We're waiting for the start of Pebble Beach's Tour d'Elegance on the Thursday before the main event with a pristine restored 1930 Cadillac V-16. Answering questions from passers-by, notably about the 'M' designation on the licence plate, it becomes clear that we have only a classic 1941 Humphrey Bogart film noir to thank for recognition of the existence of Malta amongst most Americans. Where Malta, or even Gozo for that matter, might actually be, well, that's another discussion.
The build sheet shows that this Cadillac V-16 Series 452 All-Weather Phaeton started life late in 1929. Once completed, its rolling chassis was shipped from Detroit to the Fleetwood Metal Body Co in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, to have its coachwork built. In May 1930 it was delivered to the Don Lee Cadillac LaSalle Dealership at 1000 Van Ness Avenue - then the largest automobile showroom on San Francisco's historic 'Auto Row? And, for the next 90 years or so, it motored far and wide.
From California it somehow took in a trip to Argentina. In the '70s it was back in Oklahoma, USA, as part of Walt Dietzel's collection, then on to Jeff Pearson (son of 'Cadillac Jim' Pearson) in Kansas. Eventually, in a pretty sorry state in 2015, it was gently wheeled down into a subterranean garage on Gozo - the smaller sister island to Malta, about the same size as Manhattan.
Coincidentally, there's an interesting historical connection between Malta and Detroit, and specifically the American motor manufacturing industry of the 1920s.
Denne historien er fra November 2023-utgaven av Octane.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 2023-utgaven av Octane.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Will China Change Everything? - China is tearing up modern motor manufacture but is yet to make more than a ripple in the classic car world. That could be about to change dramatically
China now dominates the automotive world in a way even Detroit in its heyday would have struggled to comprehend.Helped by Government incentives, the new car world is dominated by China's industries: whether full cars that undercut Western models by huge amounts, ownership of storied European brands such as Lotus and Volvo, or ownership and access to the vast majority of raw materials that go into EV cars, its influence is far-reaching and deep. However, this automotive enlightenment hasn't manifested itself in the classic world in any meaningful way - until now.
Jem Marsh
The hard-bitten Marcos boss was driven like few others and never knew when he was beaten. Thankfully
Vandamm House
A Mid-Century Modernist masterpiece that was immortalised on celluloid - despite never actually existing
Making light
Alfa Romeo's post-war renaissance began with the 1900 saloon - and matured with Zagato's featherweight coupé version, as Jay Harvey discovers
FULL OF EASTERN PROMISE
Is burgeoning classic car interest in the Middle East good for the global classic market? Nathan Chadwick investigates
Before the beginning
This rare Amazon Green pre-production Range Rover is Velar chassis number 4. James Elliott charts its historically revealing factory restoration
Ben Cussons
As the outgoing chairman of the Royal Automobile Club hands on to his successor, Robert Coucher quizzes him about the evolution of this great British institution
BULLDOG & THE PUPPIES
We gather five motoring masterpieces by avant-garde designer William Towns - and drive all of them
Below the tip of the Audrain iceberg
As the Audrain organisation grows, we take a look behind the scenes at the huge car collection that feeds it
Flying the Scottish flag
Young Ecurie Ecosse driver Chloe Grant gets to grips with the Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar C-type at Goodwood. Matthew Hayward is Octane's witness
