1948 Cadillac Series 62 Cabriolet by Saoutchik
- Colour
- Black and violet
This 1948 Cadillac Series 62 chassis wears a dramatic cabriolet body by the celebrated Parisian coachbuilder J. Saoutchik, created just after the Paris Salon car that inspired it. Commissioned by New York furrier Louis Ritter — who took delivery in late 1949 and made a celebrated cross-country drive with dealer Roger Barlow — the car still carries its first American owner's initials on the radiator shell. A comprehensive restoration to a striking black and violet finish was carried out around 1989, and the car has since passed through several notable American collections.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$857,500
- 1949-12-01 → 1950Factory deliveryLouis Ritterpartial documentation
New York furrier who commissioned the coachwork via dealer Roger Barlow; chassis was sourced through a Cadillac connection in Los Angeles and sent to Paris. After a brief period in Beverly Hills, he parted with both his Saoutchik cars.
- 1950 → 1980Acquisition unknownNew Jersey familynone documentation
Held the car for several decades; no further detail given about their tenure.
- → 1994Acquisition unknownRick Carrollpartial documentation
Described as a prominent collector; his workshop undertook a full restoration finished around 1989, resulting in the current black and violet livery.
- 1994 →Acquisition unknownJerome Saulspartial documentation
Acquired the car in 1994; held it for several years before passing it on.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownPaul Kassoffpartial documentation
Reportedly connected to Ritter; his initials remain on the radiator shell to this day.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMelvin Olshanskypartial documentation
Subsequent owner after Sauls; no dates given for this tenure.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownPrivate collectionpartial documentation
Most recent pre-auction custodian; described as a distinguished private collection, with the restoration well maintained.
Competition
- 19481948 Paris Salon
A comparable Saoutchik-bodied Cadillac was exhibited at this show, not the subject vehicle itself; the subject car was commissioned in response to what Ritter saw there.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1989RestorationRick Carroll's private shop
A comprehensive restoration was carried out at the private workshop of collector Rick Carroll, producing the current striking black and violet colour scheme.
The restoration is described as having been well preserved through subsequent ownership.
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