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Cadillac Caliphs: 1932
    Don Lee handing over the keys to a V-12 Cadillac touring car. San Francisco, 1932. "Cadillac agency, NE corner ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/13/2015 - 1:12pm -

    Don Lee handing over the keys to a V-12 Cadillac touring car. San Francisco, 1932. "Cadillac agency, NE corner Van Ness & O'Farrell." The monumental exterior of Don Lee Cadillac. Note the "ISLAM" fezzes of these Masonic potentates. 5x7 glass negative by Christopher Helin. View full size. Man of Many AchievementsDon Lee was the exclusive Cadillac distributor for the West Coast and had a store in LA as well, where he had employed Harley Earl (having bought his LA facility) as a custom coachwork designer prior to the latter's going to GM to found its Art and Color operation, the first styling department in a major US auto manufacturer. Lee was also a pioneer radio broadcaster, operating KFRC (studios high atop the building in the background) as well as KHJ (LA)and (eventually) at least ten other stations. In 1931, he began experimental TV broadcasting from LA as well. He succumbed to a heart attack two years after this photo was taken, still in his 50s but having compiled accomplishments worthy of a very busy nonagenarian. Islam TempleThese fortunate new Cadillac owners are affiliated with Islam Temple, San Francisco Landmark #195, Ancient Order Nobles of Mystic Shrine. A building commissioned by the Shriners and designed by architect Thomas Patterson Ross. It was used for meetings and ceremonies 1918-1970 and later functioned as a small theater. It appears the key recipient is a PAST potentate of the Islam Temple, given the text on his fez. Maybe they'll use the car in parades but now they lean toward '70s-style Jeeps and minibikes. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Chris Helin, San Francisco)
Don Lee Cadillac: 1925
San Francisco, 1925. "Type V-63 Sedan at Don Lee Cadillac." Back when "power steering" was supplied by the chauffeur. 5x7 ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 03/22/2016 - 12:56pm -

San Francisco, 1925. "Type V-63 Sedan at Don Lee Cadillac." Back when "power steering" was supplied by the chauffeur. 5x7 glass negative. View full size. And Still ThereWhat a beautiful building! Don Lee, Purveyor to the StarsHis Los Angeles dealership, at least, had an adjunct custom coachwork activity, and it was therein where GM styling guru Harley Earl got his start in auto design. I suppose that Lee's San Francisco clientele could avail themselves of that service as well. But this factory body was imposing enough, and the price difference would probably have bought a nice cabin in the Sierras. Waterfowl were on the propertyBack when the Cadillac escutcheon was populated with ducks. Interesting LogoThe Don Lee logo with its copy "Expect Great Things" seems almost contemporary in both its design and concept. The model looks somewhat rakish with her hat slightly askew and the jolly look on her face. Even now, who wouldn't want to sit in a Cadillac? The reflection of the photo crews' legs in the car door is a nice informal touch. Power steering by "Armstrong"That's what we used to call it when I was a kid and they didn't all have power assisted steering! Could be quite the struggle in tight parking situations. V-63The Type V-63 identified all Cadillacs produced in both 1924 and 1925. To differentiate the two years the 1924s were sometimes known as V-63A, and the 1925s were known as V-63B. The car above looks like a Cadillac Custom Imperial. "Imperial" was the Cadillac designation for cars with a division windows between the driver and passenger compartments. The "Custom" models had the double belt moldings as well as the slightly sloping windshield. The drooping door handles should be horizontal. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Chris Helin, San Francisco)
Reduced Prices: 1924
San Francisco circa 1924. "Don Lee Cadillac agency -- N.E. corner Van Ness & O'Farrell." 5x7 glass negative by ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/17/2016 - 4:42pm -

