In 1957 and 1958, Cadillac differentiated the Eldorado 2-door hardtop from the convertible by calling the former the Seville vs. the Biarritz. It was at the top of the luxury food chain and was built in relatively small numbers, especially the 1958 editions like the seller’s car. We assume this 13,000-mile example is original and has won awards for that distinction. Located in Ocala, Florida, this mid-century beauty is available here on eBay where the current bid is $42,000, the reserve is unmet, and the take-it-home-now price is $88,000.
When it comes to sculpturing, these two years from the Eldorado history books are considered by many collectors to be iconic. The cars were restyled from what was sold in 1956 and used rear-end sheet metal that was unique to Eldorado’s. The ‘50s fin-craze was well underway and the styling on the 1958 models was an evolution of the prior year, but with quad instead of dual headlights. And the Eldorado would begin to look a bit more like other products from General Motors. These beasts were powered by 365 cubic inch V8s and 4-speed Hydramatic transmissions. 1958 Seville’s are the rarest at 855 copies vs. 2,100 the year before.
We’re told this Caddy has quite the pedigree. In addition to receiving the top award for senior cars by the A.A.C.A., this vehicle also took a turn on television. Jerry Seinfeld and Don Rickles were seen tooling around in it in the show Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Somehow this Caddy has accumulated only a few miles and the word restoration doesn’t appear anywhere in its description.
The seller – who is also a collector – describes this as an investment-grade automobile. That means that the next owner will likely want to keep the mileage down so it continues to hold that status and grow further in value. One thing that’s not mentioned is why one set of photos show the roof painted another color than in the others. These kinds of autos make me nervous because if I owned it, I would be afraid of scratching it. Perhaps it will end up being on loan to a museum where others can enjoy its beauty.
All I can say is WOW. Beautiful color, beautiful car. Amazing sculpted looks and lines. With only 855 made as the article states, I’m surprised BIN isn’t 6 figures.
But then again, that kind of money may be reserved for Eldorado Broughams.
This always looked to me like fins mounted on the back end of a Corvette👎.58 Sixty Special was far more attractive at slightly lower price. Anyone recall the El Morocco?
Never heard of a Morocco until I saw one for sale in Hemmings several years ago.
The El Morocco was a 57 58 conversion of a 57 Chevrolet, given enough change to resemble 58 Cadillac. Canadian Rupert Alender was the man behind it in two years, only about 235 cars were produced. Guess one of these would bring a hefty price. I don’t know how many still exist. Mornin Jon! Once again, meeting of the minds 🤪 😜 🤪
I do. A “J.C. Whitney” version of an Eldorado Brougham. Interesting for what it was, a poor man’s Cadillac.
Stunning let alone the color! I’ve seen this car pictured many times over the last few years.
I’m not sure this top color ever existed. Having had an all original ’58 black over white with 12500 miles ( owner plate still in the plastic pocket under the hood) , this is in impossible condition.
El Morocco was also built in 1956, to mimic the ’56 Eldo (est. 16 made).
Russ, I also noticed the roof color changed in a few photos. In the ebay listing photo #24 looks like it has a seam running the length of the roof. Could it be that it has a vinyl top?
“Vinyl” top was standard on the Seville, `56-`60. Often in a contrasting color, but IMHO best when it matches the paint.
Per the 1958 Cadillac brochure, “The exterior roof surface of the Seville is finished in durable, weather-resistant Vicodec material,” which I believe is a spray-on vinyl.
Is Vicodec any relation to Vicodin? Both seem to cause major issues. 😜 🤪 😜 .Just saying!
The Vicodec material is very similar to convertible top material. It is not spray-on. Two of the colors available were Argyle Blue and Gleneagles Green.
Vicodec is a fabric roof material, not vinyl.
Vicodec is convertible top material. On Eldo Sevilles and Biarritzes, the tops were done in matching vinyl to the paint OR black or white for a contrast.
Stunning car. I bought a ratty 57 Seville and drove it briefly until the tranny started acting up. These are not for the faint at heart. Even eons back restoring one was tough if it was a rust belt native. Aluminum bumper ends, lots of unique items that are big$$$$$ to obtain or refinish. I do prefer the 59 60s though. When I sold the 57 I moved into a 60 where I still reside today. I hated the fabric top as like many roof rot was/is a concern. A real beauty here that really cannot be driven.
Who’s gonna see it if you don’t drive it? If nobody sees it, why have it? It’s a car!! DRIVE IT!!
like having anything or things nice from art, antiques or cars. The fewer that know you have them, the better off you are.
