Vehicle Description
1939 Cadillac Model 75 Limousine
Peter Widener was born on November 13, 1834, to Johannes Widener
and Sarah Fulmer. He was named after Peter Arrell Browne
(1782-1860), a noted lawyer in 19th-century Philadelphia. As a
merchant who supplied meat to the Union Army during the United
States Civil War, Widener grew to prominence in Philadelphia and
had become the City Treasurer by 1871. He became very successful in
1883 as a result of his investing in trolley cars and public
transit systems as a founding partner of Philadelphia Traction
Company, which expanded to other major cities in the United States.
He and his Philadelphia business partner, William L. Elkins,
invested in public transit systems in other big cities with
businessmen such as Charles Tyson Yerkes, the streetcar czar of
Chicago. Widener used the great wealth accumulated from that
business to become a founding organizer of U.S. Steel and the
American Tobacco Company, as well as to acquire substantial
holdings in Standard Oil. A large investment in Whitestar lines
associates him with the Titanic, which Whitestar built. Sadly,
Peter lost one of his sons in the disaster, who died a hero jumping
in the ocean from a lifeboat to save orphans who were in the water.
Peter is considered to have been among the 100 wealthiest
Americans, having left an enormous fortune.
Peter's son, Joseph Widener, the beneficiary of some of that great
wealth used it to fund his keen interest in thoroughbred horse
racing. Joseph was the founder of Hialeah Park in Florida, having
involvement in the project from concept and then building the
facility. He was also the head of New York's Belmont Park. His
Philanthropic efforts did not go unrecognized, as he was the
founding benefactor of the National Gallery of Art in Washington,
DC. This historical recap comes our way here at Classic Auto Mall
by way of a consignment of a custom built 1939 Cadillac Model 75
Limousine which Widener had two built. Only 1 survives as the other
one was demolished in an incident in Florida. This particular model
was one of only 13 semi-custom formal open front town cars, and
this particular car has a modified fenders to match the sloping
lines of the rear of the car. So now it becomes 1 of 1!
Exterior
2 Exact duplicates were built for Mr. Weidner by the Hermann C.
Brunn body company from Buffalo, New York. Two fascinating facts
about this company with regards to this car. First these cars were
custom ordered (remember 2 of them) and this order cost Weidner
$27,000 each. It was the depression, and body companies were
folding left and right. This order allowed the Brunn company to
survive the depression. This company came up with the concept of
the folding canopy over the chauffeur's compartment. They were also
known for their use of only the best of materials which they would
put into their coaches, mainly for Cadillac and Lincoln. Gorgeous
hammered curved aluminum body panels adorn this long car, and they
are in immaculate condition, no dents or errors, and very minute
faults if you look very closely. To that construction, extensive
use of solid bronze has been used on the center pillars, windshield
and cowls, and custom designed handles and levers throughout. All
curved lines from the pristine front grille which utilizes vertical
and horizontal ribbed polished chrome to form the aerodynamic
front, which is framed on the bottom by a very nice curved front
bumper engraved with Cadillac script, in your grandmother's
handwriting. Bullet style headlights flank this beautiful Art
Nouveau style grille, and a long rounded hood that appears to go on
forever. On either side are the front fenders with inserted covers
for the dual spare tires. This leads us back to the chauffeur's
compartment with that signature retracting convertible top. Going
back even further, is the spacious passenger compartment which is
framed by two custom designed and hammered out on wood molds. A
burgundy accent is covering the rear quarter panels and extending
the burgundy paint around the curving trunk line. Wide white
sidewalls adorn Cadillac logo wheel covers with no marks on them. A
thin white pinstripe follows the curvature of the passenger
compartment and adds a beautiful accentuation to the overall
line.
Interior
The Chauffeurs compartment has a simple but elegant leather split
seat bench in un-marred black. A utilitarian black metal dash
houses a speedometer, and a few controls, as well as a glovebox.
The original white bakelite banjo style steering wheel, fronts this
dash, and is in very good condition. Very clean white carpeting
covers the floors. Slipping into the passenger compartment we are
greeted by yards of luxurious gray felting on door panels,
headliner and pillars. This fabric is accented by book matched
mahogany wood panels which surround the compartment. A plush tufted
and buttoned bench seat stretches from door to door, and has radio
controls embedded in the left armrest, and a call button and
ashtray in the right. Inserted above this puffy couch are dual
vanity cabinets, also in mahogany. One contains a set of Cartier
sterling silver lipstick, perfume and compact containers, which are
encrusted with Pave style rubies. The other cabinet has inserts for
storing cigars. Our second fascinating fact comes into play as an
emblem depicting St. Christopher that is embedded into the front
mahogany rim in the passenger compartment. The significance of this
emblem is due to a 17-year-old Brunn who was sent was sent to Paris
by his father. He studied for 2 years under the auspices of a
gentleman named Saoutchik, a designer associated with Hermes,
Paris. As an homage to Saoutchik, the St. Christopher Medallion, 1
of 6 produced by Hermes and all purchased by Brunn, adorns the
interior. The clock is a Jaeger 8-day that swings outward to wind
it. Noted are foldable jump seats at the divider, as well as a
speedometer near the floor, just in case you are uncomfortable with
the driver's speed.
Drivetrain
Powered by a 346ci V8 in original condition nicely preserved with
shiny parts, an oil bath air cleaner, and clean engine
compartment.
Undercarriage
Too large for our lift, but photos as we can take them of the
undercarriage, shows no rust, all very clean, and well kept.
A limousine with some serious provenance, owned by one of the
wealthiest members of a very successful Philadelphia family, and
one of 2 custom shaped bodies, formed to the specifications of its
to be owner Joseph Widener. Sadly, its twin which resided in
Florida was destroyed in 1950, due to an accident. So now there is
just one example. Obtained by the current owner in 1966 when he was
just 16 years old. Over the years it received an extensive
restoration. The sale also includes 2 binders, one contains
correspondence from Mr. Brunn regarding the building of the car and
a copy of his photographic archives showing the car being built,
the second binder is a compilation of society photographs of Mr.
Widener at major events, these are all original and cover the years
1930-1943. A truly beautiful car, wonderful lines in minty
condition.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 450 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
