The Cadillac Eldorado is a luxury car manufactured and marketed by Cadillac from 1952 until 2002 over twelve generations.
70-551: Gruhn is a surname of notable people, including: George Gruhn (born 1945), American writer, businessman and ophiophilist, specialized on vintage guitars Gruhn Guitars , a musical instrument shop in Nashville, Tennessee Josephine Gruhn (1927–2015), American politician Wilfried Gruhn (born 1939), German violinist, musicologist, music educator and emeritus professor [REDACTED] Surname list This page lists people with
140-713: A 20 x 40 foot space at 111 4th Avenue North, in what was then a rundown section of downtown Nashville's Lower Broadway district, next to the stage door of the Ryman Auditorium , the home of the Grand Ole Opry . Gruhn's store played a key role in establishing the vintage guitar market while also becoming one of the world's leading vintage musical instrument retailers and attracting the business of notable musicians, including Eric Clapton , Brad Paisley , Lyle Lovett , Emmylou Harris , Billy Gibbons , Rick Nielsen , Vince Gill , and John Hiatt . Gruhn has been
210-511: A V-shape along both its vertical and horizontal planes bisected by a central body-colored horizontal bar. Outer grille extension panels again housed the parking and cornering lamps. It was the 17th consecutive year for the Cadillac tailfins with a new fine-blade design carrying on the tradition. Performance improvements including a larger 429 cubic inch V8 engine were the dominant changes for the model run. Equipment features were same as in 1963 for
280-471: A choice of 44 full-leather interior and trim combinations and could select such items as Mouton , Karakul or lambskin carpeting. There were serious difficulties with the air suspension, which proved troublesome in practice. Some owners found it cheaper to have it replaced with conventional coil springs than to keep repairing the air system. The 1957 Eldorado Brougham joined the Sixty Special and
350-544: A dual heating system. Other unique features included an automatic starter with restart function, Autronic Eye , drum-type electric clock, power windows, forged aluminum wheels and air conditioning , six silver magnetic glovebox drink tumblers and finally, an Evans leather trimmed cigarette case and vanity kit containing a lipstick holder, ladies' powder puff with powder, comb, beveled mirror, coin holder, matching leather notebook, gold mechanical pencil, atomizer filled with Arpège Extrait De Lanvin perfume. Buyers of Broughams had
420-665: A featured columnist for Vintage Guitar , Guitar Player , Bluegrass Unlimited , and The Music Trades magazines. Gruhn utilized his idea for applying zoological taxonomy observation techniques to vintage fretted instruments, modeling identification keys after zoological equivalents and collaborating with co-author Walter Carter to publish Gruhn's Guide To Vintage Guitars: An Identification Guide for American Fretted Instruments in 1991. He collaborated with Carter again to release two books, Electric Guitars and Basses: A Photographic History and Acoustic Guitars and other Fretted Instruments: A Photographic History in 1999. Gruhn
490-453: A lot of Martin guitars . Williams drove from Nashville to Knoxville in a Jaguar E-Type and bought three guitars, because that was all that would fit in the 2-seat sports car. He returned the following day in a Cadillac Eldorado , and bought enough guitars to fill the car. Williams eventually encouraged Gruhn to open a vintage guitar store in Nashville. Gruhn opened Gruhn Guitars on January 2, 1970 with an inventory of 22 instruments in
560-444: A low, downswept fenderline capped by pointed in-board fins. Just behind the open rear wheel housings the lower rear quarters were trimmed with broad, sculptured stainless steel beauty panels that visually blended into the split rear wraparound bumper assemblies. A form of this unique rear-end treatment first appeared (sans fins) on the Cadillac "Interceptor" prototype from the immediate post-war era. Series 62 Eldorados (as distinct from
630-416: A lower body "skeg" trimmed with a thin three quarter length spear molding running from behind the front wheel opening to the rear of the car. Standard equipment included power brakes, power steering, automatic transmission, dual reverse lights, vanity mirror, power windows, 6-way power bench seat, power vent windows. whitewall tires. Options; bucket seats, RH outside rearview mirror remote control trunk lock and
700-465: A new engine mounting system and patented quiet exhaust were used. The Eldorado was radically redesigned for 1967 as a front-wheel drive hardtop coupe, becoming Cadillac's entry in the era's burgeoning personal luxury car market. Promoted as a "personal" Cadillac, it shared the E-body with the second-generation Buick Riviera and the first-generation Oldsmobile Toronado , which had been introduced
