Decades of Caddys to show

The fourth annual Cadillac Through the Years car show is set for Sunday at The District at Green Valley Ranch, and it won't be hard to find John Bergler's pink '59 Cadillac in the throng of vehicles on display.

Bergler is entrenched in Cadillac car shows, planning to be not only at this event, but also to participate in a Cadillac Grand National event June 20 at the South Point. The success of the Findlay Cadillac-sponsored Through the Years event has played a part in attracting the June event.

"Right now, my life is consumed by Cadillac," said Bergler, who purchased his own Cadillac in Las Vegas in 1989 while living in Michigan. When he sold his manufacturing company, he brought the Cadillac back to Vegas where he has lived since 2000.

The gathering at The District is special because people get to see such a large variety of Cadillacs ranging from 1917 to the present, added Bergler.

"It's so interesting because the event is like a county fair," he said. "There are usually about 70 cars there. The attendance alone tells you how the event has grown.

"The first year, we had something like 10,000 people attend, and it's gotten bigger every year. The winter doldrums here are not like living in the East, and people love coming out to see the event at The District. Then, too, it's such a wonderful venue considering that you can see the cars, enjoy great food and also have a great opportunity to shop. Everyone has a good time and the retailers win because of it."

Colin Christie is the president of the Las Vegas Region of the Cadillac and LaSalle Club, which has been in Southern Nevada since 1997. He said this year's event promises to be as good, if not better, than last year's event, which drew about 15,000 enthusiasts.

"We are offering a free show and The District is a great location," he said. "The weather is supposed to be good and we're hearing that we will have about 10 to 15 more vehicles that were not there last year. The enthusiasm for this year's Cadillac Through the Years has been very good."

Christie said the new additions to the show would include a 1949 convertible, a 1962 Coupe de Ville and a 1954 convertible, along with a 1984 Biarritz in addition to his own 1917 Type 55 Phaeton. He said the group is expecting about six cars from the 1940s and also anticipating four cars from the 1930s.

In addition, the show will highlight the 50th anniversary of the 1959 Cadillac during the show scheduled from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

"We have two '59s scheduled for the show and we're putting them in the center of the show field," said Christie. "We're going to hand out special awards for the 1959 Cadillac."

In addition, Findlay Cadillac will be the first in the Western region to introduce the all-new 2010 Cadillac CTS station wagon.

Findlay Cadillac Saab General Manager John Saksa said the Cadillac Through the Years event has become a tradition in a very short period of time.

"We're all so proud of this show," said Saksa. "I know personally that people now make certain the Cadillac Through the Years show is on their calendar long before it takes place and to me, that's the ultimate compliment."

Spectators will also be encouraged to vote for their favorite Cadillac during the show. A radio remote will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. with KMXP 97.1 the Point.

Jeff Leiblow of the "Jersey Boys" will also make an appearance and will do a meet and greet with attendees. He will be interviewed during the radio station remote with ticket giveaways to "Jersey Boys" at the Palazzo.

In addition, the voice of Findlay Cadillac Saab, Scott O'Neil, will be present along with Fred Schultz, president and chief executive officer of Positively Kids.

Findlay Cadillac Saab is part of the Findlay Automotive Group which was founded in 1961 by the late Pete Findlay, whose son, Cliff, now spearheads new- and used-car operations in Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Idaho.