Research Center
The Research Center offers a comprehensive collection of Cadillac and LaSalle factory information from 1903 to the early 2000s for those wanting more information about their Cadillac. This information is catalogued for easy identification. Although the archive does not have every document for every year and model, the Center is well-suited to be the first stop in your information search – in person, by phone (313) 407-6603, or by email.
The Research Center is located at 2125 Bishop Circle West, Dexter, MI 49310 in the Protomatic Building. It is just North of the Baker Road Exit 167 on I-94 about 1/2 hour from Detroit International Airport. It is open most Thursdays from 10 am to 4 pm and at other times by special arrangement. Call ahead of your planned visit to confirm opening.
Resources
Within the Center’s collection, there is wide array of literature and documents that were created by Cadillac when each car was designed, engineered, manufactured, sold, and subsequently maintained in the early years of its life. These documents fall into the following categories:
- Engineering drawings
- Assembly manuals
- Factory sales literature
- Press kits
- Dealer sales literature
- Shop manuals
- Body manuals
- Component specialty manuals, e.g., transmissions
- Service bulletins
- Color chips
- Master parts catalogs
These documents can be viewed at the Research Center and/or copies can be obtained for the cost of duplication and mailing.
Another source of factory information about some Cadillacs and LaSalles is Authenticity Manuals produced by the Cadillac & LaSalle Club. Authenticity Manuals are peer-reviewed books describing the finish and configuration of cars as they left the factory. These Manuals are used to assess a vehicle’s authenticity in CLC judging.
LaSalle – Cadillac’s Companion Car is a 400-page hardbound book featuring extensive descriptions of every LaSalle model produced by Cadillac from 1927 to 1940 along with detailed production data. It is a result of extensive research by Ron Van Geldren and Matt Larson who donated the book to the Cadillac LaSalle Club & Research Center upon completion.
Finally, the New Cadillac Database provides an eclectic collection of vetted facts and pictures about Cadillacs and LaSalles drawn from various archives and private collections from around the world. It was originally created by Yann Sanders in the 1990s and donated to CLCMRC in 1999. In 2011, responsibility for maintenance of the New Cadillac Database was transferred to Jean-Claude “JC” Franchitti.
