As if simply being a Cadillac wasn’t enough, the 1957 version of the Eldorado Biarritz was an extravagant exercise in styling. Harley Earl bestowed the ’57 Eldorado models (the Seville was the hard top version) with sharp fins that rose abruptly skyward – unique in the Cadillac lineup. The trunk lid gained a gentler slope compared to the ’56’s cliffy decline to the bumper. Speaking of bumpers! … Along the lines of “too much of a good thing”, the Dagmars of ’56 grew even more pronounced in ’57 and were tipped with rubber for good measure. The chrome elements were thicker, and in the rear, the bumper wrapped around the tail lights. Eldorados were always expensive, but at about $7300, the Biarritz cost fully $2k more than a run-of-the-mill Series 62 convertible. Today’s example was a museum car, then apparently transferred to a private owner who began restoring the interior. That owner passed away before completing the work.
The Eldorado is not just a pretty face. Under the hood rests a 365 cu. in. V8, breathing through dual four-barrel carburetors, with a power rating of 325 hp – superior to the Series 62 at 300 hp. The driver commands the car through a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission; brakes are power-assisted drums. Cadillac employed a brand new “X” framed chassis in 1957, allowing its cars to sit lower – particularly the Eldorado models which were a good 3″ lower than other Cadillacs. The factory claimed the new frame increased rigidity as well. I’ve always liked the “batwing” air cleaner assembly – this is a nice one! The rest of the engine bay looks spiffy enough, but the seller indicates that the car needs work before it will run and drive correctly.
The interior is a work in progress though most if not all the parts needed to finish her are included in the sale. The door panels are still bundled protectively in cloth. The Biarritz was equipped with just about every electric convenience available in 1957 – power-adjustable seats, power windows, power brakes, and power steering. Of course, a radio was on the standard equipment list, but even Biarritz buyers had to pony up a few extra bucks for air conditioning.
I appreciate most Harley Earl designs, but these fins are poorly integrated into the curvature of the car’s rear. I prefer the subtler fins of the much less expensive Series 62. But the market is more important than my opinion, and the Biarritz remains a blue chip classic, according to price data. Hagerty pegs the value of examples in “good” condition at $90k and certainly asking prices support that number. This example is for sale here on eBay with a buy-it-now of $79,900. Provided the car can be mechanically resurrected without too much trouble, and given that most of the interior parts required are with the car, the price seems fair to me. What do you think?
Got ACD all over it. How about it, babe, you and me cruisin’ down the strip in this???
HOWARD…. I’m afraid you and I will have to continue dreamin’ at this price point, unless of course, you’d like to buy it for me. I’ll even throw myself into the deal.
But we sure would look good causin’ the strip, top down. Pull up to Ceasars entrance where valet would leave the car out front, then onto the Flamingo, Belligio, and MGM Grand.
I’ve seen a couple before on the strip. Out of state plates though. You see a few 1975 Eldorado convertibles on the strip. Unfortunately there’s one where they installed one of those deep base ghetto blaster speakers in the trunk. Tacky and ghetto af!
But yeah, except for the price which is a good deal, it’s got ACD all over it. 😍
Had one of these in the shop. It was a pale green that didn’t suit the styling. It was also over 18 feet long. I’m 5’6″ tall and could lay lengthwise in the trunk without touching anything with my head or my feet. My first mother-in-law had a later model not because she wanted a Cadillac but because it was the only car at the time that had room for her outboard motor and all her fishing gear.
Too bad my wallet is too thin. This is worth every penny,.!
If you consider yourself a car guy and you don’t want this car! Guess what! YOUR NOT!
I am not only a Car Guy, as well as a Founding Member of the GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY. But IMO Harley missed the 🚢 boat with this one. I always thought the rear end looked like a Corvette with awkward fins glued on. NOT deserving of Either Eldorado or Biarritz names! What say my other GALYS members? 🤔
I think when Webster defined UGLY, a picture of this car should be with it.
I agree that these are out there style wise. I never thought about the fins being “poorly integrated” per se- but I think that’s a reasonable judgement.
My folks loved Cadillacs! They both thought that this iteration was weird- their terminology. Dad was also not a fan of convertibles. He was old enough to remember when virtually all cars were “open”. Figured “closed” cars were a notable improvement. His view of buying a convertible was paying a premium for “half a car”. Conversely, my wife and I love drop tops. I’d love to own the car because of its quirky staling! However, my couch cushions won’t yield $80k in mad money for another project.
Hey Rick!
