I seem to recall that either E-R or Busch offered a convertible limousine (possibly the 1952 Cadillac) with flags on the front making it look like a presidential vehicle.
Stupid me didn’t get it when I saw it in the Walthers catalog. So now that I need it, I can’t find any photos, or even basic info on it. It wasn’t listed anywhere in the Walther’s online catalog, even when clicking “show discontinued products”.
Am I dreaming, or was there a car like this offered? My guess is that it was made by E-R Imports since they had some clever repaints and add-ons to the standard Busch/Praline models.
If anyone has any information on this 1950s car, please let me know. I have a layout scene waiting for this car.
I picked up a pink Caddy convertible, 50s or early 60’s, at a train show. It was new, and I think it was from the same series as the Wal-Mart die-cast cheapies. I can’t imagine the President of the United States driving around in a pink Cadillac, but you could certainly send it to Maaco for a paint job. Or maybe just wait until 2008…
Sorry to disappoint everyone. I suppose it could have been a rush job, but She Who Must Not Be Named was born in October of 47, only 3 months after Roswell in “the first week of July.” After a normal gestation period of 39 weeks, a “Roswell Baby” would have shown up around the last week of March or first week of April, 1948. Someone like…Al Gore…
I think that pink one is a 1959 Caddy (with the big tailfins), the one he’s talking about was a 1952 one. I can’t remember for sure who made it, I think it was Busch but ?? Anyway, I would try to find out for sure who made it (another reason why I save my old Walthers catalogues for a few years) and then search for it online. Most likely one will turn up on ebay, I’ve bought quite a few Praline and other autos there, or some online hobby dealer will have one.
Okay, now that you guys have had your fun, how about a real answer to the original question?
In 1953, General Motors loaned Cadillac Eldorado #2 to the U.S. government. This is the car in which Dwight Eisenhower rode to his first inauguration. The real car was Alpine White with red interior and was returned to GM in August 1953. It was subsequently sold to a private citizen.
Almost 20 years ago, Praline did offer a black 1952 Cadillac “US-President” 2-door sedan with US flags on the fenders. It was Praline 3414. They also offered No. 2802, a 1966 Cadillac limousine with flags on the fenders. Both are long out of production. The convertible was never offered with the flags, which is strange as it would have been the only one that was even close to correct.
Busch does have the 1952 Cadillac convertible in white and it’s in stock at Walthers. The part number is 189-43408 and the price is $10.99. To be more accurate, the interior needs to be repainted in cherry red. Paint the convertible top white. Technically, the Busch model is incorrect as it is a Series 62 not an Eldorado.
Model Power/Malibu offer the 1953 Cadillac Eldorado in diecast, which is the correct car but it will need to be repainted white. Model Power released the Eldorado in three incorrect colors but I don’t know what colors are in the Malibu selection.
Incidentally, the flags on the Eisenhower car were not mounted on the fenders. Larger banners were mounted on special brackets on the front bumper.
I was looking for a convertible to use for the new Preiser Pope figure. Although he’s a model of the current pope, he’s acting as Pope Pius XII for my 1957 layout. I planned to change the flags to Vatican City, but seeing as the car I’m interested in is not a convertible, I should just customize one of the Busch Caddy convertibles to suit my needs. Sounds like the easiest plan so far. And there sure weren’t any fancy glass “Pope” mobiles back in 1957.
I already have several of the basic Busch 1952 Cadillac in various body styles and colors. I even used one to simulate the car in the Lucile Ball Desi Arnez movie Long Long trailer. While the car is wrong, and in the wrong color at the moment, it’s the closest I could find not in kit form. I figured someone will eventually manufacture, either as a kit or built up, the correct 1953 Mercury Monterey. So I’ve held off on a repaint. The trailer, by City Classics, is pretty close to the prototype New Moon, and looks great in the correct colors. I’ll have to get a photo of it.
For a while there, the only really good looking “ready to run” 50’s era vehicles were made by Praline/Busch. We sure are spoiled now with Classic Metal Works, Woodland Scenics, and the others who have helped fill our streets.
One sunny day in 2008, an old man approached the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue where he’d been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the Marine standing guard and said, “I would like to go in and meet with President Hillary Clinton .” The Marine replied, “Sir, Mrs. Clinton is not President and doesn’t reside here.” The old man said, “Okay,” and walked away. The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, “I would like to go in and meet with President Hillary Clinton”. The Marine again told the man, “Sir, as I said yesterday, Mrs. Clinton is not President and doesn’t reside here.” The man thanked him and again walked away… The third day, the same man approached the White House and spoke to the very same Marine, saying “I would like to go in and meet with President Hillary Clinton.” The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, “Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mrs. Clinton. I’ve told you already several times that Mrs. Clinton is not the President and doesn’t reside here. Don 't you understand?” The old man answered, “Oh, I understand you fine, I just love hearing your answer!” The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, “See you tomorrow.”
Use the Caddy for now, but if you want to be really correct, your chance comes later this year. In September Busch will release its No. 44806, which is a black Mercedes-Benz 300 state limousine, almost exactly much like the one used by Pope Pius XII. The Busch model, which is being released as a replica of Chancellor Conrad Adenauer’s limousine, comes with fender-mounted German flags, which you could change as you wish.
Back when Bill was wearing the pants in the White House (well, most of the time, anyway) he arrived with a dog. The Marine guard snapped to attention and said, “Great dog, Sir!” “I got it for Hillary,” replied Bill. The Marine responded, “Great trade, Sir!”
Despite my own “grassy knoll” photo, I’m glad to hear that you’re not modelling November of '63.
