The 1959 Cadillac remains an American icon, with its enormous fins and bullet taillights making it instantly recognizable. Earlier models hinted at what was to come with a slightly more restrained appearance. Such is the case with this 1957 Eldorado Biarritz. Its fins are unlikely to threaten low-flying aircraft, but they remain distinctive. It requires total restoration, but most of the critical components are present to transform that dream into reality. The Biarritz is listed here on eBay in El Paso, Texas. The seller set a BIN of $29,500 but will openly entertain respectable offers.
Cadillac released its Third Generation Eldorado range in 1957, embracing a bold look that evolved from the cars that had rolled off the line in 1956. The most notable changes were the lower trunk lid and enlarged fins, features that reached their zenith in 1959. This Eldorado appeared in 1957 and is 1-of-1,800 examples of the Biarritz Convertible ordered that year. Its panels wear Olympic White paint, which has seen better days. It seems the car has spent its life in Texas, helping to account for the baked appearance and lack of significant rust. Someone has cut away sections of the floors, although what remains looks solid. The frame wears a coating of dry surface corrosion but nothing that would compromise the structural integrity. The power top frame is intact, and many removed trim pieces are included. The seller planned a custom build, purchasing a complete set of smoked glass. With no use for this now, they include it in the sale.
The supplied listing images tell the story of an interior requiring total restoration. However, it appears that the necessary hardware is present to allow the new owner to perform a retrim. The upholstery, foam, and other components required to achieve a factory-fresh state are available, but this part of the build will be more expensive than many other classics from this era. However, it represents a one-off expense, and careful installation using high-quality items should provide decades of spotless presentation.
The seller pulled the engine from this Caddy, admitting that the original four-speed Hydramatic transmission is AWOL. The V8 should be the company’s 364ci V8, which produced 325hp and 400 ft/lbs of torque in its prime. Those figures were considered impressive in their day, but the Biarritz needed every pony it could muster. The curb weight of 5,110 lbs meant it could never be described as light. However, that fantastic V8 provided a performance that surprised many owners and allowed the Caddy to be an effortless long-distance cruiser. Rebuilding the engine and sourcing another transmission shouldn’t be challenging for those planning a faithful restoration. Those feeling more adventurous could pursue the restored path, with plenty of options available to offer notable performance gains over the factory configuration.
There is no way to sugar-coat this because returning this 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz to its former glory will not be cheap or easy. The seller’s price stretches the bounds of what might be considered affordable, and many might question the financial viability of this project. This is especially true considering these cars suffered more than many during the post-pandemic market slump. However, there are signs the trend is reversing, and a six-figure sum is within reach of an owner achieving a high-end result. The BIN figure leaves room to move, especially if the new owner is hands-on with their approach. It requires a passionate enthusiast with deep commitment, but are you that person?
Lack of significant rust??
Sure. They just cut it all out. There’s only metal left, but only enough to equal half a car.
Good observation. Here’s my idea. All of us 57 Eldorado Lovers will pitch in parts or restoration talent and at least bring this Beautiful Lady back to a daily driver, not a Pebble car. When it’s done all contributors, including purchase will qualify for a raffle and will get the car. I have a 57 Seville daily driver and I have a ball with that car. Nice conversation piece at average car shows like Good Guys in Pheonix.
My contribution will be a new rebuild Hydramatic transmission, I put a 700R4 in mine a good set of Sabre wheels, I switched to wires.
That would a good start to restoring Sybil my name for her.
Bill
Parts car. Or, part scar. Buyer can figure that one out.
Yep scary at any price – hey anyone else notice the Barn Find 1955 yellow Chevy convert in the back ground ?
Hey…… Fred Flintstone doesnt need any floors in HIS car!!!!!
That being said. This would be a huge project. Perhaps if you owned your own shop and could do the work for cost it may be worth it. But it sure does need everything.
With only 1800 to begin with, this Biarritz is certainly worth restoring, but it’ll require an investment of at least $100K; this car deserves a high-quality restoration. But the chrome bumpers and side trim in the back could run close to 5 figures by themselves; those weren’t shared with any other ’57 Cadillac. On second thought, the sheetmetal could serve as a donor for another ’57 Eldo project…
Offer $15k and move it to another tomb…until the USD resets or recovers in 50 years
Geez—- just put it out in a field as a firing range backstop
Let’s see. There’s maybe 1200 pounds of salvageable scrap metal, so if they pay me 500 to come haul it to the junkyard I will.
I know I can seem mean, but it’s completely worthless. Just fabricate and build one with all new materials for what they’re asking as a bin price??
The vendor dragged it home. Walked around it three times. Stood back with hand on chin wondering “where do I start?” And declares “a complete set of smoked glass.” (?!?)
Bwah, ha, ha. I’m surprised he didn’t buy new carpets and wheels and tires….to go with the glass.
Add it to the March “you’ve got to be kidding” list.
