The King's Yellow Cadillac

[corkscrew]

After the ceremonies tonight the King rode in a four door convertible yellow Cadilliac. Why?

[legag]

Why as why yellow color or as why Cadilliac?

And still don't know what's your point

[PeaceBlondie]

Because he can. Let's not discuss him; just his car. It was magnificent, and all four doors looked lengthened, for ease of getting in and out. I told my Thai partner how Cadillac was the most famous, expensive and largest, American car. I've also seen Lincoln sedans in the royal fleet (at Hua Hin), and of course there was a Maybach during the 60th year festivities, and numerous Rolls Royce convertibles.

I don't keep up with luxury American automobiles, but I can't think of a stock, four-door convertible since President Lyndon B. Johnson drove his around the Johnson ranch, beer in hand (which was legal then!). I believe Lancia had a four door convertible in the 1950's (Flaminia, perhaps?). For years, there were no stock American ragtop sedans, and I think one year the available drop-heads in the USA were the Volkswagen Cabrio and the R-R Corniche, both imports!

[corkscrew]

Why as why yellow color or as why Cadilliac?

And still don't know what's your point

Yellow, of course, is the King's colour. But, why a Cadillic....I did not think they were even for sale in Thailand. In the past the King has always been in European cars.

[A_Traveller]

The royal fleet has often included US vehicles, I know there were Lincolns being used, and I think there are a few Suburbans being used now. The Rolls Phantom was the prime vehicle {elephant mascot} until the gift of the Maybach which looks to be exclusively used by their majesties, with the RR being used by HRH's.

Regards

[corkscrew]

Because he can. Let's not discuss him; just his car. It was magnificent, and all four doors looked lengthened, for ease of getting in and out. I told my Thai partner how Cadillac was the most famous, expensive and largest, American car. I've also seen Lincoln sedans in the royal fleet (at Hua Hin), and of course there was a Maybach during the 60th year festivities, and numerous Rolls Royce convertibles.

I don't keep up with luxury American automobiles, but I can't think of a stock, four-door convertible since President Lyndon B. Johnson drove his around the Johnson ranch, beer in hand (which was legal then!). I believe Lancia had a four door convertible in the 1950's (Flaminia, perhaps?). For years, there were no stock American ragtop sedans, and I think one year the available drop-heads in the USA were the Volkswagen Cabrio and the R-R Corniche, both imports!

PeaceBlondie, you are right! A good point. I know the King has always loved great cars....I remember when he used to drive one of his Mercs near The Oriental. (Have you visited his car museum?)

Yes, the Cad was America's prestige car....and now I think it has regained its formal status....according to Motor Trend it now ranks among the very best vehicles models.

[chanchao]

> Yellow, of course, is the King's colour. But, why a Cadillac..

The US dollar is affordable these days. I mean Maybach, schmaybach.. get bang for your buck and get a stretched Caddie!

Edited December 2, 2007 by chanchao

[ajahnlau]

Have seen a few American SUVS running in front and behind a royal journey,all black and heavily tinted. They fly through Hua Hin at breakneck speeds.

[sfokevin]

What is the model/year?... Any good pics?... all i've seen is a closeup one with the King & Queen riding in the back - not much of the whole car.

[Thaiboxer]

I also saw the yellow caddie on tv the other night....it is a FAR cry from those Titanic sized steel boats they had in the 1960's, 70's and 80's. It looks more like a high performance sports car with its convertible top down, yet it also has the typical trimmings of a luxury car. When I first saw it, I was a bit amazed to see an American made car when the King is usually driven around in European cars; like Rolls Royces, etc. When I looked more closely, I noticed the wheel on the American side so it must be a direct import. I wonder if it was a gift from us, or just a special order? Still, it's a nice car but it wouldn't be easy to get parts though!

[sfokevin]

Here is a sideshow showing the car - sweet

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/12/03...es_30058046.php

[PeaceBlondie]

As a car-crazy American teenager in the 1950's, I knew Cadillac, Lincoln, Chrysler Imperial, and Packard were good. In the early 1960's, Car & Driver magazine compared the best Cadillac to Mercedes, Rolls Royce, Bentley, etc. Their conclusion: if the Cadillac were made in another country in very small numbers and hand assembled, it would rank as one of the world's best, regardless of cost. I'm glad to hear that Caddy has finally earned back its reputation. For a while, it was literally known as a pimp's car.

I suspect those long doors required an extended wheelbase, which on a convertible makes for extra difficulties. The Lincoln in which John F. Kennedy was assassinated had running boards for the Secret Service bodyguards.

[A_Traveller]

Looks like a STS based vehicle probably through Cadillac Master Coachbuilder programme.

Regards

PS too many TLA's

Edited December 3, 2007 by A_Traveller

[chanchao]

Hmm. could have sworn I posted here recently.. Oh well. Guess you'll have to live without the comment on how much getting spare parts would be an issue, though it was pretty obvious.

Edited December 3, 2007 by chanchao

[sriracha john]

The royal fleet has often included US vehicles, I know there were Lincolns being used, and I think there are a few Suburbans being used now. The Rolls Phantom was the prime vehicle {elephant mascot} until the gift of the Maybach which looks to be exclusively used by their majesties, with the RR being used by HRH's.

Regards

There are several of the big 4-wheel drive Chevy Suburans housed in a car museum at the Sanam Chan Palace in Nakhon Pathom. Also housed there are several of their predecessor, Land Rover.

[sbk]

John, is that the car museum corkscrew was referring to? I am assuming it is open to the public?

[Murf]

I saw the pictures in the paper this morning and my instant thought (being English) was, what is the king doing riding around in a Suzuki???

[sriracha john]

John, is that the car museum corkscrew was referring to? I am assuming it is open to the public?

The entire grounds and buildings of the Palace are open to the public. It's a very interesting and beautiful place to visit.

I don't believe it's the same as corkscrew is referring to as only the 4x4's of His Majesty are on display and none of his cars.

wiki link for Sanam Chan:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanam_Chan_Palace