1955 Die Valkyrie

[mawi427]

The 1955 Cadillac Die Valkyrie concept was designed by Milwaukee based designer Brooks Stevens. IMO, this is a very good looking car that looks even better in person. (I was fortunate enough to see the car on display at the Milwaukee Art Museum last September.) The radical front bumper was desgined to emphasize the Cadillac V8 engine. It was first shown at the 1953 Paris Auto show where it won prizes for its magnificent design. There had been plans to build up to 100 cars but only 6 were ever produced. The number 2 car went to Mrs. Stevens and now resides in a Brooks Stevens Museum in Mequon, WI. (A rich suburb 20 min. north of Milwaukee). By the way, I know my pictures are pretty horrible, but I couldn't find any good ones...if you have any please post them.

[mawi427]

more...

[bk4uyeah]

best i got is a small color

[dydzi]

for me it looks horrible. i know many other cars from that period of time that are looking far better

[byronleehk]

That thing looked so much like the 1966 original Batmobile :D

[NoOne]

I think it may qualify as one of the ugliest cars of that era ... I can't see how the looks could improve much in person. :)

[BortzCars]

It is an amazing car. I recently completed a video that you will enjoy and I will try to post it here.
Debbiehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHha82pRJJ4

[BortzCars]

http://photos.imageevent.com/bortzcars/1956cadillacdievalkyrie/websize/1956ValkyrieGRill.jpg

[kylawills]

Nice video and really amazing car!!!

[BortzCars]

The 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Valkyrie by Brooks Stevens-Body By Spohn will be starring at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2012 in March. Hope you can stop by and see it there. I have also posted some beautiful vintage photos and information on our The Bortz Auto Collection (http://www.BortzAutoCollection.com) page - click on the 'Amelia Island' navigation button on the left of the page. I have attached the brochure from the Milwaukee Art Museum display.
Debra Powless

[BortzCars]

Thanks Kylawills - Brooks Stevens was an amazing individual. It was so nice that the Milwaukee Art Museum paid tribute to him in 2003!

[ginahaggins]

http://photos.imageevent.com/bortzcars/1956cadillacdievalkyrie/websize/1956ValkyrieGRill.jpg

Nice! Cadillac is one of the most in demand vintage cars today.

[csl177]

I have to admit, it's pretty special in person. Not pretty, mind you...

[dog ear]

At first glance, the Die Valkyrie Caddy reminds me of the early-to-mid-fifties Studebaker line. IMO, both front and rear-end styling is reminiscent of the 1952-54 Studebaker Starliner Coupe, and the later 55-57 Studebaker Hawks.
See URL:
http://oldcarandtruckpictures.com/Studebaker/TheEnd.html

On the other hand, in the same time, Chrysler, Dodge, and to a lesser extent Plymouth commissioned Ghia among other studios to design some truly inspirational one-offs. A few were very low production styling concepts.

IMO, most all GM and Ford concepts in the ffities and sixties were overdone futuristic styling failures that were too far removed from real-world production acceptance. Chrysler lead the way with many European flavored concepts that people really admired.
See posted scans.

[Mugen_Ferio]

I just have a question - The Die part is its name, what does that mean exactly?

[csl177]

From old German (and modern Afrikaans), "Die" means "the"... pretty sure the car got it's name from Wagner's Die Valkyrie operas.
Which fits it pretty well... it's quite a dramatic bit of styling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aKAH_t0aXA

[Mugen_Ferio]

From old German (and modern Afrikaans), "Die" means "the"... pretty sure the car got it's name from Wagner's Die Valkyrie operas.
Which fits it pretty well... it's quite a dramatic bit of styling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aKAH_t0aXA

Interesting...I'm am Afrikaans btw ;)