This car would have to be taken down to the bare frame and completely rebuilt. IMHO, it would take well over 100k to restore. Many questions here: Is the engine rebuildable? No transmission. No accessories, seats, floors… the list is practically endless.
One of Cadillac’s most elegant designs. Rare, beautiful and costly new. Almost unique body and trim parts. This seems to be missing the rigid top boot. Why did it wind-up like this? The demographic that remembers,appreciates and can afford this kind of car is quickly being extinguished. Better buy, and pay the price for a clean, or restored example. This one is a fancy parts car.
Relatively solid copy. I have seen far worse in the northeast that were brought back. Missing though seems to be the hard boot, batwing air cleaner. I would bet the intake and carbs are also gone, hence the upside down engine photo. The dash floors and other stuff can be obtained from any 57. The side panel interior trim is another story. Rear aluminum bumper replace is a doozy. I doubt he will get 29k but I would not be surprised if it moved somewhere in the 22 to 25 range. The world is much smaller now and these cars are still the pinochle of wealth and exuberance in many parts of the world. Parts car very doubtful as there is quite a bit to work with here.
Well said Chris. Finally someone who has a clue what they’re talking about.
Pinochle is my favorite card game. I believe U meant ‘pinnacle’ as in highest point.
I hate this dag gone, I know what you want to say crap. If you then hit the button to quick there is no going back.%$%^%&@
Source those rear bumpers first. If you can get then it may not be all that bad for restoration. If not then forget it. The rear bumpers are cast stainless steel and weigh a ton each.Very, very hard to find. The rest shouldn’t be hard to find but pricey.
Actually they were plated aluminum which is very costly. I had a Seville 36 years ago with peeling bumpers and it was upwards of 3k then. The ends are in the parts pile so it is the rechrome that hurts. There are quite a few of these in Europe and those guys work magic with non out of a box restorations.
One of the really rare ones with an experimental inverted V8. Probably destined to repose for another 30 years then become a parts car.
Looks like there’s too many zeros in that Buy It Now price?!
Reminds me of the Biarritz that Paul Newman drove and trashed in the movie HUD.
I believe the Caddy that Paul Newman drove in HUD was a DeVille or Series 62 convertible, not an Eldorado Biarritz. I agree that he did certainly drive the crap out of it though!
https://bamfstyle.com/2021/06/30/hud/
I stand corrected. It was indeed a 62 convertible. ✌️ Peace!
While I agree with most of the price comments (I’m thinking $12-15K given what’s there and what’s not), I think well bought and with another $100-150K, there’s a $250-350K car there. Not just rare, but a really beautiful body style that is unique. They were spectacular cars when new. I’m old enough to remember actually seeing a couple on the road.
Now a story (I may have told before but whatever)…in the late 70s I was looking for land for a community-based therapeutic wilderness camp as an alternative school for emotionally disturbed and character disordered teens who could not be effectively served in the public junior and senior high schools for a 4 county area (working with the 6 school districts in them). I was put onto this fellow, Bill, who’s land as it turns out today is close to where I live, and as it also turns out was not suitable or available. We walked his land and in the back 30 or so, he had a sizable yard of old cars, including what I knew immediately as a car guy was a partially gutted 1957 red Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz. I was financially in no position to make an offer and he said it wasn’t for sale anyway. I was thinking about it recently and looked at some satellite pictures of the area and there were still some cars there. My next door neighbor knew Bill and told me a sad story about him passing within the last year. His wife of many decades had severe dementia. They had to both be in their 80s and he was not well off (land poor). He drove her to a local outpatient clinic and took both of their lives with a pistol. Kind of reminds me of the ending of ‘The Notebook’. Sad commentary on our healthcare environment these days.
When I see one of these glorious machines, I always think of Paul Newman in the movie HUD. He trashed that Biarritz pretty hard.
Some folks are comical with their sale prices. This is one of them.
Those rear bumpers are chromed aluminum, nice ones are rare and very expensive., maybe some day they might be re-casted but it is such a small market I doubt it. Meanwhile try to find a nice complete car if you have to own one of these beauties
I had my 57 Seville 2 piece rear bumper/ends chromed in Los Angeles through a chrome broker in Las Vegas for $500 each. I had quotes as high as $3500. They are unusual and very beautiful. Cadillac sure got that right. Bill
The buy it now price is at $26,000 now.
Soon to be a mini series on Motor Friend TV… give this to Martin “Iron Resurrection” cos a nut and bolt resto is going to be brutal outside of a well stocked Cadillac hoarder.
Those aren’t hubcaps on that car, they are cast aluminum wheels that cost a fortune to re-chrome. Also the dash and upper door panels had a real heavy grained leather they called elephant hide.
Wow..just wow…when did it become that even “project” cars get Sooo high priced? Man…this prices the “average” Joe right out of even dreaming about it…This pushing more and more “would be” enthusiasts” out…entirely……Like they say…you can wish in one hand and **** in the other..and see which one fills up first…LOLWT…!