1939 Cadillac-Brunn Town Car Body #1 Created for Joseph E. Widener

Description for Cadillac Other 1939

One of the rarest pre war cars for sale. This car was ordered by Joseph Early Widener of Philadelphia, New York, and Florida. Mr. Widener owned the Hialeah Race Track, and owned all of the traction companies in Philadelphia and New York. He was a major art collector and left his entire collection to the National Gallery comprising of thousands of major works which had previously been displayed in his palatial 110 room home, Lynnewood Hallin Elkins Park Pa.

Mr.. Widener did not like the lines of late 30's cars, so he commissioned Hermann Brunn, Buffalo New York to create a more than pleasing Town Car, one for his Philadelphia residence, and one for his Florida residence. This car is body number 1 as described by a brass I.D. plate on the wood frame under the chauffeur's seat. Number 2 was destroyed in Florida sometime in the 1950's. I purchased this car in 1966 when I was 16 years old. It has been a long journey to the near final restoration. I contacted Mr. Brunn by telephone in 1966and he was really surprised and happy to hear that at least one of the cars survived, he referred to them as "disposable commodities". Mr. Brunn proved to be a spectacular source of information and sent me several correspondences, and a very large amount of photographs of the car being built, through to completion from his well maintained archives. I have enclosed a few of them in this listing. Mr. Brunn stated that this was the most distinctive andbeautiful car, and themost expensive commission that enabled his company to survive for a few years longer. No expense was spared on this car. The clock in the woodwork is Jaeger, the silver St. Christopher medal is from the Hermes store in Paris, The ladies vanity contains sterling and gold accessories from Cartier, in the Art Deco style with pavae rubies and diamonds set in yellow gold. The radio controls are in the ladies arm rest, they are connected to a floor radiocompartment under the front seat, the power pact is in the trunk area under a hidden compartment along with the intercom supply. Please note, at the time of the photographs I had not re-installed the ivory Brunn labels on each door and the trunk lid, they are in place. The silverBrunn exterior labels are on either side of the cowl, slightly behind the side mounts.The arm rests have lighting controls for the vanities and the opera lights. The use of bronze in this car is amazing, from the patented door hinges to the cowl, all of the outside and inside door handle, and windshield frame. The door handles were custom designs by Brunn.

This is a model 75 chassis, I have a copy of the sales order from G.M. to Mr. Brunn. I was very lucky to have purchased an extensive collection of original society photographs of Mr. Widener at various events with very prominent people including European and American Royalties and celebrities. It is of interest to note that while other wealthy Americans were staying out of the limelight, by using production cars due to the economic culture, some fearing for their lives, that Mr. Widener ordered this very distinctive car, very recognizable wherever it went. This car drives beautifully, I use it rarely, but when I have it on the road it is a pleasure to use, and a show stopper. I have never taken this car to any show, or authored an article in the Classic Car Club.. Please contact me with any questions, I will be happy to answer them. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a major and importantpiece of automotive history.