT.  THESE REMAINING FLEETWOODS WERE ASSEMBLED AT THE NOW GM SURBURBAN TAHOE SUV  PLANT IN ARLINGTON.  IT IS A 5.7 LITER LT 1 TYPE CORVETTE V-8.

CADILLAC WAS SMART TO INSTALL THIS PROVEN RELIABLE HIGH PERFORMANCE ENGINE WITH THE FOUR SPEED HYDRAMATIC.  WERE I A JUDGE ON THIS CAR, I WOULD HAVE TO GIVE IT VERY CLOSE TO 100 POINTS.  EVERYONE IN GRAPEVINE KNOWS AND ADMIRES MY CAR.  LITTLE KIDS STOP AND SAY, HEY OLD MAN.  COOL CAR  THEY ARE ASTONISHED TO SEE A CAR WITH CHROME BUMPERS.

IT IS ABSOLUTE COMFORT FOR SIX ADULTS AND ADEQUATE LUGGAGE CAPACITY FOR FOUR SETS OF CLUBS.  I AM NOT A GOLFER.  ALAN AND LINDA WERE THE SECOND PEOPLE TO EVER SIT IN THE PRISTINE BACKSEAT.  PEGGY ON HER 80TH BIRTHDAY WAS THE FIRST!  IT IS GARAGE KEPT AND I DRIVE IT ABOUT 2,500 MILES A YEAR.  THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION GAVE THE OK TO INSTALL SPECIAL PLATES THAT READ “BELOFF” VIETNAM VETERAN.

THIS 1991 CADILLAC HAS 56,000 ORIGINAL MILES.   FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO LIKE TO REFER TO THIS AS THE BIG BOAT, IT IS 19’ 6” LONG.  FITS NICELY IN OUR 20’ GARAGE.  A NEW SUBURBAN OR THE INSANELY PRICED $100,000 PLUS ESCALADE WITH A HITCH IS 21.5’ AND WON’T FIT IN A GARAGE AND YOU DON’T NEED A LADDER TO GET INTO MY FLEETWOOD.  1992 WAS THE LAST YEAR FOR THIS UNMISTAKABLE CADILLAC BODY STYLE.

JOHN FOUST OF HONEST JOHN’S CADDY CORNER AND A CADILLAC LASALLE MEMBER HAS SUPPLIED ESSENTIAL CADILLAC PARTS WHEN NEEDED.   HIS OFFICE IS VERY IMPRESSIVE WITH CADILLAC MEMORABILIA.  I WAS HAPPY TO GIVE HIM MY CADILLAC MASTER DEALER PILLOW FOR HIS COLLECTION.

I HAVE THIS 1991 FLEETWOOD TO THIS DAY AND IT IS MY DAILY DRIVER. WHEN THE PONTIAC GRANDVILLE BROUGHAM CONVERTIBLE IS RESTORED AND I AM DRIVING IT, THEN I WILL CONSIDER MAYBE LETTING THE FLEETWOOD GO TO A NEW OWNER.

RETURN

 

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