1955 Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado Special Sport Convertible Coupe

Along with styling enhancements, the 1955 Eldorado was given a special high-performance engine. The 331 cubic-inch overhead valve V8 engine offered 270 horsepower, which, in-part from the addition of the 2 four-barrel Carter carburetors, helped the Eldorado produce 20 more horsepower than the standard Cadillac 331 engine. The standard transmission was a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic. Options included air conditioning, heating, a new electrically operated antenna, fog lights, side-mounted spotlights, a new signal-seeking pre-selector AM radio, a remote-control trunk, and six-way power seats.

The most visible aesthetic change was new sweeping, pointed tail fins which replaced the 'fishtail' versions enacted in 1948. The Eldorado Special Convertible was the first Cadillac to be given these new - and soon-to-be iconic - fins. At the base of the fins were the brake, turn signal, and backup lights. An Eldorado badge appeared on the rear deck lid. There were full rear-wheel cutouts, 'Saber Spoke' cast aluminum and steel wheels, and metallic appliques on the upper door and quarter window sills.

Cadillac produced just 3,950 examples of the Eldorado Special Convertible in 1955, each carrying a base price tag of nearly $6,000.

This particular example was in the care of its original owner until 2006. The long-time owner drove the car just 15,200 miles. In 2007, the current owner acquired the car and had the engine rebuilt, and the components cleaned, sandblasted, and painted. Since then, the car has been driven just 271 miles.

In 2006, the car won a class award in the Original/Unrestored Category at St. Anthony's Concours d'Elegance in Oklahoma City.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2015