We recently featured a 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Seville, the final year for the Seville hardtop. So, what about the Eldorado Seville’s premiere? That sounds like a nifty Pick of the Day, doncha think? This 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Seville is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The original 1953 Eldorado, along with the Buick Skylark and Oldsmobile Fiesta, was a limited-edition, semi-custom convertible showcasing General Motors’ design swagger. Based on the 1952 El Dorado show car, the production Eldorado convertible featured a height lower than regular production Cadillacs, wrap-around windshield, curvy beltline, and flush metal top boot. Priced at an astronomical $7,750, only 532 were produced.
The Eldorado was mainstreamed for 1954, available only as a convertible – a super-deluxe $5,738 convertible at that. It certainly looked fancy, but distinction was a year away as the 1955 Eldorado eschewed the humped rear fenders (a trademark since 1948) for new shark fin rear fenders, once again advancing the art of fins in Detroit.
With a facelift for 1956, the Eldorado convertible was given a new name: Biarritz. It needed the name because a companion hardtop christened Eldorado Seville appeared for the first time. The 1956 Eldorado Seville happened to be previewed the year before by the Cadillac Celebrity Motorama car that featured a distinctive Vicodec vinyl top, which was carried over to the production Eldorado Seville. Chrome belt moldings were a new identifying feature over standard Cadillacs, as were twin decorative fins replacing the standard Cadillac hood ornament. Eldorado Seville interiors were either full leather or a combination of Florentine-pattern nylon with leather bolsters and trim.
Powering both Eldorados was a 365ci V8 with 305 horsepower and dual quads; this engine with 9.75:1 compression was optional for regular Cadillacs, which came with a 285-horse version of the engine with a four-barrel carburetor. Sales rose from around 4,000 to 6,050 thanks to the new body style, with 3,900 being Sevilles.
This Alpine White 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Seville features an options list that reflects its status as a luxury car in the 1950s: air conditioning, automatic headlight dimmer, six-way power seat, remote trunk release, and power windows, plus power steering and brakes. Of course, the V8 is backed by Hydra-Matic Drive. Inside, you will note the white and red leather interior.
Only 76,040 miles have been traveled by this classiest of Caddys, which is not low per se, but it is low when you consider its age. The seller wants you to inquire to find out the price, so you will have to take the initiative, but we’re only too happy to nudge you because this is one of the best-styled and most prestigious American cars from the 1950s in a fabulous white and red trim combo.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
