Cadillac PF Jacqueline

The Cadillac PF Jacqueline is a remarkable one-off show car, designed by the legendary Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina and first unveiled at the 1961 Paris Salon. This prestigious event, the last to be held at the Grand Palais, provided the perfect stage for Pininfarina to display their innovative design. Named in honor of Jacqueline Kennedy, the wife of the newly elected President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, the “Jacqueline” showcased Pininfarina’s ongoing pursuit to collaborate with Cadillac, the world’s top-selling luxury brand at the time. The “Jacqueline” was part of a limited series of Cadillac-based styling exercises by Pininfarina, which included only four models between 1958 and 1961: the ‘Skylight’ coupé and convertible (1958), the ‘Starlight’ coupé (1959), and the ‘Jacqueline’. Of these, only the ‘Skylight’ and ‘Jacqueline’ coupés are known to have survived. The “Jacqueline” featured several groundbreaking styling elements that would later influence General Motors’ designs. However, the car displayed at the Grand Palais was far from complete; it had no engine, transmission, steering, or suspension. Instead, it was supported by a tubular frame mounted on trailer axles. Despite these limitations, the “Jacqueline” made a sensational impact at the show, capturing the imagination of all who saw it. Following its stint on the show circuit, the “Jacqueline” was consigned to the Pinin Farina Museum, where it remained for over three decades. It was rarely seen by the public during this time. In the mid-1990s, the car was sold to Alain Dominique Perrin, the President of Cartier, becoming its first and only registered owner. Perrin, an avid collector of rare and desirable automobiles, decided to restore the “Jacqueline” to a drivable state. The restoration involved mounting the car on a 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz chassis, retrofitting it with a 390 cubic inch (6.4-liter) V8 engine producing 325 bhp from 1959. The mechanical restoration also included a four-speed automatic transmission, independent front suspension with coil springs, a live rear axle with leaf springs, and four-wheel power-assisted drum brakes. The car is now fully driveable, having covered only delivery mileage since its restoration. Most of the interior, including the distinctive one-piece bucket seats, remains true to Pininfarina’s original design, although many components have been made fully functional. The “Jacqueline” stands as a testament to Pininfarina’s visionary design and their efforts to integrate luxury and innovation into the Cadillac brand. Its journey from a show-stopping prototype to a fully functional vehicle underscores the enduring appeal and historical significance of this exceptional automobile.