While it still rolled off the line sporting fins that had become an automotive trademark of the late-1950s, the 1960 Cadillac Eldorado demonstrated signs that style and tastes were changing. The fins in 1960 were not the giants of 1959, and the taillights were no longer the flamboyant bullets of their predecessor. The Eldorado Seville continued lavishing luxury upon its occupants, and tidy examples generate healthy prices in the current market. A solid restoration prospect could be an excellent alternative if your budget doesn’t stretch to the $60,000-plus a pristine example commands. That appears to be what is on offer with this 1960 Eldorado Seville. It looks tired, but it is a rock-solid and unmolested vehicle. It needs a new home, so it is listed here on eBay in Penrose, Colorado. The seller set their No Reserve auction to open at $20,000, but there have been no bids. I must thank Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this gentle giant.
At nearly nineteen feet in overall length and tipping the scales at 5,380lbs, the 1960 Eldorado Seville is a big and heavy beast. However, the company’s decision to employ amazingly thin roof pillars and vast expanses of glass allows it to retain a surprisingly light and elegant appearance. That impression is further accentuated by the adoption of slimline taillights in preference to the previous bullets. The fins are significantly smaller than buyers received in 1959, but they could continue posing a threat to inattentive following cyclists. This car hasn’t seen active duty since 1995, and it is begging for someone to return it to its former glory. It is a classic that hides its light under a bushel because while its original Sienna Rose paint is heavily baked, this Eldorado lacks any significant rust problems. The exterior shows no evidence of bubbling or other indications of nasty surprises lurking below the surface. Slipping under the vehicle reveals the floors and frame are rock-solid and appear to sport nothing beyond surface corrosion and a couple of small, patchable holes. If an in-person inspection confirms this, returning the panels and paint to a showroom state will be no more difficult than any other classic from this era. The vinyl top is gone, and the roof sports minor pitting, but no holes. The windshield and driver’s window have significant cracks, but the remaining tinted glass is flawless. While some trim pieces require a trip to the platers to present at their best, only the fender badges are missing.
Due to its size and weight, Cadillac didn’t mess about deciding what should occupy the engine bay of the 1960 Eldorado. Its 390ci V8 inhales deeply through a Tri-Power intake system to pump out 345hp. A four-speed Hydramatic transmission fed those horses to the rear wheels, while power assistance for the steering and brakes further underlined the luxury credentials. Outright performance figures are largely irrelevant in a vehicle of this type, although they make interesting reading. This Caddy would have covered the ¼ mile in 17.7 seconds before winding its way to 127mph. Maybe that didn’t make it the ideal weapon for competition at the local dragstrip, but if the owner wanted to effortlessly waft along at freeway speeds in total isolation, this was the car to own. The seller says this classic last saw active service in 1995, but it starts and runs. It may require a thorough check and some work to be classed as roadworthy, but its rust-free nature means the new owner could return the car to our roads while tackling the restoration as time and circumstances allow.
The baked paint should make this Eldorado’s interior condition no surprise. Its White leather upholstery is beyond its best, and I don’t believe that even a skilled leather specialist could save it. The same is true of the dash pad, although the carpet looks surprisingly good. A total retrim will be the best approach, but that is not a cheap proposition in any vehicle of this type. A complete set of seat covers would be the starting point, and they retail for around $700 without items like foam or hog rings. The tops of the door and rear trims are baked, but some careful cleaning and conditioning might breathe new life into them. I think the headliner may be okay, but the wheel is cracked beyond repair. If the buyer wants the interior to present perfectly, they probably need to budget at least $2,500 to achieve their goal. However, the potential value, once complete, could make it a worthwhile investment. Since this is a luxury car, it is no surprise it features air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power front seat, a remote driver’s mirror, a Twilight Sentinel, and a pushbutton AM radio.
Many enthusiasts will argue that cars like this 1960 Eldorado Seville emerged in an era when Cadillac was at the height of its power. There’s no denying these classics made a bold visual statement, and ownership of one was a way of shouting loudly and proudly to the world that not only were you a success, but you were happy for everyone to know. We will never see vehicles of their type again because buyer tastes and safety regulations have evolved to consign them to the pages of history books. I’m surprised there have been no bids because the solid nature of the vehicle and the lure of a No Reserve auction can often prove impossible to resist. Maybe some potential bidders are waiting for the last moment, hoping to score a bargain with a single bid. It’s a high-risk strategy, but is it one you’d be tempted to employ?
I’d pull the frame and overhaul everything including the engine, update the transmission and add four wheel disc brakes, super detail motor, trans, frame everything. Leave the paint, redo the interior and drive the snot out of it. Door ding, scratch, who cares?
Does anybody know what the name of the color is? My aunt got a 60 Sedan DeVille new and drove it four years and us kids called it purple. I don’t think that is the official term. I always liked the 60 model This one could be made into a super nice ride.