770-537: A three-deck, jeweled, rear grille insert that replicated the texture of the front grille; this front/rear grille treatment was shared with the Fleetwood Sixty Special and would continue through 1966 with textures being revised each year. The Seville and Biarritz models had the Eldorado name spelled out behind the front wheel opening and featured broad, full-length body sill highlights that curved over
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#1732802388962840-447: A top speed of 120 mph (190 km/h). Roadability and neutral handling were highly praised by contemporary reviews, and sales were excellent despite high list prices. Its sales of 17,930 units, nearly three times the previous Eldorado high, helped give Cadillac its best year ever. In 1968, the 429 V8 was replaced by the new 472 (7.7 L) V8 with SAE gross 375 hp (280 kW) and 525 lb⋅ft (712 N⋅m) of torque. Despite
910-547: A trumpet horn. Rubber-isolated front and rear coil springs replaced the trouble prone air suspension system. Four-barrel induction systems were now the sole power choice and dual exhaust were no longer available. With the Seville and Brougham gone, sales fell to 1,450. A mild facelift characterized Cadillac styling trends for 1962. A flatter, upright grille with a thicker horizontal center bar and more delicate cross-hatched insert appeared. Ribbed chrome trim panel, seen ahead of
980-629: Is different from Wikidata All set index articles George Gruhn George Gruhn (born August 21, 1945) is an American writer, businessman and ophiophilist . He is one of the foremost experts on vintage American guitars and fretted instruments , and the author of several books on the subject. He is the founder of Gruhn Guitars in Nashville , and has sold guitars to musicians such as Hank Williams, Jr. , Eric Clapton , Brad Paisley , Lyle Lovett , Emmylou Harris , Billy Gibbons , Rick Nielsen , Vince Gill , and John Hiatt . Gruhn
1050-568: Is married and has a daughter named Amanda Lynn. Cadillac Eldorado The Eldorado was at or near the top of the Cadillac line. The original 1953 Eldorado convertible and the Eldorado Brougham models of 1957–1960 had distinct bodyshells and were the most expensive models that Cadillac offered those years. The Eldorado was never less than second in price after the Cadillac Series 75 limousine until 1966. Starting in 1967
1120-652: The Cadillac Sixty Special and the Cadillac Series 75 as the only Cadillac models with Fleetwood bodies, thus acquiring the Fleetwood wreath and crest on its rear quarters and Fleetwood rocker panel moldings. The 1963 Eldorado was also the first Fleetwood bodied convertible since the Cadillac Series 75 stopped offering four- and two-door convertible body styles and production of the Cadillac Series 90 (V16) ceased in 1941. In overall terms,
1190-589: The Series 62 became the Series 6200 . De Villes and two-door Eldorados were moved from the Series 62 to their own series, the Series 6300 and Series 6400 respectively, though they all, including the four-door Eldorado Brougham (which was moved from the Series 70 to Series 6900 ), shared the same 130 in (3,302 mm) wheelbase. New mechanical items were a "scientifically engineered" drainage system and new shock absorbers. All Eldorados were characterized by
1260-465: The Series 70 Eldorado Brougham ) were further distinguished by the model name above a V-shaped rear deck ornament and on the front fenders. The three section front bumper was shared with the rest of the redesigned Cadillac model line, as in previous years the Eldorados came with a long list of standard features. Four specially-built 4-door hardtop Eldorado Sevilles were also built in 1957. For 1958,
1330-536: The Series 70 Eldorado Brougham was a distinct, hand-built four-door ultra-luxury vehicle, derived from the Park Avenue and Orleans show cars of 1953–54. Designed by Ed Glowacke , Cadillac's 1950s design studio head, it stood out by featuring the first quad headlights – at the time still illegal in the United States, and other unique trim, foremost a brushed stainless steel pillarless hardtop. Like
1400-469: The surname Gruhn . If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name (s) to the link. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gruhn&oldid=1174007669 " Categories : Surnames Surnames from nicknames German toponymic surnames Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description
