Formed in 1964, UK group The Who is one of the most iconic rock ’n’ roll bands that ever existed. Fact.
Inducted into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, The Who’s catalogue comprises such iconic hits as ‘Baba O’Riley’, ’Who Are You’, ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’, ’My Generation’ and ‘Behind Blue Eyes’, to name but a few.
Now, The Who fans and car enthusiasts alike have the rare opportunity to own The Who bassist John Entwistle’s Cadillac Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five Limousine, which reputedly served as inspiration behind the famed musician’s 1973 song ‘Big Black Cadillac’ from his solo album ‘Rigor Mortis Sets In’.
This American classic has lived a fascinating life and if only cars could talk then I’m sure it will have plenty of tales to tell — John Markey, motorcar specialist at H&H Classics
Entwistle, who sadly passed away at the age of 57 years in 2002, acquired this now-classic Cadillac the same year he would become the first member of The Who to release a solo album.
One of just 848 examples produced, this 1971 model’s bodywork is finished in black over a black leather interior. Though the cabin shows its vintage, it arguably just adds to the car’s appeal — knowing that it has been driven … and by Entwistle, no less.
Under the elongated bonnet sits a 7.7-litre V8, coupled with a Turbo Hydramatic THM400 automatic transmission.
Entwistle’s Cadillac is expected to fetch between £15 000 and £25 000, which, at the current Rand-Pound exchange rate, translates to R353 248.65 and R588 748.75, respectively. The auction is scheduled to take place on 9 April, 2025 at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, Cambridgeshire.
Said John Markey, motorcar specialist at H&H Classics, “This American classic has lived a fascinating life and if only cars could talk then I’m sure it will have plenty of tales to tell … Of course, with such a close connection to one of the UK’s greatest ever rock bands, I’m sure it will attract much interest from fans and car enthusiasts wanting to own an important piece of classic car culture.”