Moabjeeper
1929 V-8 Capone's Cadallic
Ever since gangster Al Capone became a guest of the U.S. penitentiary system, artifacts of his reign over Chicago's underworld have held a special allure . This weekend, a 1929 Cadillac V-8 sedan will go on sale after finally being proven to have been Capone's personal ride -- as if the first-of-its-kind armored plating and drop rear window designed for gunfights weren't evidence enough.
Getting the records straight on a historical vehicle can be tricky business; just ask the auctioneers who thought they were selling a hearse that carried President John F. Kennedy's body but was later revealed to be a movie prop. In the case of Capone's wheels, those kinds of records never existed in the first place, because Capone was a master of hiding his assets well before Eliot Ness came knocking.
This 1928 Cadillac V-8 had all the signs of the ride a gangster would use. Its green body and black bumpers match the colors of Chicago police cars of the era, and it came with the first police-band radio put in private hands. At one point, it held some 3,000 lbs. of asbestos-wrapped steel armor plating, and the glass in the windows not designed to quick-drop for return fire is one inch thick. There's even a hidden siren.
But there were also questions about the car, which has been on display in museums for decades in Great Britain and the United States as Al Capone's rides, and the car drew a high bid of $355,000 two years ago. RM Auctions, the company selling the Cadillac this weekend in Michigan, did its own research and found a 93-year-old man who as a child helped install the armor for Capone in his father's shop. "My dad said, 'we don't do that kind of work here,'" Richard "Cappy" Capstran says. "And they (Capone's men) said 'you do now.'"
According to RM:
Capone showed up in person to settle the bill and paid Ernest Capstran double the asking price. When he walked around the car, Capone saw ten-year-old Richard and asked who he was. The elder Capstran explained his son had helped with the job and done an excellent job sanding in between layers of lacquer. For this, Richard received from Capone a $10 bill, a small fortune for a young boy. This special job was never discussed outside the family until years later.
RM's research shows the car was sold in 1932 to carnies, who thought they could charge people to view it, and when that plan fell through, it was shipped overseas. The new research also debunks one longstanding story: That the Secret Service used this car as a limousine for President Franklin D. Roosevelt immediately after Pearl Harbor in 1941 because it needed an armored car and only had one of Capone's handy. Roosevelt famously quipped "I hope Mr. Capone doesn't mind."
While a restoration removed most of the armor plating, the car is otherwise intact, and RM Auctions expects it to fetch between $300,000 and $500,000 this weekend.
PaginationPreviousNew Lexus LS first photo reveals a big dose of real-keepingState troopers who gave 100-mph escort to “Death Race” caravan chargedNext@yahooautos on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook More on Yahoo! Autos1 - 4 of 13prevnextGo to p…
Earlier this year, videos of a "Death Race" convoy of Ferraris, Ford GTs and other sports cars being … Full Story »State troopers who gave 100-mph escort to “Death Race” caravan charged
Play VideoNissan Versa Sedan
All Comments Top LocationsIrvine Tampa New York Dallas Denver
426 comments Popular NowNewest Oldest Most Replied Dig Deeper • 9 hours ago If I hit the Power Ball, I'll buy it.
ck 31 minutes ago DigDeeper is probally a male.
Dee 3 hours ago Hum....I think some of the relative who's family members were bystanders and killed by Capone. Would have loved to drop this vehicle on his head for there loss.
KennethJ 4 hours ago Damn how did we go from Capone's car to all this nasty crap about balls? Y'all are really sick on here this morning.
More Reply
Shadez • Winnetka, California • 14 hours ago Interesting to note the "...1928 Cadillac V-8..." text. Had to verify that via Wikipedia; but GM did indeed start producing V8 engines far back as 1914.
DM • Bakersfield, California • 2 hours 53 minutes ago The armor plating was removed? It isn't the historic Capone Caddy now.
Robert 1 minute 18 seconds ago Better mpg to save the gas guzzler tax!!
john 7 minutes ago Just another 28 caddy now!
Mr Reality 21 minutes ago The EPA demanded it to get the mpg figures up!
TerryGarman • 17 hours ago Nice ride.
Blacksad 6 hours ago @John: Nice retort
John 7 hours ago Hey David, You gave enough to type in a comment. And, you can wash your hands now. Crap can be so messy..Dont'cha think ???
Benjamin S 11 hours ago Whats in his safe? Oh wait, Geraldo already looked into that one.
More Reply
Roberto • Richardson, Texas • 15 hours ago Rick Harrison from the Pawn Stars show will offer the seller $20,000 for the 1928 cadillac. lol
All American 19 minutes ago TIMEX, don't forget the thugs on capital hill, They actally take your money and property, only difference, we have no choice
Scott 12 hours ago Get a job so you don't have to pawn your stuff!
fred e 13 hours ago All pawnshops are nothing but rip off artists! "Umm, yeah, there's really no market for anything like that, but I'll do you a favor and give you ten bucks."
More Reply
DavidR • 15 hours ago No armor...no good!
porker 7 hours ago get a life
james 13 hours ago Joe Batters Accardo, Joe Bonano and Meyer Lansky are 3 who come to mind.
David J 13 hours ago just think what it could look like jacked up on some 52" wheels and bass bumping all the trim off the car at the stoplight!
More Reply
Bill014u2 • 1 hour 17 minutes ago Capone paid the man double and gave the kid ten bucks. He also ran a couple of soup kitchens that fed a lot of people during the depression. You can't say that Capone was cheap.
chitos • 7 hours ago Now that was a true Gangster*!... Not this Monkeys running around with the 'bling,bling," and sagging pants.
chitos • 7 hours ago my opening Bid ..on behalf of "Kevin Costner!"....oops!..... mean Mr Smith.
Laven Photography Models • Fayetteville, North Carolina • 14 hours ago Still a very beautiful car.
Bofors • 13 hours ago Those were the days, we had the best criminals and cars. Now we don't have have either. They only killed each other. When they ran Vegas, the food and service was top notch,
John Plotkin • 7 hours ago The author can't even get the year of the car right. is it a '28 or a '29??? Proof readers are earning 100k per year and they sleep on the job. That's affirmative action for you. The boogie is probably sleeping on the job.
gotcha • 15 hours ago everyone needs one to drive through the south side of chitcago now. funny that is which side Al use to control!
Buck • Houston, Texas • 25 minutes ago Al Capone Now that was the man that ran the city of Chicago better than any of the mayors ,even the jew boy that is running it now !
ready frank2011 • 15 hours ago How much do you think it would cost to manufacture that same car with a few minor tweaks (airbags etc.) Then mas produce it and sell it as a middle class car. I would buy it as a commuter not for long drives, but if it was reasonable I would buy one. I think we need a little change as for most cars are kind of boring on the outside. Retro always brings in cash. Cars companies would just have to expect it was not for long term.
john beresford tipton • Dallas, Texas • 47 minutes ago On September 30, they are going to auction off Bonnie and Clyde's death car. I am a huge fan of Bonnie Parker. What a shame this couldn't have been her car for a few years. Clyde was just a chump, compared to the Chicago mob.
jackie • 14 hours ago Awesome car! Wouldn't surprise me if it sold for more than estimate..
Rick • Honolulu, Hawaii • 7 hours ago Let me check My Lottery Ticket ///
007 • 1 minute 46 seconds ago I thing for sure you drive it through any Hood in any city and not have to worry. :-)
FRANK S • 15 hours ago The closest I will ever get is armour potted meat and vienna sausage.
More Post a comment Follow Yahoo! Autos@Motoramic on TwitterYAHOO! AUTOS on
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1929 V-8 Capone's Cadallic
Ever since gangster Al Capone became a guest of the U.S. penitentiary system, artifacts of his reign over Chicago's underworld have held a special allure . This weekend, a 1929 Cadillac V-8 sedan will go on sale after finally being proven to have been Capone's personal ride -- as if the first-of-its-kind armored plating and drop rear window designed for gunfights weren't evidence enough.
Getting the records straight on a historical vehicle can be tricky business; just ask the auctioneers who thought they were selling a hearse that carried President John F. Kennedy's body but was later revealed to be a movie prop. In the case of Capone's wheels, those kinds of records never existed in the first place, because Capone was a master of hiding his assets well before Eliot Ness came knocking.
This 1928 Cadillac V-8 had all the signs of the ride a gangster would use. Its green body and black bumpers match the colors of Chicago police cars of the era, and it came with the first police-band radio put in private hands. At one point, it held some 3,000 lbs. of asbestos-wrapped steel armor plating, and the glass in the windows not designed to quick-drop for return fire is one inch thick. There's even a hidden siren.
But there were also questions about the car, which has been on display in museums for decades in Great Britain and the United States as Al Capone's rides, and the car drew a high bid of $355,000 two years ago. RM Auctions, the company selling the Cadillac this weekend in Michigan, did its own research and found a 93-year-old man who as a child helped install the armor for Capone in his father's shop. "My dad said, 'we don't do that kind of work here,'" Richard "Cappy" Capstran says. "And they (Capone's men) said 'you do now.'"
According to RM:
Capone showed up in person to settle the bill and paid Ernest Capstran double the asking price. When he walked around the car, Capone saw ten-year-old Richard and asked who he was. The elder Capstran explained his son had helped with the job and done an excellent job sanding in between layers of lacquer. For this, Richard received from Capone a $10 bill, a small fortune for a young boy. This special job was never discussed outside the family until years later.
RM's research shows the car was sold in 1932 to carnies, who thought they could charge people to view it, and when that plan fell through, it was shipped overseas. The new research also debunks one longstanding story: That the Secret Service used this car as a limousine for President Franklin D. Roosevelt immediately after Pearl Harbor in 1941 because it needed an armored car and only had one of Capone's handy. Roosevelt famously quipped "I hope Mr. Capone doesn't mind."
While a restoration removed most of the armor plating, the car is otherwise intact, and RM Auctions expects it to fetch between $300,000 and $500,000 this weekend.
PaginationPreviousNew Lexus LS first photo reveals a big dose of real-keepingState troopers who gave 100-mph escort to “Death Race” caravan chargedNext@yahooautos on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook More on Yahoo! Autos1 - 4 of 13prevnextGo to p…
Earlier this year, videos of a "Death Race" convoy of Ferraris, Ford GTs and other sports cars being … Full Story »State troopers who gave 100-mph escort to “Death Race” caravan charged
Play VideoNissan Versa Sedan
All Comments Top LocationsIrvine Tampa New York Dallas Denver
426 comments Popular NowNewest Oldest Most Replied Dig Deeper • 9 hours ago If I hit the Power Ball, I'll buy it.
ck 31 minutes ago DigDeeper is probally a male.
Dee 3 hours ago Hum....I think some of the relative who's family members were bystanders and killed by Capone. Would have loved to drop this vehicle on his head for there loss.
KennethJ 4 hours ago Damn how did we go from Capone's car to all this nasty crap about balls? Y'all are really sick on here this morning.
More Reply
Shadez • Winnetka, California • 14 hours ago Interesting to note the "...1928 Cadillac V-8..." text. Had to verify that via Wikipedia; but GM did indeed start producing V8 engines far back as 1914.
DM • Bakersfield, California • 2 hours 53 minutes ago The armor plating was removed? It isn't the historic Capone Caddy now.
Robert 1 minute 18 seconds ago Better mpg to save the gas guzzler tax!!
john 7 minutes ago Just another 28 caddy now!
Mr Reality 21 minutes ago The EPA demanded it to get the mpg figures up!
TerryGarman • 17 hours ago Nice ride.
Blacksad 6 hours ago @John: Nice retort
John 7 hours ago Hey David, You gave enough to type in a comment. And, you can wash your hands now. Crap can be so messy..Dont'cha think ???
Benjamin S 11 hours ago Whats in his safe? Oh wait, Geraldo already looked into that one.
More Reply
Roberto • Richardson, Texas • 15 hours ago Rick Harrison from the Pawn Stars show will offer the seller $20,000 for the 1928 cadillac. lol
All American 19 minutes ago TIMEX, don't forget the thugs on capital hill, They actally take your money and property, only difference, we have no choice
Scott 12 hours ago Get a job so you don't have to pawn your stuff!
fred e 13 hours ago All pawnshops are nothing but rip off artists! "Umm, yeah, there's really no market for anything like that, but I'll do you a favor and give you ten bucks."
More Reply
DavidR • 15 hours ago No armor...no good!
porker 7 hours ago get a life
james 13 hours ago Joe Batters Accardo, Joe Bonano and Meyer Lansky are 3 who come to mind.
David J 13 hours ago just think what it could look like jacked up on some 52" wheels and bass bumping all the trim off the car at the stoplight!
