1961 Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado

The Cadillac Eldorado was introduced in 1953, and 1961 represented the fourth restyling for the model. The tailfin's pinnacle was in 1959 and by 1961, they had become more restrained.

Bill Mitchell had been tasked with creating the design for the new Eldorado, and his design was more restrained, moving away from the flamboyant fins and excessive chrome, to a more refined profile with re-sculptured fins, a split grille, and tailored fender skirts. The wraparound windshield of the 1960 model was replaced with non-wraparound glass for 1961. The rear tail lamps were vertical in 1960 and horizontal in 1961. In the front was a new grille that leaned back towards both the top of the hood and the bumpers. Standard equipment included power windows, power brakes, power vent windows, power trunk close, automatic transmission, power steering, dual-speed windshield wipers, whitewall tires, oil filter, outside rearview mirror, and dual-speed windshield wipers.

The 1961 Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado Biarritz Convertible was priced at $6,500 with 1,450 examples produced. Powering the car was an overhead-valve V-8 engine that displaced 390 cubic inches and produced 325 horsepower.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2011