It is often said that we can’t have it all, but this 1954 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible demonstrates that we can come pretty close. It offers a luxurious motoring experience with the top raised, but the exhilaration of wind-in-the-hair motoring with the White power top lowered. The car presents nicely, and its rarity is accentuated by the Continental Kit. The seller is ready to send the Eldorado to a new home, listing it here on eBay in Fresno, California. The price of admission to classics of this caliber is rarely cheap, with the seller setting their BIN at $99,999. There is the option to make an offer if that figure is too rich for your blood.
Cadillac released its Second Generation Eldorado for the 1954 model year. Buyers could select between a two-door Hardtop or a Convertible, with the latter proving the rarer with only 2,150 examples finding homes in the first year. This is one of those cars that is finished in striking Aztec Red with a contrasting White power top. The layer of dust coating much of its exterior might be deceptive, with the listing suggesting that this classic runs well. The seller supplies little information about its history, although the lack of paint and panel imperfections suggests it may have undergone a restoration at some point. However, a close inspection reveals that this Caddy isn’t perfect. Many of the plated trim pieces exhibit mild pimples, with the beautiful wire wheels showing signs of developing rust. Maybe I am being too harsh, but I wouldn’t expect to discover such shortcomings on a car within this price range. It appears that this Elforado has spent its life in its current location, making its apparent lack of rust unsurprising. One interesting feature is the Continental Kit, which Cadillac didn’t offer in 1954. Some cars received these as dealer-fitted items, which might be the case here.
Powering this Eldorado is a 331ci V8 that sends 230hp and 332 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a four-speed Hydramatic transmission. The Caddy further cements its luxury credentials with its standard power assistance for the steering and brakes. With the Eldorado Convertible coming perilously close to weighing 5,000 lbs, acceleration will be sedate by modern standards. That means that this classic will be at its most comfortable cruising the open road or trundling along a beachside boulevard. The lure of doing so with the top down may prove irresistible to some, and I understand that sentiment. The engine bay presentation surprises me, but not in a good sense. The significant areas of peeling paint are a concern, suggesting that if this classic has received any form of restoration, the surface preparation may not have been performed adequately. The seller indicates that the car starts easily and runs well, but not whether the Eldorado is genuinely roadworthy.
The best way to maximize the chances of selling any classic is to present it in the best possible light. The seller has failed fairly miserably in this case due to their supplied images and the effort they have taken with the car’s cleanliness. The Eldorado’s interior has a dirty appearance that could be improved with even the most basic cleaning. The photos are pretty poor, with most being blurred. However, piecing together what we can see suggests that it is in good condition. The stunning Red and White leather upholstered surfaces appear free from major wear and distress, although it appears that the driver’s door trim might be beginning to fail along the rear edge. The carpet looks tidy, with the same true of the dash. The seller quotes a list of interior options, and I can’t confirm whether these are all present. I did spot the air conditioning and power windows, but the jury is out on the AM/FM stereo and the automatic wipers.
Let’s be honest: Any classic with an asking price nudging six figures can never claim to be affordable. However, the relative rarity of the 1954 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible means that they typically command a reasonable sum when they hit the market. Is the seller’s price justified in this case? It appears to be if you use NADA or Hagerty as a guide. However, I did locate a meticulously restored example that recently sold for under $70,000. The fact that only seventeen people have added our feature Caddy to their Watch List might also suggest optimism on the seller’s behalf. What do you feel would be a fair price for this Convertible?
I suppose that the Packard taillights were a dealer option also? In my lame opinion half of that price would be high. Don’t get me wrong, with a bit of polish it could be a killer cruiser.
Those look like the ones on a `60 Chrysler but maybe they are `56 Clipper units doubled up.
This caddy should have the mini fins with the gas filler under the driver’s side lens. Also AM-FM would be available for almost a decade.
Was the missing autronic eye standard equipment on the 1954 Cadillac Eldorado?
No, not standard but still an option. Only Cads I’m aware of that had the autronic eye standard are the `57-60 Eldorado Broughams.
Jack, I did a double take too when I saw those ’55 Packard tail lights too.
That could be a potential deal breaker
for buyers out there. Would rather have the original tail lights instead. And as for those photos, it makes me wonder just how long this car has been parked or even if it runs and drives. Like the car, but too many what ifs for me. Think I’ll pass.
To me. Part of the identity of a 1950’s Cadillac…. Is their tailfins. Its what makes a Cadillac a Cadillac….. And its what set them apart from other luxury brands. To put Packard tailights on a 54 Eldorado thats as rare as this just isn’t for me. It does look like they did a good job on the work. But for me, this would be a deal breaker. Which is a shame because these are rare cars. I’d love to see this restored properly.
@Driveinstile
WTF????
HOW does someone take a RARE car, especially an expensive top of the line with less than 2200 copies and customize it with 1960 Chrysler taillights??? I was looking forward to seeing the rear of this car with the continental kit and BAM! NO CADILLAC TAILLIGHT FINS!
