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The end of an era
Tuesday, Apr 14, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller * My four brothers and I received this e-mail from my mom last night…
* Ah, the Obamalac. I saw it for the first time when my dad, Rich Miller, Sr., showed up for Obama’s 2007 campaign kickoff in Springfield. You can read my first post about the car by clicking here. Some early photos…     * Dad drove his Caddy all over Iowa. Obama himself loved the car… 
A video of dad taking one of those Obama photos is here. Even Michelle got into the act…  She said it reminded her of her dad’s old car. * Dad’s ride got a lot of press. He was in just about every major newspaper and magazine in the country. The Politico had this item at the end of a story on Obama’s speech to some transcendental meditation types…
* Dad eventually became somewhat famous, but he probably realized his place in Illinois politics on election night last year. He was driving the Obamalac up and down Michigan Ave. and several people approached him to say, “Hey, you’re Rich Miller’s dad!” There’s only room for one Rich Miller in this state, I suppose. And, only one Obamalac. * We’ll close with a music video featuring the “pre-Obama” version of Dad’s 1963 Cadillac, produced and directed by my brother Devin…
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- Cheswick - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 2:04 am:
That is one fine ride, with or without the art.
Great video by Devin. Great music, too. Wow.
More Obamalac.
- Presto - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 4:56 am:
A tear drips slowly down my cheek.
- GOP - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 6:30 am:
I always thought that the Obamalac would be in the Obama Presidential Museum in Hyde Park someday. Can’t your Dad reconsider??!! He may want to put it on ebay instead.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 7:25 am:
Nooooooooooo!
And I agree with GOP. He should at least try to sell it before the stickers come off.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 7:53 am:
He’s just taking the stickers off, right? The Caddy’s still running?
- South Side Mike - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 7:54 am:
Sell it?!? It’s a ‘63 Cadillac. It’s a beautiful car. What would he replace it with? Another Cadillac like that isn’t so easy to find, especially in great condition.
I’m not an Obama fan, but I can understand the sentiment for the Obamalac and why people would want to keep it as is. But I also know a beautiful car when I see it, and I wouldn’t want to sell it if I owned it.
The end of an era, to be sure.
- Zora - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 8:02 am:
We’ll always have Obamalac.com. Or will we….
- babs - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 8:04 am:
I’m so sad. It’s a terrible day, crummy weather and now this. We need some good news.
By the way, your dad’s the man.
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 8:14 am:
Does this mean change has now come and gone?
- Quinn T. Sential - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 8:18 am:
I agree with GOP too. I was convinced that the Obamalac was destined for historic preservation at the Presidential Library in Hyde Park as well. It seems like such an icon; and one that should not just be unceremoniously surrendered voluntarily.
It conjures up visions of something like this; especially the one at the bottom of the page:
http://flyingsock.com/OldComiskey/Destruction.htm
although its not as if it is giving way to “progress”.
Its a shame because it seems like your dad has come to the completely unnecessary conclusion that he has to “grow up”.
You and your brothers need to talk some sense into this man and let him know that there is no shame in remaining a Toys R Us Kid!
Your dad has been such a role model for those that seem to think otherwise.
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/rode/video/x1b969_rod-stewart-forever-young_music
- Boscobud - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 8:20 am:
Next Obama will want GM to put this on the side of every car they make.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 8:20 am:
Shouldn’t the Illinois Historical Preservation Agency seek a court injunction against this tragic alteration of a state historical landmark?
- Bill - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 8:32 am:
Great Tune! Excellent video.
I’ll miss the car.
- Secret Square - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 8:39 am:
Never thought I’d see the day! Do you know why he is doing this… does it represent a change in his political sentiments or is it just because the campaign is over and the stickers might look dated?
- Beowulf - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 8:41 am:
Sorry Rich but I cringed when I saw the photo. However, I guess that I would have cringed if it had McCainiac on the side of it, too. I love the old cars and I couldn’t have done what your dad did. Maybe if I had a rusted out old Yugo, I might have written Blagojevich on the side of the car and said “Three swings at the Yugo with a sledgehammer for $5.00 to raise money for charity”. One of my friends had a 1963 cherry red Cadillac convertable with a set of Longhorn cattle horns mounted on his hood. When I saw him coming, I used to visualize JR Ewing from Dallas coming down the road. He eventually gave it to his church to auction off to raise money for the church.
- El Conquistador - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 8:49 am:
Rich, in a seriousness, I do hope you can talk your dad out of this. I am sure that one day there will be significant interest in the history of that car as part of the story of one of the most remarkable elections in our nation’s history. That car along with the pictures you have will make a pretty compelling history display in another 20 to 30 years.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 9:16 am:
I still remember seeing it at the Sycamore Pumpkin Parade a while back (2007 I think)….
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 9:35 am:
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 9:14 am:
Slow news day?
Who is pretending to be me?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 9:56 am:
“Hey Folks! It’s me! Jokin’ Joe Biden with a Deal For You!”
