Cadillac Fleetwood_sixty_six_special Cars For Sale Cars for sale

Cadillac : Fleetwood 4 Door Sedan 1947 cadillac fleetwood 60 special running driving rat rod hot rod flat head

$3,000

Augusta, Maine

RELISTED ONCE AGAIN DUE TO NON PAYING BIDDERS PLEASE DO NOT BID IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS UP FOR SALE IS THIS RARE 1947 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 SPECIAL Runs+Drives+Stops Ready for a Restoration!!! PLEASE READ EVERY WORD OF THIS LISTING BEFORE YOU BID I ENCOURAGE BIDDERS TO ASK QUESTIONS AND WITH THEIR AID I WILL DO MY BEST TO GET THEM THE ANSWERS AND OR PICTURES THEY NEED I WILL DO MY BEST TO REPRESENT THIS AUCTION TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY I AM BY NO MEANS AN EXPERT ON THIS AUTOMOBILE. I AM SELLING THIS CAR LOCALLY AS WELL AND RESERVE THE RIGHT TO END THIS AUCTION AT ANYTIME. IF YOU ARE LOCAL I ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME LOOK AT IT IN PERSON I WILL MEET AND HELP WITH ANY SHIPPING THAT IS PAID FOR BY OUT OF STATE SELLERS CAR MUST BE PAID FOR IN FULL AND PAYMENT CLEARED BEFORE IT LEAVES MY POSSESSION . MAINE IS A NO-TITLE STATE ON CARS THIS OLD, THEY DO NOT ISSUE THEM PERIOD, A MAINE BILL OF SALE AND A MAINE DMV LETTER OF VERIFICATION WILL GET YOU A TITLE IN YOUR STATE PLEASE CHECK WITH THEM, AND GET ANY DOCUMENTS YOU MAY NEED. I PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH THE INTENT OF RESALE FOR PROFIT, AND NO OTHER PLANS THE HAGERTY PRICE GUIDE REPORT GIVES THESE CARS A VALUE RANGE OF $15,000 IN POOR CONDITION TO $90,000 MINT OR RESTORED!!!! THE TRENDS AND MARKET ON THIS CAR HAS AND IS RISING EVERY YEAR! THE AVERAGE PRICE IS $48,900 AND HAS RISEN IN VALUE EVERY YEAR, WITH TRENDS FOR THIS AUTO ON THE RISE GREAT PRICE ON THIS INVESTMENT!!! THE BAD I SAW UPON MY INSPECTION VISUAL THE CAR NEEDS A COMPLETE RESTORATION BUT IT DOES RUN DRIVE AND BRAKE. IT ACTUALLY RUNS PRETTY GOOD, QUIET DOESN'T SMOKE. IT MAKES IT A LITTLE EASIER TO MOVE AROUND AS YOU RESTORE IT. ITS A SOLID CAR WITH THE EXCEPTION OF RUST AROUND THE TRUNK AS SHOWN IN THE PICTURES, AND THE FLOORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS REST OF THE CAR FRAME INCLUDED IS SOLID! THERE IS A LARGE DENT ON THE PASSENGERS REAR DOOR THAT CAN BE WORKED OUT AND THE DOES NOT CURRENTLY EFFECT THE FUNCTION OF THE DOOR.CAR NEEDS BODY WORK, PAINT, INTERIOR, GRILL IS MISSING.WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET THERE IS NO EXTRA PARTS. YOU COULD EASILY TURN IT INTO A RAT ROD OR CRUISER BUT WITH A CAR THIS RARE AND A VALUE LIKE IT HAS IT WOULD BE A SHAME. THE QUARTERS, DOORS, TRUNK, HOOD, TRUNK LID, ALL LOOK SOLD. LINED UP PERFECTLY, ALL CLOSE AND OPEN FLAWLESSLY. THEY LATCH EFFORTLESSLY. ENGINE/TRANSMISSION RUNNING DRIVING TIRES ARE HOLDING AIR AND INFLATED BRAKES NEW LINES AND WORK PASSENGER WINDOW CRACKED SEE PICTURES INTERIOR SEAT FRAMES ARE THERE, NEEDS UPHOLSTERY WORK ALL IN ALL THIS IS A GREAT CAR FOR RESTORATION OR EVEN WITH JUST A LITTLE WORK A FUN DAILY DRIVER. THE CAR WAS NOT CLEANED AND THE PICTURES WERE TAKEN WITH MY CELL PHONE. IT REALLY IS A BEAUTIFUL CAR WITH PLENTY OF POTENTIAL. ONCE AGAIN IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK BEFORE BIDDING. BELOW IS EVERYTHING I COULD FIND ONLINE ABOUT THE AUTO, I AM BY NO MEANS AN EXPERT ON THIS CAR, I'M JUST PASSING ALONG THE INFO I FOUND. The completely new Sixty Special for 1942 was 7 inches (180 mm) longer and 1 inch (25 mm) lower than the 1941 model, and now riding a wheelbase of 133 inches (3,400 mm), longer than any other non-limousine Cadillac. This marked the beginning of what would become a central characteristic of the Sixty Special. For 28 of the next 34 model years of its existence the Sixty Special would feature a uniquely stretched GM C-Body with noticeably greater legroom and headroom.Through 1948, Cadillac advertised the Sixty Special as a five-passenger car. This was the year that the bumper 'bullets' were introduced; they would remain a Cadillac styling feature through 1958. The slow-selling sunshine top (sun roof) option was discontinued at the end of the 1941 model year, and would not reappear in a Cadillac until the 1970Eldorado. While the roomy interior was luxuriously outfitted, Cadillac depended on trim to differentiate the exterior of Sixty Special from its Cadillac siblings. Decorative chrome louvers - which would become a Sixty Special trademark ornament for years to come - were mounted in three locations on the 1942 model: behind the wheel well openings on the front and rear fenders, as well as mounted on the roof behind the rear door opening. In addition to the louvered trim, the Sixty Special had a wider "C-pillar" than other models, and retained its individual chrome bead around the side window glass – one of the only design features to carry over from the original Bill Mitchell design. Just two models were now available in the Sixty Special series – the standard sedan priced at $2,435 and a $2,589 Imperial sedan which featured an electrically adjustable glass division between the front and rear seats. Productions totals include 1,684 standard sedans and an additional 190 Imperial sedans. Because of World War II, Cadillac ended automobile production in February 1942 and began assembling military equipment.On October 17, 1945, the first post-war Cadillac rolled off the assembly line. The 1946 Sixty Special was now very similar to the C-body Series 62, though a mild wheelbase stretch added more room to the rear seat area. The 1946 model showed few changes from the 1942 model, including a mild grille redesign and new bumpers. Parking lamps and turn signals were now mounted below the headlights. This was the first year the "V" was used underneath the Cadillac crest (the last vehicle to use this emblem would be the 1984 DeVille). Only one model remained in the Sixty Special lineup – the $3,054 standard sedan. Both sets of fender-mounted chrome louvers were gone, but roof-mounted ones remained. Cadillac now used a negative-ground battery on a 6-volt system. Sixty Special would only reach 5,700 units for 1946, as it did not go into production until later in the model year. An electric clock was standard.[3]1947 Cadillac 60 SpecialFew changes greeted Sixty Special for 1947, as an all-new design was coming in 1948. Cadillac's famed "sombrero" wheel covers – in bright stainless steel - debuted this year. Behind the redesigned grille was the same 346 cu in (5.67 L) engine that Cadillac had been using since 1936, now rated at 150 horsepower (110 kW). Bright metal stone shields – mounted on the forward edge of the rear fenders - replaced the black rubber pieces used on the 1946 model. The new grille was made up of five bars versus the previous six. Lastly, Cadillac script nameplates replaced the block letters used previously. Price was up to $3,195 – a pretty substantial jump from the 1942 price of $2,435 considering it was practically the same vehicle. Despite the steep price hike, production hit a new height at 8,500 units, but this represented only 14% of Cadillac's sales, down sharply from the 40% share they had represented in 1939. This was largely due to the tremendous sales success of the Series 61 and 62, whose low, runningboardless bodies, with broad shoulder room, had been inspired by the original Sixty Special. On May-14-15 at 11:17:17 PDT, seller added the following information: CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO I FOUND TODAY OF A SIMILAR ONE DONE AS A HOT ROD HOW COOL IS THIS? Drive it like you stole it !Hell yes or Hell No ?Posted by Amazing Rides on Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Trim 4 Door Sedan

