The Cadillac Eldorado was one of the industry’s first personal luxury cars. In 1957-58, there were two versions: the Eldorado Seville (2-door hardtop ) and the Eldorado Biarritz (convertible). Many consider these cars to be some of the most beautifully styled automobiles to come out of Detroit, and the ‘57s might be the most stunning with their unique tailfins and rear deck treatment. The running Seville is part of a collection that’s being liquidated which comprises three barns. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Caddy can be had for $55,000 (or you can make an offer) here on eBay but the seller will work a package deal on the entire ensemble. Thanks for this gigantic tip, T.J.!
Eldorado is a nameplate that first appeared on a Cadillac concept car in 1952 to help celebrate the company’s golden anniversary. That was followed by a limited production convertible the next year. Eldorado is derived from two Spanish words that translate as “the gilded (i.e., golden one)” and refers to El Dorado, the mythical South American “Lost City of Gold.” The third generation of the cars arrived in 1957-58. They would be powered by a 365 cubic inch V8 with a 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. Twin 4-barrel carburetors were used to feed gasoline from the fuel tank to the engine. About 2,500 of the hardtop Sevilles were built in ’57.
This Cadillac is part of a collection that’s on the market. While the seller provides mostly info on the one car, photos are presented on others than are available for unstated prices. That would include more than one Lincoln Continental, some additional Cadillacs and Pontiacs, a Buick Starfire (shouldn’t that be an Oldsmobile?), some Plymouth convertibles, and others.
We’re told the forgotten-looking Caddy does run although it looks not to have moved in years. The owner of this assortment has owned it in excess of 40 years. The interior looks pretty good, though the paint is pretty cloudy. The automobile has factory air conditioning, a rarity in those days. The car wears a vinyl roof which the seller says is in decent shape, but you can easily see a bunch of rust bubbling underneath. If you decided to buy the whole shebang, the price for the Caddy would be discounted. Who’s up for a road trip to inspect all these classics?
Seems way over priced, memory tells me that this car should have duel four barrels carbs, in1958 Caddy went to tri-power
Let me think a Cadillac Eldorado or a 57 Bel Air Hartop ? Easy, a cosmetic restoration on the Cadillac and drive it.
The correct carb set up with the correct “bat wing” air cleaner will easily cost another $10k if you can find one. Is it standard suspension or electronic? Looks otherwise great. God bless, Lanny
When I was young, there was a dump near me that acccepted cars also. I used to go and remove things like power pack cyl. heads. There was a Caddy eldo. conv there with the twin four barrels complete. I thought of taking the carbs and intake and air cleaner and distributor but thought “Who would ever want one of those setups?” Oh well!
There was no “electronic” suspension. If you are referring to air suspension, that didn’t appear until 58.
Oh what a beautiful day it would be to see this Caddy shining under the old Oak tree. Drive around and maybe downtown as the people all wave to me. I’m smiling with glee as the people I see all wish they were me.
God Bless America
Oh what a beautiful day it would be, as my Caddy sits shining under the old Oak tree. I’m driving around and then go to town as the people all wave to me. I smile as I glow and drive real slow, waving to each person I see. Knowing they all wish they were me.
God Bless America
Oh what a beautiful day it would be, as my Caddy sits shining under the old Oak tree. I’m driving around and then go to town as the people all wave to me. I smile as I glow and drive real slow, waving to each person I see. Knowing they all wish they were me.
God Bless America
I think it is a great design. But I remember reading an old magazine, could have been Car and Driver which likened the rear to to a potato.
2-4s should be correct for this car, and, I believe, a stainless steel roof
Stainless steel roofs only on 57-58 4doors Eldorado Brougham
I saw this same model,(1957 ElDorado Seville for sale in Chicago for around $20,000.00. It even looked better than this one. Color was a mist green matallic color.and had the sabre wheels also. I should have jumped on it.
I had a 1957 Cadillac Fleetwood in Tahoe blue. I had people ask me to stop and they would take pictures of the car. I sold it in2019 and regret doing so, I am now holding on to all my old cars now. I should still have that beautiful car.
commenting on William McNabb’s post, about the dual carbs and batwing air cleaner, I know of an old timer that has one, I wonder if he know’s what it is worth? MoparMike
The roof panels are usually a problem unless the car was from the dry and rust-free southwestern areas. The 1956-58 Seville hardtops were covered in DuPont Vicodec material, the same material used on the convertible top for GM cars, but in a thinner version so it could be stretched to conform to the curved steel roof form. This was also glued down to a 1/16″ layer of padding. This situation was also found on the 1956 Packard Caribbean hardtop.
The problem is simple: The material [being thinner] was never expected to last as long as the normal convertible top material, and to keep costs down, Cadillac & Packard didn’t fully paint the roof panel, only giving it a coat of primer.
If the owner didn’t have the top replaced when it first started signs of deterioration, once water entered under the material, the padding kept it from drying out. This resulted in the roof metal rusting. I’m familiar with extreme situations where the entire roof assembly required replacement.
Based on what I see in the single photo of this car’s roof bubbling due to rust, this roof will require some serious metal repairs, and will also require the removal of the entire interior. That situation, plus the missing [and expensive] dual carb setup, at $55k, makes this car far too expensive.
The stainless steel roofs were on the El Dorado Broughms
The steel used in the 50’s and 60’s cars was plain carbon steel without any anti rusting capabilities at all. In Detroit it would be easy to find a two year old car with rust holes in the wheel wells around the trunk lids. I would sure want to look very closely at any car from the northern states for signs of rust and poor quality repairs made. Lived in Detroit many years. Love now being in central dry California and the only ice is what I need for my glass.
Outside Bakersfield is an original 1957 Cadillac ElDorado Seville, mist green with a white vinyl top. Car is totally original with the correct size white wall tires, all flat. Car has just been pulled out of 60 years of storage..Want opinions on what the car is worth as it sits. Looks like a good wax job and the paint will still be good. Top appears to be perfect, has the gold sable KH wheels.mileage appears to be 35000. It has only the one four barrel carb. The two carb. setup must have been an option.
Was it the 57-58 Eldorado Brougham that was prerry much hand made? There was one on here they wanted $110k for.
This is beautiful. The roof rust scares me but that interior is awesome. I hope it gets saved.