Eldorado Brougham was sold during 1959 – 1960. The third generation looked a lot different than the first and second generation. They were assembled by Pininfarina (Italy) although the design was built by Cadillac. The fins at the back were larger than both previous generations.
Even though they were built in Italy, consumers were not impressed by this fact. They wanted an American-made, Detroit built, muscle, since they weren’t made there, they didn’t see nearly as well as the other generations.
1957 was chiefly notable for the introduction of one of GM's most memorable designs, the Eldorado Brougham. This four-door hardtop with rear-hinged rear doors was an ultra-luxury car that cost an astonishing $13,074 — twice the price of any other 1957 Eldorado.
Production: 1955–1958
Assembly: Detroit,
Michigan, United States
Body style
2-door hardtop
2-door convertible
4-door hardtop
Layout: FR layout
Engine: 365 cu in
(6.0 L) 310 hp (230 kW) V8
331 cu in (5.4 L) 270 hp (200 kW) V8
Wheelbase: 126 in
(3,200 mm) (SWB)
129.5 in (3,290 mm) (1957–58 LWB)
129 in (3,300 mm) (1955–56)
Length: 223.4 in
(5,670 mm) (1958 LWB)
216.3 in (5,490 mm) (1957–58 SWB)
222.1 in (5,640 mm) (1957 LWB)
222.2 in (5,640 mm) (1956)
223.2 in (5,670 mm) (1955)
It featured a stainless steel roof, air suspension, the first memory power seats, automatic starting for the engine and every other comfort and convenience feature available at GM at the time, even small bottles of perfume. There were serious difficulties with the air suspension. Some owners found in cheaper to have the system removed and replaced with conventional coil springs.
Changes were more extensive for 1955. For the first time, the Eldorado got its own engine, a high-performance version of the Cadillac V-8. Fitted with dual four-barrel carburetors, it provided 270 horsepower, 20 more than available in other models that year. Styling was more distinctive, too, with a unique rear end featuring longer, more prominent "shark" fins, plus a smartly redesigned interior. The instrument panel even carried a special gold crest on which the owner's name was engraved.
Fender skirts were eliminated, and larger wheel cutouts showed off the new chrome-plated "Sabre-Spoke" wheels, replacing the previous wires. These wheels, exclusive to the Eldorado, would be retained through the 1958 model year.
At the current market, a 1953 Cadillac Eldorado will go for almost a hundred thousand dollars, if not more. This really conflicts the original price of five thousand and five hundred dollars but then again that was a substantial amount of money in 1953.
Its interior was upholstered in the finest leather, and a sparkling set of chromed wire wheels added a final touch of elegance. Standard equipment included radio, heater, white-sidewall tires, power steering and, of course, Hydra-Matic transmission.
oAlthough it was based on the regular Series 62 convertible and shared its engine, it was nearly twice as expensive at US$5,750
Bits of interesting info:
The Eldorado had a wraparound windshield and a cut-down beltline, the latter signifying a dip in the sheet metal at the bottom of the side windows. These two touches were especially beloved by General Motors Styling Chief Harley Earl and subsequently were widely copied by others
Available in four unique colors (Aztec Red, Alpine White, Azure Blue and Artisan Ochre — the latter is a yellow hue, although it was shown erroneously as black in the color folder issued on this rare model). Convertible tops were available in either black or white Orlon. There was no special badge on the car, other than the "Eldorado" nameplate, in "gold", in the center of the dash.
Each student will select a particular vehicle of interest and develop a chronology of the development of that vehicle. The information that should be included within this chronology should include, but is not limited to:
