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Photograph credit: Simon Clay
The ex-King Christian X of Denmark
Details
The ex-King Christian X of Denmark
1933 CADILLAC V8 SEVEN PASSENGER TOURING CONVERTIBLE
COACHWORK BY DANSK KARROSSERIFABRIK
Chassis No. 3000786
Engine No. 302128
Royal blue with black wings and blue leather interior and tan top
Engine: V8, L-Head, 353ci., 115bhp at 3000rpm; Gearbox: three forward speed and reverse; Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf spring with hydraulic dampers front and rear; Brakes: four wheel drum with vacuum assist. Right hand drive.
In 1933 Cadillac introduced a stylish aspect to their normal, functional bodywork design which both improved and transformed the aesthetic appearance of their cars. They covered the upright Cadillac radiator with a V-shaped grille that was blended into the bodywork and painted bodywork color. A chrome radiator was now optional while the water filler cap was placed inside the engine compartment. The bumpers were now sectioned with plain ends and a three-bar center piece. This face lift instantly modernized the range of cars while the engine choices remained either V8, V12 or V16.
This fabulous Seven Passenger Touring car was formerly part of King Christian X of Denmark's collection of motor cars and carries attractive and well proportioned coachwork by Dansk Karrosserifabrik which may be unique to a Cadillac chassis. On file is a letter dated June 1974 from F. Bülow & Co. of Copenhagen to the current owner's late husband confirming that this car was designed and built for the Royal Stables by Dansk and that it was the only body of that type ever built. We believe that King Christian X also had a V12 Cadillac in his motor house along with Adlers and a Mercedes of some type. The Queen had a Fiat and a Nash. Photographs supplied with the car show the Cadillac on various ceremonial duties in Denmark, particularly at the end of the war or with the King, and sometimes both the King and Queen of Denmark, taking the royal salute. Some further photographs show General Montgomery in the Cadillac also taking the salute amidst a rapturous reception in the streets of Copenhagen and at the docks clearly as peace had just been declared.
After its Royal use it appears the car was sold and used on a farm before it ended up with a Cadillac collector named Palle S. Jensen of Ringe, Denmark who subsequently advertised it in Self-Starter, the Cadillac-LaSalle Owners' bulletin in February 1974. The purchaser, the late Mr. Roy Warshawsky of Chicago and from whose lady widow we are offering the car, had reason to be travelling to Europe on business and it was then that he concluded a deal to buy the car. Typed transcripts of the events are offered with the car from which it is evident that Mr. Warshawsky was even able to meet the King's chauffeur. The chauffeur had joined the Royal household in August 1919 and confirmed that the Cadillac was only ever used on state occasions as a parade car, excepting one trip to Jutland. The transcripts provide a fascinating insight to a bygone age. The Cadillac has thus been in its present family since 1974.
The car was fully restored in the mid 1970s by a company in Beaver, Wisconsin and it is a testament to their efforts that the car is still in fine condition today. During its current ownership it has always been carefully stored and exercised on a regular basis. The Royal blue paintwork is complemented by black wings and a black swage line with yellow pinstripe. Blue leather seats are fitted to the front and rear with matching leather door panels and blue carpeting. The instruments include a speedometer calibrated in kilometers (presently showing 24,960 on the odometer) and a Jaeger 8 day clock. Other features include Bosch trafficators fitted to the front windscreen, sidemounted dual spare wheels, an Auster-style rear screen for the rear passengers, twin occasional jump seats, twin front flag pennants, a folding luggage rack and two radiator badges for the KGL Dansk Automobil Klub with a Royal coat of arms and Danish flag. There are no side screens. To aid modern driving, an electric fuel pump has also been fitted.
The car also has a bronze lion hood ornament fitted, which was recast in the US after Mr. Warshawsky obtained special permission from Her Majesty The Queen of Denmark to borrow the original Nam Greb signed bronze lion.
This Cadillac would be, in our opinion, a fine addition to any motor car collection. It has the combined attraction of European royal history matched to a true American classic from the thirties.
