A new addition to the 10-horsepower, single-cylinder Cadillac line for 1907 was what Horseless Age, one of the era’s most popular motoring periodicals, dubbed the “Model M with new, Straight-Line (tonneau) body.” Unlike earlier four-passenger Cadillacs, which featured the elaborate “tulip” curves originally developed by European coachbuilders, this was a very up-to-the-minute design, with a beltline molding that flowed all the way out to the car, and rear doors nearly in line with the base of the open front seat.

According to factory build records, a copy of which is included in the history file, Janet Cussler’s Model M was originally delivered to the Northeastern Cadillac Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota. While its later history is not documented, the car eventually came into the ownership of the late, well-known early Cadillac expert, Greg Tocket, with correspondence in the file indicating that at the time it may have been mounted with an incorrect 1908 body. Mr. Tocket sold the car to the late Doug Kirberg of St. Louis, in whose hands the restoration was completed in 2011, as documented in a picture board that, along with a reproduction service manual, accompanies the Cadillac. The car later passed to Robert M. Pass of St. Louis, and it was acquired from him by Janet Cussler in the autumn of 2018.

The quality of the workmanship on the Cadillac remains evident throughout, with rich dark green paint, red undercarriage (as original per the build record), diamond-pleated black leather upholstery, and abundant brass trim, all nicely polished and with a deep glow. While restored for show, the car was also equipped with an electric starter on the flywheel, for easier starting and use. Aside from some expected minor signs of age and use, namely some cracking visible in the rear of the wood bodywork—typical of one of these cars—it has held up well and would continue to be a striking display alongside the V-16 or Eldorado in one's garage.