If you like the styling of the Tri-Five Chevy, but want something more elegant and imposing, this 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Seville might just be the project for you! Cadillac went all out with on these cars, with smooth lines, big tailfins and a 305 horsepower V8 to move around all 4,665 pounds of luxury. They built just 3,950 of these cars, so surely someone will want to save this one. Reader Blake H isn’t going to be able to get around to restoring this one, so he’s decided to let it go. It comes with some spare parts to help the restoration along. You can find this project in Snohomish, Washington and you can message Blake via the form below.
Asking Price: $5,500
Location: Snohomish, Washington
Mileage: 21,753
Title Status: Clean
VIN: 5662037286
Seller’s Description: This is a low production number 1956 Cadillac Eldorado that has been sitting for many many years and is not running.
Body Condition: It was originally Bahama blue with blue/white leather interior, featuring optional power windows, power seat and twilight sentinel. It is 98% complete, only missing items are front seat base, carburetors and air cleaner, and driver window switch.
There is some rust around rear wheels and lower rear front fenders, and the front floor pans are thin. The roof skin has rust holes too, where the old vinyl top that used to be, but I have a nice roof from a donor car that is included to aid in repair. All the trim and emblems that are ultra rare and specific to the Eldorado model are in place and in good condition. The windshield is with the car but not currently installed. This car needs a total restoration, but there is no major accident damage visible, no major rot and it is in above average condition compared to most. I have a clear title in hand and can assist with shipping. The original Kelsey Hayes wheels are not with the car, but I’m working with a local seller that has a set that may be purchased for an additional cost.
Mechanical Condition: It rolls, steers and stops, so loading should be very simple as long as the shipper can winch it on a trailer. Mileage is what currently shows on the odometer, but cannot confirm exact miles. The engine turns free and all fluids are clean!
Restoring this Caddy will be a big task, but it looks to be fairly complete. Rust repair and interior refurbishment will be the biggest and most costly issues. Given the relative rarity of these cars, parts could be tricky to come by, so hopefully, you can reuse what’s here. As long as the 365 cui V8 isn’t damaged, it shouldn’t be too difficult to get running again, but it’s going to need a set of carbs and air cleaners. One option would be to customize it rather than fully restore it, but a car like this deserves to be restored to its former glory. If you are interested in tackling this project, be sure to contact Blake via the form below.
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Honestly, I like the De Ville’s lines better, but this is right there with the Continental Mark II and Packard Caribbean as the pinnacle of what the USA had to offer in 1956. But unless you just have to have an Eldorado Seville, something finished for $20-30,000 makes more sense.
The trunk lid alone has enough sheetmetal to make a couple of Smart cars.
Cool car – hope it finds a loving home.
Good luck with the sale.
Lovely thing! Great styling … 50’s America on wheels.
This is probably the cheapest 1956 Eldorado I have ever seen.
what a great car BUT you better have DEEP pockets
Thinkin’ Peter’s on his way……carbs and air cleaner kinda pricey………
Having had a 1956 Biarritz convertible and a 1955 Fleetwood with dual carbs, I can comment that the correct carbs and air cleaner are made of “Unobtanium”.
The air cleaner is especially difficult to find, as they were in demand for the Corvette Dual carb set-up. While the centerlines of the dual carb holes are different, a good metal worker can make the modifications fairly easily.
And surprisingly, my 1955 Fleetwood with dual carbs, when freshly tuned, could deliver upwards of 18mpg on the interstate highways!
Seems a seat base might be hard to locate too.
I found one that is complete but needs to be re-painted and includes the sabre wheels. It comes with a lot of re-chromed parts. I have had 58, 59 and 60 Cadillacs in the past, but never a 56. Does anyone here know how many were produced and what the value might be?