Let’s say that you’re, oh, Richard Milhous Nixon, that stalwart of conservativism. That button-down California senator who went on to fame as Vice President and then President. Are you with me so far? Then let’s say that you want to have a limousine built by a shop called Custom Craft. Ok, this isn’t that car, but this 1966 Cadillac custom is listed here on eBay in Troy, Michigan, and the seller is asking $50,000 or you can make an offer.
I had you going for a second there, eh? You probably thought that after appearing on Laugh-In and saying, “Sock it to me?“, soon-to-be president Nixon may have had a wild streak and wanted the craziest custom Cadillac ever, or at the bare minimum, the least car-wash-friendly one. It turns out that the original owner of this car, a “she”, according to a newspaper article, had the same initials: RMN. According to the seller, future president Nixon was having a limousine built at the same time as this example was made, and at the same shop, Custom Craft.
From what I can tell from the seller’s inclusion of a newspaper article about this car, the original owner was a famous jeweler and that would make sense. There are so many facets to this car that it makes the Hope Diamond look like a marble. Could you imagine washing this car? It’s called the “Madame X” car, who is this Madame X, the jeweler in the newspaper article? The Lincoln-like Continental spare tire trunk lid is an unusual touch, but so is everything else. Here’s what the trunk’s interior looks like, by the way. Is that mink? If not, I’d be disappointed.
You’ve seen opera lights and padded landau vinyl tops, how about this detail? Carriage lights, ON TOP OF THE ROOF! Of course, being the oddball that I am, I love this thing. It’s so far over the top that it would have made J.C. Whitney himself proud. This car just barely fails the modern pedestrian safety test, as in not even being close, and that’s what I love about it. I mean, not that we don’t want pedestrians to be safe from marauding Cadillac drivers. You can see a few chips here and there. “Hello, Maaco? Yeah, I have a 1966…”
The interior is a whole’nother story. The sculptured shag carpet samples for floor mats are pretty disappointing, but I get it, they’re trying to preserve the original carpet for the next owner. The newspaper article mentions that the “Jewelry executive selected jewel tones of red and pearl for upholstery and paint…” but this doesn’t look like either red or pearl to me, so maybe Custom Craft built two of these cars (GAA!) or maybe the interior has been redone?
Oh, baby! It doesn’t get any better than this, this car is a designer leisure suit on wheels. Most of us have a smartphone in our pockets at all times, because, you know, we’re humans in 2023. Some would say that the smartest people don’t have or need one, and there’s some merit to that, but check out the fur-covered phone built into the rear of the driver’s seat. Posh.
But, Scotty G, how will I put on my makeup?! That’s a no-brainer with fold-down lighted makeup mirrors on each side. The door panels just need that big clock around Flavor Flav’s neck to complete the look. It’s amazing that the door hinges haven’t fallen off yet, and you can see rust peeking around the edges, which is scary. And even scarier, the seller hasn’t included any engine photos. It most likely has a 429-cu.in. OHV V8, which would have had 340 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque when new, and it’ll need every bit of that power to pull this behemoth along the road. This car wasn’t even remotely aerodynamic from the factory and is now the equivalent of standing on the roof holding up a 4×8 sheet of plywood. With 12,843 miles this one is hardly broken in yet, would any of you drive this custom?
This isn’t THE Madame X car; the original was an early 30’s V16.
This is more like the “MadameXXX” car, a rolling bordello. The fur-covered phone booth has a flip-up seat for personal bathing…or so I would think…
Great writeup Scotty but your political reference is off. This is more of an LBJ, Texas ranch/bigger than life, flamboyant conveyance.
Ha, you’re probably right, Sam61!
Thats the way to say it, without saying it.
The Nixon comment is way off base. Nixon vs JFK was probably the last Presidential election where the Democrat was more conservative than the Republican. Both were hard-core anti-Communist capitalists. JFK dramatically cut all tax rates decreasing the maximum rate on the rich by 20%. Social spending increased more per year with Nixon than with small government JFK. Nixon was never a leader of movement conservatives or a headline speaker at conservative conferences such as Goldwater, Buckley and Reagan. Nixon even created expanded government in several ways including the creation of the EPA.
Bob19116, I wasn’t talking about politically conservative, I was talking about personality-wise, as in not being a wacky guy, and was trying to tie it into the seller’s description that soon-to-be President Nixon had ordered a Cadillac limo from the same custom shop as this one, and he had the same initials as the owner of this car. Clearly, that was a mistake to do that in 2023 as a few readers seem to be reading it as if I was somehow bashing Mr. Nixon and/or “conservative politicians”, which I was absolutely not doing. I wasn’t talking about him politically, but that must have been my mistake in not making it clear that I was talking about him being like Bob Newhart (now I’ve offended Bob Newhart fans!), as in the “button-down” not-exciting personality, not his political views or party. My apologies to those folks who took it that way, that was 100% not my intention at all.
