Nearly 300 Cadillac owners gathered together in Barton, Vermont, at a county fair for an early celebration of the brand’s 100th anniversary by shattering a world record for the longest parade made up exclusively of crest-and-wreath products.
Vermont might not seem like Cadillac country, but it’s the hometown of brand founder Henry M. Leland. Born in 1843 in the picturesque village just miles from Vermont’s border with Quebec, Leland would go on to create Detroit’s two best-known luxury brands, Cadillac and Lincoln. Leland sold innovative premium brand Cadillac to General Motors in 1909, but a spat with William Durant led to his ouster a handful of years later. Leland then created the Lincoln brand, which lasted on its own for a few years until it was acquired by Ford in 1922.
County fair superintendent Lorie Seadale decided to honor Leland with the parade in a big way by breaking a previous record for the longest Cadillac procession – 102 Caddys that gathered in the Netherlands in 2002.
On Cadillac’s home turf, it wasn’t too hard for Seadale to bring together 298 vehicles.
“Our initial goal was for the fair but it’s become a dual-purpose event to honor Henry Leland’s legacy and contribution to this country with his inventions, ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit,†Seadale said. “It’s great to bring the world record back the United States where it belongs.â€
Joining in the festivities were several of Leland’s descendants, many of whom still live in northern Vermont. Pictured in the characteristically pink Series 62 convertible are Doug and Sally Leland, both of whom can trace their lineage back to Henry himself.