1470-639: The 1951 GM Le Sabre show car, it featured a full assortment of deluxe accessories and introduced the wraparound windshield and a cut-down beltline to Cadillac standard production. The expansive frontal glass and distinctive dip in the sheet metal at the bottom of the side windows (featured on one or both of GM's other 1953 specialty convertibles) were especially beloved by General Motors ' styling chief Harley Earl and subsequently widely copied by other marques. Available in four unique colors; Aztec Red, Alpine White, Azure Blue and Artisan Ochre . Convertible tops were available in either black or white Orlon . AC
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#17328023889621540-400: The 1963 Cadillac was essentially the same as the previous year. The completely redesigned body imparted a bolder and more angular look. The front fenders projected 4.625 inches further forward than in 1962 while the tailfins were trimmed down somewhat to provide a lower profile. Body side sculpturing was eliminated in favor of smooth, flatter slab sides. The slightly V-shaped radiator grille
1610-527: The Eldorado for 1976 until 1991. The Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado joined the Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta , and Buick Roadmaster Skylark as top-of-the-line, limited-production specialty convertibles introduced in 1953 by General Motors to promote its design leadership. A special-bodied, low-production convertible (532 units in total), it was the production version of the 1952 El Dorado "Golden Anniversary" concept car . Along with borrowing bumper bullets from
1680-556: The Eldorado retained its premium position in the Cadillac price structure, but was manufactured in high volumes on a unique, two-door personal luxury car platform. The Eldorado carried the Fleetwood designation from 1965 through 1972, and was a modern revival of the pre-war Cadillac V-12 and Cadillac V-16 roadsters and convertibles. The nameplate Eldorado is a contraction of two Spanish words that translate as "the gilded (i.e., golden) one" — and also refers to El Dorado ,
1750-610: The Eldorado, setting it apart from more streamlined Riviera and Toronado. The rear end design was inspired by the GM-X Stiletto concept car. It was the first and only Cadillac model with the headlamps concealed behind moveable covers; this feature was for two years only (1967 and 1968). Rear passenger windows retracted sideways into the C-pillar instead of down into the side body panel. The Eldorado achieved 0-60 mph (0–97 km/h) acceleration in less than nine seconds, and
1820-476: The Series 75 as the only Cadillac models with Fleetwood bodies although Fleetwood script or crests did not appear anywhere on the exterior of the car, and so this would also mark the first time in 20 years that a Fleetwood-bodied car was paired with the Brougham name. The 1957-58 Eldorado Brougham also marked the return of the Cadillac Series 70 , if only briefly. An all-transistor signal-seeking car radio
1890-499: The Seville and Biarritz trim lines. 1960 Cadillacs resemble 1959 Cadillacs, but with much lower tailfins and smoother, more restrained styling. General changes included a full-width grille, the elimination of pointed front bumper guards, increased restraint in the application of chrome trim, lower tailfins minus the twin bullet taillamps, oval shaped nacelles and front fender mounted directional indicator lamps. External variations on
1960-928: The Seville two-door hardtop and Biarritz convertible took the form of bright body sill highlights that extended across the lower edge of fender skirts and Eldorado block lettering on the sides of the front fenders, just behind the headlamps. Standard equipment included power brakes, power steering, automatic transmission, dual back-up lamps, windshield wipers, two-speed wipers, wheel discs, outside rearview mirror, vanity mirror, oil filter, power windows, six-way power seats, heater, fog lamps, Eldorado engine, remote control trunk lock, radio with antenna and rear speaker, power vent windows, air suspension, electric door locks, license frames, and five whitewall tires. Technical highlights were finned rear drums and an X-frame construction. Interiors were done in Chadwick cloth or optional Chambray cloth and leather combinations. The last Eldorado Seville
2030-469: The all-new Chevrolet Bel-Air Impala. This year's revised front clip incorporated a new hood, a new front bumper with "dagmars" mounted lower and further apart combined with a full width jeweled grille. On the Biarritz and Seville, a V-shaped ornament and model identification script was asymmetrically mounted to the deck lid. Other styling updates included the addition of ten vertical chrome slashes ahead of
2100-452: The car received quad headlights as the front clip was again shared with this year's updated standard Cadillacs. GM was promoting their fiftieth year of production, and introduced Anniversary models for each brand; Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Chevrolet. The 1958 models shared a common appearance on the top models for each brand; Cadillac Eldorado Seville, Buick Limited Riviera, Oldsmobile Starfire 98, Pontiac Bonneville Catalina, and
