Steve Wertheimer’s 1957 Cadillac Coupe de Ville

Written by Ken Altes

Steve Wertheimer is a central figure in Austin’s blues venues and custom car scene.  Long-time owner of the venerable Continental Club and C-Boy’s Heart & Soul club, both on historic S. Congress Ave.  Steve is also behind one of the country’s best custom car shows, the Lonestar Round Up.  His gorgeous Caddy is a mild custom: nosed and decked (emblems removed from the hood and trunk), shaved (door handles removed), lowered, and perhaps a lot more.  I photographed it at a Lonestar Round Up show.   Look for this car in an earlier post to see it before customization.

Controversially,  the 1957 Cadillac introduced a tubular X-frame without side rails to get a lower body and increased torsional strength.   Some thought it was unsafe and that “perimeter” frames were safer.