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Topic starter
03/05/2017 4:39 pm
PICS - A cornucopia of 1958 Cadillacs, facts and a few opinions...
I finally found some pix of my (former) 1958 Cadillacs from Record Models of France. First, why former? It appears that several of the Record Models 1958 Cadillacs are quite rare. I found that I could get Motor City/Illario prices and beyond for well-built pieces by selling them. This was 2010.
Record Models were from France, Aix en Provence, a trendy college town. I think the Cadillacs were amongst the last offered by this concern and most, if not all were available as kits, resin bodied and white metal base. Yann Saunders' excellent Cadillac Database (Google it) has information about Record (later models were sold pre-coloured under the JPS trademark).
Today, if you can find them, Record Cadillacs will vary greatly in finishing depending upon who built them up. I was fortunate to have Greg Gunn and Jim Hardin build several 1957/58 models for me.
Now, about rarity:
The most common are the Biarritz convertible periodically found on eBay, followed by the Seville hardtop.
Fleetwood 4drs are less common, you could go months without seeing one for auction, and lastly, S62 4dr hardtops and 2dr hardtops, I would describe as scarce.
Following, in no particular order are photos of the '58 Record Models Cadillacs. The metallic rose coloured and metallic gold Fleetwood 4drs are professionally built (I think by Jim Hardin), the dark coloured Biarritz convertible and the pink Seville, I think were built by Greg Gunn. Greg, did I get this correct. The white S62, though nicely finished is by an unknown builder. the olive green Seville and metallic gold S62 4dr sedan were built and painted by an amateur. Nonetheless, the very rare gold S62 4dr still fetched about $300 from a knowledgeable Cadillac collector.
Christoph Baum, where are you Christopher, is quite familiar with these models, having graced this Forum with his photos over the years.
I welcome all comments and am hopeful that some of the Cadillac collectors will chime in with their opinion and information as well as any photos.
Lastly, I agree that some new 1958 Cadillacs in our scale would be most welcome. While pretty good for the time, these kits have gaps between the bumpers and the body, straight-edged photo-etched chrome mouldings belie the banana bends of the resin bodies and the complex French curves of these behemoths make chroming using BMF difficult to say the least. They scream for new technological manufacturing processes.
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03/05/2017 9:14 pm
Very nice, Randall. I understand the long-deck is the most rare...
I also have the set. Maybe Jean-Philippe or Christoph can add additional facts.
03/05/2017 10:51 pm
Well professional review, Randall, thanks! You never spoke about
Cadillacs of the EMS's production. Your opinion is very powerful for me as customer of these models (excepting 1985 Eldorado). I will remind 1903 Model A, 1937 V-16 coupe by Hartmann, 1961 'Jaacqueline' by Pininfarina. There can be in other message if it out of place here.
03/05/2017 11:39 pm
A very nice group of '58's. Again, models I have never seen. So much I know nothing about in 1:43.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
04/05/2017 2:38 am
Perfect review and pics. My own models are pictured on lower post #22783.1
I think those models are indeed very well but like you, I really believe we could see an update with nowadays techniques. Looks like GLM will start the dance with the Eldorado Biarritz Convertible.
Topic starter
04/05/2017 9:39 am
Ah, yes, a.k.a. "extended deck" - that would be the 4dr hardtop sedan. Thanks, Lloyd!
Topic starter
04/05/2017 9:49 am
Thanks, Volodymyr! Unfortunately, besides the Hartmann, I have not owned these gorgeous replicas.
I hope to find my photos of the Hartmann, though.
Topic starter
04/05/2017 9:52 am
Yes, Jean Philippe, lovely photos! Your long deck 4dr is nicer than mine.
04/05/2017 11:28 am
A splendid review of some splendid cars with a bunch ...
of splendid pictures. Thanks Randall. What a treat. Just...splendid!
04/05/2017 5:39 pm
Thank you Randall. I haven't paint it but I did all the BMF detailing.