Milei ordered the restoration of Perón's Cadillac: Will it return to official events?

The iconic 1955 Cadillac convertible, commissioned by Juan Domingo Perón but never used by him, will undergo a new restoration process.

This morning, the vehicle was removed from the basement of the Bicentennial Museum and displayed in the gardens of Casa Rosada, before being transferred to the workshops of the Buenos Aires Automobile Museum for its restoration.

A car with history, but never driven by Perón

Although it is known as the "Perón's Cadillac," the then-president never got to use it. While he was a great admirer of the brand and owned other models, this Cadillac convertible with a 250-horsepower V8 engine was commissioned shortly before his overthrow in September 1955, so he never got to ride it.

Decades later, in 2015, Mauricio Macri's government ordered a comprehensive restoration of the vehicle, replacing the carburetor, alternator, and other mechanical components, while the original radiator and upholstery were preserved.

Will it be used by Milei in official events?

Over time, the Cadillac has been used in official ceremonies by presidents such as Arturo Frondizi, Arturo Illia, Raúl Alfonsín, Carlos Menem, and Fernando de la Rúa. In prominent events, like the traditional lap on the track of the Palermo Rural Society, the car has excelled as a symbol of elegance and power.

During Macri's administration in 2018, the then Secretary General of the Presidency, Fernando de Andreis, reported that the Cadillac had been abandoned in Olivos and described it as a symbol of the country's deterioration. Since then, it has been restored and displayed at Casa Rosada.

If the ceremonial team manages to solve logistical challenges, it is not ruled out that Javier Milei might use it in official events, revaluing the historic automotive piece.

The Cadillac and other presidential cars

While the Cadillac was used by various Argentine leaders, in 2006 a notable exception occurred: the dictator Hugo Chávez, accompanied by Julio De Vido, drove it within the Olivos residence during a visit to Néstor Kirchner.

In recent years, presidents have opted for other vehicles for their inaugurations. In 2015, Macri arrived at Casa Rosada in a Volkswagen Touareg, while in 2019, Alberto Fernández did so driving his Toyota Corolla. More recently, in 2023, it was speculated that Milei would use the Cadillac for his inauguration, but he ultimately chose a Mercedes-Benz CLK Convertible.

With nearly seven decades of history and less than 18,000 kilometers (11,184 miles) traveled, the '55 Cadillac model 67X, series 62, remains part of the official fleet and stands as an iconic piece of Argentine automotive heritage. Its return to official events will depend on the decision of the current government.