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.