A real “toss-up!” Drive it a Concourse event, but not to a hostile Kroger parking lot. I agree it should be seen, but the first dent or scratch would be heartbreaking. Yep, a “toss-up.”
I, too, wonder why the value of a car like this is so low. It is in ’57 Chevy territory. I must be missing something.
Beautiful Car. Love the color scheme , a real gem to own . If I had the coins I would gladly pay the BIN price .
Car and Driver did their snarky review of this model way back and compared the rear view to a potato with the tail lights being the eyes. But what a great example of the age of excess! Note the disproportion (at least to me) of the passenger compartment vs. the trunk.
The fins almost seem like an after thought tacked on to the trunk to appease someone in management that wanted all cars to have fins.
I saw a Biarritz at a car show a few years ago which had had a fin-ectomy. What a strange looking car which begged the question “WHY”?
See my previous comment on rear styling. Definitely like the Potato description! 👍. For me, the best 58 Cadillac example of OTT excessive chromed luxury was the Sixty Special! 🏆 Having owned 89 Brougham deElegance and 93 Brougham, I find current Cadillac offerings Sadly 😥 CADILLACKING.
beautiful CAr . Love the coror scheme , it’s perfect . If I had the money I would gladly pay the BIN price . A rare Gem indeed .
I was a little kid, but my uncle had one of these in black. I think it had a/c. Is my memory flawed?
The ’56 Lincoln Continental’s styling looks like 20 years into the future, compared to these Caddies.
That’s why Cadillac always outsold the “Stinkin Lincoln’s” right?
Also why Caddys were(and are) the “Standard of The World”.
Far better than a glorified, overpriced, under powered Ford.
Sorry fellas, it’s no longer available.
WERE the Standard of the WORLD. Neither Cadillac nor Lincoln makes luxury CARS any longer. Little CRAPPY boxes and glorified 🚚 Trucks. 🤮
Cimarron, the standard of the world. Catera, standard of the world. When Ford builds a Lincoln version of the Escort, I MIGHT agree with you. The Mark II is and was a beautiful car, styled by the best in the business, put together with excruciating care.
This car is more to my liking than the ’59 or ’60, but still Mitchell at his worst, throw more chrome at it ’til it won’t stick any more.
Love this restorod!
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1956-continental-mark-ii-5/
the only people I ever saw driving Cadillac’s were wearing purple hats and leopard skin coats. Or had one foot in the graveyard.
The regular 56 Lincolns (Capri and Premiere) were the only automobiles to win a design award from a prestigious design organization for body styling. Unfortunately I do not recall the name of the organization. 🤔
Wow, another Eldo Seville. Remembering that the 1960 listed earlier also has a BIN of $88K, I would rather have that one despite it being a little more abundant than the ’58. The 1958’s abundance of chrome and blockier styling gets less respect from collectors than the 1959-60 Eldos but I still wouldn’t mind seeing this in my garage.
A few years ago I owned a 1957 Eldo Biarritz Conv with the same tail fin execution. I contacted the designer at the time, Ron Hill. Obviously retired now, Ron kindly answered and the following is an extract from his letter:
Notes by Ron Hill Cadillac Designer
“It was an amazing accomplishment to be involved with something of a design breakthrough at the tender age of twenty two. We felt
that getting the design management (GM) to see automotive forms three
dimensionally was a real coup. The idea of the fin forms growing out of a
complete shape instead of an extension of a plane, ie the body side, was a
revolutionary thought at the time”
Had a ’57 Biarritz converible in the shop for a while. Light metallic blue with white interior. I’m 5’6″ tall and could lay lengthwise in the trunk without touching my head or feet. Huge.
Wow. Find another. Price seems reasonable. Check out the black ’60 version he has, too.
My first road car was a 55 Caddy. My uncle had a Cadillac Dealership up in White Plains NY. I drove that car for quite awhile back in the early 70’s. It was a barge but what a party car. The uncle always drove a new Cadillac so I got to see them progress through the years. I think I paid him 500 for the 55. This car is a magnificent example. I sure hope somebody enjoys buying it.
A car like that is a piece of art , a work of art.
I’m new to this site….What is Bin…?
Buy it now.
Auction ended at $50,000.01 and no sale as it didn’t hit reserve. $50K for a car like this is lowball, but the market simply didn’t support anything higher, falling $38k short of the reserve (which was pretty optimistic).