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Cadillac Brougham Coupé Speciale 2 posti "Jacqueline," 1961 - PF's coupe was built in honor of America's first lady, Jacqueline Bouvier-Kennedy.
This striking-looking one-off show car was created by Pinin Farina and first displayed at the 1961 Paris Salon, the last to be held at the Grand Palais. The legendary Italian coachbuilder had been responsible for styling Cadillac's Eldorado Brougham limited edition models for the immediately preceding two seasons and was seeking ways to continue its association with the world's top-selling luxury brand, hence the 'Jacqueline,' which was named in honor of the wife of the newly elected President of the United States, John F Kennedy.
There have been relatively few (perhaps only a half-dozen) Cadillac-based styling exercises by Pinin Farina, the 'Jacqueline' being one of four made between 1958 and 1961. These comprised the 'Skylight' coupé and convertible (1958), the 'Starlight' coupé (1959) and the 'Jacqueline'. Only the 'Skylight' and 'Jacqueline' coupés have survived.
The sensational 'Jacqueline' stole the show at the Grand Palais in '61, the same venue it is being offered for sale 50 years later! It should be noted that many of its influential styling devices would appear on future General Motors products. However, it was far from a fully finished car: the body was supported on a tubular frame, mounted on two trailer axles, and there was no engine, transmission, steering, or suspension. After its time on the show circuit ended in the early 1960s, the 'Jacqueline' was consigned to the Pinin Farina Museum, where it remained for the next 30-plus years, rarely seen in public.
In the mid-1990s, Pininfarina (the contraction occurred in the mid-1960s) sold the car to the President of Cartier, Alain Dominique Perrin, its first and only registered owner. Already the owner of an extensive collection of rare and desirable automobiles, he decided to send the 'Jacqueline' to the USA, where it was rebuilt on a 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz chassis. The latter has been retro-fitted with a 390ci (6.4-liter) 325bhp V8 engine dating from 1959. Other noteworthy features include a four-speed automatic transmission, independent front suspension with coil springs, live rear axle with leaf springs, and four-wheel power-assisted drum brakes. The car is now fully driveable and has covered only delivery mileage since its mechanical restoration.
Most of the interior, including the one-piece bucket seats, is precise as initially conceived by Pininfarina, albeit with many items now fully functional.
Source: www.bonhams.com
Images: Pininfarina; www.heritageclassics.com