Knew you’d be front and center on this one. Just wondering where TCK is at?
At first as a youngin’ I didn’t care too much for the rear-end styling. This diffriaction from the Series 61 & 62 started in 1955 I believe. Much squarer on the ’55 & ’56, smoothed out on the ’57 & ’58 and gone by ’59. I have to agree with everyone else that the fins on these do look like they were just plopped and glued on. Maybe had the extended all the way to the c-pillar they would look more cohesive. Otherwise, I love these. This particular car is gorgeous! I love the red cause it’s not “fire engine red” or even “1942 lipstick red”. The looks great, but does it work? The control buttons are hanging off the dashboard. All in all it looks in good shape.
If someone wants to buy this for me I’ll throw myself in with the deal.
Car and Driver, way back, in its snarky review of the styling, likened the rear of this to a potato with eyes. They don’t have this feature any more, probably because, they all look alike now a days. They don’t look as weird in person as they do in photos.
I remember these when they were around an 8 year old clunker in 1965 that you didn’t see very often. I would think “what the heck is that thing!” Thought for quite awhile it was an amateur custom job. Still looks goofy today! (But I would love to own it).
I much prefer the rear end look of the ’57 Series 62 convertible over the Biarritz.
I’m with you! I also don’t love the red on red look, but hey, each to his own.
The fins look like they came off of a 1957 Chevy.
I wonder where the transmission hump mounted speaker is for the radio?
Hopefully it’s included.
I still have many controls and dash parts from my Grandfathers 55, 57, 60
sedan and so on when I stripped them around age 12.
Nancy says I’m only half the man I used to be so I must only be 33!!!
WOW,WOW are the only words suited ti describe the AMERICN work of art, and yes I would trade/ sell my 54 Buick for it had I was not so very much a part of my history. My books are selling well but not soon enough to allow me to own this jewel.
I thought the El Dorado brougham had GMs attempt to match the Citroen DS hydraulic suspension by installing an air ride on this car, or was it just the Biarritz?
When I was 14 one of these was sitting in my parents driveway belonging to someone trying to sell my dad something while I was outside drooling over a car just like it only a different color. I thought it was the most beautiful car I’d ever seen, I thought if only I could own one someday. Now at 81 I don’t and never have owned one and don’t have the means to buy one, but I can dream. Probably wouldn’t like it if I had it, especially the price for a $5000 car in 1957. Lol
Hey Rick!
Knew you’d be front and center on this one. Just wondering where TCK is at?
At first as a youngin’ I didn’t care too much for the rear-end styling. This diffriaction from the Series 61 & 62 started in 1955 I believe. Much squarer on the ’55 & ’56, smoothed out on the ’57 & ’58 and gone by ’59. I have to agree with everyone else that the fins on these do look like they were just plopped and glued on. Maybe had the extended all the way to the c-pillar they would look more cohesive. Otherwise, I love these. This particular car is gorgeous! I love the red cause it’s not “fire engine red” or even “1942 lipstick red”. The looks great, but does it work? The control buttons are hanging off the dashboard. All in all it looks in good shape.
If someone wants to buy this for me I’ll throw myself in with the deal.
Wow! You would go with it?
I’m going to check my piggy bank!
Good morning ANGEL. Your post is shown twice just like mine on another Barn Finds. After seeing your comprehensive report on Talisman?, I believe we should Crown 👑 you as QUEEN of CADILLAC! I’m betting you just might have been part of the inspiration for DAGMARS! 😉. My 89 Fleetwood Brougham deElegance had plush velvet tufted seats. The 83 Brougham apparently had bonded leather with drivers seat peeling 🙄. Best to you, Frog and other esteemed GALYS members, as well as anyone who truly appreciates these BIG BOATS 🚢 👏!
One thing you can say about Cadillac Eldorado Barritz and Seville……. they always had precursors of styling to come on future Cadillacs.
The taillights on the ’55 & ’56 Eldos were very different from the Series 62, and showed up on the ’57 & ’58 Series 62.
Same with the fins of the ’55 & ’56 Eldos which ended up on the ’58 Series 62.
Rear wheel wells ended up on the ’57 & ’58 also, no skirts.
Trunk styling of the ’57 & ’58 Eldos ended up on the ’59 & ’60 Deville and all models.
After 1958 though, Eldorados were just mainly chrome derivatives of the other models, until 1967 when they became their own body style with FWD
To Barn Finds…Please check how the system is running. For some time I can’t make a thumbs up on comments. Dual comments get posted, etc. Thanks 😊