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San Francisco, 1925. "Type V-63 Sedan at Don Lee Cadillac." Back when "power steering" was supplied by the chauffeur. 5x7 glass negative. View full size.
The Type V-63 identified all Cadillacs produced in both 1924 and 1925. To differentiate the two years the 1924s were sometimes known as V-63A, and the 1925s were known as V-63B.
The car above looks like a Cadillac Custom Imperial. "Imperial" was the Cadillac designation for cars with a division windows between the driver and passenger compartments. The "Custom" models had the double belt moldings as well as the slightly sloping windshield. The drooping door handles should be horizontal.
That's what we used to call it when I was a kid and they didn't all have power assisted steering! Could be quite the struggle in tight parking situations.
The Don Lee logo with its copy "Expect Great Things" seems almost contemporary in both its design and concept. The model looks somewhat rakish with her hat slightly askew and the jolly look on her face. Even now, who wouldn't want to sit in a Cadillac? The reflection of the photo crews' legs in the car door is a nice informal touch.
Back when the Cadillac escutcheon was populated with ducks.
His Los Angeles dealership, at least, had an adjunct custom coachwork activity, and it was therein where GM styling guru Harley Earl got his start in auto design. I suppose that Lee's San Francisco clientele could avail themselves of that service as well.
But this factory body was imposing enough, and the price difference would probably have bought a nice cabin in the Sierras.
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