Solved - NEH 599: Cadillac Le Mans #1 customised by George Barris for Harry Karl

[Carnut]

Identify this and earn 1 point:

[Carnut]

Experts?

[Amsterdam]

George Barris, customized Le Mans Cadillac roadster ?

[Carnut]

It is, yes.
Who was it built for before I move it!
Locked for your reply.

[Amsterdam]

 for singer Marie MacDonald

[Carnut]

for singer Marie MacDonald

Not according to my info!

[Amsterdam]

Youre source say Debbie Reynolds?

Mine say:

quote

Barris, George (USA) customized Le Mans Cadillac roadster #1 for singer Marie MacDonald [another unconfirmed source says Debbie Reynolds???], wife of shoe store magnate, Harry Karl. Under the headline "A BARRIS BONANZA with glittering silver and gold to whet the desire of the most exuberant advocate of gracious living", Bill Babbit, the columnist, gave this enthralling description of that specially customized Le Mans in the magazine Motor Trend for December, 1955:

The car is photographed in Motor Trend, August 1958, pp.38-39, where it is thus described: "A spectacular showpiece is this Fiberglas-bodied two-seater, which was designed and rebuilt for Marie 'The Body' MacDonald at the request of husband-shoe manufacturer, Harry Karl. Barris is well-know for his high-gloss, mirrored exterior finishes; this Le Mans Cadillac is painted with crushed platinum dust and trimmed with 24-karat gold and platinum accessories. The removable top is transparent Plexiglas. The interior features a TV set, bar, and tape recorder, as well as a full range of instruments." This car is considerably restyled, particularly in the body sides and rear areas; the ostentatious Plexiglas hard-top adds to its unique looks

[Carnut]

My source said shoe magnate Harry Karl, but obviously he had it done for his wife Debbie Reynolds!
So that's solved then - well done.

[Ray B.]

Sorry, Carnut, but I see two good reasons showing that this car was offered to Mary McDonald and not Debbie Reynolds:
- First: he was married to "The Body" (twice I read -divorce and re-marriage ?) from 1947 to 1958 (the year of this car). Then he married another woman for two months. Then only Debbie Reynolds in November 1960, afrter she lost Eddie Fisher to Liz Taylor..

- Second: The extravaganza and curves of this Cadillac are much more evocative of Marie McDonald than of the rather modest Debbie Reynolds.

[Carnut]

Sorry, Carnut, but I see two good reasons showing that this car was offered to Mary McDonald and not Debbie Reynolds:
- First: he was married to "The Body" (twice I read -divorce and re-marriage ?) from 1947 to 1958 (the year of this car). Then he married another woman for two months. Then only Debbie Reynolds in November 1960, afrter she lost Eddie Fisher to Liz Taylor..

- Second: The extravaganza and curves of this Cadillac are much more evocative of Marie McDonald than of the rather modest Debbie Reynolds.

OK.  My source didn't mention any women at all, just Harry Karl, so I was only going by what Amsterdam said!
Clearly if Mary McDonald was his wife at the time then he must have had the car done for her, not his later wife!