“Tired of that Bushmobile? Sure, while it never broke down and kept you out of the mud - the neighbors laughed, didn’t they? Be honest - like me - that Bushmobile wasn’t very Eurpoean, was it? Well, leave those bad days behind you! Take a look at this folks!”
“It is the brand new 1963 Obamalac! Look at those lines! Smell that? It’s change! And not just any change - change you can believe in!”
“Now, I’ve been spending a lot of time with Bushmobiles and Cheney Phantoms Coupes, and I’ll be honest with you folks, I’ve had to tell them off, show them whose boss, kick them down that road - BABY! Because it is time for Obamalac!”
“Look at the sheer size of it! You will not find anything larger, more accommodating, and more splendiferous - BUDDY - than this Obamalac!”
“Mileage? Sure, we all know the Obamalac will be tested by tough conditions out there, and by George, it will be tested hard, honey! But it will pass! I can feel it! Look at that dynamic chrome-plated grille, those rocket-inspired fenders! Those after-burner tail lamps, letting everyone know, you are in control, BABY!
“Convertible! You name the condition, and it can flip-flop it’s top in an instant! Years ahead in every way! Real stretch-out comfort! Pelosi-inspired earmark leatherette soft-soft seating! Even the most crooked can take comfort! Marvel at the Chicago-style electric assessories!”
“You don’t have to run a 7-11 and from Punjab to recognize the absolute power under the Obamalac’s new Power-Bulge hood! It’s the new 1963 Dynastic Clinton Cabinet V-14! You loved it all through the 1990s - now it’s been updated for the new 1963 Obamalac!”
“Easy payments, folks! With every 50 days, the Obamalac sets you back only $3 Trillion - but, listen to this - our Obamalac Payment Plan lets you have it NOW, and let the great-grandkids pay for it later!”
“Yes friends, the 1963 Obamalac will make you believe, once again, that the future can be your’s free of charge, and that the future lies.”
“I’m Jokin’ Joe Biden - And that’s NO JOKE!“
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 10:01 am:
Love that Obamalac!
It goes into the Hall of Fame with those superhuge campaign paper balls that used to roll down the streets of Chicago supporting this or that candidate!
It’s history!
- been there - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 10:10 am:
just going for a little political balance here…
The late Senator Adeline Geo-Karis drove a white convertible, sometimes between her Waukegan district and Springfield. It had her whole name and job title emblazoned in red and blue on both sides. She loved driving it, with the top down, of course.
- Speaking at Will - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 10:27 am:
A note about the music video. It was filmed in Carbondale, my hometown, in an old bar that was called “The Cadillac Lounge.” The Cadillac is no longer in operation, it turned into an urban clothing store a few years back.
The guy in the video “Rip Lee Pryor” is the Son of the great blues harmonica man Snooky Pryor. Snooky is widely credited with being the first person to amplify the harmonica. Great Post Rich!
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 10:28 am:
Definitely into the Hall of Fame!
- Capitol View - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 10:31 am:
why not replace the lettering with “Lisa in 10″
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 10:37 am:
===why not replace the lettering with “Lisa in 10″ ===
Please, do not give that man any crazy ideas. I got enough problems already without something like that.
- Obamalac - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 10:51 am:
Rich was surprised more than anyone when I transformed his high school prom ride into a political statement! I doubt if I could surpass that moment but you can be sure I’ll try!!! Dad
- Boone Logan Square - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 12:29 pm:
Respects for the most famous vehicle of the presidential campaign. The stencils may be removed, but it will always be the Obamalac.
- Black Ivy - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 3:41 pm:
Glad to see the Obamalac go! Good riddance!
Perhaps President Obama and his adminsitration may want to use the vehicle while touring the vairious Tax Day Tea Parties scheduled tomorrow.
Some final questions -
Was the vehicle purchased by loan (was credit extended for the car)?
Is the vehicle energy efficient?
Were all taxes paid on the vehicle?
Just wondering…
- Captain America - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 4:14 pm:
The Obamalac should be preserved for political posterity. I’ll bet the pictures will make it into the Chicago History Museum archives, if not the Obama Presidential museum.
- Obamalac - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 4:44 pm:
To black ivy; I paid cash for the vehicle in 1976 ($1,000), mileage is minimal so fuel consumption is too, tax question I assume is a jest from a wannabe jester. Best $1,000 I ever spent and the car will continue to roll on for many years!
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 5:28 pm:
Obamalac, I can relate. I’ve never had a ‘63 Caddy ragtop, but I had a ‘70 Ford LTD.
I bought it ‘86 from a retired dude on Lake Springfield for $200. The vinyl top had degraded to rust, but my V-8 and six-foot hood was king of the road. I used to hop on 1-55 between Springfield and Chicago, hop in the left lane, put a broomstick on the floor and wave.
When I threw a rod at 5th and South Grand in Springfield, I popped open the glove box, signed the pink slip, left the keys in the ignition and walked away.
One of the most satisfying relationships I ever had.
- Once a Mom; Always a Mom - Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 6:01 pm:
Rich, Nice tribute to your Dad and to the Obamalac. Thanks, Mom