Chassis No. 58E017174
Born in 1953 as one of a trio of highly exclusive models celebrating GM's design excellence, the Cadillac Eldorado was a glamorous flagship bringing the spirit of Motorama to the showroom floor. Alongside its stablemates, the Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta and Buick Skylark, the Eldorado embodied the bold, fearless spirit of GM's design department – still led by the inimitable Harley Earl.
The Eldorado became a regular on the roster, and in 1956, Cadillac split the Eldorado range into two models-the Seville coupe and Biarritz Convertible. By 1958, the Eldorado had bold new styling, including a four-headlamp front-end design, and a distinct tapered tail with freestanding fins which debuted the year prior. Power came from the potent 365 cu-in overhead-valve V8, topped with three Rochester carburetors, factory-rated at 335 horsepower. With a price of $7,410 before options for the Biarritz, production was understandably limited, and just 815 Eldorado Biarritz convertibles were sold.
According to factory build records, this Biarritz, chassis number 58E017174 was completed on 26 November 1957, and left the factory finished in Gleneagles Green over Green Cape Buffalo leather upholstery and a white top, though it has since been refinished in this striking black over red leather combination with a black fabric top. The production ledger shows it came equipped with optional E-Z Eye Glass, a heater, and Autronic Eye, in addition to the standard fitments such as Sabre wheels, power-assisted steering, brakes, windows, top and seat; and radio with rear speaker.
Cadillac's records show this car was delivered new in the Toledo, Ohio area. By the mid-1960s, the Eldorado was in the care of Jerone Tain of Tarzana, California. He reportedly used the car sparingly, keeping it storage for approximately twenty years. In 1982, Tain sold it to an enthusiast who exported the car to Germany in the early 1980s and kept it in their care through 2019, reportedly covering just 3,000 miles during their tenure. It wears a light yet pleasing patina, and it has been usefully updated with alternator charging for additional peace of mind when touring.
Still looking marvelously sharp in its classic black paint over a red leather cabin, this rare and desirable 1958 Eldorado exudes 1950s extravagance from a time when Cadillac truly strove to be “The Standard of the World.”
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- VIN Code58E017174
