Cadillac & LaSalle Club

What Cadillac & LaSalle Club does

The Cadillac & LaSalle Club Inc. (CLC) is a 501(c)-style international nonprofit founded in Detroit in 1958 and now the largest active organization for Cadillac and LaSalle enthusiasts worldwide. It serves more than 6,200 members across nearly 50 domestic regions, 18 international affiliate groups (spanning North America, Europe including the UK, Germany, France, the Nordics, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Iceland, plus Belgium and Russia, and Oceania including Australia and New Zealand), and 11 model-specific or interest-based chapters — collectively representing 12,000+ registered collectible Cadillacs and LaSalles. Membership does not require vehicle ownership and is open globally.

The CLC's product offering is centered on The Self-Starter, an award-winning magazine published 11 times annually with 185+ back issues archived online, supported by a structured reference IP portfolio including Authenticity Manuals covering 1924–1976 model years (most recently the 600-page 1959–60 edition at $140), an Official Judging Manual ($55, fifth edition), and a Cadillac Color and Accessory Database. Adjacent services include a members-only Discussion Forum, a CLC Marketplace for classified ads, vehicle build-sheet authentication through the GM Heritage Center ($50 per record), a Touring Program with mileage-based recognition badges, national awards (Henry M. Leland, Ken Moss Lifetime Achievement, etc.), a Wall of Fame, the annual Grand National Meet, and the Cadillac LaSalle Club Museum & Research Center co-located at The Gilmore Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan.

The revenue model is diversified across annual membership dues (starting at $25), magazine advertising (commercial and classified), merchandise and authenticity/judging manual sales through the gmclubapparel.com store, and back-issue sales. GTM is community-led: word-of-mouth across regional chapters, member referrals, the annual Grand National Meet, and national driving tours serve as primary acquisition channels, with a welcome packet and 10% store coupon onboarding new joiners. A 5% Hagerty Insurance discount supplements the value proposition in eligible US states. Operations are lean (9 employees) and heavily volunteer-driven through regional officers and the elected board led by President Jason Edge.

Name

Cadillac & LaSalle Club

Legal name

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Inc.

Website

https://cadillaclasalleclub.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Cadillac & LaSalle Club is a 67-year-old international nonprofit serving more than 6,200 classic Cadillac and LaSalle enthusiasts across 50 US regions, 18 international affiliates, and 11 specialty chapters through its magazine, authenticity manuals, forums, classified marketplace, and museum.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Maple Grove

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees provide the primary recurring revenue stream. Membership starts at $25 per year. Members receive access to The Self-Starter magazine (11 issues), online back issues, forums, technical resources, and discounts on insurance and merchandise.
2. Magazine Advertising: The Self-Starter magazine accepts commercial display advertising and classified ads from members and non-members. Commercial advertising rates are available in the advertising media kit.
3. Merchandise and Publications Sales: The CLC Store sells authenticity manuals for various Cadillac model years (1924-1976), judging manuals ($55 spiral bound), apparel, and other club merchandise. The 1959-1960 Authenticity Manual costs $140 for US destinations.
4. Back Issues Sales: Members can purchase back issues of The Self-Starter magazine from 1961 to present. Monthly issues are $5 each, with higher prices for older issues from 1961-1991.
5. Classified Advertising: Members receive up to three free text-only ads per calendar year. Additional lines cost $2/month for members. Non-members and commercial ads cost $2.50 per line. Photos cost extra per column inch per month.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Cadillac & LaSalle Club (CLC) is a nonprofit membership organization serving Cadillac and LaSalle automobile enthusiasts worldwide. Its core offerings include annual membership with 11 issues of The Self-Starter magazine, access to 185+ back issues, vehicle authenticity manuals, judging manuals, online forums, classified marketplace, technical resources, and an annual Grand National Meet. Membership is open to anyone globally without vehicle ownership requirement.

Product overview

The Cadillac & LaSalle Club (CLC) operates a membership-based organization centered around The Self-Starter Magazine (published 11 times annually), supported by various products and services including Authenticity Manuals for 1924-1976 vehicles, an Official Judging Manual, CLC Discussion Forums, CLC Marketplace for classified ads, Vehicle Authentication Services through the GM Heritage Center, a Touring Program with recognition badges, National Awards Program, annual Grand National Meets, Technical Resources with volunteer technicians, and the Museum & Research Center. The club has 12,000+ collectible automobiles registered among 6,200+ members worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Self-Starter: Award-winning international magazine of the Cadillac & LaSalle Club published 11 times annually

