| In this episode, we’re joined by Marc Lassen, who shares the captivating story of The Liberty Car—Cadillac US1257X. Discovered in 2005, this Cadillac officer’s car had its WWI military history lost to time until Marc’s dedicated efforts to authenticate and preserve its legacy. Through collecting countless artifacts and meticulous research, Marc has brought to light the extraordinary service record of this unique vehicle. The Liberty Car was present in France throughout the entirety of the U.S. involvement in the Great War, from 1917 to 1919, making it a rare survivor with a verified record of service in WWI. It played a crucial role during the Second Battle of the Marne, providing support to French and American troops near the front line. Additionally, Eleanor Butler Roosevelt, wife of Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., utilized the Cadillac for two months while scouting locations for soldiers’ rest and recuperation leave, as documented in her autobiography. Despite the passage of time, the Liberty Car has survived remarkably intact, retaining many original materials, components, and evidence of its wartime service. Recognizing its historical significance, the car was added to the Historic Vehicle Association’s National Historic Vehicle Register and the U.S. Department of the Interior Historic American Engineering Record in 2014. |