The iconic Cadillac Eldorado convertible was originally designed for the 1952 Detroit Motorama. Its name honored Cadillac’s 50th anniversary, known as the “Golden” milestone. In 1955, Harley Earl, Cadillac’s head of styling, introduced sleek tail fins to replace the previous design.
This convertible was the first Cadillac to showcase these new and soon-to-be legendary fins, featuring lights at the base and an Eldorado emblem on the rear. Other enhancements included full rear-wheel cutouts, “Saber Spoke” wheels, and metallic appliques.
The 1955 Eldorado boasted a powerful 331-cubic-inch overhead valve V-8 engine, delivering 270 horsepower (20 hp more than the standard version) with the help of two four-barrel Carter carburetors. It offered a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission and optional features like air conditioning, heating, fog lights, and a signal-seeking AM radio.
Only 3,950 units of the Eldorado convertible were produced in 1955, priced at nearly $6,000, making it a symbol of Cadillac’s craftsmanship and luxury for their most discerning customers.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
