The Cadillac Eldorado was first introduced for the 1952 model year, as a celebration of the Cadillac’s fiftieth anniversary. The new Caddy was loaded with accessories. It introduced the wraparound windshield and a cut-down beltline to Cadillac standard production. The name Eldorado was a contraction of El Dorado, the mythical lost city of gold in South America.
The 1954 model year saw the Cadillac Eldorado adopt the basic body shell as the rest of the standard Cadillacs. The Eldorado was now distinguished primarily by trim pieces, allowing Cadillac to drop the sticker price, resulting in a significant bump in sales. Two thousand one hundred and fifty Eldorados were sold, nearly four times as many as in 1953.
1955 saw the return of the Cadillac Eldorado’s more distinctive styling. Tailfins were high, slender, and sharp compared to the rest of the Cadillac line, which had more bulbous lines. The Eldorado convertible had wide belt moldings that were chrome plated, and twin round tail lights between the fins and the rear bumper. Sales climbed to 3,950 units.
Our feature 1955 Cadillac Eldorado convertible has been beautifully restored, but with a change in hue from original. The data plate paint code 10 indicates this ragtop was originally black in color with a gray and white leather interior, but it is now an attractive pale yellow with matching pale yellow and black leather interior. It rolls on chrome Saber wheels wrapped in wide white radial tires. The chrome bumpers and extensive chrome trim appear to have been refinished during the restoration, and the stainless trim has been polished to a brilliant sheen. The black vinyl convertible top is power operated, and can be tucked beneath a gloss black parade boot.
Inside the Cadillac Eldorado, the two-tone black and yellow leather interior presents beautifully, with only minor creasing indicating use. The floor is covered in lustrous black pile carpet, as are the rear-seat foot rests. Brightwork is in fine nick, and the gauges are crystal clear. An Autronic Eye automatic dimmer sits atop the dash to the left of the instrument binnacle. Windows are of the power variety, and an optional tissue dispenser is fitted. The Eldorado is equipped with power steering, power brakes, and an automatic transmission.
Under the hood of the Cadillac Eldorado resides the 331 cubic-inch V8. It is fed by dual four barrel carbs located beneath the Batwing air cleaner. The engine compartment is highly detailed and ready to show.
This Cadillac Eldorado convertible is being offered by American Dream Machines of Des Moines, Iowa, for $89,900.
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Comments
… when cars were beautiful and when Cadillac existed
Perhaps, one of the best generations of that era.
Built during a time of America, yes! Not America, we apologize.
A nice slice of Americana. Beautiful luxury car when caddy looked like a caddy. Not this cookie cutter stuff that’s out now.
When Cadillac was Cadillac the “Standard of the World” Not anymore, it was a little presumptuous then and would be ridiculous to say now, but it was when American cars were cars not today’s crap.
The ’53 is the benchmark, but the ’55 is the best proportioned of the rest. The ’58 like tails coupled with the blazing exhaust outlets are wowza!
I agree with the above ….Cadaillac was referred to as the standard of excellence.
It’s a shame, my family and I always drove GM and especially Cadilliac because of tree perceived qyality.
Now if you go to a Cadillac dealer and look closely you will many factory defects such as skewed emblems , improperly painted door pillars.
Top it off with the unethical dealers in my area and you have to ask yourself why not a Non US made vehicle next time?
… unfortunate this happens to others too… a week before saw a Mercedes Benz top line coupé and while waiting the spouse from Bank observed the car a while… the emblems were exquisite positioned when lower would be better and more accurate, the lines of car did not matched other lines… this happens to Rolls Royce too. .. In fact today, do not appreciate cars, but changed looking how many errors has … unfortunate cars became recycled 3 years old items, so they do not pay attention anymore to be a ‘forever’ because they know people change it after a while .. buying a car is like buying bread
Anxiously awaiting the Celestiq’s formal debut.
I owned a Coupe de Ville convertible ’56 with an exact front grill but different fins – truly my first love! Cadillac was a stamp of America’s greatness. What happened to us, please someone explain it to me!
Amen Mondino!!!
The ’55 is my favorite style within the three year span of the ’54, ’55’ and ’56 generation. Its fins stood out in 1955, and I’d like to think that they inspired the stylists over at Chrysler with their ‘Forward Look’ designs in 1957.
This was good looking back in the 50’s but I’ll take a new ct4v blackwing or ct5v blackwing anyday over this load of iron.