You may be wondering, where the devil is Lloyd Neck, New York and why would I drive a 1958 Cadillac down the world’s longest parking lot (the Long Island Expressway)?
My bride hails from Lloyd Neck, New York, and I opted for a much needed weekend of family support. They had all four of my food groups ready and waiting: salt, bourbon, grease, and pie. The Cadillac rolled up to the great house on the water and I snapped some of these shots.
My mother-in-law’s house was built by McKim, Mead, and Bigalow in the late 1800s on the site of an Tory Revolutionary War fort. Hence the house’s name, “Fort Hill.” My wife and I were married here in the lush garden and so we both have a special connection to the house and its elaborate grounds. And how cool is my mother-in-law that she lets me motor a 5,000 pound Cadillac on her lawn?
My niece, who was headed off to the prom the evening I arrived, struck a vintage pose next to the Brougham, which hearkened back to the Cadillac ads of the era. Elegant men and women, no doubt headed somewhere fabulous, were often seen emerging from Cadillacs. After all, how else would you expect a person to dress when getting out of a $13,704 Brougham? Sweats and a sideways baseball cap? Fuhgetaboutit, as they say here in New York.
My father-in-law loved vintage cars, too. His collection gravitated towards Fords. A 1927 Model T, a 1931 Model A Speedster, a 1929 Model A pickup truck, and a 1965 Lincoln Continental convertible. All fabulous cars, beautifully restored, and lodged in a garage that is far nicer than my house.
The Brougham, perhaps out of some embarrassment, immediately began to seep a small puddle of oil onto the garage floor. I hate it when my cars aren’t housebroken.
Still, I always say if a Cadillac isn’t leaking oil, it’s out of oil.
