1947 Cadillac Series 75 by Derham
This 1947 Cadillac Series 75 was custom built by the famous coachbuilder Derham for the family of William S. Paley, noted CBS executive and Television pioneer. Blanche P. Levy, Paley’s sister, and her husband owned it shortly after delivery, and kept it in their family until 1978, when it was traded in on 2 Rolls-Royces! Gilbert Dobbins owned it from ’78 to ’93, when Charlie Smith purchased it and began to restore it. The current family, well known experts in Classic Cadillacs, acquired it in 1996, and proceeded to finish the restoration, and use the car in shows and tours. The work they did has made this car run and drive like it did when it was new!
Derham Started with a series 75 Imperial Sedan with divider window, and applied their custom touches, including the formal padded top, a more deluxe interior, Jump seats, and special rear seat radio equipment and vanities. Only 33 of this type of car were thought to have been produced by Derham in the immediate postwar era 1946 to 1949, according to Cadillac historian Roy Schneider.
Formal lines, classic styling! Along with the ability to tour at high speeds using the original 346 Cubic Inch V-8, 3 speed manual transmission, and modern gear vendors overdrive!
The paint and bodywork are super high quality! look at those reflections in the doors. This car was a rust free car, that was taken to bare metal when the initial work was done in the 1990’s.
The chrome and stainless is beautiful! Take particular note of the grille – that’s a huge die-cast piece, and it is lovely and pit-free!
The Cadillac Historic document build record for this car records it as delivered, a 1947 7 Passenger Imperial Sedan model 7533 (Division) with Antoinette Blue paint.
The rear compartment is entirely original, and in excellent condition! Deep blue, with wool broadcloth fabric. Lovely! Here’s the divider window frame, and the jumpseats folded forward. The divider window switch is on the passenger armrest, and the divider window works, too! Passenger side controls, including a rear mounted radio, with its own antenna just aft of the rear window. It has a folding seat divider. This car was the lap of luxury in 1947!
The original steering wheel is absolutely beautiful, the plastic almost like new! Beautiful instruments! Beautiful Radio and radio grille – works great! Chauffer upholstery was redone in black vinyl. The windows are hydraulic, all 4 window cylinder assemblies were restored, and filled with modern ATF fluid. The windows work great!
The 346 Cubic inch original V-8 was rebuilt in 2002, with receipts that show it was a comprehensive and high quality effort, including all new bearings, .040 overbore pistons, Stainless Steel valves, new valve guides, rebuilt lifter bodies and renewed camshaft, Timing chain, oil pump, and fully machined block and heads. Rebuilt water pump.
Note the rebuilt fuel pump and new hoses. Since 2017, this car has had substantial work done to make the car tour-ready and reliable, including , new clutch, new brakes, rebuilt front shocks, new king pins, suspension alignment, fuel tank removed, cleaned and sealed, all new stainless fuel line from tank to carburetor, cooling system flush & clean, new water pump, and rebuilt carburetor. The Coker 16 inch radial whitewall tires have less than 100 miles since installation. The new wiring harness from dashboard forward was also installed. I can tell you after driving this car that all this work has made the car act and feel tight, solid, safe, and powerful!
It is the full expression of Luxury, formality and style and touring comfort from 1947, and it is ready for you to enjoy right now!
