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The Eldorado is one of those classic models that everyone knows about. Even people who aren’t into Cadillacs. And why not? The nameplate was in existence from 1953 through 2002. But today’s subject was the first non-convertible Eldo ever offered to the public. And it ushered in another name that would be a big part of Cadillac for decades to come: Seville.
Jayson Coombes
For the first few years of the Eldorado’s existence, it was exclusively a convertible. But starting with the 1956 model year, a new Seville hardtop model joined it. At the same time, the droptop was now marketed as the “Eldorado Biarritz.”
Jayson Coombes
The Seville also had something that would become much more common in the next couple of decades: A vinyl roof. All Eldorado Sevilles were graced with one. As the brochure explained, “A special grained Vicodec hardtop roof provides a crowning touch of glamour.”
Jayson Coombes
The sales literature went on extolling the Seville as “A new and exclusive addition to Cadillac’s royal family of motor cars, the Seville is, in the truest sense, a ‘dream car’ in actual production.
Jayson Coombes
“It bears all of the unique Eldorado styling characteristics…including the famous high-sweeping rear fenders, ‘Sabre spoke’ wheels, and the optional gold grille and wheels.
Jayson Coombes
“Deliberately designed and manufactured as the most exclusive motor car of our time, the Eldorado Seville represents Cadillac’s highest achievement in automotive quality and craftsmanship.”
Jayson Coombes
High praise—and prose—for sure, but these early Eldorados were about as close as GM got to handcrafted production models. It wasn’t like later on, when 60-70,000 were cranked out per year. In 1956, only 6050 Eldorados were built, and just 3900 were Sevilles.
Jayson Coombes
With production that low, and given how many more Cadillac dealerships were in the U.S. in the ’50s versus today, it’s safe to say some small-town dealers may not have gotten even one to place in their showrooms. And it’s also why you don’t see too many today.
Jayson Coombes
Fortunately, my friend and frequent photo contributor, Jayson Coombes, spied this simply spectacular Starlight Silver example at the Grand National CLC meet in Albuquerque back in 2023.
Jayson Coombes
And as I knew he would, he took many, many fine pictures of it. So Jayson, I owe you surf and turf at The Cellar in Geneseo next time you visit!
Jayson Coombes
This was a show I’d have loved to attend. I’ve already written up other cars that were at this show, including the ’60 Eldorado Biarritz, ’67 Fleetwood Brougham and an ’80 Seville Elegante Diesel that its owners drove all the way from California.
Jayson Coombes
Both the ’56 Eldorado Seville and Eldorado Biarritz had the same MSRP new: $6501 (about $78,800 today). The hardtop weighed in at 4665 pounds; the convertible, 4880. And if you ordered factory air conditioning, you got these nifty air intakes on top of the rear quarter panels.
Jayson Coombes
Both Eldorado models had Cadillac’s fine 365-cubic-inch V-8 under the hood, and got twin four-barrel Carter carburetors, bumping horsepower to 305 hp at 4700 RPM. Cadillacs with the regular, single four-barrel carb had 285 hp, but one could get the Eldo’s twin carbs as an option for more power in a Series 62 or Coupe de Ville.
Jayson Coombes
I’ve always loved the ’56s too, with its “Dagmar” front bumper bombs, twin shark fin hood ornament, and “Nineteen Fifty Six” plaque in script on the right side of the instrument panel. I always gravitate to a ’56 if I see one at a show. Even more so if it’s an Eldorado like this one!
Jayson Coombes
As for the Eldorado Seville, it would continue as the hardtop Eldorado model through the 1960 model year—the vinyl roof would continue all those years as well. But starting in 1961, the Eldo became just a convertible again—at least until 1967 when an all-new front-wheel drive coupe would continue Cadillac’s reputation as Standard of the World.
Jayson Coombes