1955 Cadillac Eldorado

For the Eldorado in 1955, Harley Earl introduced outrageous new 'Shark Fin' tail fins along with a newly available, upgraded dual four-barrel, 270 HP version of its V8. The top-of-the-line Biarritz came with its premium engine along with new 'Saber-Spoke' aluminum wheels as standard equipment. The Biarritz Convertible is a superb example of why Cadillac was king and on the must-have list of everyone from Elvis to foreign dignitaries.

A trio of factory-customized, luxuriously appointed, limited-production convertibles were introduced by General Motors in 1953, including the Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Fiesta, and Cadillac Eldorado. Wearing styling conceived under the direction of automobile stylist Harley Earl, these cars personified the long and lower appearance that would revolutionalize styling direction throughout the 1950s. The Fiesta was a single-year-only, 1953 model, and the Skyler lasted until 1954. The Eldorado, however, would endure for decades.

The Eldorado name was chosen to celebrate Cadillac's Golden Anniversary in 1952. Mary-Ann Zukosky, a secretary in the Merchandising Department, participated in an in-house competition and suggested the name. Eldorado was derived from the Spanish words 'el dorado' meaning 'golden one.' The name has several meanings, and another story suggests that the name represented the legendary but undiscovered city in South America filled with riches. 'Palm Spring Life' magazine claimed the name Eldorado was derived from a Californian resort that was frequently visited by General Motors executives. The name of the exclusive resort located in Coachella Valley was the Eldorado Country Club.

General Motors first used the Eldorado name in 1953 for its limited-edition, and low production convertible which saw just 532 examples built that year. GM displayed the 'El Dorado' concept car in 1952, in celebration of its 50-year anniversary. It was based on the Series 62 chassis and carried no special badging except a golden nameplate in the center of the dash.

The 1954 Eldorado Sport Convertible received a deluxe interior, standard wire wheels, and some special trim. Cadillac car sales reached an all-time high in 1955, and the Eldorado benefited from a host of improvements. While styling changes were rather minimal across the board, the Eldorado was the exception, receiving several unique styling features and a special high-performance engine that would further distinguish it from the rest of the Cadillac line. Cadillac introduced the traditional 'fishtail' fin on its lineup in 1948, a feature replaced by sweeping, pointed tailfins in 1955 inspired by the spaceflight theme prevalent in the 1950s. At the base of the fins were the backup, brake, and turn signal lights, and an Eldorado badge was positioned on the rear deck. Additional Eldorado styling cues included special ribbed chrome-plated moldings at the beltline below the side glass, a fiberglass convertible top boot cover, a special interior, and full rear-wheel cutouts.

The 331 cubic-inch V8 engine gained 20 additional horsepower over the 1954 version, now rated at 250 horsepower. This engine was used on all 1955 Cadillacs, however, the Eldorado was equipped with a 270 horsepower version that breathed through two four-barrel carburetors topped with a special gold-colored 'Batwing' air cleaner, which was also an optional high-performance setup available for other models. A Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was standard on all cars.

Among the list of standard Eldorado equipment included a heating system, a new signal-seeking pre-selector AM radio, 'E-Z Eye' tinted glass, 'Saber-Spoke' aluminum wheels, power windows, electrically operated six-way power seats, a new electrically operated antenna, fog lamps, and special built-in ribbed floor pads.

118,579 Cadillacs were produced in 1955 with 3950 of those being Eldorado Convertibles. All 1955 Cadillac models were expensive, with prices that began at $4,000. The Eldorado two-door Sport Convertible Coupe was the most expensive in the Cadillac lineup, with a factory base price of nearly $6,300. It was a luxurious status symbol that backed up the flashy styling with equally impressive performance.

by Cadillac

Sport Convertible Coupe

The Cadillac Eldorado model was first unveiled in January 1953, at the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Under the bonnet was a 270 horsepower engine with dual four-barrel carburetors.

The Eldorado was equipped with a radio, a heater, power brakes and seats and windows, and whitewall tires, with the owner's name engraved on a brass plate mounted on the dash.

This example has just completed a three-year restoration.

Sport Convertible Coupe

1955 was the first year for 'rocket-ship' tail fins which became a styling feature for all Cadillacs through 1959. The original sticker price was $5,814. Production was limited to 3,950 Eldorados in 1955. It was the first year for dual 4-barrel carburetors, 270 HP engine. First-year for aluminum 'Sabre Spoke' wheels, made by Alcoa/Kelsey Hayes

General Motors was at the top of its game in 1955, and in that high-octane, sizzling sales year, nothing screamed 'success' like a Cadillac Eldorado.