2170-578: The doors, wire wheels, and custom interior trimmings with the Cadillac crest embossed on the seat bolsters. Sales nearly quadrupled at a much more modest US$ 5,738 base price (equivalent to $ 65,102 in 2023 dollars ), with a total of 2,150 Eldorados sold. For 1955, the Eldorado's body gained its own rear end styling with somewhat higher, more slender, and distinctly pointed tailfins , a styling change that portended extreme exaggerations to come. The Eldorado sport convertible featured extras such as wide chrome body belt moldings and twin round taillights halfway up
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2240-487: The dual rocket-like taillights and tall fins of the standard 1959 models. Front and rear bumper assemblies were shared with the standard Cadillacs. Designed in-house, Cadillac contracted with Pininfarina of Turin, Italy for the manufacture of the low-volume model. The Eldorado Broughams were among the first Cadillacs to be hand-built in Italy; concept cars were also hand built as needed. Cadillac chassis were sent by boat to
2310-408: The engine six inches forward in the frame, thus lowering the transmission hump and increasing interior room. In 1966, changes included a somewhat coarser mesh for the radiator grille insert, which was now divided by a thick, bright metal horizontal center bar housing rectangular parking lamps at the outer ends. Separate rectangular side marker lamps replaced the integral grille extension designs. There
2380-406: The fenders, replacing the end caps. The red side running lamps without retroreflective markers were attached to the rear fenders. The external rear view mirrors were enlarged and became rectangle-shaped with fixed housing and moveable mirror. Sales set another record at 24,528, with Eldorado accounting for nearly 11% of all Cadillac models sold. In 1969, the concealed headlamps were eliminated due to
2450-399: The fenders. Sales nearly doubled to 3,950. For 1956, a two-door hardtop coupé version was released, called the "Eldorado Seville", and a two-door convertible named "Eldorado Biarritz". An Eldorado script appeared with fender crest on the car, which was further distinguished by twin hood ornaments. An extra feature on the Eldorado convertible was a ribbed chrome saddle molding extending from
2520-437: The front and red in the rear. The 1971 Eldorado was substantially redesigned, growing two inches in length, six in wheelbase and featuring standard fender skirts , all of which gave the car a much heavier appearance than the previous generation. The 500 cu in (8.2 L) V8 engine remained an Eldorado exclusive. A convertible Eldorado was also offered for 1971, the first in the line since 1966. Door glass remained frameless, and
2590-562: The front to rear along the mid-sides of the body. The Brougham did not have Eldorado front fender letters or Eldorado-specific body edge highlight trim. For 1960 new standard model bumpers were incorporated and a fin-like crest or skeg ran from behind the front wheel opening to the rear of the car on the lower bodyside with the crest medallions relocated to the trailing edge of the rear fenders. The standard equipment list matched those of other Eldorados, plus Cruise Control, Autronic Eye , air conditioning and E-Z Eye glass. The Eldorado Brougham
2660-406: The front wheel housings in 1961, were now replaced with cornering lamps and front fender model and series identification badges were eliminated. More massive front bumper end pieces appeared and housed rectangular parking lamps. At the rear tail lamps were now housed in vertically oriented rectangular nacelles designed with an angled peak at the center. A vertically ribbed rear beauty panel replicating
2730-487: The grille treatment appeared on the deck lid latch panel. Cadillac script also appeared on the lower left side of the grille. Standard equipment included all of last year's equipment plus remote controlled outside rearview mirror, heater and defroster and front cornering lamps. Cadillac refined the ride and quietness, with more insulation in the floor and behind the firewall. In 1963, the Eldorado Biarritz joined
2800-553: The idea that vintage instruments could potentially be categorized much like zoological taxonomy . Gruhn developed a fascination for vintage guitars and found so many good deals that he began buying and selling the instruments for a profit. Later, while pursuing graduate studies at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville , Gruhn received a phone call from Hank Williams, Jr. , who had heard from Sonny Osborne that Gruhn had
