Cadillac LeMans
The Cadillac LeMans dream car was a fiberglass two-passenger sports car shown at the 1953 Motorama. It was named in honor of the famed French road race which Cadillac had competed in for the first time in 1950.
The LeMans debuted bold styling cues which would set the styling tone for production Cadillacs throughout the 1950s. It also featured some more recognizable Cadillac styling elements such as the P-38 inspired taillights and heavy grille. It was built on a 115-inch wheelbase and was powered by 331.1-CID V8 engine.
Four LeMans show cars were built for the show circuit in 1953. After they had been retired from the Motorama stage, the cars were sold as was common practice in those days. LeMans #4 was restyled a few times by the GM Styling Section between the years 1954 and 1959 and was eventually sold to GM Vice President James E. "Bud" Goodman. Goodman was head of Fisher Body and a good friend of Harley Earl. When he received the LeMans it had been given a full rebuild with a 1960 Eldorado drivetrain and a new exterior body style featuring quad headlamps and re-sculpted tailfins.
Click here to view the Bud Goodman's owner's manual for his LeMans.
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