Cadillac : Fleetwood Sixty Special 1958 cadillac series sixty special fleetwood only 65 k org miles stunning car

$45,000

Scottsdale, Arizona

1958 Cadillac Series Sixty Special Fleetwood - Only 65K Org Miles - Stunning Car!! Moslty All Original - Factory A/C - Loaded w/Options - RARE!!! An unbelievable find! Here is a gorgeous, 1958 Cadillac Series Sixty Special Fleetwood that has been in a large private collection for many years with only 65K original miles. No single automotive design better characterizes the industry's late-1950's flamboyance than the 1958 Cadillac Fleetwood! This beauty has been pampered it's whole life and it shows. It is finished in one of the prettiest colors offered of Regent Green with a light green Tunisian cloth and leather that looks stunning. I have had the privilege of selling many of these cars but very rarely come across one as clean as this one here. The car is mostly all original with the exception of one stunning new paint finish and the front seat was redone with the correct material from SMS and looks amazing. This one super rare Cadillac and it is loaded with factory options including factory air conditioning that blows ice cold!! This is a super rare and desirable car in this beautiful condition. This is the car to have if you want to feel like an instant celebrity. It's the ultimate cruiser and it gets more attention and appreciation than any exotic or new luxury car could ever get. This Regent Green beauty is a rolling testament to the glitz, glamour, innovation, and prosperity of the 1940's and 1950's. Nothing beats the fun of driving a '58 Cadillac Fleetwood!!!!! It's loaded with the following equipment: 365ci 310hp V-8 Automatic transmissionOriginal AM Radio (Works)Factory Air Conditioning (Works)Six Way Power SeatAutomatic Headlight Beam ControlPower WindowsPower LocksHeater/DefrosterPower SteeringPower BrakesPower AntennaWhite Wall TiresSpare, Jack and ToolsThe List goes on and on........... This 1958 Cadillac Fleetwood has been meticulously cared for since day one. This car is an absolute must see in person to believe how nice it really is. The car has only been painted once a few years ago in its original color Regent Green. They did an amazing paint finish on it, The car was completely taking apart and done right. The paint is stunning, hand rubbed to a smooth as glass finish. This car is totally rust free and straight as an arrow. Every piece of stainless and chrome trim is absolutely has a sparkling shine throughout and is all original. She was special ordered and since day 1 this Cadillac has always been well maintained not only cosmetically but also mechanically. It is sitting on its original wheels and hubcaps with brand new Coker white wall tires that are made to look like the original bias ply tires but are actually radials! It has a mostly all original light green Tunisian cloth and leather interior that looks amazing, The front seat was the only thing redone using the correct OEM material from SMS. It even has original carpet in the car that looks amazing. All the gauges and interior lights work great. The dash and gauge cluster is bright and clean as the day it was new. This car was kept inside and treated, as a true Collector Car should be! Inside the trunk is totally all-original and looks great. This Cadillac again only has 65K original miles. "Pride and Joy" can only sum up how this car has survived this long this way! Don't miss this chance Bid Now! Mechanically, the engine and transmission run flawlessly! This '58 drives excellent with no issues at all! The original, numbers matching 365ci motor runs like a top. Driving down the road there are no squeaks or rattles and that's wonderful coming from a 50 plus year only car. The car is an absolute pleasure to drive period. Fire her up and she's ready to cruise. All services and regular scheduled maintenance have been performed so there will be no surprises! The air conditioning system was completely gone through and blows ice cold. The engine compartment is all correct and original and extremely clean. All and all, 1958 Cadillac Fleetwoods are some of the rarest, fastest appreciating and most desirable collector cars in the market today. This would be considered the 'Holy Grail" of Cadillac's in its wonderful condition. This is truly the best of the best. It is a Rare color combo and is ready for your cruising enjoyment or be part of your car collection. What a rare opportunity. If you have any additional questions please Call Jimmy at 608-215-8300 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. PST with any questions you might have and I can help with shipping quotes and arrangements. I also welcome all International bidders! All inspections must be done before the auction ends on my cars!! Good luck in the bidding! Terms and Conditions of Sale We take time to carefully describe each vehicle and include a substantial number of photos. However, it is very important to keep in mind that these vehicles are pre-owned, not brand new. After careful reading of the entire description, rather than making a potentially incorrect assumption, if any statement or comment is unclear, or if you have questions, please e-mail or call us prior to bidding. Originality Disclaimer While we are happy to show our customers the casting numbers, stamping on the motor and V.I.N numbers on the car , we CANNOT guarantee that the motor is in fact the original. There is always the possibility of re-stamped motors , and as technology advances there will be even more. Any representations made by us are "to the best of knowledge." The entire risk as to the originality of the vehicle is with you , The Buyer. We CANNOT guarantee the originality of these vehicles , including but not limited to : the engine , the transmission , "matching numbers" , color change , the frame , the documentation , etc. The mileage is represented to be , "to the best of knowledge" , but not guaranteed. At Close of Auction All Arizona Buyers must pay 7.3% sales tax! All successful winning bidders will be responsible for a non-negotiable $299 Document Processing Fee in addition to the winning bid amount. The successful "winning" bidder must telephone us within 24 hours after the auction has ended to verify purchase and make arrangements to complete the transaction. Full payment must be received within 7 business days of the end of auction. Payment must be either by cashiers-check, cash (In-Person) or certified funds. If funds are not received, and an alternate arrangement has not been made, the vehicle can and will be made available to other potential buyers on a first-come, first-serve basis. The parties agree that this contract shall be construed under the substantive laws of the state of Arizona , that the state courts of Arizona shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any action brought to enforce the terms of this contract or over any action arising out of the underlying transaction (s) with seller and venue may be had in the Maricopa County Superior Court of the state of Arizona . Our Guarantee We have disclosed as much information as possible about this vehicle and aim to only carry quality vehicles. However, we recommend that all buyers conduct an inspection either in person or through a qualified professional third party inspector. Prior to delivery, if such inspection reveals a substantial discrepancy between the information contained in the listing and the actual vehicle, we will correct the problem at no charge or work out a compromise. Shipping We value your business and want you to be completely satisfied with your Ebay buying experience, from purchase to delivery. As a value added service we will assist with shipping arrangements however, the buyer pays all shipping costs. We do not have any affiliation with, or interest in, any transportation companies and all questions or concerns should be addressed directly with them. Disclaimer All vehicles are sold As Is, with no warranties expressed or implied, by seller. Vehicles come with books and/or manuals only if pictured in the included photos or if stated in the ad. As with any used vehicle, minor signs of wear may become more obvious under close inspection, such as small chips or nicks, light scratches or minor abrasions, wheel scuffs, and other indications of normal wear and tear. We will not and cannot be held liable or responsible for these issues. Bidders are entering into a legal and binding contract to purchase the vehicle described above. Non-paying bidders, unqualified bidding, bid shielding, auction interference or any type of harassment, will be dealt with according to eBay Rules, local law, and may include, but are not limited to, legal action and applicable fees, lose of deposit or any other necessary costs. We reserve the right to cancel bids and/or our auction at anytime for any reason. PLACING A BID ON THIS AUCTION, CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL THE INFORMATION PRESENTED.

Trim Series Sixty Special Fleetwood

Cadillac : Eldorado Brougham 1957 CADILLAC ELDORADO BROUGHAM, 35,392 ORIGINAL MILES, ON AIR SUSP.

