[1]
We lost veteran automotive raconteur David E. Davis Jr. [2]on March 27th, 2011 and along with his literary legacy as GM ad man [3], editor of Car and Driver magazine and founder of Automobile magazine, he leaves this low mileage 1951 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe that recently sold at Bonham’s Auctions [4] in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition to the Caddy, Davis’s personal collection of automobilia from his 60 year career was offered as well.
This Harley Earl styled Cadillac has just 9000 original miles and is in original, unrestored condition. Featuring a OHV 331 CID V-8 and Hydramatic transmission, this Caddy was a very high tech car back in the day. Briggs Cunningham [5] placed an amazing 10th overall in the 1950 24 Hours of LeMans with a mostly stock Series 62 coupe.
The car’s ownership history prior to Davis’s purchase is mostly unknown. A Mrs. J.P. Knight had a New Mexico state inspection done on 9/11/57, but other than that clue, no other traces remain.
David E. Davis was a fan of big American cars, his favorites being full size GM SUV’s. He drove an Cadillac Escalade and often waxed eloquently of its virtues. He liked big cruisers and that this Caddy was he and his wife’s chosen classic to keep over years says volumes about its condition and originality. The car brought $43,290.00 with no reserve.