Cadillac Country Club

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1911 Cadillac Finds a New Home in Australia

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This week I got an interesting email from Malcolm in Australia. I will let him explain why his English Riley is on a Cadillac site.

Hi Vinny,
I am a new member to your Cadillac Country Club and read your emails and attached articles with great interest – there’s nothing like a car club that relates to a special make of car to get members talking about their ‘pride and joy’! Congratulations on getting the Club up and running – well done!
I live in a regional city called Townsville which is located on the north-eastern coast of Australia, 1100 kms north of Brisbane and 340 kms south of Cairns. I have just finished restoring an English Riley and although your members might think of me as a heretic in hallowed halls of Cadillac I just have to include a photo because I love her long classy body and sexy curves.
Riley car in Australia
Malcolm and His Restored Riley
But enough of the English. In three weeks time I will be driving to Melbourne (a 6,000 km round trip) to bring home my next restoration project – a 1911 Cadillac 30. It was ‘love at first sight’ even though I will be starting off with just the chassis, engine, drive shaft, wheels and fenders – a challenge, that’s for sure (see attached photos). But somewhere in my besotted brain I thought ‘if I can restore her to her former glory I will die a happy and contented man’. This thought has been strengthened even more by the most beautiful photo I’ve ever seen of a fully restored 1911 Cadillac 30, which I purchased on Ebay as well as an original maintenance manual.
Before Restoration of a 1911 Cadillac
Beautiful 1911 Cadillac Awaiting Restoration.

Historically, the Cadillac was a popular car with wealthy property owners (graziers) running sheep or cattle, because the cars were strong and reliable, and able to withstand the rugged conditions of the Australian ‘outback’ (or what you would call ‘frontierland’). So, a significant number were imported from America. So far, I know of a 1911 or 1912 in Cairns, Canberra and Melbourne. Hopefully I will locate more as a source of parts, information and advice!

1911 Cadillac cockpit
1911 Cadillac Body
Naturally, I would love to hear from any of your members that have, or know where I can buy, spare parts for a 1911 Cadillac 30.
Cheers, and keep up the good work
 Mal
1911 Cadillac frame
1911 Cadillac Frame and Drive Shaft
1911 Cadillac Engine
1911 Cadillac Engine

I hope you enjoyed Malcolm’s email. It absolutely makes my day when someone half way around the world sends me pictures and a Cadillac story. I am sure we will be hearing from Malcolm as he rebuilds his vintage Cadillac. If you want to help him out feel free to leave advice in the comments if you know where he can get parts. I have sent him to a nice Cadillac club that I am sure will be a big help to him.  If you want to see what it is going to look like when it is finished visit our 1911 Cadillac page.

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Comments

  1. Malcolm: The Cadillac Is supreme cool! Cadillac has sure come a long way and made many changes since its start! Keep up the good work. Cadillacs FOREVER! Cadillacs Rule!

  2. Good Luck finding parts and with your reatoration project, Im sure their are some ols Cadillac nuts out their in the states or Canada that would be thrilled to help you out.
    If You ever would like a hand drawn and hand painted T-shirt of your ’11 when its done or your Riley, I
    hand draw and hand painted on a T-shirt, be sure to look at the Cadillac Country club’s automotive art forum. I have displayed a number of pieces of older Cadillac’s and LaSalles on here, you can take a peek at my Cadillac Art.
    You have a nice restoration project their,
    respectatively yours,
    Dave Beveridge,
    carslovei@hotmail.com

  3. Malcolm,
    First, the Riley is beautiful, you are both forgiven and thanked for sharing such an outstanding example of automotive art.
    As for the 1911 Cadillac, Henry Leland would be proud. At the Guinness Book of Records World’s Largest Cadillac Parade this past August there was a 1905 and a 1909, maybe those owners will hear of your project and offer some help. I remember that the 05 car was a running restoration that was purchased from a museum auction.
    Best of luck with your project, I hope you will keep us updated as to your progress.