1957 Cadillac Eldorado

Biarritz Convertible

Cadillac 365 V8

Automatic

5762046423

Clear

Gasoline

Offered for your consideration is one of the most desirable of all 50's cars, this 57 Biarritz convertible. I have owned this car for over 15 years and I am reluctantly offering it for sale. This car was from California originally and has been in dry inside storage since 1974, it has not been run since then as well. The engine is fee and all the windows operate. The power top runs but does not engage. As far as I know the car is completely original except for a poor repaint done before 1974. Poor adhesion has caused the paint to peel and crack. I am assuming it is lacquer. Everything that is supposed to be there is ther as far as I know. I am not an expert on these cars but I think it is an amazing survivor examle of an amazing styling triumph. Seldom has a motor car created such intense excitement as the all-new Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible for 1957. With styling inspired by Motorama show cars, the ultra-prestigious Eldorado Biarritz oozed opulence. From the massive shimmering chrome grille, dual winged front fender ornaments, to the American style rear fins mounted on European-look rounded fenders, commonly referred to as "chipmunk cheeks", on to the chrome rear panels that swept from the rear wheel arches into a wraparound bumper featuring molded exhaust outlets; all seductively pulled together in stunning dramatic fashion by the rounded rear deck lid. And of course, as with all convertibles, it looked most exquisite with the top down and the parade boot in place. Even in the fantasy world of Harley Earl there was nothing like it before or since. If reading this description out loud leaves you breathless, well that’s the condition the car was meant to leave you in. Allegedly one of the hardest ‘50s era cars to restore because of the scarcity of parts due to the low production numbers and amount of hand work, a concours quality Biarritz is truly a sight to behold. One of just 1,800 built , I doubt that ther are many opportunities left to find a car of this callibur. Innovations included an unusual tubular X-frame, without side rails. This new design gave the car greater rigidity, an increase in length and wheelbase, and allowed the body to sit 3” lower to the ground; at the expense of side impact protection. A radically curved wraparound windshield added style. The optional air-ride suspension system afforded a luxurious ride when it worked, which was at best sporadically. Most buyers took a pass on this option and many of those who didn’t chose to retrofit to traditional springs lest their car take on a list, sag and drag hardly fitting the “standard of the world”. Weighing in at 4,930 pounds the Biarritz needed massive power to haul itself around. Fittingly, the 1957 Biarritz sported the most potent V-8 engine offered by Cadillac. The over-square, bored-out 365-cid V-8 with twin Carter four-barrel carburetors delivered 325 horsepower to the 'Sabre Spoke' aluminum wheels via a four speed Hydra-Matic transmission, enough power to propel the car to a luxurious 118 mph top speed. List price of the Biarritz was a staggering $7,286 (about $58,324.04 in today’s dollars), more than $2,000 above a Series 62. Understandably only 1,800 were ever built. To mark Cadillac's Golden Anniversary in 1952 a special show car was built. An in-house competition was held to name it. Mary-Ann Marini, a secretary in the GM merchandising department, proposed the name “Eldorado” and won the contest. The name Eldorado, often associated with the fabled "Lost City of Gold" from the days of the Spanish Conquistadors, is derived from the Spanish words "el dorado", which translates in English to "the golden one". A fitting name for the ’57 Eldorado Biarritz if there ever was one. Please feel free to call with any questions to Allen at 217 778 1425. I am only selling this car because I have in process two other restoration projects which require my focus.