How’s that “No politics” BF rule working on this thread?
I wonder what it would take to take all the “WACKO STUFF” off. Then It would be worth something closer to the asking price. It would be “STUNNING” back to original. I know there are people out there that would like to keep it like it is now and I say to each his or her own but as it is now, the extras are just to much for me. IMO I think the asking price is way to high though.
The JC Whitney catalog exploded all over this tacky Caddie.
I was thinking it crashed into the J.C. Whitney warehouse at 100 mph.
I always liked the pimp mobile cars back in the day
This is way over the top even for me. They floated into the disco era where anybody that was any kinda wannabe had a 225, mark v, 98, monte, Cordoba. Excess was how we did it. Way too much crap on this one.
It’s nice to see a custom Cadillac that’s been tastefully done…NOT!
I don’t need to say anything; said it regarding the Topolino…
Yes a pre-purchase inspection would be best, and bring a black light.
Before there were drug dealers in their slantnose 911’s…there were pimps ruling the road
Yeah, and the price? Maybe if “Huggy Bear” decided to come out of retirement, he’d be proud of this whip…
Mr. G, your write-ups are always sensational, but this one’s a step beyond! All the Caddy’s missing is a very large pair of antlers front and center. Maybe that’s more Jimmy Carter than RMN or LBJ though, but an empty can of Billy beer in the back would seem right at home.
Jimmy Carter? Billy beer? Where the hell are you from? This screams Texas, all the way.
The ultimate Mary K backseat interior before she went pink.
I’m gonna buy this and become a pimp.
Ghettotastic!!!
Pimp my ride…
Reminds me of a full service customer where I worked in high school. The lady had painted her’s with pink house paint using a brush and roller. The roof was done with marble pattern contact shelf paper. She kept those little cans of chili mac, and beans and wienies you could get at 7-11 on the engine. She would say,”Get you something to eat when you check the oil”. Crazy as a loon, but we loved that old lady.
She sounds awesome lol 🙌
oilngas, I love that! There aren’t many people like that today. Nobody wants to stand out from the crowd anymore, we all want silver SUVs that look alike and if someone has a pink roller-painted Cadillac, we think they’re weird. Ok, they are weird, but that’s a good kind of weird. Weird in my book is wanting the same silver SUV that everyone else has, the beenie-weenie lady sounded great, plus, being a nice person. We need more people like her today.
Much worse than a supercharger, don’t you think?
This Caddy has way to much going on for me it’s almost as bad as camouflage wrap on a nice mint pick up truck or gold/chrome wrap on a Corvette! No just no if it looks nice stock then leave it alone orake subtle changes if this where done today I’d say this person bought everything they could find either at Walmart automotive section or Ollie’s!
No way in hell would I drive this, but would 100% check it out if it was at a C&C. Definite William DeVaughn vibes going on here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvtlt-p7vB4
The trunk lid’s simulated continental tire screams Lincoln.
This Caddy has way to much going on for me it’s almost as bad as camouflage wrap on a nice mint pick up truck or gold/chrome wrap on a Corvette! No just no if it looks nice stock then leave it alone orake subtle changes if this where done today I’d say this person bought everything they could find either at Walmart automotive section or Ollie’s!
Marvelously hideous. Looks like something Elvis would have loved!
Looks like a pimp on acid decorated it, perhaps with Devine’s help. I’d love to know what the new owner is gonna do with it.
They either did the custom interior work in the 1970’s or they WERE THE ORIGINAL inventors of pillow tufted interiors! I really like this car’s flair for what it is. You really don’t want to change a thing because it would detract from its original “ originality “, to be nice of course. Aside from everyone’s ideas and even fairly accurate presidential comparisons, I would have to say that THE best candidate ( no pun intended), would be LIBERACE. With out a doubt. Awesome article and hey, maybe the next owner will install a piano.
Originality is a question. The Sony Trinitron was introduced in 1968. Not that it matters without a TV antenna.
A.G., I’m with you on that. I noticed that and also that RMN wasn’t president until 1968, or technically 1969 when he took office. The only thing I can think of is that this car wasn’t built in 1966 but they used a 1966 model, but why did they use an older model rather than a 1968 Cadillac? It’s a mystery.
Robert Levins: Ha, it’s missing a piano! And a hot tub.
You win the prize Robert, that caddy has Liberace written all over it! And cool name bro!
I think Liberace had more taste (such as it was) and would have considered this one overdone, LOL!! :-)
Can’t speak for Liberace, but I’ve seen some of his cars, been to his museum and restaurant, and inside one of his homes. He certainly had flamboyant, over-the-top taste, but there was always a high level of quality. I’m not seeing that here.
Wheres the dinkle balls on the upper inside of the windshield?…No curb feelers…what the front door!
Must also have the foam rubber dice hanging from the rear view mirror.
