The name Eldorado has been synonymous with high-end offerings from Cadillac since the car’s beginning in 1952, as it’s always been one of the brand’s near-top-of-the-line models that featured plenty of bling and luxurious styling. In 1956, a new Eldorado-based coupe emerged called the Seville, a hardtop featuring some fresh trim outside, such as those massive dual hood ornaments up front. This 1956 Eldorado Seville has been in the same family since new, with the high level of care this one’s had over the years evident just about everywhere you look. However, after all these decades, it’s finally looking for a new place to call home.
T.J., thanks a lot for your great tip here! Not only were these cars elegant, but they also provided plenty of power, with Cadillac’s new 365 cubic-inch V8 under the hood in 1956. The base engine produced 285 horsepower using a single 4-barrel carburetor, but Eldorado buyers received a pair of them, making that number climb to over 300. The seller says the motor has recently gotten an oil change and that it runs well, along with a transmission that’s described as shifting perfectly. With only 46,000 miles of travel, the owner thinks this one’s ready for the buyer to just take over and enjoy.
Some specifics we get regarding the exterior are that the body is super solid and rust-free, although the seller does mention a couple of imperfections and very small dents. There are a few chips underneath the trunk lid and some spots under the rockers that could use some touching up, but for the most part, the white finish looks really good overall. A cool feature (literally) is those appendages extending from the top of the quarters behind the rear window, as that’s an old-school factory air conditioning system, capturing wind and processing it through the trunk then blowing air out vents located on the package tray.
A choice of either leather or patterned nylon were the upholstery options, with this one equipped with the latter. To be nearing the 70-year point, it looks about as nice in there as I’d hope for, and there’s not very much inside or out that would make me want to begin taking any action immediately. This one just seems ready for the second family to continue preserving and driving it on special occasions. This 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Seville can be spotted here on Craigslist, and plan a visit to Littleton, Colorado, to go check it out in person. The asking price has been set at $39,500, which seems in the ballpark considering the history, condition, and low mileage. What are your thoughts here?
craigslist is suspect
Yeah, spending only $5 to advertise a car is such a bad financial decision. Better off putting it on FeeBay.
Considering this is a one-owner car, the milage is low and it’s in amazing original condition. I doubt it’s even been repainted. And the cloth on the seats don’t appear to show much wear which is excellent for being almost 70 years old! This baby deserves a good home!
Very nice, this will get snatched up.
Now that is a fine automobile.
My ’56 Fleetwood had the trunk a/c and the vents behind the rear glass. The only difference was instead of vents in the package shelf blowing out cold air, the vents had clear tubes going up into the roof, and had chrome outlets above each of the four doors.
Hey, have any of you aficionados noticed that some 1955 and 1956 Cadillacs have small round parking/turn signal lights and some are full and take up the entire rectangle space?
I found out on my ’56 Fleetwood that the full rectangular parking/turn lights were also driving/fog lights. You know like many of today’s cars have those extra lights usually under the front “bumper.”
I’m guessing that was an extra cost option.
Yeah, don’t have the money in the first place and this beauty needs a climate controlled garage and I only have a carport. But someone will be getting an exceptional Cadillac.
My love of these early Eldorados was that the rear of the cars predicted what later models would look like. These were the forbearers of the ’58 model year Cadillac.