Yesterday, we linked to a story from the Daily Herald about Al Capone's 1927 Armored Cadillac going on display and as a result this morning an official press release with further details (and pix) showed up.
Official Unveiling of Al Capone’s 1927 Armored Cadillac
On Wednesday June 24, 2010, at 1pm the Lincoln Highway Association will be stopping at 76 S. LaSalle Street in Aurora Illinois on a buss tour to view the recently discover 1927 Armored Cadillac that was formerly owned by Al Capone. This car will be at this location for a very limited time and may be sent out for restoration. The car is in its original un-restored condition. In the interior of the vehicle all the original armored plating is visible. This includes a drop down rear window with a tempered steal gun port. This 1927 Cadillac is a part of Chicago’s history in that it is believed to have been involved in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre which took place on February 14, 1929. The owner has recently obtained a receipt from Al Capone great-granddaughter who wishes to maintain her privacy. The showing is from 1-2pm. The public is welcome to attend. Please call Maria Zanis for more information at 1-815-690-0641 or email her at mariazanis@me.com
The 1927 Caddy used in the infamous St. Valentine Day Massacre on February 14, 1929 in Chicago Illinois was owned by the notorious Al Capone. This 1927 Cadillac was specially created for Al Capone and was modified and molded for the way Al Capone ran his business. This car had the following modifications:
The custom body is lined bullet-proof armor.
Fisher Co. custom-made the body using aluminum in order to offset the weight of the bullet proofing.
There are compartments throughout the car to stash weapons and ammunition.
Each door contains small compartments to hold pistols. The backseat has a large compartment that is large enough to stash larger weapons like shotguns and the famous Tommy gun.
The custom roof hatch opens facing the rear of the car in order to allow two gunmen to fire at chasing vehicles.
The armor that covered the rear window has a small shutter in which to allow a means to fire weapons through.
The car was painted green and black to look like a Chicago Police Car.
The mounted running board included a search light.
The Buffalo wire wheels where filled with hemp rope in order to prevent a flat tire if shot.
The car has two spare wheel options, which include dual side mounts in the front fenders.
The front bumper contains a plow bar.
A back up reservoir that holds twenty gallons of antifreeze.
Four backup batteries.
Dual cover lights.
A two gallon tank of oil is mounted under the dashboard with copper wiring that runs along heated pipes to the rear of the car, thus creating a smoke screen effect for pursuing cars.
The floor of the car has a small hatch door that was used to drop roofing nails in order to deflate the tires of their pursuers.
A twenty gallon tank that contains kerosene which was dispensed onto the ground to create “oil slicks”
A new and aerodynamic VV windshield.
An exterior sun visor.
Optional Cadillac wing windows.
There is much more to this car. The history, high speed chase scenes, and the role it played for Al Capone and his men will always be a piece of Chicago.
3 comments:
Is the car still in Aurora, Illinois? I'm in upstate New York but I'd drive all the way out there to see it in a heartbeat!
Is this the missing Capone Cadillac that recently resurfaced near Chicago?
This is Maria Zanis, the daughter of the owner of the 1927 Cadillac. I am looking for any information that verifies that this car was owned by Al Capone. I have a lot of documentation already but I want more. It can be personnal accounts of the car, pictures, and the best is of course newspaper articles or pictures of Al Capone and the car in them. If anyone has anything like this please contact me by phone at 1(815) 690-0641 or email at mariazanis@me.com. Thank you so much! Maria
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