San Francisco circa 1924. "Don Lee Cadillac agency -- N.E. corner Van Ness & O'Farrell." 5x7 glass negative by Christopher Helin. View full size. Harley EarlDefinitely custom bodied. Harley Earl was the manager of the Don Lee Cadillac Custom Body Shop during this period. They had a good market selling custom bodied Cadillac to the Hollywood elite. Four Door Hardtop Who knew there was Cadillac 4-door hardtop before 1956? Very interesting, I wonder if that was factory or custom bodied. Made in the ShadeThis Cadillac, probably a Type V 63 touring car, has an accessory fixed, but removable, hardtop. They were developed and popularized by Murphy Coachworks in Pasadena, California. They became generically known as "California Tops" regardless of by whom or where they were made 1924 Cadillac Town BroughamMy guess is that this gorgeous vehicle is a Town Brougham model. Usually the Brougham has a half roof leaving the driver in the sun or rain. (Same proportions in the rear as this). This variation seems to have opted for a full roof. There is no such body style as a full roof Brougham in the 1924 Cadillac advertisements. But clearly you could special order one because here it is. [This is a touring car with what was generally known as a "California top," an aftermarket or dealer-installed accessory that was a cheaper alternative to a closed car. - Dave] Very expensive (for the time)Below is a list of the 1924 Cadillac prices. Notice that the Touring car was the lowest priced (adding the roof probably added a few hundred). Today we could probably buy that with pocket change. Style No. Body Type Seating Price Weight NA 4-dr Touring 7 $3085 1945 kg NA 4-dr. Phaeton 4 $3085 1909 kg NA 2-dr. Roadster 2/4 $3085 1905 kg 5490 2-dr. Victoria 4 $3275 1991 kg 5380 2-dr. Coupe 2 $3875 1941 kg 5280 2-dr. Coupe 5 $3950 1986 kg 5270 4-dr. Sedan 5 $4150 2036 kg 5290 4-dr. Landau Sedan 5 $4150 2036 kg 5460 4-dr. Imperial Sedan 5 $4400 2091 kg 5260 4-dr. Suburban 7 $4250 2073 kg 5310 4-dr. Imp. Suburban 7 $4500 2109 kg 5470 4-dr. Sedan 7 $3585 2095 kg 5300 4-dr. Limousine 7 $4600 2109 kg 5370 4-dr. Twn. Brougham 7 $4600 2059 kg (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Chris Helin, San Francisco)
Don Lee Cadillac (Colorized): 1925
This is my version of this Shorpy photograph .. I was not to sure of the colors in the window, so I just took a shot at it. (Colorized Photos) ... 
 
Posted by Bugaboo - 05/14/2019 - 10:59am -

This is my version of this Shorpy photograph.. I was not to sure of the colors in the window, so I just took a shot at it. (Colorized Photos)
Expect Great Things: 1923
Dec. 27, 1923. "Don Lee Cadillac agency, corner Van Ness & O'Farrell." And a Model V-63 Phaeton, ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/13/2015 - 1:57pm -

Dec. 27, 1923. "Don Lee Cadillac agency, corner Van Ness & O'Farrell." And a Model V-63 Phaeton, approximating closed-car comfort with a variation on the "California top." 5x7 glass negative by Christopher Helin. View full size. 2-wheel go, 4-wheel stopHey, it looks like it even had front-wheel brakes! Very rare in '23. The Don Lee BuildingIt's significant. The Demi-SedanWow! Impressive sculpture over the door of the building. I'm trying to buy a '21 Franklin with this kind of body. It has a "California top" with removable window side panels. In the Franklin case (and others) this was called a "demi-sedan" It could be stripped down to make a touring car in the summer and panels added to create a semi-snug semi-sedan for winter time. Very similar to the 1922 model ... that my dad's cousin owned in the '60s: a gorgeous blue Model 62 touring car that started my lifelong fascination with antique automobiles. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Chris Helin, San Francisco)
Sweet Sixteen: 1931
San Francisco circa 1931. "V-16 at Don Lee Cadillac agency." A sixteen-cylinder leviathan beached on the shoals of the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/28/2016 - 10:42am -

