1904 Cadillac Model A

I photographed this car just after it had left the start line on the Manchester to Blackpool Veteran and Vintage Car Run in June 1983.

It's a 1904 Cadillac Model A, and the programme of the event had this note about the car:

 

6        1904 Cadillac Model A

          Reg: BJ 208  1-Cylinder  6.5 hp

          (Mr. A.W. Hutt, Lytham St. Annes)

One of only three Model A Cadillacs in the UK, this car was first owned by Mr Pratt of Pratt's Petroleum, and then by Esso, being used a great deal in the 1930s for promoting Esso products. It has been in the Veteran Car Club since 1955, and completed several London to Brighton and Manchester to Blackpool runs since coming into Mr Hutt’s possession in 1976. Last year’s best effort was the VCC’s North West main event from Altrincham to Llandudno, a trip which was completed in one day via Denbigh and Betws-y-Coed, necessitating 1½ hours continuously in bottom gear.