UPDATE 2/7/23: We last featured this car in February 2021, so two years have passed. The selling venue has changed (here on craigslist vs. eBay), but the location and dealer seem to be the same and the asking price has only been dropped by $49 to $3,950. Since so much time has passed, we thought we’d take a look at the car once more. Thanks, Gunter Kramer, for fishing out this tip again.
In 1957 (and 1958), the Eldorado Seville was the ultimate luxury car offered by Cadillac. It was a 2-door hardtop that was on par with the Lincoln Continental Mark II. For 1957, the car’s styling featured an exclusive rear-end design complete with pointed inboard fins. The lower rear quarter panels were trimmed with sculptured stainless-steel pieces that blended into the split rear wraparound bumper assemblies. This example, which is 1 of just 2,100 built, is in non-running condition and resides in Edmonds, Washington. Here’s what we had to say about the car in 2021.
Even in its rough form today, this car leaves a mighty impression. Those distinctive rear fenders were called “chipmunk cheeks” in the trade and helped give the auto its own unique look. The Seville was powered by a 365 cubic inch V8 rated at 300 hp with a single 4-barrel carburetor – and from the looks of things here, not much is left of that engine. The seller’s goals don’t appear to have changed in two years, as rebuilding it as a pro-touring custom street rod was on the table at one time. If it doesn’t sell this time around, he/she may take it to one of the big car auctions where a six-figure buy is expected (plus an equal amount will be needed for the restoration).
Rust in the rear quarter panels looks to be the most difficult of the bodywork issues. Holes are almost big enough for you to put your fist through. The chrome pieces, especially the bumpers, are rough, and replating them won’t be cheap. This car appears to have once worn lime green paint with a vinyl top, which was removed or it rotted away. Hold your breath when you look inside because it’s a mess – as if a bomb went off in the front seat. But the seller says he/she has most of the parts you’ll need. Do you think it will sell on this go around?
Only good thing on this car is the chrome trim. Rest is junk.
The interior is more depressing than the exterior. Maybe a tasteful resto-mod for $2,000 and if you have deep pockets or can do your own wrenching/ bodywork..
Crusto-rado. Run-awayo.
What a cool car in it’s glory days .
Sad ending unfortunately .
I bought one of these back when cars like this were everywhere. Mine was faded gold, rust. Nowhere near as bad as this. The leather was dried away to fuzz but the car ran nice. The one thing I remember was how much it was to replace those aluminum rear bumpers. I would still be paying for that today. The two fours were neat but could be temperamental, but this was a tired old 90,000 mile unit. The tranny started to slip and I said goodbye. I did get 3 times what aid for it though…fun times.
This poor thing needs to be put out of its misery
Bought a ’58 Biarritz my senior year in
highschool. Basically, it was a really
a nice complete car except for the
damn air suspension. It sprang a leak
in the left rear air bag and it was a real pain in the ass. Try as I might,
it couldn’t be fixed. Not even Clay Dooley Tire in Bloomington could come up with anything to make it right. Wound up selling it to a friend
of my Uncle’s for $1:000. Not bad
for 1973. Sorry folks, but the only way this car would see the road again
would be to restomod it. At least you’d have a clean slate to start with.
This was one model of the Cadillac that I disliked, I thought it was ugly. This particular car needs to be put out of its misery (I agree with Tbone). If anything, the “owner” should be paying someone to haul this off to the junkyard.
This is one model of the Cadillac I thought was ugly, and I basically like Cadillac. I agree with Tbone, put this thing out of its memory. The “owner” should be ashamed and should hire someone to haul it to the scrap yard.