$119,000

Chicago, Illinois

1957 CADILLAC ELDORADO BROUGHAM, 35,392 ORIGINAL MILES, 3 OWNERS FROM NEW, UNRESTORED TIME CAPSULE SURVIVOR ON AIR SUSPENSION, BODY #337 This 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham is an example of one of the two great (and arguably the best) years of the 1st Series Eldorado Brougham production run and represents an era of automobiles that will never be seen again… The condition of this car is highly original and very well preserved. The car shows very few signs of age and shows only 35,392 original miles on the odometer. I am the third owner from new. The car runs and drives fantastic and needs absolutely nothing. BODY: This Cadillac still is completely original and has most of its original white paint applied. All of the body panels are ripple and dent free and have never had any sort of body or accident damage. The finish is in extremely nice overall condition and retains its original finish, obviously the result of the car being garage kept and well cared for all of its life. The glass and seals are in very nice condition and there are no leaks evident. The chrome bumpers, a real focal point on the '57 and '58 Broughams, are in extremely nice original condition, with almost no de-lamination or corrosion evident. They are, along with the wheels, some of the best original chrome I have seen on a Brougham in many years. All of the stainless steel on the car, including the top, is also in beautiful and original condition. INTERIOR: The interior is trimmed in the original white leather with black trim. The seating areas are in very nice original condition, as are the door panels and dashboard with no rips or tears evident. The carpet is the original mouton and is also in very nice original condition. The electric windows are in perfect working condition. The electric window motors have been checked and re-installed. The door locks also work as they should. The automatic trunk release and closure mechanism is in working order and the trunk area appears well preserved, as the trunk carpet is in very nice original condition, and the spare tire, wheel, and trunk accessories are all present and in place. As of the date of this listing, all of the power accessories are in working order. SUSPENSION: This Brougham retains its original air suspension, and is one of the few remaining that has not been converted to springs. The system functions as it should and is a real experience to drive, the air example being not only more historically significant, but also far more comfortable to drive than an example converted to springs, as many Broughams have been. UNDERCARRIAGE: The underside of the car is in line with a 35,000 mile car and is very solid and well preserved. There is no previous damage evident. I am happy to email additional photos of the undercarriage of the car if requested. ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION: All of the mechanical aspects of the car have been inspected and repaired, if necessary. The motor is original to the car, with all numbers and codes matching, and the transmission is original to the car. All of the engine, transmission, and differential fluids have been changed, all belts have been replaced, the cooling system flushed out, and a new battery installed. ENGINE COMPARTMENT: The engine bay is completely original, with all components in operational condition. Every detail of the engine compartment is well preserved. There is some minor wear to certain painted surfaces due to age, but overall, it is very presentable. TIRES AND WHEELS: The tires are the correct size for the Brougham, but are radials for safety and driveability. They also have a period correct whitewall. There is almost no wear evident. The chrome plated aluminum wheels are the best original and un-restored aluminum Brougham wheels I have ever seen. As anyone who knows these cars realizes, the chrome plating on almost all of the aluminum parts on the '57 and '58 Broughams tends to de-laminate and corrode over time. The wheels, as well as all of the chrome plated aluminum parts like the bumpers, are in very nice original condition and have with very minimal de-lamination or corrosion evident. OVERALL DRIVING IMPRESSIONS: This Eldorado Brougham runs as any 35,000 mile car should – It’s barely broken in! The 365 cubic inch V-8 powerplant runs and accelerates smoothly and very quickly and the automatic transmission shifts as it should. The car drives around town and on the open road with no trouble. It has had all of the necessary service recently performed including oil change, tune up, installation of new battery and brakes, and gearbox and differential service, and needs absolutely nothing to drive, show, and enjoy. All of the mechanical aspects of the car work as they should. PLEASE NOTE: This 1957 Eldorado Brougham still retains all of its original components! This means the engine, transmission, rear end, etc. are original to the car. All of the numbers, markings, etc., are correct. It is an original and very special car that, as evidenced by the low mileage, has been driven very sparingly during the last 57 years… This Brougham is the most unmolested and original example I have ever seen! If you’ve never driven an Eldorado Brougham of this period that is still on the original air suspension, you are in for a treat with this one! There is absolutely nothing that needs to be done to this car to drive it occasionally and enjoy it as a showpiece. I am always looking for new cars and motorcycles to add to my collection, so please let me know if you have something interesting for sale. TERMS: $500 DEPOSIT WITHIN 48 HOURS OF AUCTION CLOSE. BALANCE OF AUCTION AMOUNT MUST BE PAID BY CASH IN PERSON, BANK TO BANK WIRE TRANSFER, OR CERTIFIED FUNDS (WITH VERIFICATION) ONLY WITHIN 7 DAYS OF AUCTION CLOSE. SORRY, NO C.O.D. AND NO PAYPAL. The description of this vehicle is written to the best of my knowledge. However, even though I have a serious interest in these cars, I am by no means an expert on them. Please don’t hesitate to ask for more photos and, if possible, come and look in person before the auction ends. ALL SALES ARE FINAL! If you have any questions, please contact me before the auction ends. If you have any questions, please contact me. If you live close to Chicago, I encourage you to come and inspect the car in person! In an effort to protect the eBay user information and to help ensure the authenticity of correspondence between sellers and bidders, eBay’s new listing format does NOT display any bidder information. Nevertheless, I STRONGLY encourage bidders to contact me directly to answer questions or to verify correspondence. Seller reserves the right to not accept bids or sell the vehicle to anyone with a zero or negative eBay feedback rating. This vehicle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed, written or implied unless there is a warranty in effect from the factory. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request PRIOR to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any statements regardless of any oral statements about the item. Please remember that your bid constitutes a legally binding contract to purchase this item. If you require an inspection, have it done prior to bidding. I strongly encourage all bidders to inspect the motorcycle personally or enlist the services of a professional inspector prior to placing a bid. After the sale, inspections are not recognized as a contingency to completing your obligation to your winning bid. If there are any questions regarding the above terms, please e-mail prior to bidding. Please do not waste my time or yours bidding on an item you do not intend to pay for. If you bid on this car and win, you are expected to pay for the car and pick it up in a timely manner! I welcome ALL international bidders and am happy to assist with making shipping arrangements. If you are an international buyer, I understand it can take some time to arrange shipping, so I do not mind keeping the vehicle for a longer period of time until pick up. Please contact me before the sale ends, if possible, to discuss the specifics. Thanks for your interest! For more on the '57 and '58 Broughams, please read on past the photos... For more on the 1957 Eldorado Brougham, read on… The 1957-1960 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham has often been compared to the 1956-1957 Continental Mark II. It has even been said that the Brougham was GM's response to Ford's second-generation Continental. Truthfully, about all the two had in common were great styling and poor sales. The Continental Mark II was planned as a reincarnation of the original 1940-1948 Continental, later known as the Mark I. Built by the entirely separate Continental Division of Ford Motor Company, the Mark II was offered only as a two-door hardtop. The Eldorado Brougham was a four-door hardtop derived from a very different school of styling thought. Ironically, it was first delivered in any numbers in April 1957, just one month before the Continental Mark II was taken out of production. The Mark II had a "Modern Formal" look, the result of many months of styling exercises by Ford and four outside styling consultants. The Eldorado Brougham, on the other hand, was "Modern Baroque," one man's dream intended to play upon the fantasies of the American car-buying public. That man was GM's autocratic styling boss, Harley J. Earl, who paid a lot more attention to Cecil B. De Mille and Al Jolson than to the great coachbuilders of the Classics of the Thirties. To Earl, showbiz sold cars. The more chrome, the better; the more a car looked like it was ready to blast off for Mars, the more buyer appeal. This isn't to say that Earl encouraged bad design. Many of his Fifties efforts -- including the Eldorado Brougham -- were quite good. But the thinking behind these designs had a lot more to do with playing to an audience than to blending the best elements of the past with the present. The General Motors Motoramas were extravaganzas conceived by Earl to test public reaction to GM's wildest styling dreams. The Eldorado Brougham slowly evolved through three years of Motoramas, leading Earl to the inevitable conclusion that while the well-heeled public might applaud a dashing open two-seater, it was far more likely to shell out the big bucks for