The GM Heritage Collection: 1953/59 Cadillac LeMans

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LeMans No.4 at the Heritage Center

Originally a star of the 1953 New York Motorama

Contributed by Greg Wallace, On-site Manager, GM Heritage Center

LeMans in '53
LeMans in '53
General Motors built four Cadillac LeMans Motorama show cars. All were built with fiberglass bodies riding on a 115-inch wheelbase. They stood 51 inches high and were 196 inches long. The cars were 400 pounds lighter than a 1953 Cadillac convertible. Powered by a 250 horsepower V8, the performance and handling were typical of a 1953 Cadillac.






Restyled LeMans #4 in '60
Restyled LeMans #4 in '60
The striking silver LeMans at the GM Heritage Center is LeMans number 4. However, our LeMans is very different from the other three. This car was returned to GM Styling in 1959 and face lifted and modified for James E. “Bud” Goodman, then head of GM’s Fisher Body Division. The hood was lowered, the headlights were updated to a quad system and the rear fenders and fins were modernized. Additionally the drive train was updated using 1959 Cadillac Eldorado 390 cubic inch, 345 horsepower V8 engine and HydraMatic transmission.

The Heritage Center’s LeMans was acquired from Mr. Goodman’s son, Jack in 1997.

LeMans Operating Manual
LeMans Operating Manual




Click here to view the Bud Goodman's owner's manual for his LeMans.




















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