The containered Cadillac
Working-class 1931 Cadillac V-8 unearthed from decades of storage.
Locked inside a deep, dark, dank shipping container, there’s a 1931 Cadillac Series 355 V-8 with a story worth telling. Since the old container must be relocated, this could be the time to tell it. We’ll be working for this reveal — the container won’t be easily opened, as it’s settled and sunken over time.
About a full day into this endeavor, the container doors are finally opened. With sunlight streaming in, we see push-bar bumper guards affixed to the old Cad’s original front bumper. Original headlamps are retrofitted with six-volt sealed beams, and front fenders are topped by vintage truck-type turn signal assemblies.
At the old Cad’s opposite end, the original bumper is beefed-up for towing with various hitch combinations, making it job-ready. Flanked by dual jerry cans, the trunk is a well-used tool chest. The car is now backseat-delete, apparently to accommodate larger equipment.
From the overall looks of things, this V-8 Town Sedan is outfitted as a work truck of sorts. Come to find out, our initial assumption is good.
Born Jan. 1 of 1890 in Gunnison, Utah, Edwin P. Whiting was a mechanic by trade. In 1919, he made his move to settle in Riverside, Calif. There he went right to work at the now-defunct Glenwood Mission Garage. Soon after, however, Mr. Whiting began in business for himself.
Preferring to work outdoors, Mr. Whiting maintained irrigation equipment throughout a fairly large area of southern California. From 1943 onward, maintaining irrigation systems was this car’s primary purpose. My dad remembers Mr. Whiting regularly driving the Cadillac down 8th Street in Riverside, past our old family business, during the’40s, attesting to its working status.
This time-capsule Cadillac was last driven in 1969. Intact and as-parked with its original operator’s manual and keys, it’s not exactly low-mileage. The telltale throttle pedal backs that conclusion. Take a look. The pedal’s lower-left quarter is completely worn away.
When the aforementioned shipping container assumes its new position, our seldom-seen subject will be rolled back inside. It might be nice if the retired work truck of sorts could go on to be preserved and appreciated for all it’s done for Mr. Whiting. On the other hand, it’s a ’31 Cadillac worthy of restoration.
If you like stories like these and other classic car features, check out Old Cars magazine. CLICK HERE to subscribe.
Want a taste of Old Cars magazine first? Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter and get a FREE complimentary digital issue download of our print magazine.
