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ABOUT ME
My Passion for Classic Cadillacs
My deep love for classic Cadillacs ignited in the early '90s when I stumbled upon a stunning **1964 DeVille Convertible** at a local classic car dealer. I was immediately captivated by its beauty and elegance, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford to buy it at the time. From that moment on, Cadillacs became my absolute favorite!Growing up in a small town in Austria, I was mesmerized by the big American cars I saw in movies and on TV. The allure of the American lifestyle only deepened my fascination. My best friend, Richard, fueled my passion further when he purchased a 1965 Chevrolet Impala during a trip to California in 1994. When he brought it back to Austria, I realized I had to have an American car of my own.
Determined to own a **1964 Convertible**, I started saving every penny I could. I found a dealer willing to import one for me, but navigating this process in Austria during the mid-90s was no easy feat, especially without the internet resources we have today. Unfortunately, the dealer turned out to be dishonest, and to cut a long, frustrating story short, I ended up purchasing a **1967 DeVille** in 1996 instead. At that time, I was still a student at the University of Vienna, balancing my studies with a full-time job to afford my dream car. This DeVille became my very first car, a significant milestone after years of relying on my bike and public transport.
A Life of Passion and Dedication
Today, I work as a professional TV cameraman and editor for a couple of television stations in Austria. Alongside my wife, we run a small film and photography production company. While it may not make us wealthy, I wouldn't trade it for anything else. In fact, I dedicate a lot of my income to my passion for cars, which means living a humble lifestyle. I’m incredibly grateful for my wife’s support; without her encouragement, indulging in my automotive hobby wouldn’t be possible!I don't have a formal background in automotive mechanics; I’ve learned everything through self-education. Countless articles, shop manuals, videos, and conversations with friends have guided me. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes along the way and often find myself working at a pace much slower than a professional mechanic. But I’m determined to tackle these challenges myself because I want everything done perfectly, and hiring someone is simply not in my budget.
I’ve been happily married to my wonderful wife, Afra, since 2006, and our son, Elliot, was born in 2010. It seems he might have inherited the Cadillac virus as well—his enthusiasm for these cars is already evident!
My lovely little family in 2014 :-)
The Loidl Family in 2015
The Loidl Family in 2018
2019
WHY AM I PUBLISHING THIS WEBSITE?
This website isn’t about showing off my cars or bragging about what I own. It’s about connecting with Cadillac enthusiasts from all around the world. Since launching the first version of this site back in 1997, I’ve been fortunate to make many friends through it, meeting incredible people who share the same passion.
For me, this site also acts as a personal diary—documenting my car activities, repairs, and experiences over the years. I hope that by sharing my stories and insights, I can help fellow Cadillac lovers with their own projects and provide useful tips for solving car-related challenges.
Feel free to explore and join the conversation—whether you’re here to admire classic Cadillacs or seek advice for your own.
I´m always happy if my little articles can help others with their own repairs and to solve their car problems.
HOW THINGS DEVELOPED
The picture below shows very well how my addiction developed since 2002 - when the first picture was taken on exactly the same spot as the picture below in 2015 ;-) A lot of things happened in the 13 years in-between…I do own 8 American Cars now and I have no plans, nor the necessary financial means to enlarge my collection even more. Its hard enough to keep all the cars in top notch condition already…
Showreel
This is what I am doing for a living - my company showreel below.