Weather conditions can’t stop Cadillac Through the Years event

Now in its 11th year, the Cadillac Through the Years car show’s success and popularity was evidenced by its latest gathering Sunday at The District at Green Valley Ranch. As other promoters of outdoor events modified or cancelled their programs, the Cadillac Through the Years attracted a strong field of about 50 classic Cadillacs along with a strong crowd that leisurely walked The District enjoying the vehicles.

In the words of Findlay Cadillac General Manager John Saksa, “The rain never stopped the Cadillacs of the 1930s and 1940s, and it couldn’t stop the 11th annual Cadillac Through the Years either.

“In fact, the rain actually added a very cool level of allure that people seemed to appreciate. Then, too, the color of the ‘Main Street’ scene with its many shops provided the perfect environment.

“This event marked the return of Cadillac Through the Years to The District, and we’re wildly impressed with how everything came together even though the weather on Saturday certainly had us concerned. So fitting was the fact that it actually warmed up later in the afternoon.”

In fact, several entrants traveled long distances to not only participate in the annual event, illustrating the fact that there remains a fascinating tie between classic vehicles and Southern Nevada.

Among those who made the trek was 71-year-old Carl Fielding, who drove his impressive 1927 Cadillac Sedan some 2,000 miles from Portland so that he could show his vehicle at The District. Showing that the vehicle was not only dependable but also multifaceted, as the sedan carefully delivered Fielding over highways and even on a dirt road.

A resident of Seattle, Fielding drove to Portland where he picked up the sedan from his mechanic, 68-year-old Bob Earls, who has his own shop where he works on classic vehicles.

In fact, Earls worked with Hill and Vaughn Restorations, owned by Ken Vaughn and the legendary Phil Hill, America’s first Formula One world champion.

“When I got the car, you couldn’t really drive it because the previous owner didn’t understand that the radiator needed to be rebuilt and caused overheating problems,” said Fielding, who also owns a 1924 Cadillac Touring car. “The car was definitely a project, but Bob has worked on some big-time classic vehicles. Not everyone is lucky enough to get a car like this, but Bob fine-tuned everything.

“It doesn’t even leak oil.“

After only have driven the car for about 1,000 miles, Fielding began the 30-day trek to Vegas. With a cruising speed of 45 mph and a top-end speed of 60 mph, the sedan made it to Southern Nevada getting 10 to 11 miles to the gallon powered by a 314 cubic inch V-8 flathead.

Other “amenities” include a cigarette lighter on spring-loaded wire along with a windshield that can be adjusted for air ventilation, dual rear view mirrors and vacuum-operated turn signals that extend out about a foot of both sides of the vehicle when extended.

The trip took Fielding down Highway 1 along the Pacific Coast Highway before heading for Barstow and on to Las Vegas where he will also enter the sedan in the Cadillac LaSalle Club national convention April 16-17 at the Suncoast in the northwest valley.

Needless to say, the looks Fielding gets with the sedan are endless.

“I have to be careful where I stop because if the crowds are large, I may not get out of there for a couple of hours,” Fielding said. “I never tire of making people happy. It’s cheap psychotherapy.”

Cadillac Through the Years was co-sponsored by Findlay Cadillac and the LaSalle Club Las Vegas Region.

Findlay Cadillac is part of Findlay Automotive Group founded more than 50 years ago by the late Pete Findlay, whose son, Cliff, now spearheads 28 automobile dealerships in Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Arizona and Idaho.

Further information may be found by visiting www.findlayauto.com.