2870-446: The larger and more powerful engine, acceleration did not improve due to the reduction in final drive ratio from 3.21 to 3.07. Fuel consumption was 10 mpg (23.5 l/100km) city and 13 mpg (18 l/100km) highway. The hood was extended 4.5 inches longer in the rear as to conceal the windshield wipers. The previously optional front disc brakes became standard. The bumper-mounted front turn signal indicators and parking lights were repositioned to
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2940-566: The later 1961 fourth-generation Lincoln Continental , it had rear-hinged rear doors ( suicide doors ) but unlike the Continental, the Brougham was a true pillarless hardtop as the doors latched onto a stub pillar that did not extend beyond the beltline. It cost US$ 13,074 ($ 141,831 in 2023 dollars ) — twice the price of a conventional 1957 Eldorado and more than competitors Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud , Facel Vega Excellence or Continental Mark II . Sales were 400 in 1957 and 304 in 1958. 1958
3010-412: The line would be generally more modest. The new convex jewelled grille slanted back towards both the bumper and the hood lip, along the horizontal plane, and sat between dual headlamps. New rear-slanting front pillars with a reverse-curved base as first used on the 1959-60 Broughams with a somewhat less expansive windshield was incorporated. The Eldorado Biarritz featured front series designation scripts and
3080-431: The luxury seaside resort in southern France, to distinguish between the hardtop and convertible models (respectively) while both were offered, from 1956 through 1960 inclusively. The "Seville" name was dropped when the hardtop was initially discontinued (1961), but the Biarritz name continued through 1964. Beginning in 1965, the Eldorado became the ' Fleetwood Eldorado '. 'Biarritz' returned as an up level trim package for
3150-443: The most part. Comfort Control, a completely automatic heating and air conditioning system controlled by a dial thermostat on the instrument panel, was introduced as an industry first. The engine was bumped to 429 cu in (7 L), with 340 hp (250 kW) available. Performance gains from the new engine showed best in the lower range, at 20 to 50 mph (30 to 80 km/h) traffic driving speeds. A new technical feature
3220-418: The mythical Colombian "Lost City of Gold" that fascinated Spanish explorers . Chosen in an internal competition for a 1952 concept vehicle celebrating Cadillac's golden anniversary , the name Eldorado was subsequently adopted for a limited-edition convertible for model year 1953. Cadillac began using the nameplates "Eldorado Seville ", after the city in southern Spain, and "Eldorado Biarritz " after
3290-422: The new federal safety regulations stipulating that the headlamp covers must operate within a specific period of time when entering tunnels or darkened buildings (i.e. parking garages). Side impact protection beams were installed inside the doors. The dashboard and instrument cluster were redesigned: the dash cowl became more pronounced and contained all of the controls, driver's side vents, and instrument clusters. On
3360-551: The open rear wheel housings and crest medallions on the flank of the tailfins. The split rear bumper assemblies were each updated with a low-profile combined reverse light/grille unit that replaced the previous year's separate, round exhaust exits and reverse lights; the round brake/tail light units at the base of the fins remained unchanged. The rear license plate housing was now flanked on each side by five vertical hash marks. Announced in December 1956 and released around March 1957,
3430-424: The passenger side, the vents were moved to the single horizontal rosewood veneer panel. The instrument clusters had a thin wood veneer panel where the warning lights are located. For 1970, the wood veneer was expanded to cover most of the instrument clusters. In 1970, the Eldorado featured the new Cadillac 500 V8 (8.2 L) V8 engine, putting out SAE gross 400 hp (298 kW) and 550 lb⋅ft (746 N⋅m). It
3500-476: The port of Savona, Italy where they were then delivered to the factory in Turin at Grugliasco , mated with the body and sent back to Detroit by boat. Priced at $ 13,075 ($ 136,661 in 2023 dollars ), the Brougham cost $ 1 more than their older siblings and did not sell as well as their forebears. A vertical crest medallion with Brougham script plate appeared on the front fenders and a single, thin molding ran from