an equally glamorous chariot with four doors and a permanent top. The origins of the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham can be traced back to the Orleans show car seen at the 1953 Motorama. This was a standard Series Sixty-Two Cadillac made into the decade's first true pillarless four-door hardtop. Also featured on this car was the 1953 Eldorado convertible's wraparound windshield. While the concept of a four-door hardtop intrigued buyers far more than the racy Le Mans roadster at the same show, the Orleans' stock 1953 lines didn't lend themselves very well to four-door hardtop styling. Still, Earl carefully noted the buyer preference for four seats, four doors, and a metal roof in a GM dreamboat. He particularly observed that this preference came from those who could "back up their approval with a check." GM's auto designer Harley Earl went to the 1954 Motorama with the El Camino coupe, La Espada roadster, and four-door Park Avenue. The last not only very accurately predicted the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, but the rest of the 1957 Cadillac line, and, to a lesser degree, the 1957 Buick and Oldsmobile. Though the Park Avenue wasn't a true four-door hardtop, the attractive stainless window frame treatment made it look deceptively like one. The top was brushed aluminum. Again, Earl noted the reaction from those who could really afford such cars, and the overwhelming choice was the Park Avenue sedan. This was followed up at the 1955 Motorama with a fully operational prototype Cadillac Eldorado Brougham that was close -- but not identical to -- the Park Avenue. The Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was a true four-door hardtop, not a four-door sedan. It was lower than the Park Avenue (and seven inches lower than production Cadillacs) and considerably shorter in the rear. Its roof was brushed stainless steel rather than aluminum, and the wraparound windshield was vertical at the A-pillars rather than swept back into the doors. By this time, it was crystal clear in Earl's mind what the public wanted in a very high-end GM car -- and it had very little to do with the Continental Mark II, which was officially introduced in late September 1955. The Brougham wasn't committed to production until about the time of the 1955 Motorama. It was built by the Cadillac Division at the Cadillac plant in Detroit, Michigan, with not nearly the same degree of commitment or necessity to turn a profit as had been the case with the Mark II. Earl told Motor Trend magazine in 1955: "From the outset it was apparent that we must incorporate certain features known to be acceptable to our customers by virtue of Motorama experience and reception of our regular production cars, such as pillarless body construction, Panoramic windshield, pivoting front seats, and such landmarks as gull-type front bumper, 'egg-crate' grille, rear fender fins, and the projectile shapes on the rear fenders similar to the 1955 Eldorado convertible." The Cadillac Eldorado Brougham boasted the first four-headlight lighting system in the industry, along with the soon-to-be-extinct Nash. Unlike air suspension, this feature quickly spread to practically every production car in the U.S. It was the norm for nearly three decades (toward the end with rectangular lamps), until new legislation allowed the now-universal aero-headlights to take over. But in the late Fifties, when the U. S. Interstate Highway system was just beginning to take shape, the dual-beam single headlights of the late Thirties were still the standard. One reason for this was outmoded laws, which in many states didn't permit a true quad-lamp setup. However, the new system, introduced by Cadillac on the 1957 Brougham, was quickly approved by all states and became the industry standard in 1958. It utilized outer lamps with both high and low beams and inner lamps with high beam only. The outer lamps on low beam were used for city driving and when there was oncoming traffic. Inner lamps and outer lamps on high beam were used for highway/freeway driving. Combined wattage of the four lamps was much greater than two-lamp systems, thus furnishing better illumination. In addition, the light was directed so that a driver got maximum visibility while creating minimal glare for drivers of oncoming cars -- as long as the headlights were in proper alignment. The first minutes of meetings concerning the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham were recorded on May 4, 1954, shortly after the last stop of the 1954 Motorama. At this first meeting, preliminary specifications and dimensions were laid down. Styling responsibility was turned over to Ed Glowacke, who headed the Cadillac studio. Engineering was handled by Fred Arnold, Cadillac's Chief Engineer. Unlike so many of the industry's immobile show cars of the period, the first Eldorado Brougham was a fully operational model with an all-steel body, conventional Cadillac engine, and a full complement of working accessories. While the prototype, first displayed in early 1955, was essentially a 1955 Cadillac from an engineering standpoint (the chassis notwithstanding), the production model had all of the engineering advances of the 1957 models, including a 365-cubic-inch V-8. In the Eldorado Brougham it developed 325 horsepower at 4800 rpm, and featured a 10.0:1 compression ratio and two Carter four-barrel carburetors. This engine was optional on the Series Sixty-Two Eldorado Specials, the Seville coupe and Biarritz convertible. It was combined with a conventional GM Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic transmission. Power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning were all standard. While fuel injection was seriously considered for the production models, at no time was it ever incorporated. The Motorama Eldorado Brougham was rushed from preliminary sketches to completion in less than 10 months. Assembly got underway on November 6, 1954. Amazingly, the finished car was previewed by the industry in New York's Waldorf-Astoria hotel on January 19, 1955, literally with the paint still drying. Somehow, when the car was being unloaded at 2 a.m. it fell off its jacks, tearing the front fender and gouging the rear bumper. Some pretty frantic scurrying must have followed because the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was revolving sedately on its turntable at 4 p.m. when the cocktail crowd of over 5000 arrived. GM designer Harley Earl had made an appearance on Arthur Godfrey's TV show the previous morning, where he strongly hinted that the flashy Brougham would be put into limited production. By the time the first of six Motorama stops was over, a week later, it was almost a foregone conclusion that this unique Cadillac creation would in fact be put into limited production. The prototype stood on a 124-inch wheelbase; the production wheelbase was pegged at 126 inches. The length of both the prototype and production models was 216.3 inches, about the same as the 1957 Series Sixty-Two sedan. But whereas the Sixty-Two stood 59 inches high, the production Brougham was down to 55.5 inches and its 77.5-inch width was 2.5 inches less than the standard production car. Despite the trimmer exterior dimensions, front and rear headroom was actually greater than in the Sixty-Two sedan. Front leg room was about the same, but rear leg room was uncomfortably less. The prototype's front fenders were one continuous piece, and there was a forward-hinged hood. The centerpost between the doors was cut down to a mere stub with the doors locking against each other. This dictated that the rear doors be hinged at the rear "suicide" style, a feature that never took hold at GM, but was popularized a few years later by the Lincoln Continental. The windshield had the same wraparound treatment as the prototype. Since the car was to offer air conditioning as standard equipment, wind wings were eliminated. Instead, aircraft type air scoops were incorporated in the cowl area, and functional vertical exhaust slots were found on the rear doors. While the differences between the prototype of the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham and the production model were subtle, the trained eye could easily pick them up. Side trim on the production model had slightly more chrome and glitz, and small vent windows appeared. The prototype had very restrained fins containing conservative taillights at the top, and the rear deck was sloped. The production Brougham openly conceded to the Cadillac mentality with a tail treatment vacillating between that of the Eldorado Seville/Biarritz and the standard Caddys. The fins were larger, the taillights were moved down, exhaust pods were tamed, and the deck was less sloped than on the Seville/Biarritz. Even the front-end treatment on the production model moved more closely to the mass-produced 1957 models. Obviously, GM designer Harley Earl was hedging his bets. Although the prototype's dashboard predicted the panel of the 1957 Cadillac, there were no interchangeable parts. Controls included three knobs in the driver's door to operate the "memory seat," buttons for the electric door locks and power-actuated trunklid, plus a warning light for low air pressure in the suspension system. The car could not be started with either rear door open, and all doors locked automatically when the car was put into gear. Standard equipment included an Autronic-Eye headlight dimmer and virtually every other accessory offered as an option, even on the Fleetwood series. A fully transistorized radio boasted front and rear speakers and an antenna that popped up and down automatically when the radio was turned on and off. Seats, both front and rear, were contoured to accommodate two passengers. The front seats were separate and independently adjustable -- and they swung out. This resulted in extremely wide and comfortable seating for two across, but made it quite uncomfortable for an uninvited third party. Upholstery materials ranging from all-leather to sedate and tailored broadcloth could be had in 44 variations. Mouton carpeting was standard, or the buyer could opt for wooly Karakul or lambskin n at no additional cost. As Motor Trend noted in January 1957: "Completely equipped vanity cases, front and rear, even contained a complimentary ounce of Arpège