1939 Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood

This 1939 Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood was ordered by a Ruling Prince of India named: Gen. His Highness Al-Hajj Amir Sir Sadiq Mohammad Abbasi V, N.Q.A., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., K.C.S.I., K.C.V.O., etc., The Ameer of Bahawalpur. His Highness was a direct descendant of the Abbasid Khalifat of Baghdad and Cairo. In 1936, following the conclusion of the Ameer’s Hajj, His Majesty King Abdul Aziz Bin Saud of Saudi Arabia presented the Ameer with the complete covering of the door of the Kaaba (the Ghilaaf), in view of the Ameer’s descent from Hazrat Abbas, the Uncle of the Prophet. The King further gifted H.H. the Ameer land situated in Mecca next to the Haram. In 1951, H.M. King Faisal II of Iraq paid a State visit to Bahawalpur with his uncle, H.R.H. Prince Abdilillah at the invitation of His Highness the Ameer. This Cadillac Fleetwood was used on this occasion. The vehicle has been a part of visits to Bahawalpur by Governor Generals and Presidents of Pakistan between 1947 till the Ameer’s death. It was used by him personally. It remained in the same family for the last 75 years. The vehicle was built to a special order by General Motors, who fitted it with right-hand drive to suit motoring in India. Additionally, all-around dark smoked windows were fitted for privacy of the occupants. A division window between the driver and passenger’s compartment is also in place, made of black smoked glass. An original radio and clock are fitted into the dashboard, and an original Motorola intercom is fitted to facilitate communication from passenger to driver. A letter addressed in 2012 to the President of General Motors requesting the Cadillac Division to research the late Ameer’s records in its archives resulted in the original order sheet dated 1939, which, along with other details, General Motors has forwarded to us. These documents are now available with the vehicle. Currently owned by the Hashwani Family.