After a very successful restyle in 1954, the Cadillac line was carefully refined for 1955. The biggest changes were reserved for the line-topping Eldorado Convertible, which featured unique rear-deck styling with sharp-edged tailfins, circular tail lamps, and 'jet-pod' exhaust outlets. The crisp new look exuded prestige and previewed styling other Cadillac models would adopt in 1957.

This Eldorado was built on December 20, 1954, and was first sold in the Los Angeles area. The original price of this Bahama Blue beauty was over $6,900. The current owner purchased the convertible in 1981. A restoration commenced in 1989 and after several stops and starts, the car was finally returned to its original glory in 2007.

Sport Convertible Coupe

The 1955 Cadillac Eldorado got dramatic new rear-end styling for 1955. Gone were the traditional fish tail fins, replaced by a pair of sweeping, pointed tail fins right off a rocket ship. This very flashy Cadillac convertible also had full rear wheel cut-outs without fender skirts. The 1955 Eldorado got its own, exclusive hopped-up engine this year, too. It was a 270 horsepower version of Cadillac's 331 cubic-inch V8 equipped with dual four-barrel carburetors. Total production was a mere 3,950. The infamous hard parade boot and saber aluminum wheels were standard on the Eldorado.

This example has been fully restored with new paint, new chrome, new leather interior, and correct carpeting in the vehicle and also in the trunk area. The vehicle was purchased from a mid-west collection and was restored within the last year.

Sport Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 556214993

The Cadillac Eldorado, like its sister - the Buick Skylark and the Oldsmobile Fiesta, was shown to the public at GM's Motorama in 1953 as a limited-production convertible available for a high price and produced in limited numbers. Over the years, the price was lowered and the quantity was increased and losing some of its 'custom' as compared to the original 1953. The rest of the Cadillac lineup was given modest changes while the 1955 Eldorado received new rear styling. This was the first production Cadillac to use the rocket-ship tailfins seen earlier on the La Espada and El Camino Motorama show cars. The tail fins would eventually appear on all Cadillac models, starting in 1958. At the base of the long tailfins, the round brake, turn signal, and backup lights were paired in clusters.

Powering the Eldorados was a high-performance, 331 cubic-inch, V8 engine offering 270 horsepower through two 4-barrel carburetors while breathing through a gold-painted batwing air cleaner. New 'Sabre Spoke' wheels appeared for the first time, highlighted by rear wheel openings without fender skirts.

The 1955 Cadillacs were introduced in November of 1954, once again setting a new production record of 140,777 units, of which 3,950 were the Eldorado Convertible. Before options, the Eldorado had a base price of $5,814.

This Eldorado Biarritz Convertible has been given a total restoration to factory specification which was completed in the 2010s. It is finished in Bahama Blue and is equipped with a white power-operated top and a newly installed contrasting blue and white leather interior. It has power steering, power brakes, power windows, a power seat, and a power top (all standard equipment).

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 556264931
Engine number: 556023199

The Cadillac Eldorado Convertible was the company's top-of-the-line offering for 1955 and just 3,950 examples were built. The 331 cubic-inch overhead valve V8 engine breathed through twin Rochester four-barrel carburetors and offered 270 horsepower at 4,800 RPM. It was paired with a four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes to provide the stopping power.

This particular example was given a frame-off restoration in 2014 and was finished in its original color combination of Cape Ivory with a black cloth top, complemented by red leather upholstery for the interior. It came equipped with five Saber-Spoke aluminum wheels and a fiberglass parade tonneau cover with storage bags. Optional extras on this model include EZ-Eye tinted glass, a heater, a vertical seat adjuster, and a signal-seeking radio, complete with a foot control switch and a vacuum antenna.

This car was shown at the 2014 Cadillac & LaSalle Club Annual Grand National Meet in Lake George, New York, where it was recognized with a First Place Primary win and awarded Senior badge no. 852.

In 2015, it was acquired by a West Coast collector and has been shown and driven sparingly since. In 2019, it garnered a class award at the Niello Concours at Serrano.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 55624369W

The Cadillac 'Eldorado' was named for the legendary lost city of gold in South America lauded by early Spanish explorers. Developed from a concept car to celebrate Cadillac's golden anniversary, the Eldorado was originally intended as a limited-edition convertible for 1953. Its popularity fueled a production run that lasted, in various forms, for almost 50 years. These flamboyant two-door convertibles were driven by the 331 cubic-inch, dual quad, V8 engine, with 270 horsepower with a purported top speed of 126 mph. Certainly, it could cruise effortlessly at well over the speed limit. The 1955 iteration received updated rear-end styling with tailfins that clearly heralded the futuristic space-age fins to come in 1959.

This example was restored to its original specifications and includes rare Sabre wheels.