I drove one in high school. 66Fleetwood Brougham all the Cadillac equipment options. What an awesome interstate ride! 80mph and never a bump. You could imagine your self flying. Only stopped once for gas between Tampa,FL and Houston,TX.
Kenneth, I think the ’66 is my favorite year for Cadillac. I like the hidden wipers in ’68 but I’m not a fan of that slanted grille as much as this upright grille. And, the back seat in a ’66 was the best for a Fleetwood.
This looks like the car Boss Hogg traded in on his 1970 DeVille convertible.
Here’s the scoop,,,the initials stand for Ronald M Nassar, and is/was a retired industrial engineer who worked at a Detroit sunroof company, and built some limos for some very important clients, like a gold plated Caddy for Saudi Arabias late King Faisal. I believe his parents had this built ( he added his name later, or perhaps his fathers name?) along with a white Lincoln, of equal glitz, I’m sure, and reportedly rarely used. While many wrist watches have more technology than this car, at one time, something like this commanded respect,,in all ways of life. Apparently, it was his parents that had the money, and their Detroit mansion was for sale a while back. The article doesn’t mention what his parents did( Detroit,,duh, a jeweler would make sense) or that the cars even belonged to him. One thing clear, this was rocket science, huge at the time, on the ground. This is what happens when you put someone in charge with an unlimited budget. I think today, a vehicle like this would attract a record number of LEOs from several jurisdictions.
My most favorite car that my dad owned was his 66 Fleetwood, some of the most beautiful lines I’ve ever seen on a road barge, and to do something like this is just so wrong in so many ways!!!
Reminds me of a comment regarding a music video (steam or sledgehammer) from the amazing Peter Gabriel.
When asked what special effects he wanted his reply was all of them…
The owner of this Caddy couldn’t say no.
At least the color is white and not magenta or chartruse!
I love my Cadillacs, but this is way over done.
Someone needs to take their meds, know what I’m sayin’?
…and a few 12oz.curls to wash them down with.
Maybe if they gave me 50 Gs I’d take it….to the nearest shop and spend the 50 having this thing repaired to less of an embarrassment
With all due respect to our bovine friends, this optical insult is a rolling cow pie!!!
This is a PIMP MOBILE …plain and simple, put together like all pimp mobiles of the era ..James Bond – Live And Let Die movie era, garish beyond all nightmares and commissioned by somebody whose taste buds cherish the flavor of bilge water.
Thankfully the days of 20 foot long land yachts ended long ago ,and with it, so did the pimp ride.
Someone on the prison island of Manhattan is missing their ride.
I saw that movie when it first came out …Escape from New York ..
Wrong year.
Fake continental kit AND dual side mounts? Talk about a belt and suspenders approach. Oh, wait, I see the suspenders now on the hood!! I think I can explain the low miles: It was probably only driven after dark.
I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Dave, the President Nixon comment about him being conservative and button-down, as in not a wild man? I didn’t say anything against him or his politics at all, I was trying to make a humorous point about how a conservative (not necessarily politically conservative, you brought that to the table), person could have ordered a wacky car like this Cadillac.
It was meant to be a “How could such a button-down guy order a weird car like this one?” thing, it had nothing at all to do with politics. Zero. But I guess in 2023, there are people who read politics into every comment. I did nothing to wrangle one side or the other with a political comment, you steered it in that direction. I was referring to his serious nature and how he had the same initials as the person who ordered this Cadillac. And for the record, your “woke” comment just further throws fire on the whole thing, as you just now alienated half of the readers.
“Fitty” thousand $$’s? This lister might be the original owner, who got ahold of a phone at the Golden Acre’s home.
From the original 1970’s pilot for “PIMP MY RIDE”!
What a shame!
You tell’em, Scotty. People are so sensitive these days, can’t say nutin’ about nutin’.
He apparently didn’t read the rules about no politics.
Grandpa, I couldn’t agree with you more!
As classy as a rat with a gold tooth.
Looks like something the Duke would have been driven around in from the movie escape from New York
a#1
Troy,
The Duke had real chandeliers and scones on his, not these tiny little coach lamps.
Beyond silly, in every conceivable way. Actually made be look at the calendar to see if it was April 1 already. 🤦🏻♂️
Perhaps you meant “sconces” instead of the Scottish baked good?
I would not want to be seen standing next to this ugly beast. let alone own it.
50k or “make an offer”.
sure.
I’ll make an offer…
Most of the comments here are missing the point completely. This car was not built for drivability, it was built as a statement piece. And with all the comments here, I think it achieved its goal.
This car looks exactly like one bought in Kansas City at a local car dealer and customized at a local car shop called Wild Childs it was done the same way but only a beautiful blue it was owned by a friend of mine cousin. It was said to be shown in a movie in California what movie I dont know. It made its presence in Kansas City and was a stand out. Not all the straps and things but truly a beautiful car with sunroof and all and blue interior this version of it ugly. Someone get back to me and let me know if they have seen it on the West coast.