AboutJeff Clark Expertise I can answer most questions on vintage-car history and trivia, but there are three things I can't help with:
1) repair questions
2) "where-can-I-find-the-VIN-on-my-car?" questions
3) what's-my-car-worth questions
I'm not a mechanic, I can't know the location of every VIN plate on every vehicle ever made, and I can't appraise a vehicle I can't see.
Experience I've been a classic-car fanatic my entire life, and have spent most of my free time studying the automotive industry and its history.
Education/Credentials 25 years experience in the automotive industry.
Expert: Jeff Clark Date: 5/20/2008 Subject: 1957 Cadillac
Question Some years back I had a 1957 Cadillac 62 series 4 door hard top that had a vinyl top. The car was lite blue with a dark blue top. It looked like it was factory installed. Can you tell me if it was? If so, how many were made and did I have something special? Thank you.
Answer I can find no record (written or photograph) of Cadillac ever offering that model with a vinyl roof. The '57 Eldorado Seville (Coupe de Ville with an Eldorado convertible back end) had a fabric-covered roof, which may have inspired dealers and aftermarket companies to offer vinyl coverings for other Cadillacs. BUT- it was possible to order a Cadillac back then with a lot of special-order items. For instance, if one wanted a Sedan de Ville but preferred the Series 62 interior, Cadillac would produce it that way, but not the other way around. There was a special code number on the Cadillac data plate that indicated a non-stock vehicle, but it didn't spell out just what was different. So, though almost anything is possible when it comes to a Cadillac built between 1947 and 1970, it's very unlikely that your '57 came from the factory equipped with a vinyl roof covering.
