1937 Cadillac Fleetwood – Austin, Texas

Cars this old are a rare site these days, especially if it’s not part of a car show. I was doing a solo photowalk around the Texas State Capitol grounds a week ago and spotted this beauty. I asked the driver, who stood proudly nearby, if I could take some images. I walked around the car looking for a model name and could not find one. Then I noticed a subtle and worn logo in the back that looked vaguely familiar. Cadillac? The person responded with a Yup, a 1937 Fleetwood.

Expressive Face, 1937 Cadillac Fleetwood – Austin, Texas

I hope I look this good at 75 years old. The black and white conversion seem to fit the scene; the rich black really comes alive without the distraction of the background colors. The face of the car looks expressive, unlike the generic, aerodynamic vehicles we have now. I wonder what the people of the 1930s would think of our modern cars. Would they think they look cool or boring?

Baroque Hood, 1937 Cadillac Fleetwood – Austin, Texas

Much of the world around us have been stripped of detailing. Whether it be the cars, the buildings or even the every day signage. When I was younger, I was strictly Bauhaus. Form follows function. Now, as a photographer, I miss the details.

Hood Ornament, 1937 Cadillac Fleetwood – Austin, Texas

I took these photographs with my Olympus E-P3 with the Panasonic Lumix 14mm f2.5 and the Olympus E-PL1 with the Panasonic Lumix 20mm f1.7. Please make sure to click on a photograph to see a larger image and hover over the photo to see the exposure details.