The author is confused about his 1957 Cadillac models. It’s true the Seville hardtop and Biarritz convertible were the top of the series 62 line, priced in the $7000s but the most exclusive Cadillac in ’57 was the Eldorado Brougham 4 door hardtop, priced at over $13,000. That’s the model he’s thinking of that compares to the Lincoln Continental Mk II. Both were handbuilt.
you are right it was great car I think it had sewerside doors and a silver roof on all of them
Stainless steel roof!
yes that’s right rh factor now I remember the 50 s and 60 s had some great cars
I discovered this exact model at a repair shop near Bakersfield, Ca. Even the same color, mist green with a white vynal top. This ElDorado has been in a garage for maybe 50 years. Zero rust and almost enough dirt to obtain a deed for owning land. Top is perfect, exterior with salvageable paint and great chrome. I am trying to buy it from the owners All four tires are flat and appear to be the original tires because of the correct size white wall. The savre wheels on this ElDorado are gold plated, I believe this was an option. I had to turn around and go back a a mile due to my flying down the highway when I sspotted this car.
if I remember correctly the gold wheels where standard I remember these when the where new all had gold wheels
Yeah, those chipmunk cheeks are an acquired taste I never acquired. It looks like the carcass of a parts car, like the remains of a thanksgiving turkey. I don’t know what was unique to this car other than rear sheet metal, which is rotted, and interior parts which appear to have been taken. He would be better advertising it in something like a Cadillac club journal supplying a lot of photos and offering it as a U-pick parts vehicle, then call Victory Auto parts or the local equipment.
Windshield looks good.
It pains me to look at this poor thing.
Barely a parts car. Hardly a square inch of sheet metal that doesn’t need work, interior is a complete disaster, and the chrome bill will bankrupt you. Unless you have way to much money and no brains, stay away. Or as Elmer Fudd said “be afwaid, Be vewy afwaid” .
There’s nothing deader than a dead Cadillac.This one looks as if buzzards have picked it clean.
Even the trailer hitch – which should never even be on an Eldorado – is shot.
Hopefully that hitch holds up long enough for the trip to the junkyard!
I actually really like the rear bumpers with the bullet exhaust.
I just don’t understand how people let a beautiful and rare car like the ’57/’58 Seville and Barrittz get into this condition.
I know when the honeymoon is over and it’s just a 20 year old car, leave it out in the weather behind the garage. But this! How can you do that to something so magnificent ? Rare, and gorgeous.
I just don’t get it.
People suck
Beautiful rear end – the rest – Cadillac as usual – not very nice
Cars from the 50’s and 60’s were produced from pure carbon steel with out any anti corrosive abilities. I had a 1971 Thunderbird and when two years old I had rust holes around the wheel wells. I had a three year old Mark III and the trunk lid was rusting through. I am certain this car was in Detroit or Chicago or equal climates.I have many pictures of this same car that is in Bakersfield. Gladly share
2nd chance to spend your money on something else.
One memory of a silver, top up Biarritz convertible, in the late ’60s, when we were visiting Virginia. Two girls in their 20s or so pulling out of a gas station, after a fill up. Gasoline was sloshing out of the back, I think the trunk was tied down. Unfortunately, a lot of these died agonizing deaths, just being funny looking old cars nobody would want. Thankfully, not anymore. A happier story, I saw a fully restored ’57 bronze Biarritz in the outside lane of the highway, heading north. I looked over at the woman driving it, made eye contact, and nodded. She nodded back. Some really hot old cars are hiding locally, and seldom seen too. This poor “survivor” should yield its useable parts to a restoration.
I think it’s neat looking but the missing dash is a bummer. Parts car maybe if you have one that could be helped with it.
If this 1957 Cadillac were to be restored that person would then have a complete ability to be a master mechanic on these cars in the future. Bet it will take three years or more.
crazy how people let them go iam dealing with a 81 year old man know got a 65 Corvair three one conv one ht one 4 dr with air drove them and just parked them the conv and 2dr broke in have trying to load them two studebakers grand turismos 3 elcaminos and all were nice running vech still has a few others that he wont let go all sat out side no covers roting into the ground there are a lot of those crazy hoarders i just picked up a 56 Lincon mark 11 another one gonna fix it some day guy finally got dementia ben in fl benns detailing empiourm and classic cars