3570-627: The previous year. To enhance its distinctiveness, Cadillac adapted the Toronado's front-wheel drive unified powerplant package , mating a Cadillac 429 V8 to a Turbo-Hydramatic 425 automatic transmission . Front disc brakes were optional, and new standard safety equipment included an energy absorbing steering column and generously padded instrument panel. The 1967 Eldorado was a great departure from previous generations, which shared styling with Cadillac's De Ville and Series 62 . GM styling chief Bill Mitchell chose angular, crisp styling for
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#17328023889623640-676: The rear fender profile and back along the upper beltline region. Engine output was an even 345 hp (257 kW) from the 390 cu in (6.4 L) engine. Standard equipment included power brakes, power steering, automatic transmission, back-up lamps, windshield wipers, two-speed wipers, wheel discs, outside rearview mirror, vanity mirror, oil filter, power windows, six way power seats, heater, fog lamps, remote control deck lid, radio and antenna with rear speaker, power vent windows, air suspension, electric door locks and license frames. The Eldorado Brougham also came with air conditioning, automatic headlight dimmer, and cruise control standard over
3710-539: The rest of the General Motors divisions, the bulky, originally proposed 1959 styling was abandoned in favor of a significantly lower, longer and wider theme as an overdue response to Virgil Exner's striking redesign of the 1957 Chrysler products. The 1959 Cadillac is remembered for its huge sharp tailfins with dual bullet tail lights, two distinctive rooflines and roof pillar configurations, new jewel-like grille patterns and matching deck lid beauty panels. For 1959,
3780-443: The rocker sills and rectangularly sculptured side body "cove" highlighted with five horizontal windsplits on the rear doors. Tail styling treatments followed the Eldorado pattern. It also had the first automatic two-position "memory" power seats , a dual four-barrel V-8, low-profile tires with thin white-walls, automatic trunk opener and closer, high-pressure cooling system, polarized sun visors, electric antenna, electric door locks and
3850-487: The rounded look. Also new were a straight rear bumper and vertical lamp clusters. The headlight pairs switched from horizontal to vertical, thus permitting a wider grille. Curved frameless side windows appeared with a tempered glass backlight. New standard features included lamps for luggage and glove compartments and front and rear safety belts. Power was still supplied by the 340 horsepower 429 cu in (7,030 cc) V8. Perimeter frame construction allowed repositioning
3920-488: The windshield to the rear window pillar along the beltline. With the addition of the Seville, sales rose yet again, by 60% to 6,050 of which 2,150 were Sevilles. Still the division's halo car , Eldorados accounted for just 4% of all Cadillacs sold. Cadillac was restyled and re-engineered for 1957, with stylistic updates in 1958. 1957 saw the Eldorado (in both Biarritz convertible and Seville hardtop body styles) receive new styling with an exclusive rear-end design featuring
3990-439: Was an option at US$ 620 ($ 7,061 in 2023 dollars ), as were wire wheels for US$ 325 ($ 3,701 in 2023 dollars ). The car carried no special badging other than a gold-colored "Eldorado" nameplate in the center of the dash. A hard tonneau cover, flush with the rear deck, hid the convertible top when stored. Although technically a subseries of the Cadillac Series 62 based on the regular Series 62 convertible and sharing its engine, it
4060-510: Was born in New York on August 21, 1945. He developed an early interest in zoology and began collecting reptiles. His family relocated to Pittsburgh and later Chicago, where Gruhn attended Oak Park and River Forest High School . While studying ethology at the University of Chicago , Gruhn drove his younger brother around to help him shop for a better guitar. Gruhn noticed that older and used acoustic guitars sounded better than new ones, and had
4130-412: Was built in 1960. The 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz 6467E is featured as Maurice Minnifield 's vehicle in the 1990s television series Northern Exposure . For model years 1959 and 1960, the Eldorado Brougham became longer, lower and wider. The Brougham featured narrow taillights integrated into low tailfins; an angular rear roofline with rear ventiplanes that contrasted to the rounded roofline; and
4200-496: Was distinguished mainly by trim pieces, including golden identifying crests centered directly behind the air-slot fender breaks, and wide fluted beauty panels to decorate the lower rear sides. These panels were made of extruded aluminum, and also appeared on a one of a kind Eldorado coupé built for the Reynolds Aluminum Corporation. Also included in the production Eldorado convertible were monogram plates on
