The Legend of the Red Cadillac

April 6, 2026

It was 1974, times were a lot different then: The Miami Dolphins were Super Bowl Champs, Oakland A’s beat the Dodgers in the World Series, and The Godfather II was the best movie. At National Pump Company, the growing company needed more elbow room and greener pastures.

The owner, at that time, was Slim Oliver, a man well known in the local pumping community of Lubbock. Peoria, Arizona, was selected as the place for the new factory, and Slim decided it was time for him to retire. He soon sold the company to Irvin Spitler.

Mr. Spitler, who was routinely seen driving around Lubbock in a sparkling fire engine red Cadillac, was on the market for a new business venture. Mr. Spitler wanted National Pump, and Slim wanted that Red Cadillac. After some negotiations and haggling, a deal was struck. Assets were exchanged, including the red Cadillac, and Mr. Spitler was the new owner of National Pump Company, and Mr. Oliver was the proud owner of the new Cadillac.

National Pump Company soon moved to Arizona, and the growth of the company continued under new leadership.