When I wrote this post on a ’66 Cadillac Eldorado I was thinking, as I mentioned, that most would associate the Eldorado name with the ’67 and forward front-wheel-drive version, not one that resembles a regular old Series 62 drop-top. Well, let me expand that horizon a bit with this ’57 Cadillac Eldorado Seville – I’d put this one in an exalted class well worthy of the Eldorado moniker. This highly styled hardtop is located in Latham, New York and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $19,000. There is a make an offer option too. T.J. gets a tip of the hat for this find!
OK, so this one’s not the unique Eldorado Biarritz or the rare Brougham four-door hardtop, but it’s still a pretty special find as well as a single body-style only offering. This example is stated as having a “Very rare color combo” but somehow, I doubt the blacked-out hood was part of the package. The body appears to be finished off in Glade Green but the roof has some sort of glued-on white vinyl top covering that is in the process of becoming unglued. That Glade Green is showing some underlying wear, especially with patches of Bondo and a smattering of scratches, surface rust, dents, and other contusions. I don’t see evidence of serious rot but a thorough top to bottom inspection should occur. As is usually the case, this one is being referred to as a barn find – nothing unusual there, but the Wisconsin inspection date is only current through February 1971 so this ornate Caddy probably has been marooned in a barn, or other structure, for some time now.
Hubba-hubba is under the hood in the form of a 325 gross HP, 365 CI V8 engine sporting a pair of four-barrel carburetors. It looks like it’s a non-runner, but wait, there’s more!
Included is a newly rebuilt 365 CI short block so I guess the deal is the heads, intake, carbs, etc. need to be transferred from the old to the new. This new prime mover will need to be attached to the Hydramatic automatic transmission – no reference to its functionality.
The seller tells us, “Interior in very nice original condition” and from what can be seen of it, the leather upholstery looks like it has withstood the test of time. It’s hard to get a comprehensive look at it but from what can be spied it possesses the typical opulence one would expect in a high-end Cadillac model. The ornateness of the door panels, alone, is a real attention-getter. The environment looks complete except for the missing radio.
The seller suggests that this Eldorado will be a “Great restoration project“. It certainly has the proper beginnings, of course, but as I always say, the devil’s in the details. The body appears to have a certain amount of dreck hiding under the paint – or maybe it’s just the rough finish’s appearance but as we all know, rust never sleeps. As for the engine, assuming that one has enough old parts from the chambered engine to finish off the new short block, then the new owner will be good to go. If not, problems could abound. Regardless, this is one Caddy that needs to be saved. Reviewing a car like this, and many of those that earned the right to wear the “Eldorado” badge, it’s easy to see how Cadillac was, at one time, the “Standard of the World”, wouldn’t you agree?
These guys have a good ebay rep, but it always worries me a little when a restoration shop is selling a project.
Especially selling it when you have another 57 in the background
Some of the frame pictures are worrying.
The interior being good is most important on these, and having the aluminum cast pieces in very good shape next.
The low pot metal chrome trim bars are missing in front of the rear wheel well.
$$$$ is the only thing seperating this from a driver/show car.
This will be a tough sale with the price of gas being what it is. I wish them well.
All I know for sure is how can you not want and not love and lust after this car. Will it be a major restoation, YES. Will it be worth the time and money, WHO KNOWS. Do I still love it? HELL YES!
roof is a spay on much like rock gard .common back then
Not true. Notice the seams on top of the roof. According to the Cadillac & LaSalle Club Forum, the roof covering is “called Vicodec which was a water resistant nylon fabric similar to the material used for convertible tops.”
The buyer of this car will not be worried about the price of gas. For a restoration shop to be selling tells me this car was dropped off for restoration and then abandoned. Everything can be repaired or replaced on any car even if if has to be manufactured. With modern technology and metal printing machines and or plastic parts are available at a price. Original parts can be found with enough research. It’s a matter of time and money, but this will be a gem when finished.
God Bless America