Unique custom Cadillac to be auctioned
Unique in appearance, the custom is based on a 1977 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz coupe, but has been stretched front and rear, incorporating four wheels at each end, and four wheel steering at the front end.
Dubbed the "Spa-Car" for good reason, this one-off creation features a built-in spa aft of the cabin area, as well as a BBQ that sits under the bonnet and cantilevers out for use, as well as a whiskey bar, strobe lighting and musical horns.
When it originally arrived in Australia from Texas in the late 1980s, the car was a fairly standard LHD Eldorado Biarritz coupe, but its Brisbane-based owner soon changed that.
His most eye-catching customisation was to convert the Caddy to an eight-wheeler, using tandem-axle Holden One Tonne Ute components extensively, with the four front wheels driving the monster machine.
However it was the Caddy's next Australian owner - the Melbourne-based vendor - who themed the car even more outrageously after purchasing it in 1999.
The large, two-person open jacuzzi set into the rear deck just behind the passenger compartment is arguably the car's greatest jaw-dropper, guaranteeing its occupants celebrity status at a drive-in, custom show, or any promotional venue the Caddy appears at. However, travelling with the spa full or occupied is definitely not recommended - or allowed!
A real 'BBQ stopper' is the car's four-burner gas cooker that 'parks' on the chassis rails and emerges from the Caddy's massive engine bay via a clever cantilever mechanism. Two small LPG bottles are tucked away behind the car's left hand front light assembly.
An in-dash TV, original eight-track tape deck, CCTV camera in the right hand front mudguard (so the driver can view oncoming traffic before sticking the Caddy's huge nose out too far), strobe lighting and an attention-grabbing six-pipe exhaust system are some of the other highlights of this unique show car.
After its most recent modifications were completed in the early 2000s, the car was repainted in its current white, with off-white leather upholstery contrasting with blood red carpets.
According to the vendor, the Cadillac Spa-Car drives well despite its enormous size, but as it can't be registered in Australia, it will need to be trailered to shows.
With an overall length of 7.3 metres and weight is 2.5 tonnes, the car is powered by a 500ci (8.2-litre) V8 engine, a Cadillac factory powerplant from 1970 to 1976.
A regular feature at rod, custom and American car shows, the Cadillac Spa Car drops jaws wherever and whenever it appears, with Shannons describing the car as "the ultimate promotional magnet."
Because of its proven crowd-pulling power, Shannons expect it to sell in the range of $24,000-$32,000 - a fraction of the cost involved in its extensive customisation.
Shannons' Melbourne Late Summer Auction is scheduled for Monday, February 17, at Shannons Melbourne auction rooms at 321 Warrigal Rd, Cheltenham. Further lots and details at www.shannons.com.au.
