When I first saw the 1984 Eldorado Convertible, I could not get over how stunning this car was. It was in the Miami Beach Convention Center during the annual car show. Cadillac had just introduced the Eldorado Biarritz Convertible. As I tried to break through the crowd that was admiring this machine, I finally caught a glimpse of it and ever since I had a long desire to own one.

I was only 24-years old back then and the chances of owning one of these bad boys was slim to none. The Eldorado Convertible carried a hefty price of approximately $35,000 and only about 3,000 were produced. In today's market, that amount translates into approximately $90,000. Thirty five thousand dollars was a lot of money in 1984. But I was determined that I had to have an Eldorado.

After reality settled in, I realized that I could only afford a regular Eldorado Coupe (without the Biarritz package). I purchased a gray Eldorado with velour gray interior. It was a great car and I could not get enough of it. Even though I could not afford a Biarritz or a convertible, I was extremely grateful that God allowed me to have the opportunity to own a regular Eldorado.

Approximately 24 years later I still had a passion for that convertible. So I discussed it with a friend of mine (Joe Napoles) and we started to search the market for one. We came across a few but I wanted one that was in very good condition. Joe discovered one that met my criterion on EBay and placed a bid on it for me. The next day he told me about it but I figured that someone else would win the bid. Soon thereafter, I received a call from Joe and he told me that I was the proud owner of a 1984 Eldorado Biarritz Convertible. Well, we won the bid and now it was time to go see the car and pay-up. We drove from Miami to Lakeland, Florida, where the car was located. When we arrived, she was parked outside and after a thorough inspection, I decide to purchase the car.

We drove the car back to Miami and fifteen minutes into the drive my "Check Engine" light came on. We stopped at a local Auto Zone and checked the alternator while the car stayed on. Sure enough, it turned out to be a bad alternator. I decided to continue driving on battery all the way back to Miami. By the grace of God, I made it home and parked her inside the garage. The following day, she was towed to my mechanic and a new alternator was dropped in and all belts were changed along with replacement of all fluids. The Eldorado has gone through a stringent cosmetic enhancement process. And now I finally have the car of my dreams. She drives beautifully and turns heads every where she goes. Last year, it entered the AACA National Winter meet in Homestead, Florida and won a First Junior Award. I plan to attend the CLC Grand National in St. Augustine, Florida scheduled for June 13-16 of 2012 and the 2012 AACA Winter National Meet in Melbourne, Florida. We hope to acquire a Senior Award if possible.

I am a proud AACA member and have owned Cadillac's all my life. I plan on enjoying my cruises through South Beach with my convertible Eldorado for a long time to come.

This past December, the AACA and Indiana State University (ISU) completed the fourth semester of their partnership to promote automotive history. We have long supported education through seminars, events and scholarships. New ideas to bring young people into the hobby of antique automobiles are always welcome. Connecting with ISU is especially rewarding because an AACA Life Member proposed the idea to both us and ISU. The AACA is multi-national, so the alliance provides a great opportunity to emphasize our commitment to education.

For the 2011 class, the student assignment was to write a research paper on topics from a prepared list of notable characters, cars and incidents. We wanted to acknowledge the student with one of the most outstanding papers in the group. So please enjoy the research done by student, Patrick Myers, and his paper on John North Willys. Great job Patrick! 

John North Willys: Automotive Pioneer, Businessman, American Diplomat

By Patrick Myers

Time to Drive: Early Automobile Clocks

At the start of the New Year, people often reminisce about the past. With time on the mind, you might be interested to know that, in addition to the Library's reference book and sales literature collection, we also have information on antique automobile clock accessories. Taken for granted today, clocks were an afterthought in the infancy of the automobile and didn't appear on the market until about 1904. While automotive timepieces have come a long way since then, clocks up until the 1930s have retained the greatest charm.

 Interestingly enough, it was pocket watch companies, not clock makers, who scrambled to meet the needs of this growing market. In America, companies such as Phinney-Walker, Chelsea Clock Co., and Waterbury made their mark. However, the more desirable high quality clocks proved to be those made by Waltham and Elgin. According to a 1918 Waltham ad, "the high class cars which are equipped with the Waltham Automobile Clock are an index to the reliability of this super time piece."  

 In England and Europe, the most popular manufacturers were made by Jaeger and Smiths. While Smiths clocks were often relegated to lower priced cars, Jaeger timepieces made their way into more luxurious makes. For example, Jaeger's chronograph auto clocks could be found in Duesenbergs and Bugattis.

 Just like the pocket watches manufactured by these companies, early automobile clocks needed to be wound by hand. To the frustration of many, some required a winding every day. On the other end of the spectrum, companies like Waltham incorporated 8-day movements in their clocks to save drivers time, only needing a wind once a week.

As an optional accessory, most early auto clocks were mounted with a bracket to the surface of the dashboard. However, some were placed in spots unusual by today's standards, such as the rearview mirror or steering wheel. Made in 1916 by the Eisenstadt Manufacturing Co. of St. Louis, MO, the Automobile B-4-U Clock was placed on the wheel with the safety claim, "see it without taking your eyes off the road; wind it without taking your hands from the wheel."

While keeping one's eyes on the road was important, two of the greatest threats to automobile clocks were open cars and unpaved roads. Exposed to the elements and vibrations from traveling along bumpy roads, they needed to be built to withstand this daily "abuse." Patented in 1916, the Lewis NOJAR Rubber Retained Auto Clock sought to address both problems. In this particular piece, the clock was "encased in pure black rubber" to keep out dust and absorb the shock from driving over rough terrain.

Since this time forgotten, automobile clocks have continued to evolve. Electric models introduced in the 30s were refined over time, giving way to the digital displays which have dominated the market over the past two decades. As time marches on, however, early clocks seem likely to remain the most cherished pieces.

In addition to clocks, we here at the Library also have information on several different types of automobile accessories. Whether you fancy tires and carburetors or cigar lighters and baby cribs, there's more to the Library than meets the eye. Seeking information on a particular auto-related subject? Consider filling out a research request via our website. We'd love to hear from you!

eBay Auctions and Book Sales:

Last month, our eBay auctions generated over $4,000 for the library. We can't thank the donors and buyers enough for helping us out. This month, we're selling even more books and collectibles in order to raise money for the library. Auction link here. Keep your eye on the time, as these auctions will end on ..... Don't forget, we also have several books for sale on abeBooks, including a number of rare pieces. If you're looking for the perfect gift for an antique auto enthusiast, we just might have something up your alley.

1.  Henry Ford's 1908 Model T, often known as "Tin Lizzie," was the forerunner to the first truly mass-produced automobile. Mass-production would not have been possible, however, if an essential component of the Model T's engine had not been improved upon. What was the component?

2.  Who built the world's first regular production light-alloy engine? 

3.  Name the first US production auto to feature a V-8 engine.