San Francisco circa 1931. "V-16 at Don Lee Cadillac agency." A sixteen-cylinder leviathan beached on the shoals of the Great Depression. One of these cars might cost as much as 10 Chevrolets. 5x7 glass negative by Chris Helin. View full size. Reflections on a BumperThe photographer and his assistant, "Legs." Beached but far from Belly UpDespite the dire economic situation prevailing during that decade, Cadillac managed to keep the V-16 in production until the 1940 model year, even redesigning the engine in the late '30s. Marmon, alas, was not so fortunate, and the Peerless V-16 was stillborn. As a kid, I had the distributor cap from a deceased family member's '31 or '32 Caddy V-16. I used it for storing drafting pens, and it held a whole set very nicely. Still thereThe Cadillac dealership, one of many on San Francisco's Van Ness Avenue Auto Row has been converted into a multiplex that preserves the showroom's beauty. It was priced at just over $1 per poundWeighing in at 165 pounds shy of 3 tons, this Cadillac V-16 sedan would have had a factory sticker price of $5950. A well restored one now might run 30 times that amount or more. And sedans are at the bottom of the current 1931 Cadillac V-16 price scale. Dual cowl phaetons are at the high end. All the goodies.Not only a Caddy but dual side mounts, accessory fog lamps that turn with the front wheels, radiator stone guard and whitewalls both inside & outside the tire. Plus all that chrome that's oh so rare today. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Chris Helin, San Francisco)
A Couple of Cads: 1919
... new vehicles. The front ones on the car on the right don't even match. I don't think that "optional" bumper on the coupe is really ... license plate indicates the car was being sold by Don Lee Cadillac shown here . The second cars looks like a Convertible ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/11/2015 - 10:21pm -

San Francisco circa 1919. "Cadillac touring car and sedan." Touring a veritable wonderland of chalk art. 5x7 glass negative by Christopher Helin. View full size. Yes, Good Riders?That appears to be the message displayed within the diamond-shaped decal on the passenger side windshield. What, pray tell, would be the meaning of that display? [It's "Yes Good Roads," a slogan in support of a 1919 California ballot proposition for a $40,000,000 bond issue to fund state highway construction. It passed. -tterrace] Board FenceThis is the definitive modelbuilder's reference for a board fence. They were common within my memory, and my wife remembers them too. You still see a few in old western PA towns. Note that some kid dragged chalk the length of the fence. Reproducing the faded "HORP" sign on the fence between the cars would be a modeling challenge. SlummingNot the most Cadillacky of neighborhoods. LocationAre you sure this isn't Oakland? Those two beauties look like they're just about to try to merge, the hard way. StandoutsStrange to see these two elegant, up-scale vehicles placed in a very humble neighborhood (with its ubiquitous chalk markings) as opposed to the previous auto portraits "uptown". GlossyI always admired the top coat finish on these cars. A mirror finish not displayed these days. New cars but old tiresCan't help but notice how worn the tires are on these apparently new vehicles. The front ones on the car on the right don't even match. I don't think that "optional" bumper on the coupe is really going to stop much. It's interesting to note that even on high end cars like Cadillacs there are rows of rivets along the edges of the hood. Auto designers today go out of their way to hide fasteners to the point it is sometimes difficult to figure out how to remove a piece for repair. Twins?Are the two gents in the touring car twins? CadillacsThe car on the left was previously shown here. This is one of the two touring cars models Cadillac sold in 1919. Both models were on the same 125 inch wheelbase, but one had jump seats and sat seven instead of four passengers. Both were priced at $2,805, and the standard colors were Cadillac Blue with black trim. The dealer license plate indicates the car was being sold by Don Lee Cadillac shown here. The second cars looks like a Convertible Victoria. The side window glass and center door post could be removed to create a semi-open car. This car was also on the 125 inch wheelbase and cost $3,205. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Chris Helin, San Francisco)
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