Imperial Palace Biloxi's History on Wheels Antique & Classic Auto Collection Includes Personality Cars

22 December 1997

    BILOXI, 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