Extrait de Lanvin, a perfume in the Brougham price class." It should be noted that the Continental Mark II suffered to a degree because it didn't embrace any major innovations that the potential buyer could see or experience. While the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham never did receive fuel injection, it did have two other features with buyer appeal. These were the first air-suspension system on any production car in the world and the industry's first quad headlight setup (along with the 1957 Nash). Less appealing at the time, but new nonetheless, were the industry's first low-profile tires with thin whitewalls. The Cadillac Eldorado Brougham's air suspension was designed by Lester D. Milliken and Fred H. Cowin, both engineers with the Cadillac Division. Cowin further developed a tubular X-frame to complement this new suspension setup. This type of frame was quickly adopted for all 1957 Cadillacs, which were coil sprung at all four corners. The 126-inch-wheelbase Brougham version was 3.5 inches shorter than the Series Sixty-Two, but the tread front and rear remained the same at 61 inches, making it a very stable compact design. The feature-laden, super-luxurious Cadillac Eldorado Brougham made its public debut at the National Automobile Show in New York in late January 1957. Public introduction at dealerships was held in key U.S. cities in February. At that time, orders were taken, although very few cars were actually delivered before March. Surprisingly, the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham received only passing attention in the motoring press, and was given pathetically few drive reports. For reasons never fully explained, the factory public relations effort was practically non-existent compared to the monumental press buildup that had preceded the introduction of the Continental Mark II. One publication that did road test the Brougham was Motor Trend. But the magazine only checked out the car's new suspension system, not the total performance and personality of this new breed of Cadillac. Reporter Joe Wherry wrote, not altogether enthusiastically, that "A rough, busted-up three miles of ancient concrete road provided a good place to drive both a conventionally suspended Cad 60 Special and the new airborne Brougham. There is no doubt that the ride is amazingly improved, but riders and driver too (through the entire structure) felt shocks; the edge or sharpness of the bump and rebound is taken away. Cornering under power produces as much heeling over as in a regular line Cadillac and more than in some current domestic cars with suspensions engineered specifically to maintain a level cornering attitude, regardless of the stresses imposed by the centrifugal action of a fast turn. Nose dipping on fast stops is still present." Without coming right out and saying it, Motor Trend must have concluded that the Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special, reported on separately in another issue, was by far the better value at a base price of $5,614. Praising the Fleetwood for quality, fuel economy, and overall economy, MT said that the riding qualities were "just about the best found on any present day automobile." It has been contended that one reason the Mark II failed in the marketplace was because it was not offered in a four-door version. If this was the case, then the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham should have fared better. Truthfully, it met a more resistant market than the Mark II. At $10,000, the Mark found only about 1200 buyers. Discounted to around $8,000, another 1,800 customers were found. The Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was pegged at $13,074! There were no additional accessories needed, and no discount was offered. At this price, only 400 buyers were found in 1957 and 304 in 1958. With the Mark II, price was the entire story. With the Eldorado, price was only a part of it. When Cadillac had introduced the Eldorado convertible in 1953, the division was satisfied to sell only 533 examples. Even at this level, there were a lot of quality complaints coming back from the dealers, particularly with regard to the air suspension. While Cadillac has never offered any explanation for the low production numbers, it seems that the Eldorado Brougham was more of a token promotion effort than anything else -- a token to Harley Earl's ego and to the intensive Mark II exercise over in Dearborn. And the bottom line was that the Brougham effort seemed to do a good job of selling the upmarket Sixty Specials, which hit a production record of 24,000 in 1957 -- 7000 units more than in 1956. ***Article courtesy of : Auto Editors of Consumer Guide and How Stuff Works In the postwar era, Cadillac was a dominant force in the world of luxury automobile, outpacing its previous rival, Packard, with styling innovations such as the famous tail fins, as well as myriad luxury options. Cadillac in the 1950s proudly proclaimed its "Standard of the World" slogan. In order to truly own that idea though, Cadillac needed to build something with unsurpassed luxury, besting even its peers from across the pond. Originally shown as a concept at the 1955 L.A. Auto Show, the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was put into production in 1957 and was at the time the pinnacle of luxury and innovation. It featured numerous options, some of which are still not available today. The engine was a 365 cubic-inch V8, breathing though twin four-barrel carburetors and running through a 4-speed automatic transmission. The body was long, low and extravagant, with a pillarless four-door design and the rear doors opening suicide style (and you know how much we love suicide doors). At the behest of GM styling guru Harley Earl, the car recived a slick stainless-steel roof and road-adjusting quad headlights for better illumination. The suspension was as advanced as anything GM had in it's arsenal at the time: a centrally controlled, self-leveling and auto-adjusting air suspension which provided an uncompromisingly smooth ride. Where the Caddy really shimmered was in the amenities. Independent of each other, they seem underwhelming, but that all of the features lived in one car in 1957 is incredible. On the inside, drivers were greeted with power seats that included memory settings, remote-adjustable side mirrors and an auto-adjusting rear-view mirror, an all-transistor automatic-station-seeking radio with twin speakers, all-electric windows, a power locking system, and a power open AND close trunk lid. Now that's just the normal stuff. Here's where things get crazy. The designers also saw fit to throw in a stainless steel drinking set for the glove box, a cigarette dispenser, various vanity elements for the ladies, and a perfume dispenser filled with Arpege Extrait de Lanvin perfume. Are you kidding?! Of course, anything can be built when money is not option, and here's where the Eldorado Brougham took no prisoners. The base retail price in 1957 was $13,074, exceeding even the most pricey Rolls of the time. Toss that number into the Federal Reserve consumer price index calculator and that tally in 2008 dollars rings the bell at $100,311. Only the Cadillac XLR-V has ever commanded a sum so high, and that Caddy merely goes fast and has a lovely Eucalyptus wood interior. The Brougham was offered for only two years; total production of the princely luxo-yachts was 704 vehicles. After the initial run, production was farmed out to Pininfarina, where a redesign was executed, but the quality in craftsmanship just wasn't the same. The '57 Eldorado Brougham was probably the finest post-war Cadillac produced to date. Peerless in its design and attention to detail, it was the pinnacle of what an American boulevardier could ever be. Smooth, technically savvy, staggeringly handsome and cranking out as much power as the average Eisenhower Era captain of industry would ever need. It's not difficult to imagine driving this car on a lazy, cross-country summer roadtrip, dusk creeping across the sky, the calm glow of an old dashboard and a crackly radio serving as background noise. Not all of the best driving is done at the limit of grip. ***Artcle Courtesy of: Ben Wojdyla on Jalopnik, Jalopnik Fantasy Garage The Eldorado Brougham -- designed in 1954 as Cadillac's dream car for the General Motors Motorama of 1955. From the beginning, the Brougham was a pace-setting vehicle with styling and engineering features destined to be incorporated into lesser cars in future years. Two years of concentrated testing and development went into the Brougham helping designers in their continuous search for a better way to build the best automobile. Cadillac engineers came up with a special body for the Brougham alone. It was built by Fisher Body's Fleetwood plant, builders of all Cadillac bodies. Among the outstanding engineering features which exemplify the extensive study that went into the makeup of the Brougham are air suspension, a four headlamp system and a tubular center X-frame. The use of air springs marks the first time that such a system had been used on an automobile. The system provides an individual air spring unit at each wheel. Air is supplied to the spring units through leveling valves so that the car remains level with varying loads and road conditions, thus contributing to the Brougham's appearance as well as assuring consistently easy handling and smooth riding quality. The interior of the Brougham is luxurious to a high degree with some 45 choices of trim and color combinations available during ordering. Carpeting was available in either mouton, a specially processed lamb skin, or high-pile nylon Karakul. There is a special heating system with both front and rear compartment outlets. The under-seat heaters for the rear can be operated individually by the passengers. To complete the year-round comfort, each Brougham contains a front-mounted Cadillac air conditioner. Steering, braking and window controls (including vent panes) are power operated on the Brougham. Each feature of the Brougham -- as the car itself -- was designed to improve comfort, safety and convenience for the driver and passengers. The inquiring minds of Cadillac engineers and designers came up with the finest car possible in 1957. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

