Archive: 1953 Cadillac Le Mans
From a time when cars had names
By Matt Stone
Photography by Motor Trend archives
Eldorado. Cyclone. Orleans. Seville. All names of Cadillac dream machines or production models of the 1950s. The Seville moniker went away at the dawn of the 1960s, only to return in 1976 on a trim, handsome, midsize luxury sedan. Cadillac's newest midsize luxury sedan (tested in this issue) puts that nameplate to rest again, as it's badged simply "STS" and nothing more.
Another Caddy great from 1953 is this Le Mans concept, named of course for the 24-hour race in France in which Cadillacs competed in 1950. The Le Mans was smaller, lighter, and sportier than other Wreath-and-Crestmobiles of the day. Interestingly, as a fiberglass two-seater, it predated the current XLR roadster's production introduction by exactly 50 years.
Coverage: October 1986
What is it about Lamborghinis that inspires strange matchups? In this month's issue, a 5.0-liter V-8-powered Focus, and 18 years ago, a jet-powered Gazelle helicopter. This particular odd-duck comparo took place at Sears Point Raceway, and the chopper belonged to our pal, driving-school maven Bob Bondurant. Bondo and the Gazelle nipped the Countach--but only by five seconds.