I am sure you have all heard some variation of the idea that we are not owners of historical vehicles.  We are just caretakers of these items.  This does make sense for well-made durable goods.  Automobiles on the CCCA list certainly qualify as durable goods.  If you have the means and inclination to take over caretaker duties for a certified classic, then look carefully at this 1937 Cadillac Town Car for sale on craigslist in what I believe to be Barton, Vermont.  Its third owner lovingly cared for it for 58 years, but now a new caretaker is needed.  Could that be you?  Thanks go to reader Ed in Vermont for letting us know about this gem.

The story on this beautiful Cadillac brings back memories I have of my grandparent’s experiences as active members of the Antique Automobile Club of America.  While everyone worked to have the car of their dreams, there was a camaraderie among old car people and a pride in owning a certain car.  Many of the club members I saw owned their cars for a long period of time and enjoyed driving them after overcoming the hurtles of winning Junior and Senior awards.  Cars were referred to in regard to who owned them, not necessarily what the make and model was.

My brother and I had a lot of fun growing up in such an environment. When my grandfather finally finished his Plymouth, it became the focus of the family’s weekend activities.  We went to cruise ins, club meetings, local shows and national events.  No trailer.  Driven everywhere.  Memories were built around and in that old Plymouth and I still drive people nuts talking about how the hobby was back in the day.  Today I am that Plymouth’s caretaker.  It is waiting for my life to slow down enough to get it back on the road.  Money would help too!

So, when I saw the ad for this gorgeous 1937 Cadillac Town Car and read the story of its time with the doctor who lovingly cared for it, the whole thing brought back a flood of memories.  According to the ad, an optometrist named Dr. Don Temple owned this car for 58 years and took great pride in showing the car to others, driving it, and displaying it.  Being a doctor, he likely could have purchased most any car, or started collecting them like some people hoard antique furniture.  Yet it was this car that was his long-term focus.  It meant something to him.  It meant enough to keep it until he passed on.

Like any other situation concerning the estate of someone who has passed on, it came time for the car to move on as well.  Ideally, a close relative would have taken on the responsibility.  Reading between the lines in this ad hints to that not having happened, so it appears the car was sold to an outsider, possibly a broker.  That was a good thing in this case, because whoever is selling the car obviously recognizes that the car was special to the late doctor and has conveyed in the ad that a caretaker is needed.

The seller has also been very clear in the ad that the car needs some work to bring it back to presentable condition.  The pictures show the top material coming loose in a few areas and some glass needs replacement.  A decent trim shop could take care of the first problem.  As for the glass, the car was built before curved glass became a regular thing on cars.  Most glass shops can thus replace the flat glass easily.  It might be worth it to find someone who specializes in antique auto glass for such a fine car.  It takes a lot of polishing to get the edges of the glass smoothed perfectly.  If they don’t know what a cork belt is, then they are not the glass person for you.

Despite these minor issues, the car is advertised as an all-original car in very good condition for its age.  There is no rust, the paint has a few chips and flakes, the chrome is 100% (seller’s description), and the back seat upholstery and headliner are original and in useable shape.  The estate seems to have also spent over $6,000 getting the car back in drivable condition.  It appears ready to enjoy again.

One obstacle may be the asking price on the car, which is $85,000.  While it is a prime example of why people spent extra for a Cadillac back in the day, the market for these cars is fading a bit.  It also hurts the valuation that it is not powered by a V-12 or V-16 engine.  Town cars can also be a tough sell.

Perhaps if the concern of the seller is finding someone to hand the car off to rather than approaching this as a basic business transaction, a proper caretaker can be located.  Someone is out there that would love to drive, show, and enjoy this prewar work of art.  Hopefully they can come to the table with an offer that makes this transaction happen.

Do you have a car that you consider yourself a caretaker of?  Tell us about it in the comments.