1933 CADILLAC V8 SEVEN PASSENGER TOURING CONVERTIBLE
COACHWORK BY DANSK KARROSSERIFABRIK
Chassis No. 3000786
Engine No. 302128
Royal blue with black wings and blue leather interior and tan top
Engine: V8, L-Head, 353ci., 115bhp at 3000rpm; Gearbox: three forward speed and reverse; Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf spring with hydraulic dampers front and rear; Brakes: four wheel drum with vacuum assist. Right hand drive.
In 1933 Cadillac introduced a stylish aspect to their normal, functional bodywork design which both improved and transformed the aesthetic appearance of their cars. They covered the upright Cadillac radiator with a V-shaped grille that was blended into the bodywork and painted bodywork color. A chrome radiator was now optional while the water filler cap was placed inside the engine compartment. The bumpers were now sectioned with plain ends and a three-bar center piece. This face lift instantly modernized the range of cars while the engine choices remained either V8, V12 or V16.
This fabulous Seven Passenger Touring car was formerly part of King Christian X of Denmark's collection of motor cars and carries attractive and well proportioned coachwork by Dansk Karrosserifabrik which may be unique to a Cadillac chassis. On file is a letter dated June 1974 from F. Bülow & Co. of Copenhagen to the current owner's late husband confirming that this car was designed and built for the Royal Stables by Dansk and that it was the only body of that type ever built. We believe that King Christian X also had a V12 Cadillac in his motor house along with Adlers and a Mercedes of some type. The Queen had a Fiat and a Nash. Photographs supplied with the car show the Cadillac on various ceremonial duties in Denmark, particularly at the end of the war or with the King, and sometimes both the King and Queen of Denmark, taking the royal salute. Some further photographs show General Montgomery in the Cadillac also taking the salute amidst a rapturous reception in the streets of Copenhagen and at the docks clearly as peace had just been declared.
After its Royal use it appears the car was sold and used on a farm before it ended up with a Cadillac collector named Palle S. Jensen of Ringe, Denmark who subsequently advertised it in Self-Starter, the Cadillac-LaSalle Owners' bulletin in February 1974. The purchaser, the late Mr. Roy Warshawsky of Chicago and from whose lady widow we are offering the car, had reason to be travelling to Europe on business and it was then that he concluded a deal to buy the car. Typed transcripts of the events are offered with the car from which it is evident that Mr. Warshawsky was even able to meet the King's chauffeur. The chauffeur had joined the Royal household in August 1919 and confirmed that the Cadillac was only ever used on state occasions as a parade car, excepting one trip to Jutland. The transcripts provide a fascinating insight to a bygone age. The Cadillac has thus been in its present family since 1974.
The car was fully restored in the mid 1970s by a company in Beaver, Wisconsin and it is a testament to their efforts that the car is still in fine condition today. During its current ownership it has always been carefully stored and exercised on a regular basis. The Royal blue paintwork is complemented by black wings and a black swage line with yellow pinstripe. Blue leather seats are fitted to the front and rear with matching leather door panels and blue carpeting. The instruments include a speedometer calibrated in kilometers (presently showing 24,960 on the odometer) and a Jaeger 8 day clock. Other features include Bosch trafficators fitted to the front windscreen, sidemounted dual spare wheels, an Auster-style rear screen for the rear passengers, twin occasional jump seats, twin front flag pennants, a folding luggage rack and two radiator badges for the KGL Dansk Automobil Klub with a Royal coat of arms and Danish flag. There are no side screens. To aid modern driving, an electric fuel pump has also been fitted.
The car also has a bronze lion hood ornament fitted, which was recast in the US after Mr. Warshawsky obtained special permission from Her Majesty The Queen of Denmark to borrow the original Nam Greb signed bronze lion.
This Cadillac would be, in our opinion, a fine addition to any motor car collection. It has the combined attraction of European royal history matched to a true American classic from the thirties.