In 1948 Cadillac produced only 3,329 Series 75 cars. Cadillac production archives indicate 1,262 of the standard 136" wheelbase and 2,067 of the commercial 163" wheelbase were made:
- 225 units - 7519X Sedan (5 passenger)
- 499 units - 7523X Sedan (7 passengers)
- 90 units - 7523L Business Sedan (9 passenger)
- 382 units or less - 7533X Imperial Sedan (7 passenger)
- 64 units - 7533L Business Imperial (9 passenger)
- 2 units - 75 Series Bare Chassis
- 2,067 units - 75 Series Commercial Chassis (163" wheelbase)
Commercial Chassis were shipped mostly to independent coach builders, like Meteor, who made an array of completely hand-built, "one-off" (one-of-a-kind) custom specialty vehicles primarily for commercial use (see chassis photo below).
History of Coach Builders - the front clip of a commercial chassis is typically the only portion in common with the "stock" factory vehicle. The body style was then entirely hand-built by the coach builder; body panels, roof, doors and glass were all hand-manufactured by expert craftsmen who were able to maintain fluid proportions on such a long wheelbase. These custom-bodied vehicles (known as "professional cars" or "commercial cars") were based on passenger car styling and used for distinct purposes such as livery, rescue, ambulance, hearse, or hotel and railroad guest services.
Some were special built to serve dual purpose such as ambulance-hearse "combination coaches". For example, the local funeral home typically was the only source for a vehicle long enough to carry a person in a recumbent position. Thus, many funeral homes also used their hearse to offer ambulance services as a goodwill gesture for the local community. Thus, many early ambulances were actually black (vs. today's popular red and white paint schemes).
The original Meteor Motor Car Co. VIN Plate - located on the driver's door "B" pillar, about 4" above the door threshold. (The serial number has deliberately been PhotoShop'd out of this photo. )
History of the coach builder, Meteor Motor Car Co. - as a "coach builder", Meteor Motor Car Co. produced completely hand-built, "one-off" (one-of-a-kind) specialty and commercial vehicles from about 1915 to 1953. In particular, Meteor enjoyed a long and successful life as a manufacturer of hearses and ambulances. Meteor introduced their first hearse in 1915 and was supplied by bodymaker A. J. Miller (Bellefontaine, Ohio) for several years before Miller decided to manufacture its own complete vehicles and compete with Meteor. In 1933 Meteor began using the Cadillac or Buick commercial chassis in place of their own.
The end of Meteor Motor Car Co. - In 1954 the company was acquired by the Wayne Works (later to become a division of the Divco-Wayne Corporation); Miller was acquired by the same company two years later, and the two old competitors were consolidated under the Miller-Meteor brand around 1956. The plant closed in 1979, but the name was acquired by Collins Industries, Inc. Surviving "old-timer" employees of the original Meteor Motor Car Co. are planning a 30 year anniversary gathering on Labor Day weekend, 2009 in Piqua, OH.
Original 1940's factory "build records" from the Meteor Motor Car Co. no longer exist, sort of. During the 1979 closure, management literally tossed all records into the dumpster behind the building (along with buckets of paint and other trash). Recognizing the value of these build records, one loyal employee attempted to fetch what he could out of the dumpster (however, some records were covered in paint, thus useless). Tossed into boxes (mixed up and disorganized), these saved records remained in the employee's private possession for the past 30 years. However, it is anticipated that these records will be donated to Piqua, Ohio's new library sometime about January 2009.
Original 1940's build records from the Cadillac factory are available from GM (General Motors) for all models from 1903 to 1970 (except 1968). You must provide your car's correct year, body style and the original engine number, chassis number or VIN. Send $50 (USD)payable to “General Motors”, by check or money order in US funds (PLEASE do not send cash) to:
- General Motors Heritage Center,
Cadillac Archives,
6400 Center Drive,
Sterling Heights, MI 48312 USA
You will also be supplied with copies of other interesting booklets such as the Optional Specifications Manual and the Salesman's Data Book relating to your year of Cadillac. A "build record" or "build sheet" is the tally sheet that accompanied your car down the assembly line on the day it was built. Sometimes these build sheets can be found under the back seat or other obscure places on the car. This sheet typically shows the codes for the colors and upholstery fitted to your car, the options, the exact date it was built and (for 1954 and older) an outlet code (destination) such as NY, LA, SF or sometimes the dealer's name or coach builder's name. At least you will then have a clue as to what state the car was originally destined for.
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