1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz

The influence of aviation on General Motor styling began in the late 1940's with the appearance of P-38 tail fins on the 1948 Cadillacs. By 1959, airplanes had been replaced by rockets and their influence is clearly seen on the Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible, boasting the tallest tail fin ever seen on a production vehicle, standing 45 inches tall.

Powered by a modified version of the 390 CID V-8 engine found in all Cadillac's of the time, the Eldorado got a boost in power from three two-barrel carburetors to deliver 345 horsepower. This kind of power would propel these 5,000-pound land rockets to a comfortable 130 mph top speed. Equipped with a long list of standard equipment not available as options on other cars, the Biarritz delivered luxury features such as air suspension, power vent windows, antenna, and more to make this car the center of attention wherever it would go.

All 1959 Cadillac models grew in length and width, and while overall the cars were lower, their tailfins reached new heights. The Eldorado had a 130-inch wheelbase, a 225-inch length, distinctive tail fins, and a unique trim scheme that was less extravagant but more refined than the basic Series 62. A broad molding at the rocker panel left the body sides plain and distinguished, and in the back was a jeweled grille motif.

Many manufacturer sales were devastated by the recession years of the late 1950s, resulting in several companies ceasing business altogether. Cadillac was not immune to the economic hardships, but following several disappointing years, Cadillac sales improved in 1959. The Eldorado Biarritz production remained modest, with 1,320 built, barely 10-percent of the Series 62 soft-top. Its exclusivity was ensured by its staggering $7,401 price tag, which was exceeded only by those of the Series 75 cars and the ultra-luxury Eldorado Brougham.

In 1959, the Eldorado sub-series included the Seville hardtop and the Biarritz convertible, along with the Brougham four-door hardtop. Standard features bestowed upon the Eldorado included all the items available on the Series 62 DeVille line, plus a heater, fog lamps, air suspension, AM radio with rear-mounted speaker, power windows, electric door locks, a six-way power seat (only fore-and-aft motion when bucket seats were ordered), automatic trunk release, steel wheels that display full 'turbine vane' or 'fluted' wheel covers, plus whitewall tires and rear fender skirts. The Q-code 390 cubic-inch V8, topped by three-two-barrel carburetors, produced 345 horsepower and was backed by a three-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission as standard. The standard rear-end gear ratio was a relatively tall 2.94:1.

The very well-equipped Eldorado included only four options in 1959, including the optional Autronic-Eye automatic headlight-dimming device and air conditioning. Bucket seats were a no-cost option that Cadillac made available for the Biarritz.