Imperial Palace Biloxi's History on Wheels Antique & Classic Auto Collection Includes Personality Cars
22 December 1997
Imperial Palace Biloxi's History on Wheels Antique & Classic Auto Collection Includes Personality CarsBILOXI, Miss., Dec. 22 -- Visitors to the new Biloxi branch of the world-famous Imperial Palace Antique & Classic Auto Collection will be able to enjoy a number of "personality cars" that once belonged to distinguished notables, such as Al Capone and Elvis Presley. In addition to providing a "History on Wheels," when it opens on the second floor of the Imperial Palace Biloxi parking structure, the more than 100-vehicle auto collection will provide old car lovers of all ages the chance to see James Cagney's Duesenberg, W.C. Fields' 1938 Cadillac limousine, and Juan Peron's 1938 Packard, among many other cars of the famous and infamous. The Cadillacs of both Capone and Fields were powered by Cadillac's legendary V-16 engine. The Chicago gangster needed the extra horsepower the V-16 provided, because his big seven-passenger limousine weighed over 10,000 pounds, thanks to quarter-inch-thick armor plating lining the drivers compartment and bullet-proof glass in the windshield and side windows. Elvis Presley's love for Cadillacs is well-known. His blue and white 1976 Eldorado coupe is another gem of the Imperial Palace Biloxi Collection. The King of Rock & Roll bought it as a "vacation car," using it as transportation between Denver and Vail, Colorado, where he enjoyed skiing. Cagney, along with Hollywood legends Gary Cooper and Clark Gable, truly loved automobiles. So it's no surprise that all three drove "The World's Finest Motor Car," as the Model J Duesenberg was billed. Its dual-overhead cam, straight-eight engine was the most sophisticated of its day, developing 265 horsepower. Cagney's 1930 convertible is black with red trim and red leather interior. Visitors can tour the Biloxi branch of the world famous Antique & Classic Auto Collection daily from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Admission is $6.95 for adults, $3.00 for senior citizens and children 12 and under, and those under three are free. All are welcome to take pictures. SOURCE Imperial Palace