Cadillac : Eldorado Brougham 1957 CADILLAC ELDORADO BROUGHAM, 35,392 ORIGINAL UNRESTORED MILES, ON AIR SUSP.

$125,000

Chicago, Illinois

1957 CADILLAC ELDORADO BROUGHAM, 35,392 ORIGINAL MILES, 3 OWNERS FROM NEW, UNRESTORED TIME CAPSULE SURVIVOR ON AIR SUSPENSION This 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham is an example of one of the two great (and arguably the best) years of the 1st Series Eldorado Brougham production run and represents an era of automobiles that will never be seen again… The condition of this car is highly original and very well preserved. The car shows very few signs of age and shows only 35,392 original miles on the odometer. I am the third owner from new. The car runs and drives fantastic and needs absolutely nothing. BODY: This Cadillac still is completely original and has most of its original white paint applied. All of the body panels are ripple and dent free and have never had any sort of body or accident damage. The finish is in extremely nice overall condition and retains its original finish, obviously the result of the car being garage kept and well cared for all of its life. The glass and seals are in very nice condition and there are no leaks evident. The chrome bumpers, a real focal point on the '57 and '58 Broughams, are in extremely nice original condition, with almost no de-lamination or corrosion evident. They are, along with the wheels, some of the best original chrome I have seen on a Brougham in many years. All of the stainless steel on the car, including the top, is also in beautiful and original condition. INTERIOR: The interior is trimmed in the original white leather with black trim. The seating areas are in very nice original condition, as are the door panels and dashboard with no rips or tears evident. The carpet is the original mouton and is also in very nice original condition. The electric windows are in perfect working condition. The electric window motors have been checked and re-installed. The door locks also work as they should. The automatic trunk release and closure mechanism is in working order and the trunk area appears well preserved, as the trunk carpet is in very nice original condition, and the spare tire, wheel, and trunk accessories are all present and in place. As of the date of this listing, all of the power accessories are in working order. SUSPENSION: This Brougham retains its original air suspension, and is one of the few remaining that has not been converted to springs. The system functions as it should and is a real experience to drive, the air example being not only more historically significant, but also far more comfortable to drive than an example converted to springs, as many Broughams have. UNDERCARRIAGE: The underside of the car is in line with a 35,000 mile car and is very well preserved. There is no previous damage evident. I am happy to email additional photos of the undercarriage of the car if requested. ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION: All of the mechanical aspects of the car have been inspected and repaired, if necessary. The motor is original to the car, with all numbers and codes matching, and the transmission is original to the car. All of the engine, transmission, and differential fluids have been changed, all belts have been replaced, the cooling system flushed out, and a new battery installed. ENGINE COMPARTMENT: The engine bay is completely original, with all components in operational condition. Every detail of the engine compartment is well preserved. There is some minor wear to certain painted surfaces due to age, but overall, it is very presentable. TIRES AND WHEELS: The tires are the correct size for the Brougham, but are radials for safety and driveability. They also have a period correct whitewall. There is almost no wear evident. The chrome plated aluminum wheels are the best original and un-restored aluminum Brougham wheels I have ever seen. As anyone who knows these cars realizes, the chrome plating on almost all of the aluminum parts on the '57 and '58 Broughams tends to de-laminate and corrode over time. The wheels, as well as all of the chrome plated aluminum parts like the bumpers, are in very nice original condition and have with very minimal de-lamination or corrosion evident. OVERALL DRIVING IMPRESSIONS: This Eldorado Brougham runs as any 35,000 mile car should – It’s barely broken in! The 365 cubic inch V-8 powerplant runs and accelerates smoothly and very quickly and the automatic transmission shifts as it should. The car drives around town and on the open road with no trouble. It has had all of the necessary service recently performed including oil change, tune up, installation of new battery and brakes, and gearbox and differential service, and needs absolutely nothing to drive, show, and enjoy. All of the mechanical aspects of the car work as they should. PLEASE NOTE: This 1957 Eldorado Brougham still retains all of its original components! This means the engine, transmission, rear end, etc. are original to the car. All of the numbers, markings, etc., are correct. It is an original and very special car that, as evidenced by the low mileage, has been driven very sparingly during the last 57 years… This Brougham is the most unmolested and original example I have ever seen! If you’ve never driven an Eldorado Brougham of this period that is still on the original air suspension, you are in for a treat with this one! There is absolutely nothing that needs to be done to this car to drive it occasionally and enjoy it as a showpiece. I am always looking for new cars and motorcycles to add to my collection and have several other cars for sale including a 1957 E-Code Dual-Quad Thunderbird as well as motocross and enduro motorcycles and Italian, Japanese, and German road and race bikes. Please contact me if you are interested or have something interesting for sale. ...And if you liked the gallery photo and the second photo in this ad, it's called Studio Effect by Dimostra. Studio Effect is a process that utilizes a photograph of your favorite car, truck, or motorcycle and simulates the photo to appear as if it was taken in a professional studio. Please contact me for more information. TERMS: $500 DEPOSIT WITHIN 48 HOURS OF AUCTION CLOSE. BALANCE OF AUCTION AMOUNT MUST BE PAID BY CASH IN PERSON, BANK TO BANK WIRE TRANSFER, OR CERTIFIED FUNDS (WITH VERIFICATION) ONLY WITHIN 7 DAYS OF AUCTION CLOSE. SORRY, NO C.O.D. AND NO PAYPAL. The description of this vehicle is written to the best of my knowledge. However, even though I have a serious interest in these cars, I am by no means an expert on them. Please don’t hesitate to ask for more photos and, if possible, come and look in person before the auction ends. ALL SALES ARE FINAL! If you have any questions, please contact me before the auction ends. If you have any questions, please contact me. If you live close to Chicago, I encourage you to come and inspect the car in person! In an effort to protect the eBay user information and to help ensure the authenticity of correspondence between sellers and bidders, eBay’s new listing format does NOT display any bidder information. Nevertheless, I STRONGLY encourage bidders to contact me directly to answer questions or to verify correspondence. Seller reserves the right to not accept bids or sell the vehicle to anyone with a zero or negative eBay feedback rating. This vehicle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed, written or implied unless there is a warranty in effect from the factory. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request PRIOR to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any statements regardless of any oral statements about the item. Please remember that your bid constitutes a legally binding contract to purchase this item. If you require an inspection, have it done prior to bidding. I strongly encourage all bidders to inspect the motorcycle personally or enlist the services of a professional inspector prior to placing a bid. After the sale, inspections are not recognized as a contingency to completing your obligation to your winning bid. If there are any questions regarding the above terms, please e-mail prior to bidding. Please do not waste my time or yours bidding on an item you do not intend to pay for. If you bid on this car and win, you are expected to pay for the car and pick it up in a timely manner! I welcome ALL international bidders and am happy to assist with making shipping arrangements. If you are an international buyer, I understand it can take some time to arrange shipping, so I do not mind keeping the vehicle for a longer period of time until pick up. Please contact me before the sale ends, if possible, to discuss the specifics. Thanks for your interest! For more on the '57 and '58 Broughams, please read on past the photos... For more on the 1957 Eldorado Brougham, read on… The 1957-1960 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham has often been compared to the 1956-1957 Continental Mark II. It has even been said that the Brougham was GM's response to Ford's second-generation Continental. Truthfully, about all the two had in common were great styling and poor sales. The Continental Mark II was planned as a reincarnation of the original 1940-1948 Continental, later known as the Mark I. Built by the entirely separate Continental Division of Ford Motor Company, the Mark II was offered only as a two-door hardtop. The Eldorado Brougham was a four-door hardtop derived from a very different school of styling thought. Ironically, it was first delivered in any numbers in April 1957, just one month before the Continental Mark II was taken out of production. The Mark II had a "Modern Formal" look, the result of many months of styling exercises by Ford and four outside styling consultants. The Eldorado Brougham, on the other hand, was "Modern Baroque," one man's dream intended to play upon the fantasies of the American car-buying public. That man was GM's autocratic styling boss, Harley J. Earl, who paid a lot more attention to Cecil B. De Mille and Al Jolson than to the great coachbuilders of the Classics of the Thirties. To Earl, showbiz sold cars. The more chrome, the better; the more a car looked like it was ready to blast off for Mars, the more buyer appeal. This isn't to say that Earl encouraged bad design. Many of his Fifties efforts -- including the Eldorado Brougham -- were quite good. But the thinking behind these designs had a lot more to do with playing to an audience than to blending the best