When someone wants to say something is the best of the best, they might say it is the Cadillac of whatever category it may fall under. While still decent cars today, Cadillac’s reputation for being the best was largely built on cars like the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham.
The Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was the most expensive and most exclusive American luxury vehicle you could buy in 1957. Prices started at a whopping $13,087 in the 1950s, which is equivalent to around $120,000 today. According to Hemmings, a Bentley S1 cost just $12,000 that year, while the Lincoln Continental Mark II started at just under $10,000. The average salary in the U.S. at the time was about $4,657.
The Eldorado Brougham justified its expense with impressive features like air suspension, six-way power front seats with a memory function, a power trunklid and fancy rear-hinged doors. Many of the Eldorado Brougham’s luxury features would be considered high-quality equipment by today’s standards – let alone in the 1950s.
Due to its immense price, Cadillac built just 400 examples of the ultra-luxury Eldorado Brougham for 1957 – one of which will be auctioned off at Russo and Steele’s upcoming Scottsdale sale in January. The listing says the example to be sold is a “very nice original car,” with original wheels. It recently had some interior work done and it has also had its automatic transmission rebuilt once before. Russo and Steele did not provide an estimate as to how much it will sell for, though Hagerty says the average going rate for a model in pristine condition such as this is about $123,000.
Check out the listing at this link for additional information and photos before this rare Cadillac Eldorado Brougham crosses the auction block early next month.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Someone can “gift” me this car if they want. I would even pay the taxes.
Bet you that baby rides like a Cadillac too! And REAL CHROME! And doesn’t have paint the thickness of onion skin!
Love the Cadillac’s of the 50’s.
Ah yes, when GM meant something, and cars were AMERICAN!!
My, my, oh my! ❤️❤️
As a Cadillac guy, I will not argue the commentary on this listing. This was a car to be admired, especially the stainless steel top. But for the Ford folk who will reply, please respect their opinion of the Continental Mark II. It was, in my opinion, a better looking car than the Cadillac and just a little cheaper.
@Codilac, the Mark ll was a nice looking car as well…Especially with the continental tire kit! Always had a soft spot for THEM!!
But Caddy, still my fave!
Lincoln Continental 61-69 with those suicide doors. Man that was a cool boat! I knew more than a few, (rather wealthy), people that bought two of the last years production – especially when the announcement for ‘67 came out, last yrs production for the convertible. Those cars were near all sold before hitting the dealers.
The best Cadillac ever, simply
I thought single head light’s where on all G M car’s in 1957 and that 58 was the first year for dual light’s?
The ’57 Brougham was the first GM car to have quad headlights, a year before the others.
@Ralph L
I just came across this. This baby had everything! (unfortunately I couldn’t get the pic to copy over.)
Source: Pinterest
Introduced in December of 1956 and released in March of the following year, the Eldorado Brougham was a hand-built car designed by Ed Glowacke. The car was the first to have quad headlights, and it also featured a parking brake, automatic trunk opener, a cigarette and tissue dispenser, cup holders, electric door locks and a vanity mirror with a comb, lipstick and compact powder puff. The very picture of ultra-luxury, the interior boasted sculpted leather seats and ornate trim, with lambskin carpeting.
Sorry Ralph but 1957 Lincoln was the first to have Quad headlights even though it wasn’t legal in every state.
Is it me or does the estimated $123,000 at auction seem low?