Cadillacs and Shared Memories: A Personal Experience

Your family had a collection of Cadillac automobiles, spanning different models and years. From the midnight blue 1963 Fleetwood to the 1968 Sedan de Ville, these cars held a special place in our memories. Each car, although detailed and well-cared for, had its unique story to tell. My personal experience with one of those cars, named Cleo, remains particularly vivid.

My Connection with Cleo, the Sedan de Ville

My father favored the 1968 Cadillacs, and it's clear that General Motors did something special that year, as I also enjoyed my 1968 Pontiac. However, I mostly drove a Buick Electra, which I used more frequently. Interestingly, Cleo, my father's Sedan de Ville, was named Cleo, and she brought with her an air of elegance and sophistication.

Cleo was a year younger than the Buick Electra, but she decked out in many luxurious features. I cannot recall much detail now, but I remember that she was fancier than the Electra. Our experiences together were varied, and I would like to share three interesting anecdotes about my time with her.

Three Interesting Experiences with Cleo

Baraboo Adventure

One day, I went to Baraboo and decided to take the route that merged from County Z to US 12. I took the curve and entered the highway. To my surprise, the ride was quite pleasant, and I decided to check the speedometer. I realized I was well over the speed limit, which was around 70 mph. After a brief moment of realization, I knew I needed to slow down.

Madison Day Trip

A few days later, I went to Madison without my parents, driving my brother and two friends to a hospital. Due to a state government mishap, I was not allowed to take the Electra, so I had to use Cleo instead. While driving Cleo, I felt a profound sense of responsibility, as she was the GOOD car. We were faced with a challenging five-way stop on Regent Avenue, but with careful maneuvers, we managed to navigate it. Afterward, we stopped at a burger place where a counterperson offered a free milk shake if we visited the next day. I kindly but firmly declined the offer.

UW-River Falls Weekend

Another experience took place when I was heading to UW-River Falls. The Electra required a new alternator, so I could not take her on the long journey that Sunday. The trip from home to UW-River Falls took eight hours instead of the usual three, as the car was running on battery power. With other students, we set out northward, expecting the weather to change as it usually did around Black River Falls.

The weather report forecasted light snow flurries, but things quickly turned worse. Before reaching the I90/I94 split at Tomah, heavy and blowing snow made driving treacherous. We discovered an issue with the snow tires on Cleo, which made driving at any speed hazardous. We had to abandon the journey when we could not maintain control at even 35 mph.

Conclusion

These experiences with Cleo, my father's Sedan de Ville, are fondly remembered. Each one taught me a valuable lesson about respect for the road, responsibility, and the importance of safety. While the journey to UW-River Falls was particularly challenging, it was a stark reminder of how to handle unexpected weather conditions and equipment issues.

Reflecting on these memories, I can confidently say that Cadillac automobiles hold a special place not just for their luxury and style, but also for the experiences they bring to those who drive them.