The name of the Cadillac Eldorado is the combination of two Spanish words that translate into “the gilded (golden) one.” The name also refers to El Dorado – the mythical lost city of gold, which is probably why young folk associate the car with the animated movie from 2000 (or maybe that’s just me).
The Eldorado was first introduced in 1953, and by 1957 the car came in both a hardtop and convertible model, referred to as the Brougham and Seville editions. During the years 1957 to 1960, the Eldorado Brougham models were the most lavish vehicles Cadillac offered. In 1958 the hand-built car was offered with 44 different trim options and 15 exterior color options, with only 304 units being built. Its price range was double that of any Rolls-Royce at the time, and was the chariot of choice for Hollywood royalty at the time. Because of its status, the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham remains one of the most definitive vehicles for the Cadillac brand (whether they’ll admit it or not), even after nearly 60 years.
This particular 1958 Eldorado Brougham with a black-and-white leather interior you see here is quite rare, and after a three-year restoration process, it is in impeccable condition. The restoration included a complete breakdown of the entire body along with a rebuilt 364-cubic inch V8 and three-speed automatic transmission.
A noteworthy trait of the 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham is that it marked the final year of domestic production, with assembly moving to Pininfarina in Turin, Italy. The car is set to cross the block at Barrett-Jackson Northeast with no reserve set, though we bet this car will fetch a pretty penny from some lucky collector.
Comments
From a time when Cadillac was truly ” The Standard Of The World”
This is the era Cadillac should be (and is) paying homage to through their products. I notice people getting nostalgic over 80’s and 90’s Cadillac, but let’s be real, everybody hated those, and everybody would hate it if they started building those again.
Soon enough the current Cadillac brand will be picking up where they left off in the 60’s.
El Dorado Brougham. What a beautiful name. Of course, de Nysschen would have it called the CT7. Or EDB. I wonder what ATS stands for? All Turned Soft? Attempting To Sleep? How about Cover The Sternum or Cruz Trumps Santorum?
de Nysschen says customers need a number-staircase to understand where Cadillac’s models compare to the Germans. At the same time, Ellinghaus is using the “Dare Greatly” campaign to argue that Cadillac customers are original thinkers looking to emerge out of the German conformity.
Inconsistent huh? Indeed, mutually opposing strategies from the two highest powered execs at the firm!
So the BMW 3, 5, 7, etc. doesn’t bother you?
Everyone knows what’s a BMW 3, 5, 7… So, what’s an ATS? CT6? Now imagine if they built the Ciel/Elmiraj, and called CT8/9.
Let’s face it, the days cars meant something or when there were some magic around them are long gone. The CT6 will never be a SeVille/ DeVille, it doesn’t matter how great the car is or how hard Cadillac tries to change our minds.
Why not use these beautiful names again? I’m sure we would see wonderful designs coming out from GM studios.
And I bet the Chinese know what an Eldorado is.
Produce smth like THIS. Not the dated bs
These were the days before computer generated ideas . Those designers new what elegance was and could have it interpreted in shaping sheet metal . These Eldoados were not meant for the middle class but the wealthy . And they loved them . They were the cars to be seen in if you were an A-list actor / actress or Elvis . And it is true that the names meant something back then and the public was just as interested with who was driving it as well as the vehicle itself .
I would like to see Cadillac come out with a hand built car again , something to really boost their image . And if it had a price tag of 250-300 grand why not . But Cadillac has alot of work to do before anything like this could happen , and give it a name not an alphanumeric tag .
I think there’s a typo in the text: the 1958 Eldorado came with the 4-speed Dual Coupling Hydramatic and not with a 3-speed automatic.
I imagine Cadillacs Art & Science could be gone and Cadillac design theme will be new and Revolutionary by 2025.
A&S lacks the big and iconic looks of yesteryears and A&S make Cadillacs look cheap….I imagine A&S still has another 8 years to go before we can see something Revolutionary for Cadillac.