AUBURN Speedsters.com

2011 Grand National
Cadillac & LaSalle Club
4pt
Columbus, Ohio

Eldorado, "The City of Gold", the Eldorado debuted in 1953. It was an expensive limited production model which sported cut down doors and chopped windshields. Approximately 500 examples were produced. They were not only exclusive but very pricey. The '53 Eldo's sold for about twice the cost of your average new car at that time. The price was lowered for 1954 and production was increased. In 1955 the Eldorado was offered as a hardtop version also. The hardtop version was named Seville. Sevilles were available through the 1960 model year. All Sevilles wore vinyl covered tops.  With the addition of Seville, the "Biarritz" was born. The Eldorado in Convertible form would now be known as the "Eldorado Biarritz". After 1960 model year, the Eldorado would again only be available as a convertible. Ironically in 1967 (through 1970) the newly styled Eldorado became a hardtop only body style. For 1971 the Eldorado buyer was again offered two body styles. Convertibles would continue to be built through 1976 when Cadillac announced that Convertible production would cease forever and they would be offering the "Last American Convertible"... let the lawsuits begin

As if owning an Eldorado Biarritz or Seville was not exclusive or expensive enough, the "Eldorado Brougham" was available for the Who's Who among Cadillac buyers. The Brougham was produced in even more limited numbers. For 1957 model year a mere 400 cars were produced and only 304 cars for 1958. These guys sold for $14,000 each, that was about $5000 more than a Rolls Royce. There were no options available on the new Brougham because they were fully equipped to start with. They received dual four barrel carburetion with adjustable ride control air bags on all four corners. The Eldorado Brougham buyer could select from 43 different interiors. All Broughams were four door hardtops with front and rear opening doors and a very unique stainless steel top. The Eldorado Brougham was offered through the 1960 model year. Only 904 Eldorado Broughams were built from 1957 - 1960. The 1959 and 1960 Broughams were bodied in Italy by Pininfarina and shipped to Detroit for final assembly. I personally prefer the '57 and '58 Brougham body styles shown above and below over the 1959 and '60 models. Unfortunately there were not any '59 or '60 Broughams at this years show