For many years designers have dreamed of creating a most unusually appointed Cadillac, employing rare furs for interior body covering. This dream has become a reality with the long lurking desire culminating in a leopard skin trimmed convertible.
The selection of leopard skin for this car was most fitting in keeping with the character and tradition of Cadillac automobiles. Throughout the centuries a particular distinction has been attached to the use of these skins as raiment or in adorning living quarters.
Among many tribes the leopard is regarded with such awe that even the mention of the name is tabu and the skins may be worn only by the supreme chief - as the "Ingwe" or leopard has had a quasi-sacred character since its earliest appearance in antiquity.
As perfect leopard skins are scarce, the greatest obstacle, as pointed out by Don E. Ahrens, Cadillac General Sales Manager, was that of obtaining enough for this undertaking.
Many months before the car was built a Detroit furrier was commissioned to find the perfect specimens. This quest was fulfilled when he brought the 187 finest skins in the country to his establishment. After a careful examination it was determined that fourteen approached the high quality of this car as closely as could be obtained. Fur experts then studied the skins for many days to arrive at an exact match and perfect laying of each piece.
The leopard skins covering the upper portion of the front and rear seat backs, the upper side panels, and the complete floor in the front and rear compartments give a sophisticated interpretation of primitive splendor.
These skins are those of the Somaliland leopard - the largest, most ferocious, and yet the most beautiful species - found only on the East Coast of Africa.
For an unusual touch, two pieces of leopard tail were used to make the robe cord - and it is easily understandable that a leopard claw should be added to the ignition key ring - a whim of the designer's mood.
Only the stoic can study this creation without coming under the spell of its primitive beauty.
So perfectly have these skins been prepared that it requires little imagination to vision a leopard gliding cat-like through his native haunts - the smooth flowing, muscular ripple belying the tremendous power of the predatory beast.
The quiet repose of the leopard skins on the car flatter masculine ego and the thought of being surrounded by the gorgeous luxury of the rosette studded skins titillates feminine imagination.
In brilliant contrast to the rosette studded leopard skins - lower seat backs, cushions, and the covering of the lower sides and door panels is a shimmering, opalescent, gray nylon satin.
The armrests are covered with iridiscent gray leather. The note of luxury set by the lavish use of rare furs is further highlighted by the richness of the interior appointments. Every interior, unpainted metal surface is gold plated. No detail has been overlooked, even the ignition key and key chain are in gold finish.
Typically Cadillac in that no detail has been overlooked, the debutante's every desire is lavishly provided for in this aptly named car. A cigarette case and memo list are concealed in the left front door panel. While, tucked away in the opposite door is a lipstick and a miniature perfume atomizer [all previewing the future Eldorado Brougham's complement of vanity items ?!?!].
In Tawny Yellow Buff the exterior of the "Debutante" complements the Rufous Buff color in the leopard skins. In this exterior finish, the pearl luster has been achieved by overlaying the base paint with a sprayed layer of miniature, moon shaped fish scales - these are exceedingly costly, obtained only through a special process that requires dissolving the larger portion of a fish scale leaving only the tiny pearl essence.
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