1 week Ago By Bruce Kunz
Inside and out, this stunning black Cadillac may appear to be stock, but lift the hood and you will find a big surprise! Factory sales brochures and magazine ads for the 1956 Cadillacs touted their “marvelous comfort and magnificent performance.” Pshaw! The 1956 Cadillacs were indeed marvelously comfortable, but they didn’t know what “magnificent performance” was back in 1956. However, Jared Renken knows! He removed the entire outdated drive-train – engine, transmission and rear axle – and replaced them all with modern, truly-magnificent, 21st century components.
The original 365 cubic-inch, 285 bhp cast iron V-8, fueled by a Carter 4-barrel carb, was replaced with a “big block” 555 cubic inch Chevy, producing 680 horses. The outdated – but “new and improved” at the time – Cadillac Hydra-Matic transmission was scrapped and replaced with a modern GM 4L80 unit. And that new-for-1956 Hydra-Matic was developed by GM at a cost of $35 million dollars – equivalent today to $405,780,198.
53. At the rear end lies a “damn near impossible to break” Ford 9-inch differential with a 4.10 gear ratio.
I’m sure those 680 horses will put that differential to the test! Jared has owned his trophy-winning Cadillac for just three years. He found it in a barn in Mascoutah, owned literally by a “little old lady” who had not driven it in ages. The odometer shows 60-some-odd miles and is believed to be the actual, original miles.
When Jared pulled it out of her garage, it was painted what Jared called a “sea foam green” – not an actual Cadillac hue – and had a matching green interior. Jared changed it to a deep black and had the interior done in black and white. The trunk has some custom upholstery touches done in matching black and white.
He has taken the car to Las Vegas for the SEMA 2024 show, where it has won awards. Jared, along with wife Teresa and son Jared Jr., enjoy showing, driving and caring for the very special Cadillac.
And believe me, it’s “not a car to scorn!” See what I did there? The car show season is virtually over, but check out a few upcoming events at lakerscarclub.org . Drive carefully and don’t try to race Jared’s ultimate sleeper! Tri-Power Trivia: 1.
Can you name all of the Cadillac models for the 1956 model year? 2. What is the name of the 1958 song where a car beat a Cadillac in a race? Bonus: Name the artist and the type of car that won. 3.
On April 14, 1956, the first videotape was demonstrated at the National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters (NARTB) convention in Chicago. Known as “2: Quadruplex,” it was the first practical and commercially successful videotape. What company came up with it? A.
3M. B. BASF.
C. Scotch. D.
Realistic. E. Ampex.
Tri-Power Trivia answers: 1. Series 62; DeVille; Eldorado Seville; Eldorado Biarritz; Series Sixty Special Fleetwood and Series 75 Fleetwood sedan and limo. 2.
The song was “Beep-Beep” by the Playmates and the car was a “little” Nash Rambler. 3. E.
Ampex..
