"Elegance" 1950 Cadillac

Posted by: @lloyd-mecca

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I just checked my Elegance Catalog,

Hello Lloyd, if you don't mind me asking - is there a printed or electonic catalog for Elegance models, or you're referring to your private catalog you maintain?

@carcass1996

Yes, the “catalog” I consulted is mine, over 500 pages, more than 1250 photos, including some Claude sent me when he finished a one-off for a customer. He asked me not to share a number of photos, so this catalog is not available for viewing.

However, there is a book on Elegance. It was privately printed (on demand) with Claude’s approval (each time). He approved the production of the book and each request for a copy. It was priced well over $100.00 and since his passing, it is no longer available. It is 144 pages of color photos illustrating the “Cadillac” history of Elegance.

By contrast, my Catalog not only includes Cadillac, but Rolls Royce (97 different models, known to me), Claude’s private collection, one-offs for customers, his special conversions such as the “Mannix” Toronado, Ford Galaxy with opening doors and trunk/hood, presidential Lincoln and Cadillac Parade Cars and others such as Lincoln, Checker, Chrysler, Bugatti, Hispano-Suiza, Renault, Packard, Duesenberg, Citroen, Mercedes, Ford and Panhard.

As you can see, Claude was very busy, and Cadillac was just one of many with his museum like quality, mirror-like shine and high detailing inside and out.

@lloyd-mecca thank you for the detailed answer. I asked because I keep a catalog for each model maker I have in my collection.

It's just a table in Excel with make, year, color, part number, year of issue, stuff like that, no photos, no market prices, just barebones catalog information. Kind of what Kevin Pickell had with his scale18.com.

Such thing is relatively easy to compile with modern makers, metal or resin, but it is another story with handmades.

I'm currently trying to compile a catalog for Elegance using the information from open sources - Randall Olson book, stores online catalogs, lists of other peoples collections, etc.

Below is an example of catalog of Stamp Models.

I have such files for major modern resin makers, more or less complete, can share for anyone interested.

@carcass1996 

Yes, very nice...I was going to do that for ELE models, however there are too many and there are a lot that were not given models numbers, such as one-offs, private collection and special orders.

When I have time, I will send you some ELE REF #'s, if you leave your email here.

@lloyd-mecca thank you Lloyd! my e-mail is carcass1996@gmail.com

BTW, here is my first Elegance model bought last year on ebay for a price lower than modern chinese resin costs.

1/43 1950 Cadillac Series 75 7 passengers limousine, color 2 tone bronze, REF.107, year of issue - 1984.

@carcass1996 That model is FABULOUS!

@carcass1996 Thanks for posting. This is really great information.  I'm going to print it out for my records.

@carcass1996  Have you seen hobbyDB?   EX: https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/subjects/stamp-models-brand   We are trying to do something similar with photos.

@karl of course I know about hobbyDB, I use it often, particularly when looking for less-know brands such as Elegance.

But sometimes it is more convenient to have information at hand stored as Excel table.