Well, you know a 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Seville when you see one – at least the rear end anyway. Sure, it has fins but the tail light arrangement is rather unique and definitive. As for rarity, well that’s the case too as only 2,100 Sevilles (1.4% of total Cadillac production) left Detroit’s Clark Street assembly plant in ’57. Referred to as, “A timeless collector’s piece with plenty of potential” this very red representative of the automotive “Standard of the World” is located in Ocoee, Florida and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $11,988 with the reserve not yet met.
Other ’57 Eldorados, a limited production nameplate dating to 1953, included the Biarritz convertible and Brougham sedan. Including those other two body styles, the Eldorado count barely topped 4K units 67 long years ago. The seller suggests, “This Eldorado has been well-preserved, although it has been sitting for a while and requires some attention to bring it back to peak performance.” As to the specific exterior attention required, nothing really stands out. I’d posit that this Caddy is likely a repaint but it shows well with a deep finish. I can’t detect any body rot or stainless trim vacancies (though the ELDORADO trunk lid lettering is missing the “A”), the rear bumper pieces have been painted silver, and the front bumper is getting a bit hinky looking (rust bleed through). Regardless of any noted shortcomings, I have to give this Eldorado high marks for its existential styling, especially the reverse C-pillar and substantial wrap around rear glass.
The engine room occupant is a 325-gross HP, 365 CI V8 that is supposed to be fed by twin four-barrel carburetors. That said, the attached air cleaner assembly looks more like the one employed on a single four-holer and the listing makes no mention of originality or modifications. The rear wheel hook-up is courtesy of a Hydramatic automatic transmission and the listing states, “This vintage beauty runs and drives…The car starts and drives smoothly, but it needs some TLC to fully restore its electrical systems, including lights, turn signals, and other features, to ensure they function as intended.”
The red leather upholstery is a highlight of this car and it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that it has been reupholstered. Same with the carpet, it seems too clean and undisturbed to be original. The instrument panel is typical for a mid-century luxury car, it combines artistry with basic information conveyance. I particularly like that transmission hump-mounted radio speaker.
I would suggest that any limited production automobile from this era is a special find, and this Cadillac, in particular, appears to have good bones and won’t require a huge amount of time, effort, or $$$ to up its game. That “TLC” comment is, of course, open to interpretation as to what exactly, it entails. And then there’s the matter of the reserve – my prior experience with this Past and Present Motor Cars dealership tells me that nothing gets sold on the cheap. Regardless, here’s to hoping this Eldorado Seville goes to a good home and embarks on a new life adventure, right?
I love this year Seville, but I don’t think the red color does it any favors.
The split rear bumper and rear deck area styling remind me of a Corvette from the same era. Interesting how certain styling cues got copied within the same company or borrowed by competitors.
I really like this year Caddy. Would be fun to own if it doesn’t get to pricey. “TLC” costs a lot these days. Odd how this color combo looks so good on a Tri-five, but a bit out of place here? Is it the original color? That would be a surprise.
Going with this theme it needs a set of rims and a $2000,00 rechrome of the bumpers.!
Dual quads were an option, not standard
It’s only an old Cadillac, that needs rewired. A nice weekend project.
Growing up in Detroit in the 60s we had a street called Livernois it was Miles and Miles of used car lots. When I was about 13 I used to always go there it just looking dream. Every windshield had $5 down make payments here. A 57 El Dorado Seville still stands out in my mind. I was dreaming then about owning it and hundreds of other cars they were there for just $5 down. I was dreaming back then about owning it and I can still dream today about it.
Santa got a brand new sleigh!
A REAL Cadillac.
I wouldn’t call it a muscle car as stated in the Vehicle Warranty paragraph.
Thought the placement of the window switchs on the dog leg was cool.
The wiper control is there also. Many times as it got older, I would get a good shock turning them off having fingers on the chrome switch and others on chrome ground. The inductive kick of the motor coil being de energized did it.
Only a hundred volts or so.
I remember messing around in one of our cars and getting a poke from the wiper control. Probably the Chevelle.
While it would be heresy, I always wanted to shave the rear fins and continue body line.
I agree and move those fins to the trunk.
Go a step further and put a spoiler across those fins…or maybe not
Greekboy , this Canadian boy agrees completely . ” Functional fins ” – even if there are such things – disappeared after the ’56 Cadi and they’d all look better with a very close shave IMHO .
I’ve always been concerned about Florida cars that may have gone through hurricanes and flooding. With the amount of rust in the engine compartment, dent in the firewall, rust on the front bumper and a hideous silver paint job on the rear bumpers, I wouldn’t be surprised if this Caddy falls into that category. The re-done interior only adds to my suspicion.
I would definitely inspect this car before purchasing.
I think if I saw this car in person, I would run away as far and as fast as I could.
I love these cars but something seems way off with this one. What’s behind the curtain. Is it lipstick on a pig?
My grandfathers 57 had that hump speaker and it did provide nice bass for the AM radio in those days.
This is where Harley Earl met Earl Scheib. Too many parts pecular to this specific car are in dire need of replacing, not to mention what’s behind all that fresh red paint.
Again, IMO a fire emgone red Caddy is just……..(negative remark here).
A dark red, maroon or dark cranberry ok but not fire engine red.
Rechroming would be expensive but worth it. There aren’t that many left and what is left needs to be brought back to showroom condition, for future generations.
I personally always thought that the styling of this Cadillac was rather awkward to my eye. Yes, it has presence, undeniably a Cadillac, but…….There!…I’ve said it.
Certainly a piece of automotive history. I would certainly want to inspect it carefully before buying. There are some red flags other than the paint color. Every time I look at the trunk and the missing letter in “Eldorado,” I remember my fruitless four-year search for a couple of missing letters for the fenders of my ’63 Fleetwood. I never found them. One of my college buddies had this same car in convertible form. It was even this same red. It looks way better on a convertible.
I like the car from a historical point, but never cared much for the styling of any of the 57 Caddys because of the backward fins on them. I’ve always very much liked, and still do, the syle of the 56 Eldorado. I’m glad this one has survived, but the overall look of the rear looks like some of the styles that Chrysler was doing. Hope it gets a good home
US $12,500.00
8 bids. Ended
Reserve not met
According to this article, the rear end of the 57 Eldorado was based on a baked potato.
https://carbits.blogspot.com/2016/12/not-label-one-expects-for-story-about.html
The rear end of the 57 Eldorado was based on a baked potato:
Ron Hill, a 23 year old graduate of the Art Center, postulated that anything with fins could be a Cadillac. “If you stuck a couple of those plastic well-medium-rare steak indicators into a baked potato, it’d look like a Cadillac, too.”
The first time many of them had ever seen Harley Earl was that same day. He strode around the room, looking at everyone’s work. Stopping before the potato drawing, he asked, “Now, who did this?” Finally, Ron admitted to the prank. Earl took the drawing and Ron out of the room, while the rest were certain that was the last they would ever see of him. Their fears were unfounded, for they later learned Ron had been assigned to the Cadillac studio and instructed to implement his idea.
@Taconix
That’s funny & it sounds like Harley Earl.
Did anyone notice the a/c compressor has been removed and the ad says nothing about it? The dash vents are there but the compressor is gone.