TWENTIETH-CENTURY WHEELS.
The latest addition to the “Michael Stoll Collection” takes us on the road. A magnificent 1965 Cadillac Hardtop Sedan de Ville, seen here with it’s new owner. It was purchased in Florida and shipped to Bavaria. After some minor conversions to conform to European standards, Michael is now dazzling the inhabitants of Augsburg with his beautiful Hampton Blue automobile.
The Sedan de Ville was designed by Bill Mitchell. He was only 24 when he became Cadillac’s Chief Designer in 1936, and his career at General Motors lasted 42 years. So many classic Cadillacs are his work, including the tail-finned models of the ’50s and early ’60s. (Fins were originally inspired by aircraft design, and were the brainchild of General Motors head designer, Harley Earl.)
The 1965 Cadillacs where the first models for several years to be designed without tail fins. Michael’s car is third down on the left (shown in green here).
The stunning interior features Natural White leather. The absence of door pillars allows an uninterrupted view to the side.
Dashboard detail.
A diagram from the owner’s manual.
There are other small infographics around the car.
Badge history
The crests used on Michael’s car mark one step in the long development of the Cadillac insignia. Below, on the hood.
On the seat belt buckle.
The original 1902 badge contained the coat of arms of Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the founder of what is now Detroit. The current abstracted version came into use in 1999.
Image courtesy of General Motors Archive.
I recently purchased this nameplate in an antiques store. Now I only need the other 99.99% of the car.
Information design essentials
Michael’s collection of classic historical information design has been featured in this blog on several occasions. Obviously, we can all learn a lot from looking back at our rich information design heritage. Check out these previous posts:
Wall charts: https://wp.me/p7LiLW-1Sj
Eye model: http://wp.me/p7LiLW-1yx
Flap books: http://wp.me/p7LiLW-IV
Flight thru Instruments: http://wp.me/p7LiLW-Rr
Herbert Bayer’s Geo-Graphic Atlas: http://wp.me/p7LiLW-xO
The Atlas to Alexander von Humboldt’s “Kosmos”: http://wp.me/p7LiLW-jO