elements of the past with the present. The General Motors Motoramas were extravaganzas conceived by Earl to test public reaction to GM's wildest styling dreams. The Eldorado Brougham slowly evolved through three years of Motoramas, leading Earl to the inevitable conclusion that while the well-heeled public might applaud a dashing open two-seater, it was far more likely to shell out the big bucks for an equally glamorous chariot with four doors and a permanent top. The origins of the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham can be traced back to the Orleans show car seen at the 1953 Motorama. This was a standard Series Sixty-Two Cadillac made into the decade's first true pillarless four-door hardtop. Also featured on this car was the 1953 Eldorado convertible's wraparound windshield. While the concept of a four-door hardtop intrigued buyers far more than the racy Le Mans roadster at the same show, the Orleans' stock 1953 lines didn't lend themselves very well to four-door hardtop styling. Still, Earl carefully noted the buyer preference for four seats, four doors, and a metal roof in a GM dreamboat. He particularly observed that this preference came from those who could "back up their approval with a check." GM's auto designer Harley Earl went to the 1954 Motorama with the El Camino coupe, La Espada roadster, and four-door Park Avenue. The last not only very accurately predicted the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, but the rest of the 1957 Cadillac line, and, to a lesser degree, the 1957 Buick and Oldsmobile. Though the Park Avenue wasn't a true four-door hardtop, the attractive stainless window frame treatment made it look deceptively like one. The top was brushed aluminum. Again, Earl noted the reaction from those who could really afford such cars, and the overwhelming choice was the Park Avenue sedan. This was followed up at the 1955 Motorama with a fully operational prototype Cadillac Eldorado Brougham that was close -- but not identical to -- the Park Avenue. The Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was a true four-door hardtop, not a four-door sedan. It was lower than the Park Avenue (and seven inches lower than production Cadillacs) and considerably shorter in the rear. Its roof was brushed stainless steel rather than aluminum, and the wraparound windshield was vertical at the A-pillars rather than swept back into the doors. By this time, it was crystal clear in Earl's mind what the public wanted in a very high-end GM car -- and it had very little to do with the Continental Mark II, which was officially introduced in late September 1955. The Brougham wasn't committed to production until about the time of the 1955 Motorama. It was built by the Cadillac Division at the Cadillac plant in Detroit, Michigan, with not nearly the same degree of commitment or necessity to turn a profit as had been the case with the Mark II. Earl told Motor Trend magazine in 1955: "From the outset it was apparent that we must incorporate certain features known to be acceptable to our customers by virtue of Motorama experience and reception of our regular production cars, such as pillarless body construction, Panoramic windshield, pivoting front seats, and such landmarks as gull-type front bumper, 'egg-crate' grille, rear fender fins, and the projectile shapes on the rear fenders similar to the 1955 Eldorado convertible." The Cadillac Eldorado Brougham boasted the first four-headlight lighting system in the industry, along with the soon-to-be-extinct Nash. Unlike air suspension, this feature quickly spread to practically every production car in the U.S. It was the norm for nearly three decades (toward the end with rectangular lamps), until new legislation allowed the now-universal aero-headlights to take over. But in the late Fifties, when the U. S. Interstate Highway system was just beginning to take shape, the dual-beam single headlights of the late Thirties were still the standard. One reason for this was outmoded laws, which in many states didn't permit a true quad-lamp setup. However, the new system, introduced by Cadillac on the 1957 Brougham, was quickly approved by all states and became the industry standard in 1958. It utilized outer lamps with both high and low beams and inner lamps with high beam only. The outer lamps on low beam were used for city driving and when there was oncoming traffic. Inner lamps and outer lamps on high beam were used for highway/freeway driving. Combined wattage of the four lamps was much greater than two-lamp systems, thus furnishing better illumination. In addition, the light was directed so that a driver got maximum visibility while creating minimal glare for drivers of oncoming cars -- as long as the headlights were in proper alignment. The first minutes of meetings concerning the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham were recorded on May 4, 1954, shortly after the last stop of the 1954 Motorama. At this first meeting, preliminary specifications and dimensions were laid down. Styling responsibility was turned over to Ed Glowacke, who headed the Cadillac studio. Engineering was handled by Fred Arnold, Cadillac's Chief Engineer. Unlike so many of the industry's immobile show cars of the period, the first Eldorado Brougham was a fully operational model with an all-steel body, conventional Cadillac engine, and a full complement of working accessories. While the prototype, first displayed in early 1955, was essentially a 1955 Cadillac from an engineering standpoint (the chassis notwithstanding), the production model had all of the engineering advances of the 1957 models, including a 365-cubic-inch V-8. In the Eldorado Brougham it developed 325 horsepower at 4800 rpm, and featured a 10.0:1 compression ratio and two Carter four-barrel carburetors. This engine was optional on the Series Sixty-Two Eldorado Specials, the Seville coupe and Biarritz convertible. It was combined with a conventional GM Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic transmission. Power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning were all standard. While fuel injection was seriously considered for the production models, at no time was it ever incorporated. The Motorama Eldorado Brougham was rushed from preliminary sketches to completion in less than 10 months. Assembly got underway on November 6, 1954. Amazingly, the finished car was previewed by the industry in New York's Waldorf-Astoria hotel on January 19, 1955, literally with the paint still drying. Somehow, when the car was being unloaded at 2 a.m. it fell off its jacks, tearing the front fender and gouging the rear bumper. Some pretty frantic scurrying must have followed because the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was revolving sedately on its turntable at 4 p.m. when the cocktail crowd of over 5000 arrived. GM designer Harley Earl had made an appearance on Arthur Godfrey's TV show the previous morning, where he strongly hinted that the flashy Brougham would be put into limited production. By the time the first of six Motorama stops was over, a week later, it was almost a foregone conclusion that this unique Cadillac creation would in fact be put into limited production. The prototype stood on a 124-inch wheelbase; the production wheelbase was pegged at 126 inches. The length of both the prototype and production models was 216.3 inches, about the same as the 1957 Series Sixty-Two sedan. But whereas the Sixty-Two stood 59 inches high, the production Brougham was down to 55.5 inches and its 77.5-inch width was 2.5 inches less than the standard production car. Despite the trimmer exterior dimensions, front and rear headroom was actually greater than in the Sixty-Two sedan. Front leg room was about the same, but rear leg room was uncomfortably less. The prototype's front fenders were one continuous piece, and there was a forward-hinged hood. The centerpost between the doors was cut down to a mere stub with the doors locking against each other. This dictated that the rear doors be hinged at the rear "suicide" style, a feature that never took hold at GM, but was popularized a few years later by the Lincoln Continental. The windshield had the same wraparound treatment as the prototype. Since the car was to offer air conditioning as standard equipment, wind wings were eliminated. Instead, aircraft type air scoops were incorporated in the cowl area, and functional vertical exhaust slots were found on the rear doors. While the differences between the prototype of the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham and the production model were subtle, the trained eye could easily pick them up. Side trim on the production model had slightly more chrome and glitz, and small vent windows appeared. The prototype had very restrained fins containing conservative taillights at the top, and the rear deck was sloped. The production Brougham openly conceded to the Cadillac mentality with a tail treatment vacillating between that of the Eldorado Seville/Biarritz and the standard Caddys. The fins were larger, the taillights were moved down, exhaust pods were tamed, and the deck was less sloped than on the Seville/Biarritz. Even the front-end treatment on the production model moved more closely to the mass-produced 1957 models. Obviously, GM designer Harley Earl was hedging his bets. Although the prototype's dashboard predicted the panel of the 1957 Cadillac, there were no interchangeable parts. Controls included three knobs in the driver's door to operate the "memory seat," buttons for the electric door locks and power-actuated trunklid, plus a warning light for low air pressure in the suspension system. The car could not be started with either rear door open, and all doors locked automatically when the car was put into gear. Standard equipment included an Autronic-Eye headlight dimmer and virtually every other accessory offered as an option, even on the Fleetwood series. A fully transistorized radio boasted front and rear speakers and an antenna that popped up and down automatically when the radio was turned on and off. Seats, both front and rear, were contoured to accommodate two passengers. The front seats were separate and independently adjustable -- and they swung out. This resulted in extremely wide and comfortable seating for two across, but made it quite uncomfortable for an uninvited third party. Upholstery materials ranging from all-leather to sedate and tailored broadcloth could be had in 44 variations. Mouton carpeting was standard, or the buyer