More Reply
Bill014u2 • 1 hour 17 minutes ago Capone paid the man double and gave the kid ten bucks. He also ran a couple of soup kitchens that fed a lot of people during the depression. You can't say that Capone was cheap.
chitos • 7 hours ago Now that was a true Gangster*!... Not this Monkeys running around with the 'bling,bling," and sagging pants.
chitos • 7 hours ago my opening Bid ..on behalf of "Kevin Costner!"....oops!..... mean Mr Smith.
Laven Photography Models • Fayetteville, North Carolina • 14 hours ago Still a very beautiful car.
Bofors • 13 hours ago Those were the days, we had the best criminals and cars. Now we don't have have either. They only killed each other. When they ran Vegas, the food and service was top notch,
John Plotkin • 7 hours ago The author can't even get the year of the car right. is it a '28 or a '29??? Proof readers are earning 100k per year and they sleep on the job. That's affirmative action for you. The boogie is probably sleeping on the job.
gotcha • 15 hours ago everyone needs one to drive through the south side of chitcago now. funny that is which side Al use to control!
Buck • Houston, Texas • 25 minutes ago Al Capone Now that was the man that ran the city of Chicago better than any of the mayors ,even the jew boy that is running it now !
ready frank2011 • 15 hours ago How much do you think it would cost to manufacture that same car with a few minor tweaks (airbags etc.) Then mas produce it and sell it as a middle class car. I would buy it as a commuter not for long drives, but if it was reasonable I would buy one. I think we need a little change as for most cars are kind of boring on the outside. Retro always brings in cash. Cars companies would just have to expect it was not for long term.
john beresford tipton • Dallas, Texas • 47 minutes ago On September 30, they are going to auction off Bonnie and Clyde's death car. I am a huge fan of Bonnie Parker. What a shame this couldn't have been her car for a few years. Clyde was just a chump, compared to the Chicago mob.
jackie • 14 hours ago Awesome car! Wouldn't surprise me if it sold for more than estimate..
Rick • Honolulu, Hawaii • 7 hours ago Let me check My Lottery Ticket ///
007 • 1 minute 46 seconds ago I thing for sure you drive it through any Hood in any city and not have to worry. :-)
FRANK S • 15 hours ago The closest I will ever get is armour potted meat and vienna sausage.
More Post a comment Follow Yahoo! Autos@Motoramic on TwitterYAHOO! AUTOS on
RESEARCH A CARSelect MakeAcuraAston MartinAudiBentleyBMWBuickCadillacChevroletChevrolet TruckChryslerDodgeFerrariFiatFiskerFordFord TruckGMCGMC TruckHondaHyundaiInfinitiJaguarJeepKiaLamborghiniLand RoverLexusLincolnLotusMaseratiMaybachMazdaMercedes-BenzMINIMitsubishiNissanNissan TruckPorscheRamRolls-RoyceScionsmartSubaruSuzukiTeslaToyotaToyota TruckVolkswagenVolvo Select Model All Years Top Rated
Category: Sedans12012 Nissan Altima Sedan
MSRP$20,550 - $25,570
Invoice$19,699 - $23,697 4.69 stars(Based on 141 reviews)22012 Hyundai Genesis
MSRP$34,200 - $46,500
Invoice$32,070 - $43,044 4.72 stars(Based on 122 reviews)32012 Ford Focus
MSRP$16,500 - $39,200
Invoice$15,635 - $36,127 4.47 stars(Based on 627 reviews)42012 Acura TL
MSRPNot listed
InvoiceNot listed 4.51 stars(Based on 145 reviews)52012 Volvo S60
MSRP$31,300 - $42,950
Invoice$29,422 - $40,373 4.83 stars(Based on 87 reviews)View more of Most Popular Cars »Motoramic Pics1 - 9 of 100
PrevNext Go to page 1Go to page 2Go to page 3Go to page 4Go to page 5Go to page 6Go to page 7Go to page 8Go to page 9Go to page 10Go to page 11Go to page 12View All Photos Latest PostsYugo-Olds V8 dragster can run away with …State troopers who gave 100-mph escort …Al Capone’s armored 1928 Cadillac with …New Lexus LS first photo reveals a big …Why your next new car will have as many …Photo SlideshowsprevnextGo to page 1Go to page 2Go to page 3Go to page 4Go to page 5Go to page 6Go to page 7Go to page 8Go to page 9Go to page 10State Farm's Two-Sided 1968 Chevrolet Ca …
Hyundai Elantra Zombie Survival Machine
Pininfarina cars
2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs. 2013 Ford Shelby …