In an America where Ritz means deluxe and Rockefeller the richest, one automobile name is equated with the best: Cadillac.
It?s ironic that this marque sprang from the remnants of the original Henry Ford Company when its founder moved on. Henry Leland was summoned to dissolve the company but instead encouraged its revitalization. Taking its name from Detroit?s founder, the Cadillac Automobile Company opened on Aug. 22, 1902.
From the start, Cadillac utilized advanced mechanical innovations, always paying special attention to appearance. It was the first car company to employ a designer, not an engineer, to achieve its distinctive look; to offer a factory-equipped vehicle with fully enclosed cab; and, in 1948, to introduce tailfins.
Although the company has occasionally misgauged the public?s taste, it is now poised to aggressively win back those who have strayed to imports such as Mercedes, BMW or Lexus.
Mike Moloney?s affinity for the cars “just happened” back in 1973 when, after high school, he trained to service the cars. Currently, there are three Sedan de Villes sitting outside the Moloney household in Catonsville: a red ?88, a silver ?91, and a blue ?93.
“I?ve been working on Cadillacs for nearly 35 years and know them well,” he said. His emotional tie to the cars is obvious: All are perfectly maintained and showroom-perfect.
Indeed, it?s pride of ownership that has convinced Charlie Maloney that previously owned Cadillacs aregreat buys.
“Their owners take good care of them,” he said. While driving a smaller car, Maloney was involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer 19 years ago and had to be cut from his vehicle.
“I decided if I had been in a larger car, the situation wouldn?t have been so serious,” he said. “Ever since, I?ve driven a Cadillac.”
Maloney?s current ride is a red 1998 Coupe de Ville, his fifth Cadillac, and one he says has both creature comforts and safety features. Fuel efficiency is “something you give up,” he said, “but I get 24 to 26 miles to the gallon on the highway and 18 to 20 in the city. I don?t drive in the city a lot anyway.”
Still, Cadillacs make a lot of sense for this Catonsville man.
“I like the comfort of my car. It?s very driver-agreeable,” Maloney said. “It?s affordable: It?s a luxury car, rather than a status car.”
