LGH aluminum gantry helps move Chuck Berry’s iconic ’73 Cadillac Eldorado.
When the Smithsonian Museum acquired Chuck Berry’s iconic 1973 red Eldorado Cadillac, they turned to LGH for the specialized lifting equipment needed to move the vehicle safely into its new home.
Jackson Tanner, Supervisory Collections Manager at the Smithsonian, reached out after discovering the LGH website. His team needed a solution that could protect the museum’s floors while precisely positioning the car onto its display platform — and they needed it done with care befitting such a historic artifact.
(2) aluminum gantries on pneumatic casters – ideal for sensitive flooring
(4) 3-ton beam trolleys – to provide smooth, controlled maneuvering
With equipment in place, the team carefully lifted and moved the Cadillac across the museum floor. The process was seamless. The vehicle was gently positioned on its platform, completing a project that was both technically sound and culturally significant.
This Cadillac isn’t just a car — it’s a symbol. Driven by Berry during the filming of Hail! Hail! Rock’n’Roll, the vehicle rolled onto the stage of the Fox Theater in St. Louis — the same venue that once denied Berry entry as a child due to segregation. The red Eldorado, part of his personal fleet, stands as a powerful reminder of his legacy, his music, and his defiance.
Now part of the “Musical Crossroads” exhibition at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Berry’s Cadillac will continue to inspire generations — with a little help from LGH behind the scenes.
LGH is North America’s largest single organization devoted exclusively to the provision of lifting and moving equipment for rent. LGH holds the most comprehensive inventory for hoisting, rigging, jacking, pulling, material handling, and safety equipment. With over 90,000 pieces, discover your next project solution at RentLGH.com.
