This is it! It’s a first-year Cadillac Eldorado convertible wearing unique sheet metal not shared with other models. It’s actually considered the first generation Eldo and it only spanned the single year 1953. Rare? You bet, there were only 532 assembled it its inaugural year. This rough-around-the-edges 1953 Cadillac Eldorado is located in Poolesville, Maryland, and is available here on eBay for a current bid of $48,359 with 32 bids tendered so far.
The seller, known as Annapolis Classic Cars (check out his website), claims that this 83K mile example, which has been off the road since 1966, is as original as it gets. It is in restorable condition but would require such a task at a frame-off level. What’s remains of the claimed original finish is rough and surface rust abounds. Actually, it’s worse than that, as there is rust-through in the rockers and the doors, the right-side lower quarter has some sort of patch screwed or riveted into place, and the seller mentions a “very pitted” frame. Since the seller is involved in the buying, selling, and auctioning of old Cadillacs, among other makes, he has additional parts provided with this Eldorado including chrome trim, front dagmars, a correct air cleaner, a new windshield, and a driver’s side fender. The wire wheels and center caps are in surprisingly good shape and the spare tire is mounted on one too. Topside, the convertible top fabric is history but the frame is in place and the seller states that the header bow is nice and not deteriorated.
While there is no written reference regarding the solidity of the floors or trunk pan, there are images that indicate both have problems and will need repair/replacement. Ditto the fuel tank, it looks as if it has lost a corner to rust-through.
This Cadillac does not run, though the car rolls and steers. Unfortunately, there is no provided image of the 331 CI, 210 gross HP, V8 engine. The seller believes that it will require total rebuilding as a result of its 54 years of inactivity. It is assumed that GM’s four-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission is in place for directing power to the rear wheels. The engine’s long period of inactivity will probably translate into the same fate for the transmission.
The interior is trashed. There are no comprehensive images of it included in the listing but what glimpses are available reveal an environment that will require a stem to stern redo. The seller mentions that a “rough” back seat is in place but it’s hard to make the same determination regarding the front bench. There are fabric/vinyl/leather convertible top piston covers and rear-seat side panels present but they don’t look too useable.
A 1953 Eldorado convertible is a blue-chip collectible that, in fully restored condition, can easily deliver a return north of $100K. Bidding on this example started at $9,900 and has been pretty brisk over the last five days with five more days still to go on the auction time clock. While this car is complete and intact, it is going to take a tremendous amount of labor to bring this convertible up to a desirable standard. Maybe the math works at the current bidding range but it’s unknown where the auction will top out. The plus side is that the unique trim and body panels are in place and won’t need to be sourced, a challenge that could drive the restoration cost through the roof. Let’s kick this one around a bit, how much do you think it would cost in labor and materials to get this Eldorado to at least #2 condition and will it be worth the investment?
This would be a fantastic car if restored. As far as whether it would be “worth” the investment, that reminds me of the old saying: “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it.”
$50k for the car, $150k for restoration and you have a $100k car! Makes total sense!
My experience with this guy (Marc) is that he has a lot of neat stuff, cool rare abused cars (Lots of convertibles) sitting in his lot where they have been for eons, but can be very very difficult to get him to do what he says.
I would hate to think how much it would even cost to re chrome the bumpers on this car. Sure would of been a fantastic car when new, and I understand that it is very rare,but.
Back when Cadillac really made Cadillacs that car owners could be proud to own. We all remember those days. And that beautiful light yellow will look great if keeping it as GM intended.
Who recalls the button above the B/U lens that you pushed to make the T/L assy. hinge upward to reveal the fuel tank filler? Really Trick!
I do. If you pumped gas as a teenager in the 60’s you learned where all the tricky, hidden gas fillers were! In tail lights, behind license plates, etc.
If sold for where it is bid now and a good one work 100k+ this is a money loser!
I am a true Cadillac man. But $ 50K for this? I am missing something.
Hi,
How did a Cadillac as rare as this come to this deteriorated condition?
How much of the original car will remain after a much needed restoration?
Should this neglect be rewarded?
Gary
What body number is it?
my dad traded in a 53 Studebaker Starliner for one in 54, I liked the Studebaker better. I was 9 at the time. I still drive Studebakers. Never had a Caddy.
I think that people must have a lot of money to waste. With the purchase and restoration, they will spend far more than the car will ever be worth.
Its to far gone if you could buy parts is a question the power windows would a night mare
Eldorusto
Like the gentleman said,IF you have to ask, move on . You cant afford it,but i would love to just think about the open road with the TOP down HEADING to Myrlte Beach . I,ll bet that was one FINE piece of machinery on that SHOWROOM floor.
looks like the 53 Cadillac Hank Williams died in.
Hank’s was a 52.
It’s worth it if you want one. Probably not worth it if you’re only thinking about what you’ll make from it or what TV auction you’ll be on.
So, this hasn’t been driven since I was born, and he wants almost 50 grand for it!? My hats off to whoever buys it…..
A guy I knew had one of these that he found in a barn, about the same condition . Advertised it in Hemmings , a guy flew in from CA, took a million pictures of it , gave the owner 50K for it and had a truck pick it up .That was over 10 years ago .
What a darling! What a lot of work.
So Hagerty has concours #1 . 224k. $146k excellent. $106k good. $76k fair.
This car if it sells just over that fair amount, should be an indication that a restoration is going to really occur. Problem is who will do the work for $100k or less leaving room for a $40k profit if it turns out spectacular? Just won’t happen as peak value on these has passed and the target demographic are people in their 70’s and 80’s.. some 60’s. So, unless it’s rarity is going to command a $175K all in break even, it’s a tough sell unless emotion is involved.
Only Jeff Bezos could afford to restore this heap. Like one guy said, if the car is so rare, why is in this pitiful condition? I have paid Paul’s Chrome thousands for cars with far less chrome than this. The chrome bill alone for this done correctly would be at least 20 K.
Re-read TimS comment. No better description of what this is.