could opt for wooly Karakul or lambskin n at no additional cost. As Motor Trend noted in January 1957: "Completely equipped vanity cases, front and rear, even contained a complimentary ounce of Arpège Extrait de Lanvin, a perfume in the Brougham price class." It should be noted that the Continental Mark II suffered to a degree because it didn't embrace any major innovations that the potential buyer could see or experience. While the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham never did receive fuel injection, it did have two other features with buyer appeal. These were the first air-suspension system on any production car in the world and the industry's first quad headlight setup (along with the 1957 Nash). Less appealing at the time, but new nonetheless, were the industry's first low-profile tires with thin whitewalls. The Cadillac Eldorado Brougham's air suspension was designed by Lester D. Milliken and Fred H. Cowin, both engineers with the Cadillac Division. Cowin further developed a tubular X-frame to complement this new suspension setup. This type of frame was quickly adopted for all 1957 Cadillacs, which were coil sprung at all four corners. The 126-inch-wheelbase Brougham version was 3.5 inches shorter than the Series Sixty-Two, but the tread front and rear remained the same at 61 inches, making it a very stable compact design. The feature-laden, super-luxurious Cadillac Eldorado Brougham made its public debut at the National Automobile Show in New York in late January 1957. Public introduction at dealerships was held in key U.S. cities in February. At that time, orders were taken, although very few cars were actually delivered before March. Surprisingly, the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham received only passing attention in the motoring press, and was given pathetically few drive reports. For reasons never fully explained, the factory public relations effort was practically non-existent compared to the monumental press buildup that had preceded the introduction of the Continental Mark II. One publication that did road test the Brougham was Motor Trend. But the magazine only checked out the car's new suspension system, not the total performance and personality of this new breed of Cadillac. Reporter Joe Wherry wrote, not altogether enthusiastically, that "A rough, busted-up three miles of ancient concrete road provided a good place to drive both a conventionally suspended Cad 60 Special and the new airborne Brougham. There is no doubt that the ride is amazingly improved, but riders and driver too (through the entire structure) felt shocks; the edge or sharpness of the bump and rebound is taken away. Cornering under power produces as much heeling over as in a regular line Cadillac and more than in some current domestic cars with suspensions engineered specifically to maintain a level cornering attitude, regardless of the stresses imposed by the centrifugal action of a fast turn. Nose dipping on fast stops is still present." Without coming right out and saying it, Motor Trend must have concluded that the Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special, reported on separately in another issue, was by far the better value at a base price of $5,614. Praising the Fleetwood for quality, fuel economy, and overall economy, MT said that the riding qualities were "just about the best found on any present day automobile." It has been contended that one reason the Mark II failed in the marketplace was because it was not offered in a four-door version. If this was the case, then the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham should have fared better. Truthfully, it met a more resistant market than the Mark II. At $10,000, the Mark found only about 1200 buyers. Discounted to around $8,000, another 1,800 customers were found. The Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was pegged at $13,074! There were no additional accessories needed, and no discount was offered. At this price, only 400 buyers were found in 1957 and 304 in 1958. With the Mark II, price was the entire story. With the Eldorado, price was only a part of it. When Cadillac had introduced the Eldorado convertible in 1953, the division was satisfied to sell only 533 examples. Even at this level, there were a lot of quality complaints coming back from the dealers, particularly with regard to the air suspension. While Cadillac has never offered any explanation for the low production numbers, it seems that the Eldorado Brougham was more of a token promotion effort than anything else -- a token to Harley Earl's ego and to the intensive Mark II exercise over in Dearborn. And the bottom line was that the Brougham effort seemed to do a good job of selling the upmarket Sixty Specials, which hit a production record of 24,000 in 1957 -- 7000 units more than in 1956. ***Article courtesy of : Auto Editors of Consumer Guide and How Stuff Works In the postwar era, Cadillac was a dominant force in the world of luxury automobile, outpacing its previous rival, Packard, with styling innovations such as the famous tail fins, as well as myriad luxury options. Cadillac in the 1950s proudly proclaimed its "Standard of the World" slogan. In order to truly own that idea though, Cadillac needed to build something with unsurpassed luxury, besting even its peers from across the pond. Originally shown as a concept at the 1955 L.A. Auto Show, the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was put into production in 1957 and was at the time the pinnacle of luxury and innovation. It featured numerous options, some of which are still not available today. The engine was a 365 cubic-inch V8, breathing though twin four-barrel carburetors and running through a 4-speed automatic transmission. The body was long, low and extravagant, with a pillarless four-door design and the rear doors opening suicide style (and you know how much we love suicide doors). At the behest of GM styling guru Harley Earl, the car recived a slick stainless-steel roof and road-adjusting quad headlights for better illumination. The suspension was as advanced as anything GM had in it's arsenal at the time: a centrally controlled, self-leveling and auto-adjusting air suspension which provided an uncompromisingly smooth ride. Where the Caddy really shimmered was in the amenities. Independent of each other, they seem underwhelming, but that all of the features lived in one car in 1957 is incredible. On the inside, drivers were greeted with power seats that included memory settings, remote-adjustable side mirrors and an auto-adjusting rear-view mirror, an all-transistor automatic-station-seeking radio with twin speakers, all-electric windows, a power locking system, and a power open AND close trunk lid. Now that's just the normal stuff. Here's where things get crazy. The designers also saw fit to throw in a stainless steel drinking set for the glove box, a cigarette dispenser, various vanity elements for the ladies, and a perfume dispenser filled with Arpege Extrait de Lanvin perfume. Are you kidding?! Of course, anything can be built when money is not option, and here's where the Eldorado Brougham took no prisoners. The base retail price in 1957 was $13,074, exceeding even the most pricey Rolls of the time. Toss that number into the Federal Reserve consumer price index calculator and that tally in 2008 dollars rings the bell at $100,311. Only the Cadillac XLR-V has ever commanded a sum so high, and that Caddy merely goes fast and has a lovely Eucalyptus wood interior. The Brougham was offered for only two years; total production of the princely luxo-yachts was 704 vehicles. After the initial run, production was farmed out to Pininfarina, where a redesign was executed, but the quality in craftsmanship just wasn't the same. The '57 Eldorado Brougham was probably the finest post-war Cadillac produced to date. Peerless in its design and attention to detail, it was the pinnacle of what an American boulevardier could ever be. Smooth, technically savvy, staggeringly handsome and cranking out as much power as the average Eisenhower Era captain of industry would ever need. It's not difficult to imagine driving this car on a lazy, cross-country summer roadtrip, dusk creeping across the sky, the calm glow of an old dashboard and a crackly radio serving as background noise. Not all of the best driving is done at the limit of grip. ***Artcle Courtesy of: Ben Wojdyla on Jalopnik, Jalopnik Fantasy Garage The Eldorado Brougham -- designed in 1954 as Cadillac's dream car for the General Motors Motorama of 1955. From the beginning, the Brougham was a pace-setting vehicle with styling and engineering features destined to be incorporated into lesser cars in future years. Two years of concentrated testing and development went into the Brougham helping designers in their continuous search for a better way to build the best automobile. Cadillac engineers came up with a special body for the Brougham alone. It was built by Fisher Body's Fleetwood plant, builders of all Cadillac bodies. Among the outstanding engineering features which exemplify the extensive study that went into the makeup of the Brougham are air suspension, a four headlamp system and a tubular center X-frame. The use of air springs marks the first time that such a system had been used on an automobile. The system provides an individual air spring unit at each wheel. Air is supplied to the spring units through leveling valves so that the car remains level with varying loads and road conditions, thus contributing to the Brougham's appearance as well as assuring consistently easy handling and smooth riding quality. The interior of the Brougham is luxurious to a high degree with some 45 choices of trim and color combinations available during ordering. Carpeting was available in either mouton, a specially processed lamb skin, or high-pile nylon Karakul. There is a special heating system with both front and rear compartment outlets. The under-seat heaters for the rear can be operated individually by the passengers. To complete the year-round comfort, each Brougham contains a front-mounted Cadillac air conditioner. Steering, braking and window controls (including vent panes) are power operated on the Brougham. Each feature of the Brougham -- as the car itself -- was designed to improve comfort, safety and convenience for the driver and passengers. The inquiring minds of Cadillac engineers and designers came up with the finest car possible in 1957. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE