1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz

This 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible is a beautifully restored, well-optioned top-of-the-line convertible. An automobile sales downturn in 1958 affected the...

This 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible is a beautifully restored, well-optioned top-of-the-line convertible. An automobile sales downturn in 1958 affected the Cadillac division of General Motors, along with virtually all of America's automakers. Caused by an economic recession, the sales slump was the first major setback for American automakers since World War II as the economy had been rising ever since then. Nonetheless, 1958 was a celebratory year for Cadillac and its parent company GM. For General Motors, the America's largest automaker celebrated its 50th anniversary. For Cadillac, the GM marque celebrated a major milestone when it produced its two-millionth automobile. As the saying goes, "the first million is the hardest" and for Cadillac it proved true given the fact that it took Cadillac 47 years to build a million cars but only 8 years to reach the two-million mark. Even though the '58 recession caused Cadillac to sell 25,000 fewer units from the previous year, it surely wasn't for lack of effort or ability since the 1958 Cadillac design is widely considered one of the most elegant to ever come out of Cadillac. Starting with a redesigned grille that was larger and wider, and capped off with numerous cylindrical "cleats" that connected the horizontal and vertical cross-members. Due to a regulatory change, and like the rest of America's 1958 automobiles, the '58 Cadillacs also featured a quad headlight setup with each pair of headlights accented with decorative chrome trim. The new-look front ends also featured a staple of Cadillac design with "Dagmar" bumper guards along with relocated parking lights that now sat lower down. The side profile was also refined in 1958 with more elegant trim along with five horizonal windsplints ahead of the rear wheel housing. In the tail of the '58 Cadillac was a new-look tailfin design that was more muted than previous versions and an updated split-style rear bumper. Of course, the Eldorado Biarritz sat atop Cadillac's convertible heirarchy and therefore sporting elevated trim and improved standard options. Sporting an initial price tag of a whopping $7,500, nearly 30% higher than the standard Series 62, only 815 Eldorado Biarritz Convertibles were produced which makes this particular example quite a rare piece of automotive history. This Biarritz comes to us after having spent its most recent years in California and before that was cared for by southern-based collectors. Under the hood on this '58 Eldorado is a Numbers Matching 365 Cubic Inch V8 engine fed by a Tri-Power carburetor setup consisting of three dual-barrel carburetors that together generated 335 horsepower when new. The Tri-Power 365 V8 is backed by a Hydra-Matic Automatic transmission that makes this classy Cadillac an easy car for anybody to drive. Exhaust exits the numbers matching V8 via a dual exhaust setup that generates a nice throaty sound out the rear. Being that Cadillac sat atop the General Motors hierarchy and the Eldorado Biarritz was the top-of-the-line model, this convertible comes loaded with options! Power steering improves the overall driving experience on this Cadillac Eldorado since it makes squeezing into tight spots at the local car show or drive-in much easier. Further helping in manuvering this Cadillac is an adjustable chrome outside driver's side mirror. With power brakes, bringing this 5,000+ pound convertible to complete stop is simplified as well and a welcome addition on any classic cruiser from the 1950s. Riding on a set of wide whitewalls mounted on the special Sabre wheels, this '58 Eldorado Biarritz has a fantastic look cruising down the road. The mocha cloth power convertible top is in excellent condition and it goes up and down with the simple flick of switch mounted under the dashboard. When in the lowered position, the powered convertible top tucks neatly underneath a color-matched Parade Boot. The exterior of this '58 Cadillac Eldorado has been correctly refinished in a beautiful Desert Bronze, completing the wonderful exterior look of the car. The interior of this 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz is stunning! The front and rear bench seats have been correctly reupholstered in a distinguished Copper brown leather. The front leather bench seat is equipped with a folding armrest and is power adjustable as well. The matching upholstered door panels, chocolate brown carpeting, padded dash, and steering wheel are all in wonderful condition and retain a nice stock appearance. All four power windows are easily raised and lowered via door mounted switches. The chrome instrument cluster is equipped with a 120 MPH speedometer, temperature gauge, fuel gauge, and clock. Mounted atop the padded dash is an Autronic eye which is a neat novelty of the 1950s. The dash is finished with a push-button AM radio and locking glovebox. Stowed away in the glovebox and trunk is an upgraded AM/FM/XM/CD entertainment system and a trunk mounted CD changer, so that you can listen to all of your tunes while cruising down the road. Whether you're buying your first classic car or you're adding to an existing collection of Cadillacs, this 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible would make an excellent choice. Give Ellingson's a call today at 763-428-7337!