4270-488: Was exclusive to the Eldorado until 1975, when it became the standard engine option for all Cadillac models except the Seville . The power sunroof by ASC and rear "Trackmaster" anti-lock braking system were offered as extra-cost options. Styling changes for 1970 included a new grille with scripted "Eldorado" and rectangular "8.2 LITRE" badges, and new taillamp bezels that eliminated the protruding "chrome fins". The side running lamps included retroreflective markers, amber in
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#17328023889624340-485: Was generally less chrome on all Cadillac models this year. Cadillac "firsts" this season included variable ratio power steering and optional front seats with carbon cloth heating pads built into the cushions and seatbacks. Comfort and convenience innovations were headrests, reclining seats and an AM/FM stereo system. Automatic level control was available. Engineering improvements made to the perimeter frame increased ride and handling ease. Newly designed piston and oil rings and
4410-460: Was moved to its own unique Series 6900 from Series 70 for its remaining two years. All Cadillacs were restyled and re-engineered for 1961. The Eldorado Biarritz convertible (6367) was technically reclassified as a subseries of the De Ville (Series 6300), a status it would keep through 1964. An Eldorado convertible would remain in the Cadillac line through 1966, but its differences from the rest of
4480-561: Was nearly twice as expensive at US$ 7,750 ($ 88,257 in 2023 dollars ) as the all-new Packard Caribbean convertible. The 220.8 inches (5,610 mm) long, 80.1 inches (2,030 mm) wide vehicle came with such standard features as windshield washers, a signal seeking radio, power windows, and a heater. Only 532 were produced, comprising just 0.5% of Cadillac's 1953 sales. In 1954, the Eldorado lost its unique sheetmetal in an effort by GM to lower its price in order to increase sales. Now sharing its basic body shell with standard Cadillacs, it
4550-451: Was no need to distinguish the convertible from the long defunct Eldorado Seville and Brougham (The Biarritz nameplate would be revived in 1976 as a trim option for the Eldorado coupe). This was the last generation Eldorado to be equipped with rear wheel drive. The redesigned Eldorado still rode on the same 129.5 in (3,289 mm) wheelbase. The elevated tailfins became slightly downward-sloping, and sharp, distinct body lines replaced
4620-460: Was produced by GM's Delco radio and was first available for the 1957 Eldorado Brougham models, which was standard equipment and used 13 transistors in its circuitry. The Eldorado Brougham received minor changes for 1958. The interior upper door panels were finished in leather instead of the metal finish used in 1957. New wheel covers also appeared. Forty-four trim combinations were available, along with 15 special monotone paint colors. Along with
4690-475: Was taller and now incorporated outer extensions that swept below the dual headlamps and housed small circular front parking lamps. The Eldorado also had a rectangular front and rear grille pattern that it again shared with the Fleetwood Sixty Special. A total of 143 options including bucket seats with wool, leather or nylon upholstery fabrics and wood veneer facings on dash, doors and seatbacks, set an all-time record for interior appointment choices. Standard equipment
4760-866: Was the Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, also used in the De Ville and the Sixty Special. Series 62, 75. and the Commercial Chassis continued with the old Hydra-Matic until 1965. For 1965, the Eldorado gained Cadillac's Fleetwood designation, marketed as the Fleetwood Eldorado, in a similar fashion to the Fleetwood Series 75 and the Fleetwood Sixty Special . The Biarritz nomenclature was finally dropped from sales literature, probably because there
4830-615: Was the last year for the domestic production of the handbuilt Brougham at Cadillac's Detroit factory, as future manufacturing of the special bodies was transferred to Pininfarina of Turin, Italy . It was a marketing approach revival used in the early 1930s with the Cadillac V-16 with similar attention to detail and engineering pursuits as a halo car . The car featured a roof trimmed in brushed stainless and self leveling air suspension . The exterior ornamentation included wide, polished lower rear quarter beauty panels extending along
4900-413: Was the same as the previous year. The engine was entirely changed, though the displacement and output remained the same, 390 cu in (6.4 L) and 325 hp (242 kW). The Eldorado received a minor facelift for 1964. The main visual cue indicating an Eldorado Biarritz rather than a De Ville convertible was simply the lack of fender skirts . New up front was a bi-angular grille that formed
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