I believe it was called ‘Sienna Rose Metallic’.
Description says Sienna Rose. Paint it or leave it—-enjoy it. I wonder if the air cleaners is included, unobtanium. Good luck and enjoy. Bet it will pass everything but a gas station!! Bidengas, that is
Cheers
GPC.
The Caddy was originally painted Siena Rose, code 98, I’m not sure what I am seeing on the trunk lid under the repaint. I really like the car and color, I don’t think I could justify the $20K or another 50K to restore it…
These are $100K+ cars when restored right. And this one appears fairly rust free. I think it’s worth the cost of doing a frame-off. Sienna Rose with white leather would make quite a statement once restored!
Hi Adam. Please tell me where I could get a set of leather seat covers/upholstery for this car for $700? I been getting shafted. I paid $300 for the cloth to do the inserts of the wife’s series 62 coupe front seat.
FYI, Just Dash charges $2,000-$2500 to redo the dash. There is another place out of Sweden that charges $1,200. Both require a good core otherwise it’s another $500.
Bob,
I’m in total agreement with you. I’ve restored both a ’59 and a ’60 Eldorado Biarritz convertible, and I know a total interior restoration is a minimum of $10k, and can approach $15k.
I’m a little surprised this car, as loaded with options as it is, doesn’t have cruise control! This car was originally equipped with the dreaded air suspension, note the large round tank at the left front of the radiator support. That’s the pressure tank for the air ride system. It appears all of the air bags have been removed and replaced with coils all around. If all the air suspension controls have been removed, it can get pretty expensive re-installing these parts, if you can find them.
The air bags are available as reproductions, but are [of course] very expensive. If you look at the close-up photo of the left front area of the intake manifold, look at the most forward bolt holding the intake to the head, it shows the unpainted area around the bolt head where the bracket for the air pump was located. If the air suspension parts are missing, then buying, restoring, and installing the air suspension could top over $10k.
That said, when I restored both convertibles back in the late 1980s, I elected to make them look like they had air suspension, but kept the coils in place. I even installed a female shop air fitting at the air tank, so I had compressed air on demand! The primary reason I kept the coil suspension was at the time the air bags were not reproduced, and chances were any NOS examples would not hold up due to the rubber’s age.
This has the potential to be a sensational car. Great colors, the toned-down but still outrageous style, and a solid starting point. I understand the original top material (it wasn’t ordinary vinyl) is essentially unobtanium, though.
One more detail…. all 1960 Eldorados had a standard air suspension. Not surprisingly, this car has been converted to coil springs.
Hey Bob, try DASH SPECIALISTS, 1910 Redbud Ave, Medford, Oregon, 97504. Phone of (541) 776-0040. Ask for Doug, the owner. They did several C-body Dodges way back and each time, the dashes came out perfect. Referred several friends as well and were very pleased. With the cost of everything out of site, out of mind, I have no idea what they would charge these days. Definitely worth looking into.
Thanks Glenn!
I’ll check them out. Do they have a website?
Jay Leno’s Garage recently had a program on dash restoration with a specialist. Don’t remember their name, but you can find it on You Tube.
There’s “No” Reserve, as long as you have 20K in your pocket.
For some reason, those photos just don’t look correct. Although I realize these Caddys were big mothers, I don’t remember the front extending out that far.
I’m slowly beginning to loose my train of thought process in how people can get the idea that older cars are worth the 6 figures asking prices. I have a restored 64 Corvair and 41 Chevy PU hot rod pickup. I really think my ‘worth’ figures are realistic and certainly not outlandish. I had some work done and did some myself. So having stated all this, saying this is a $100,000 dollar car restored is dumb. And her is why. Last week at a ‘farm’ auction containing several old restored and un-restored cars there was a 1960 Cadillac black coupe in very nice to the point of almost not drive to often or far restored condition. It sold for $28,000. That to me is the real world of cars, not the crap that is pulled by sellers, bidders, and auctioneers on Barrett Jackson or so many other tv and not tv auctions. Kinda like when we sold dairy cows and bulls, you buy mine, I buy yours at high prices and we all look good to the schmo in the cheap seat bidding.
Greg,
As I recall, that other 1960 Cadillac was a series 61 hardtop, not even a Coupe DeVille. This car is a rare Eldorado Seville hardtop, and if done to the highest possible level of restoration, it CAN achieve a 6 figure price, but it’s gonna take almost that much to make it happen. The color combination on this car is highly sought-after as well. The car’s plusses include a fairly rust free and accident free body, factory A/C, and the color scheme.
This could be phenomenal. Great place to start. Someone with deep pockets needs to adopt her.
I’m interested in the UH-1H in the background.
I think it’s a C-model.