I didn’t think this car was worth $100,000 to begin with, but to find it not even original but customized??? And on top of that they couldn’t even clean it up? You’re selling a rare car for $100,000 and it’s not even clean? Are you crazy? Yes, I said it.
You can pay a detailer to wash the car, detail the interior and engine compartment and scrub those whitewalls for around $300.
The way the car sits now, I wouldn’t offer a penny more then $15,000. Maybe $20,000 if it was detailed.
Do you have any idea how much it’s going to cost to put those fins back on? Plus the gas cap under the left taillight.
All that stainless by the rear wheels make the Eldorado stand out. Unfortunately that’s about the only visual difference fron the de Villes or 62s. The original ’53 Eldorado was too expensive, which is why the ’54 was toned down.
But I just can’t get over the customization of such a rare car. One hundred thousand INDEED!
Angel,
I love to read your posts! Your comment of “”WTF?”, had me roaring! My sentiments exactly! 😘
The more I looked the more I agree these are definitely ’60 Chrysler tailights. We have some seriously good eagle eyed folks on here. Whats totally ironic is….. Chrysler had them mounted IN THE TAILFINS. You have to admit hownironic it is to lop off the fins and cut these in. Unfortunately, they lost me at that modification. I’m just a firm believer that a Cadillac that has tail fins should really keep them.
The seller is in La-LA land on his price. This one needs far, far too much work, and the rear quarters were ruined with the custom work. As it sits, maybe $65K, but nowhere near a hundred grand. All the ones for sale in Hemmings are way better than this one. Hard pass.
PS: Given the `60 Chrysler taillamps, where now is the gas filler?! It WAS under the left rear taillight (`41 to `58) from the factory.
Good question Will, 🤔 even the afterthought of the discontinued fuel filler neck under the tail light assembly due to fire hazard this does not appear to be a remedy. If memory serves me correctly there were other makes that followed this short lived trend.
I’m almost wondering if the gas filler was relocated behind the Connie kit after the addition of the Chrysler tail lights in a effort to again hide the filler.
Agreeing with all of you posters. The first turn-off for me was the cleanliness, 2nd were the lousy pics, and then that cobbled on continental kit, and the AM-FM.
Not familiar with automatic wipers.Can somebody fill me in on that?
The price is a far fetched dream.
OMG 😲! A PACKALLAC! No wonder the Buy It Now price is astronomical. I don’t believe you’ll ever see another. The taillights ARE from 60 Chrysler, making it a 🤔 . Proof you never know what’s in The BARN! Once again, my thanks to Barn Finders and friends here for giving camaraderie and support!
Jon R. Just missed you at 61 Dart! Once again we traveled the same roads to The BARN.
Rick W, I checked my emails and just read your posting on the ’61.
Hope you’re feeling better!
At first glance I thought this was completely original and thought well maybe $100K is not far fetched. Then I looked further. Packard tail lights and that ugly reupholster? No way.
I had to search to see if those taillights could be Chrysler, and to my surprise it looks like they are. My first thought was Packard like some of you other folks. I agree with many of you, I’m sure, that the taillights are detrimental to the desirability of this Cadillac. I would love to have this car in its original configuration but not like it is now. I hope there is someone out there who loves it like it is and will give it a good home.
They say Beauty is in the eye 👁 of the Beholder! Hopefully SOMEONE will find this a Beauty and fork over enough to buy it! But… 🤔
Being a true-blue Union man, I always think about the guys lifting those body panels and bumpers on a hot day with a foreman barking at them to speed it up for $1.25 an hour.
1954 is my favourite Cadillac year — but a 100% stock original Coupe DeVille is what I would go after, not an Eldorado — especially, one that has been customised like this, to lose most of its value! HARD pass — even at $25,000! Wonder what happened to the rear — that they felt the need to add a continental kit and ersatz lail-lights? I wouldn’t TOUCH THIS one!
Well … you might as well put an LS power plant in it now …🤷♂️🤷♂️
Well.. you might as well …drop an LS in it as a little upgrade, now..🤷♂️
Great comments !
And as you all know, I HATE red convertibles. RED Cadillacs, Lincolns & Imperials. Red cars in general especially fire engine red like this monstrosity.
Hey Jon, hey Rick W, feeling any better? Frog, good to see you.
Hey Angel, I heard they’re building a new fire station across the street from your palatial estate! LOL! All kinds of red. Are you seeing red yet? 😁
Guess I don’t mind red cars too much; that ’81 Regency on BF in Washington state the other day was really sharp. That might be on its way to my house, having owned a ’81.
When I met my future wife she had a ’88 Park Avenue red in & out.
We’re getting over colds from our Hawaiian vacation.
