Dec 13th, 2019 : Does it Mattar

[xoxoxoBruce]

Louie Mattar bought a new 1947 Cadillac for about $2,200($25,300 today) but it wasn’t quite what he wanted so he spent 5 years and $75,000($865,000 today) making exactly what he wanted.

In 1952, he and two other men established a cross-country endurance record by driving the Cadillac from San Diego to New York and back without stopping. Their trip totaled 6,320 miles and required refueling from a moving gas truck three times!

Can you say in-flight refueling boys & girls? Cool, but you ain’t seen nothing yet.

During the trips, Louie and his co-drivers had all the comforts of home, although space was limited. The equipment in the back seat includes an electric stove, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a chemical toilet, an ironing board, a medicine cabinet, and a kitchen sink. All of these appliances can be stored under the back seat cushions. Up front, in addition to the many switches and dials surrounding the dashboard, are a nationwide mobile telephone, a tape recorder, a bar, a public address system (which has speakers in both the trailer and on the hood of the car), and a Turkish water pipe. On the right running board is a shower and at the rear taillight is a drinking fountain!

The car holds 50 gallons of water, with a reserve of 30 gallon in the trailer. The trailer also holds 230 gallon of gas and 15 gallons of oil in addition to the dining area at the end. The car automatically refills the radiator and changes the oil, and the axles are drilled, which allow the tires to be inflated while turning. Hydraulic jacks allow the wheels to be raised for changing while moving. This could be accomplished from a movable platform that attaches to the car. Clear panels in the hood allow the car to be driven while the hood is open for repairs or adjustments. Under all the modifications is a stock 1947 Cadillac engine.

The museum display board say it took him seven years to build, not so. He made the cross country trip in September of 1952,
and the earliest he could have gotten the car would be September of 1946, so that longest possible scenario would be six years.
I read elsewhere it was five.
Thinking back to the maintenance schedules (oil 1000 miles), and tires you’re lucky to get 20,000 miles with blowouts common.
The most amazing thing is no corporate sponsors.


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