The Famous Cadillac Ranch; What You See If You Visit

This is typically how the Cadillac Ranch is presented.  Ten Cadillacs from 1949-1963 planted
in the ground, surrounded by individuals spray painting graffiti, which is encouraged. (click to enlarge)

Many of may have  heard of the famous Cadillac Ranch just west of Amarillo, Texas.  Some of you may have had an opportunity to stop, visit and photograph.  I think stopping at the Cadillac Ranch at least one time is worthwhile.  It is a rather unique site.  However, the impression of what it is from images you may have seen to what you find when you arrive can be very different.  I've now stopped three times and each time I have found it had changed.

Basically, about 8 miles west of Amarillo along the south frontage road next to Interstate 40, out in a field (now mostly dirt) are ten 1949 to 1963 Cadillac automobiles 'planted' front first at a steep angle into the ground.  When it was originally constructed as an art piece, I remember it creating quite a media stir and considered quite 'groundbreaking.' (pun intended)

The Cadillac Ranch was the brainchild of three guys, two architects and a college student, who were members of an art group called the “Ant Farm.”    In 1972, they contacted an eccentric millionaire who they thought might fund their project, he did and in 1974 the Cadillac Ranch was installed in a corn field in Amarillo, Texas on the millionaire’s property.  I won’t go into any more of its birth and history but if you want to read more about it, you can find the Wikipedia article found here.

Originally these ten Cadillacs were installed in factory colors but now have been painted over so many times by individuals and corporations for advertisements as well as for political statements that it is hard to find what the cars originally looked like.  Today, people are encouraged to paint the cars.  In fact, on this last visit a pickup truck with a trailer was parked inside the gate selling cans of spray paint.  I did find another interesting article and a couple of images of how the cars looked here on the Surf and Sunshine website.

Image found on the Ramrao.com website but I wasn't able to
trace from from where he originally obtained it.

If you are thinking about one day stopping at the Cadillac Ranch and wondering if it is worth your time and effort, I'll post some images here so you can get a feel for what you will find.

Here is a list of the automobiles at Cadillac Ranch as there is no way to tell what year they are from looking at them now.

1. 1949 Club Coupe
2. 1950 Series 62 Sedan
3. 1954 Coupe de Ville
4. 1956 Series 62 Sedan
5. 1957 Sedan
6. 1958 Sedan
7. 1959 Coupe
8. 1960 Four door “four window” hardtop Sedan de Ville (flat top)
9. 1962 Four Window Sedan
10. 1963 Sedan de Ville

Although the site is gated, everyone is welcome.  As you can see, the Texas landscape is very
flat and not very photogenic.  In the background, you can see the 10 Cadillacs lined up.
(click to enlarge)

This is a favorite of my photos of the Cadillac Ranch.  Simple, clean, uncluttered and iconic.
In the past, the area around the site was littered literally with hundreds of half-empty spray
paint cans.  First, there was no where to dispose of them and, I think, people just didn't
care that they were being harmful to the site and environment by just tossing them to the ground.
It w as a real mess and very unsightly.  (click to enlarge)

When you visit, typically, lots of people will be there.  Most will be spray painting the 'carcasses'
of the automobiles.  When I visited in May, near the front gate was a truck and trailer selling
spray paint.  I thought paying for paint was a bit unnecessary as within about an hour, almost 
assuredly, someone has sprayed over what it was you sprayed.  Additionally, there are lots and
lots of half-empty spray paint cans available to grab and use.

As opposed to the past, there is now a place to dispose of the paint cans.  Finally!  That said, it 
appears that no one regularly empties them which then makes them a bit useless.
(click to enlarge)

A close image of the amount of paint on these old Cadillacs.  I would estimate that there is and inch of paint covering most areas.  Think of how many thousands of layers it takes to become that thick!
(click to enlarge)

If you are traveling on Interstate 40 in the Texas Panhandle and are in the Amarillo area, I suggest you stop at both the Cadillac Ranch and the iconic Big Texan restaurant where, if you can eat a 72 oz. steak, baked potato, shrimp cocktail, rolls and desert within an hour, your meal is free.  Good luck with that!

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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