@Jon
Hawaiian vacation…… my my ain’t we grand. 😆
Actually, Jon, where i am staying right now there is a fire station across the street. No lie! 🚒🚑
My 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Talisman was red but a dark cranberry red. That’s acceptable but red red…… uh, no.
Were you aware that statistically speaking red cars are involved in more accidents than any other color? They get rear-ended more too. Guess people just don’t like seeing red.
Those Talismans were really something. The only I saw in person was in ’74 when one of my customers pulled into the Clark gas station I was managing. His was white with tan crushed velour. I think he had both front and rear consoles in his. I couldn’t believe that interior.
To Angel, my first comment froze and disappeared so here goes. The only Talisman I saw in person was in ’74 at my Clark gas station. Being ’74 this had to be new as, you know, they were only available ’74-’76. This was white with tan crushed velour and had both the front and rear consoles. Couldn’t believe that interior. Don’t know if these had both consoles as standard or not. Park Avenues only had the front.You had the epitimy of luxury there.
Likewise Angel what’s good?
My girlfriend, Christine is going to beat you up!
what a way to ruin a caddy with that back end. real shame and they want 100k. good luck with that
@Jon
The ’74 Talisman was the only year with the full length console and four bucket seats. The ’75 & ’76 had a bench rear seat.
OK, thank you!
Hi Angel! Sorry for being late to this party, but I just got home after helping
my kids close the store and boy, am I
bushed! It’s 2:30 here in Florida and I
definitely put my 8 hours in today! Àll
I can say about this poor car is good
luck finding a set of new quarter panels for it. Whatever they’re smokin’ out there in California, I want
some! Reminds me of the song Rose
Colored Glasses by John Comlee.
These rose colored glasses,
that I’m lookin’ through,
show only the beauty,
’cause they hide all the truth.
Thought of that song when I saw this
car and it’s price tag. Good night dear
💋 Good night all!
Conlee had a lot of great songs, Kenny. Miss Emily’s Picture, Blue Highway, the Ray Charles remake, Busted, etc. Saw him a couple of times in concert.
Maybe the seller’s wife told him to sell it. He’ll tell her he tried but nobody wants it.
You’re right Jon, he certainly did. I knew a guy who could do a spot on impersonation of him– provided you could keep him sober enough to sing!
The man’s name was Wayne Barnhill
and he had a band called the Rhythm
Aces. I’d pinch hit for him on weekends during the school year when he got too effed up to play. They had a bical hit with a song called Come on home and sing the blues to daddy in ’72 or ’73, but he couldn’t stop drinking long enough to
follow it up with another record. I got to know the band very well filling in for him. When I got home from another tour, I found out they went to
Nashville to try their luck. But Wayne”s drinking got in their way so
the band kicked him to the curb, changed their name to the Amazing
Rhythm Aces, and had hits like 3rd Rate Romance, Amazing Grace used to be her favorite song, and the end is not in sight. And now you know the rest of the story…
Interesting to know, Kenny. I’m also familiar with the Amazing Rhythm Aces’ music. So the band you were with obviously had talent. Too bad for the lost soul.
Nice nod to Paul Harvey, too!
Actually, I’d be more interested in the red panel truck parked next to this modified Caddie.
Hey those tailfins are off my dads 60 chrysler I crashed 60 years ago
They did, but Wayne was holding them back. Those guys played really
well together. And yes, they had a ton
of talent. I was, and still am, very grateful for the time I had with them. And for an 18 year old musician, that was really something. Still recall the
day my childhood friend, Jimmy Seaborne came by to tell me he’d been picked to play steel guitar for them for a few months. Such wonderful memories these are.
I think the last good music of any type disappeared about 1995. Especially country. Murder on Music Row by Strait says it all. Carrie Underwood is a great singer, but she’s not country, more rock with a steel guitar. XM channels 58 & 61 and here locally in Mpls., FM 106.1. Fortunate to have seen some of these artists before they retired or passed on. Going to see Justin Hayward from the Moody Blues on 4/27. That was my favorite rock band.
@ACQD:
Honey, I gotta say that your comment
about not liking red cars reminds me
of the movie Used Cars with Kurt Russell. In the movie, Russell’s Sidekick had this thing about red cars
too. He couldn’t drive a red car! Are
you that way too? Think the guy’s name in the movie was Rudy and when he was driving a blue ’72 Montego when he drove it through a
puddle washing off the blue paint and
uncovering the red paint beneath. That poor schmuck went ballistic! And while I don’t see you doing that,
your comment was very funny. Well
honey, time to call it a night. I’m working on my first modern car, a Nissan Skyline GTR. If this one turns
out, I’ll make more. Good night Angel.
💋
@Ted
Thank you, Ted. I’m very passionate about Cadillacs. About cars in general and thanks to you guys you’ve sparked a passion for even older examples.
Old Cadillacs are like fine wine.
You don’t alter them to suit your taste. They are tasteful to begin with.