Products and services

• The Self-Starter Magazine The award-winning international magazine of the Cadillac & LaSalle Club, published 11 times annually. Each issue contains technical and historical articles, member car features, interviews, tips, and classified advertising for cars, parts, and memorabilia. Available in glossy printed color or online for all members.
• Authenticity Manuals Detailed manuals describing how Cadillacs and LaSalles were delivered to dealers and sold to first owners, covering identification, operations, engine compartment, chassis, convertible tops, exterior and interior. Available for model years 1924 to 1976 with some exceptions. The 1959-60 manual is priced at $140 per copy.
• Official Judging Manual Fifth edition manual covering standards for judging at CLC Grand National car shows. Includes entrant responsibilities, Division and Class rules, scoring and awards, authentic tire information, and sample judging forms. Full color, spiral bound, 80-page manual priced at $55 per copy.
• CLC Discussion Forums Online community forum for CLC members to discuss topics related to Cadillac and LaSalle automobiles. Transitioned to members-only posting on May 1, 2024.
• CLC Marketplace Online classified advertising platform for members to buy and sell Cadillacs, LaSalles, parts, accessories, literature, and services. Includes digital listings with photos and contact information.
• Vehicle Authentication Services Facilitates obtaining factory record sheets from the GM Heritage Center for Cadillacs and LaSalles manufactured between 1903 and 1970. Record sheets show original destination, paint color code, trim code, accessories, and component serial numbers for $50 per sheet.
• Touring Program Recognition program for CLC members who drive their classic Cadillacs and LaSalles. Includes Level 1 (500 miles) and Level 2 (2,000 miles) achievements with grille badges for vehicles 10 years or older.
• Wall of Fame Recognition program at the Cadillac LaSalle Club Museum and Research Center honoring members who have made significant contributions to the club and preservation of Cadillac and LaSalle automobiles.
• Grand National Meet Annual national gathering featuring hundreds of members, car viewing, judging competitions, tech seminars, access to private collections and museums, tours, and social events.
• Technical Resources Information and support for repairing and restoring Cadillacs and LaSalles, including access to technical experts, CLC Technicians volunteer network, Cadillac Color and Accessory Database, and Cadillac Database.
• Museum & Research Center The Cadillac LaSalle Club Museum & Research Center located at The Gilmore Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan, housing thousands of documents and regularly staffed volunteer research assistance.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hagerty InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHagerty Insurance provides a 5% discount to CLC members in the United States for classic car insurance. This discount is not available in CA, MA, and TN. This partnership provides member value by reducing insurance costs on their collectible vehicles.
• GM Heritage Center / Allied VaughncoreOthersThe GM Heritage Center provides factory record sheets showing as-built configuration for 1903-1970 Cadillacs and 1927-1940 LaSalles for $50. Allied Vaughn manages the GM Cadillac Collection service. The CLC directs members to this resource for vehicle authentication and build sheets.
• Mecum AuctionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMecum Auctions previously offered discounted bidder paddles to CLC members. As of January 2025, Mecum Auctions notified the club they will no longer be offering this discounted program. The club is monitoring for future offerings.
• Cornerstone Registration, Ltd.coreOthersCornerstone Registration manages CLC membership services including membership applications, renewals, profile management, and the International Membership Directory. Located in Maple Grove, MN.
• Fusion CastminorOthersFusion Cast sponsors and underwrites most of the cost of Wall of Fame commemorative plaques. They provide engineered metal casting technology and also offer bronze castings of Cadillac or LaSalle vehicles for sale.
• Gilmore MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Cadillac LaSalle Club Museum & Research Center is located at The Gilmore Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan. The museum houses the Wall of Fame and contains thousands of documents in its Research Center.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Classic Car Club of America (CCCA): Premier US club for full classic cars (pre-1948), with judging standards, national meets, regional chapters, and a member publication. Closely comparable as a marque/era-defining membership organization with rigorous judging.
• National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS): Single-marque judging-focused enthusiast society with rigorous authenticity standards, judging manuals, conventions, and a member magazine — directly comparable in judging-program depth.
• Oldsmobile Club of America: Single-marque GM enthusiast organization with regional chapters, an annual national meet, and technical publications serving Oldsmobile collectors — comparable operating model.
• Buick Club of America: Single-marque General Motors enthusiast club with chapters, a national meet, judging programs, and technical resources — structurally analogous to CLC, just for the Buick marque.
• Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA): Largest multi-marque classic and antique automobile enthusiast organization in the US, with a similar membership, regional chapter, judging, and publications model. Most directly comparable peer in scale, structure, and member experience.
• Pontiac Oakland Club of America (POCA): Single-marque enthusiast club serving Pontiac and Oakland collectors with chapters, conventions, judging, and technical publications — comparable operating model to CLC.
• Lincoln Owners Club: Single-marque classic Lincoln and Continental enthusiast club with chapters, a national convention, judging, and technical resources — directly analogous in scale and structure.

Broad incumbents

• Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA): Large multi-model classic and modern Mercedes-Benz enthusiast club with sections, events, and a magazine — broader in marque scope than CLC but comparable in chapter-based, magazine-supported member experience.
• Hagerty Drivers Club: Media, events, and membership platform for the broader classic car hobby, backed by Hagerty (an existing CLC partner). Comparable as a multi-marque enthusiast community, but commercial and broader in scope.

Emerging players

• Rolls-Royce Owners Club: Single-marque luxury classic car owners club with regional chapters, technical resources, and national meets — comparable as a marque-focused enthusiast organization, though oriented to a higher-end collector base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cadillaclasalleclub
• Facebookfacebook.com/CadillacLaSalleClub
• Instagraminstagram.com/cadillac_lasalle_club
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cadillac-&-lasalle-club

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cadillac & LaSalle Club