1955 cadillac cdv "Horse Trotters Gate"

[ronebee]

I just went and saw a real neat/different car in a barn here in Upstate New York. 1955 Cadillac Coupe De Ville, with "Trotters starting gate" on the rear of the car. Did some digging in the car and Found a permanant Florida Registation Certificate showing City of Orlando as Owner of the vehicle in 1955. I called city of Orlando and the address on the registration is 1000 West Gore Ave, Orlando, fl, spoke to a clerk, she says that is the address of "Fleet Management" for the city. Called, wating on return call. Anybody in Orlando remember this car/starting gate?

This is a real interesting car that looks as if it was built brand new to be a trotter starting gate, trunk is full of mechanics that pull the gate sides around the car, rear seat was removed and a hole was cut in the roof of the car and rear seat was replaced by rear facing single seat on perch so starter could look above the roof for starting horses. Not a cobbled up mess, but looks to be a purpose built piece from 1955. Florida Car, never been in NY except in a barn but it needs everything. Any ideas who would want, could use something like this? I have also sent a note to Cadillac-Lasalle club. It would be nice to see this car stay together and not cut up for parts/scrap. Any ideas?

[PeteLeathersac]

Sure sounds like something pictures should exist of?.

If a true 'professional car' you'd think it would have a makers tag somewhere on it...or signs of where one was?.

Here's a link where you can cruise pics of mobile starting gate vehicles...old and new.. May even be in there somewhere?.

http://mobilestartinggates.spaces.li...F6ED6FE5C!189/

Good luck!.

~ Pete

[ronebee]

Ya know you gotta love this site:

Were else on Gods' green earth would somebody know about a site dedicated to mobile starting gates (cool site btw)?

Thank you for your help.

[Rixls6]

Maybe this one is it's convertible twin? Got the pic from the site in the previous post.

[ronebee]

the car is real close to this, the same perches are on the front fenders, there is a 1 through 6 on the gate (steel numbers), I went there looking for a cruiser hardtop that I could wear a Fedora with three feathers in and roll on vogues, this car isn't it. This car shou;d go back to its' roots or go to somebody with ponies. Who knew there was so much history of the starting gate?

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
Ya know you gotta love this site:

Were else on Gods' green earth would somebody know about a site dedicated to mobile starting gates (cool site btw)?



[/ QUOTE ]

[PeteLeathersac]

Check out the pic on the site of the 'Freehold Raceway' car...about pic # 37..
It's a coupe and the note mistakenly says a '57 car but looks like it could be the one?.
Isn't Freehold in NY...maybe near where your car is now?.

~ Pete

[ronebee]

Well that sure is a 1955 Coupe, no idea were Freehold raceway is though, could be the car, exact same gate design with rests on front fenders.

Spoke to Charlie Topps at City of Orlando, , car was more than likely the car used at Ben White Raceway back in the fifties, now renamed "Trotters Park". He said they are trying to get a museum toghether, so I sent him a copy of the registration and told him to contact me if the city would like to know the wereabouts of the car.

It's been a long time since I have been around a cadillac from the fifties. I was actually amazed athow BIG these cars are. I'm pretty sure the outside dimension of this thing is as big or bigger than my wifes 2000 GMC Yukin xl, and the caddy is a two door!