1958 Cadillac Series 70 Eldorado Brougham Hardtop Coupe

The world was shown the Eldorado Brougham concept vehicle for the first time in 1955 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It was a pillarless low slung vehicle with suicide doors and intricate amenities. A few years later, in 1957, Cadillac offered a road-going version of this concept that was truly unique from other vehicles found on the roadway at the time. It incorporated the four-door pillarless hardtop design with pedestal-mounted seats, a brushed stainless steel roof, and air suspension. They were outfitted with nearly every available feature and amenities, such as air conditioning, a beverage bar, and vanity sets. There was an E-Z-Eye tinted windshield and automatic headlight dimmer. Weighing over 5,300 pounds, it was one of the heaviest sedans in America.

The 1957 and 1958 Broughams were very similar with only a few distinguishable features between them. Both had the quad-headlamp treatment. For 1958, wheel covers were updated along with the addition of some new exterior colors. Minor differences could be found inside, such as upper door panels that went from a metal finish to leather cladding. The compression ratio in the engine was increased to 10.25:1, and Rochester triple two-barrel carburetors replaced the Carter dual four-barrel carburetors from 1957.

Only 304 examples of the Brougham were produced in 1958 and they had a factory base price of $13,000. This example is car number 648 with body number 650. This stainless steel-topped sedan came with an extensive array of options such as factory air conditioning, memory seating, power side windows and vent windows, Guidematic control for the headlights, standard radio, power locks, and an automatic trunk pull-down. There are 43,409 miles on the odometer and the interior white leather with black inserts is in new condition.

At the 2009 Houston Classic Auction in Seabrook, Texas, presented by Worldwide Auctioneers, this Eldorado Brougham was estimated to sell for $70,000 - $90,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $77,000, plus the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2009