1968 Cadillac
Since the Ville hdtp.
There is a lot to tell about this very special Cadillac.
It was ordered as a new car in 1968 by the boss of an Opel dealer in Hamburg and built at the then GM assembly plant in Antwerp. A rare European version with a mileage indicator. Optional extras included: - Madeira plum firemist metallic paint at extra cost - limited slip differential - automatic air conditioning - front disc brakes, new in 1968 at extra cost - 6-way electrically adjustable front seat - 2 adjustable steering wheels - seat belts - radio delete, no radio!
Very rare As Cadillac did not start ordering sunroofs ex factory until 1969, a manual sunroof with black vinyl top was fitted by the same manufacturer, Golde of Frankfurt.
The car was purchased because Egon Zylla was able to sell his Opel dealership on good terms. Egon Zylla planned to spend his retirement with his wife in beautiful Ascona. There he wanted to park his Cadillac in the garage of his villa "Hanseat".
Unfortunately, life took a very unfortunate turn. His wife died of tetanus after an accident. Despite the wishes of his children, Egon Zylla stuck to his plan and moved to Ascona alone. Grief, boredom, loneliness and bad company in the wild '68s led to a number of crooks and shady characters taking advantage of the situation.
Within a few years, all the money had been lent to friends or simply spent. It came to the point where, after demanding the return of his loans, he was lured into a trap and killed by a hitman and his accomplices. The murder of a wealthy tourist in the then tranquil Ticino caused a sensation.
This story is still well known in Switzerland and is revisited from time to time. In the archives there is also a big story in Der Spiegel. Even in Germany the case was unusual. At the centre of it all was this famous Cadillac, which was then confiscated by the public prosecutor's office. The investigation and conviction of those involved took several years.
The car was then released for collection and stored at an Opel dealership in Ascona, but was never collected. The car waited in the basement of the dealership until the business was handed over and closed. It was even going to be dismantled or recycled!
A lucky coincidence brought us to it. On a trip to Ascona. We were driving our '68 Fleetwood Brougham and we were doing a lap via Ronco to Ascona. I thought I was being followed by an Opel Corsa. After a stop, the driver got out and told me he also had a Cadillac and asked if I was interested.
We exchanged phone numbers. The next day it was raining. That was the trigger for an afternoon appointment to have a look at the usual grotto that had been rotting away for decades, I thought.
At first glance, it looked like this in the back corner of the cellar. Very dusty, with flat tyres and a wheel on the bonnet. With a torch and the rainy season at my disposal, I took a closer look.
With increasing enthusiasm, I discovered a 50,000 original Cadillac in its original paint, with a very nice interior and not tampered with! And then there was this incredible crime story. After a few days of difficult negotiations, the purchase was completed. Without even trying to start it, it was loaded onto a trailer and we carefully and extensively restored it to like-new condition.
Now flawless and registered, it has already won some great tours and awards.
