No other car embodies the spirit of the “jet age” quite like the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado, with a design that could easily have been inspired by a fighter plane.
While many associate Cadillac’s iconic tailfins with the 1950s, their origins actually trace back to GM’s 3/8-scale “Interceptor” design studies from the early 1940s. These were influenced by the groundbreaking P-38 Lightning fighter aircraft used during World War II.
The Eldorado was offered in three variants: the Biarritz convertible, the Seville hardtop, and the hand-crafted Brougham four-door hardtop.
It stood as Cadillac’s flagship model for 1959. Standard features on the Eldorado included a heater, fog lamps, air-assisted suspension, a radio with a rear speaker, power windows, a six-way power front seat, power door locks, and whitewall tires.
Listing:
1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible is on sale at classic.com through an online auction by Mecam.
This 1959 Cadillac Eldorado is a 4th-generation model with a 390ci V8 engine and automatic transmission, featuring rear-wheel drive. It is a highly original, left-hand drive convertible with a red exterior and white interior.
The 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz had a distinctive style and personality all its own. Describing the vehicle, or its prominent fins, as merely “large” would be an understatement.
The Eldorado could reach speeds of up to 120 mph, despite weighing over two and a half tons. This model introduced gas-filled shock absorbers and cruise control for the first time on a production Cadillac.
With a price tag of $7,401, which was considered a small fortune at the time, the Eldorado became known as the ultimate “big fin” convertible, with an abundance of chrome and leather throughout. The high cost led to low sales, making this model a highly sought-after collector’s item today.
Under the hood, 1959 Cadillac Eldorado boasted the top Q-code 390 cubic inch V8 engine, producing 345 horsepower through a trio of two-barrel carburetors. This powerful engine was paired with a four-speed Hydra-Matic Drive automatic transmission.
The Eldorado offered just four options: air conditioning, cruise control, the Autronic-Eye automatic headlight dimmer, and E-Z Eye glass.
Additionally, the Biarritz had the option of bucket seats at no extra cost. Both the Biarritz convertible and the Seville hardtop came with a hefty base price of $7,401 when they were first sold, with only 1,320 units of the Biarritz being produced.