1955 Cadillac La Salle II: A Dream Car from the Past - AllCarIndex
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Back in 1955, Harley Earl’s Art and Color Section at General Motors created two stunning Cadillac LaSalle II dream cars for display at the GM Motorama shows. These cars were not just any ordinary vehicles; they were designed to captivate the audience and showcase cutting-edge technology of that time.
One of the LaSalle II dream cars was a small four-door hardtop sedan. The other was a two-seat convertible roadster. Both were powered by compact V6 experimental aluminum engines, pushing the boundaries of innovation in the automotive industry.
The design of these LaSalle II dream cars was truly ahead of its time. They featured 1940’s style vertical grille openings, Dagmar bumper guards, and the iconic LaS insignia from the early years of the marque. Despite a compact 108-inch wheelbase, the hardtop sedan managed to seat six passengers with rear-hinged back doors.
Measuring just 180-inches in length and 50-inches in height, the LaSalle II dream cars exuded a sense of elegance and luxury. The designers incorporated features like unit construction, a big compound-curve windshield, concave body side ellipses, and semi-exposed rear wheels, adding to their unique charm.
The two-seat roadster convertible, with its fiberglass body and chopped-off rear end, was a sight to behold. The exhaust pipes were cleverly hidden within the chassis side rails, exiting just ahead of the rear wheels. It was a design masterpiece that left car enthusiasts in awe.
Although these LaSalle II dream cars were never intended for production, they left a lasting impact on the automotive world. Sent to the crusher after the Motorama shows, they were fortunately rescued by Joe Bortz, a Chicago area nightclub owner, and car enthusiast. Bortz invested significant time and effort into restoring these GM Motorama gems, preserving their legacy for future generations to admire.
The 1955 Cadillac LaSalle II is a shining example of the creativity and ingenuity that defined the golden age of automotive design. It may have been a dream car from the past, but its influence on modern car design is still felt to this day.
