The Eldorado arrived in 1953 as a low-production, exclusive luxury convertible. Though its concept would change over time, the Eldorado remained a Cadillac fixture until after the turn of the 21st Century. One of just 532 produced, this 1953 Eldo has been in storage for 45 years and needs a complete restoration. Hailing from Rowlett, Texas, this beast of a project is available here on eBay, where the current bid is $21,100 and below the seller’s set reserve.
Two other General Motors automobiles were cut in the same mold as the Cadillac Eldorado, the Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta, and the Buick Roadmaster Skylark. In the case of the Eldorado, it was fashioned after a 1952 “Golden Anniversary” concept car. It sported a wraparound windshield, a styling feature that GM would employ into the early 1960s. Of the four special colors offered on the first Eldorados, this one seems to be finished in Alpine White paint. The car was the most expensive thing to come out of Cadillac at $7,750 (that would equate to more than $91,000 in 2025).
The Eldorado was mechanically the same as the Caddy Series 62 convertible, including a 331 cubic inch V8 and 4-speed automatic transmission. We’re told that this project car is complete and has been in Texas all of its life (last on the road around 1980). Of course, it does not run and will likely have to be stripped to the basics for a rotisserie restoration. The vehicle is not rust-free, but it’s not rampant either.
This will not be a cheap project to acquire, and the all-in cost with the restoration could easily top six figures. But it’s a rare car for which the number of survivors left could easily number in the dozens. Are you up for what it will take to bring this Cadillac back to 1953 standards?
No question, this `53 is easily well worth the cost of restoring. There is a huge band of Cadillac-LaSalle club members that can help, too. It’ll call for deep pockets for sure. Done right, this will be a masterpiece of history that will drop jaws at any show.
Oh……one small piece of advice: LOSE THE CONTINENTAL KIT!
I agree with Will. . . Lose the Continental Kit!!!
i can see the C.kit on two pics ! But loose the radiator cap (a 2$ affair on rockaurto !)
Forget the ‘rotisseire restoration’….just get it driving ‘as is’ and freak everyone out..!! When was the last time anyone saw an ‘unrestored’ ’53 Eldo ‘beater..??
what a shame this was left to get to this point. noy going to be cheap but worth it if you have the means but the rear kit needs to go. kills the style big time
I concur with dropping the cont. kit. Never liked them, not likely to start. I love the style of the 53, the graceful curve of the hood, and the overall beauty of the car.
CA/Nevada casino has a beautiful Buick counterpart in it commercial here in CA right now. For a ’50’s car this is about the ultimate in rarity, and, it looks good – kind of a chopped version of the regular convertible.
I am just dumbfounded they stored this car with the top down.
At this festive time Caddys like this brings to mind Eartha Kitt > A ’54 convertible too light blue <
These Caddys bring to mind Eartha Kitt > A ’54 convertible too light blue
Nuff there for me to make a nice
print of a beautiful car. Too bad I don’t have all the stuff to make a
nice Champagne 🍾 paint job. Now pair that with a dark red leather interior and just watch the
jaws drop. Sorry folks, but I really
dig the Connie kit out back. It gives the car character and presence. Since she IS a series 62 underneath, restoring the mechanicals except for the hydraulic window lifts and top
mechanism. Blow a line, and you’ll have hydraulic fluid all over
the car. And as I’ve said by before, that stuff is very corrosive
and will eat through almost anything. And boy, does that stuff stink! Convert it to 12 volts
so that you can use electric motors for the windows and seat
at least. Use a 3 wire GM alternator so that you don’t get knocked on your ass trying to
properly polarized the generator
and voltage regulator. Been there, did that, and haven’t been right since. Got knocked back 10
feet while polarizing the electrical
system on a ’50 GMC pick-up for a friend of mine. Cracked my head on the curb of his driveway
after getting zapped and flying through the air with the un greatness of ease. Missed having a concussion by THAT much. Came to with a headache
worse than any hangover I ever had. Now that I think of it, I may
Have been effed up when I did it.
As for this car, I’d get it running,
driving,and stopping and fix the rest as time and cash permit. And just who in their right mind would store a ragtop with the top
down anyway?!!
‘Hud’, maybe? lol
Cadillac and Oldsmobile had 12 volt systems starting in ’53.
Not bad ideas to resto mod it somewhat. If you’re getting rid of the hydraulics for the windows and seat,you should also put electric motors on for the top. Although, I never had and problems with the convertible tops on my cars, except I had to replace one of the motors on my ’75 Eldorado convertible.
Did you notice that this also comes with the fiberglass boot cover? Rare item.
Why the two power window switches in the driver’s side back seat?
Restore it and love it.
I don’t have that picture but I would assume you are referring to the chrome power window switch on the verticale and the chrome ashtray on the horizontal.
Angel – The two identical window switches are side by side and above the ashtray. The passenger side rear has only one window switch above the ashtray. Perhaps the driver side rear seat has command over the passenger rear seat window?
Then I’m not sure what button you’re talking about. I only have access to 5 photos, front, rear, engine and two together, dash and rear seat.
In the rear seat photo, I see the passenger side p/w switch and chrome ashtray. On the driver side I see part of the ashtray and a weird looking round button type thing just under the parade boot. Dont know what that is for. Then there is a latch in the center of the parade boot just above the rear seat. That’s all I see so not sure what you’re referring too.
Tried to help.
Looks like the one that was at an really neat old house in my Oak Cliff Texas in the 70’s we tried to rescue….the house was kinda abandoned and then caught fire with it still sitting in the driveway…..the car disapperaed and the house was later rebuilt….
Most expensive Cadillac then. Now the most expensive Cadillac is a $180K truck (ESV). Which would you rather have?
Actually ACZ, the most expensive Cadillac now is the $340,000 Cadillac Celistiq. Hand built, totally built to your order. All electric. Then, the Cadillac Escalade-V at $180,000.
These cars were basically hand built. I’ve read because of that adjustments were made to the body to make things fit properly, and the door off of one Eldorado may not fit right on another Eldorado. Besides being the first production car to have a rap around windshield, did you notice it came with no vent windows.
@TallPaul
They do come with vent windows, they are pretty much frameless.
@Tripower
Finally saw a video of a ’53 Eldorado. Yes, there are two chrome switches on the driver side rear seat… but looks to me like it might be a courtesy light. Why only one, I don’t know but that would be my guess after blowing it up to see better.
Neat looking car, agree with other comments that you’d need some seriously deep pockets to get this going again. Agree with the removal of the continental kit as well. Why’d they store it with the top down in beyond me as well. Good luck, hope it does well.
Ended at $30,700.
Reserve Not Met.
44 bids.
That’s the first year of Cadillac I drove, well steered when I was five years old, but it was a four-door sedan all black.
It was also the same car that my sister slammed the back door on my finger.
That was not much fun.
Of course, my older sister she was never too bright. She could never understand why I had three sisters, and she only had two!
I remember that story about getting your finger slammed in the door. I think we all had that in one form or another.
So, you had 3 sisters but she only had 2, that is a hard one to figure out. 🙄