Eldorado Cadillac History 1954

Onlya year after the introduction of the 1953 Eldorado, the division saw the need for a new kind of Eldorado, one that could be sold in significant numbers and thus turn a substantial profit. Accordingly, the 1954 model was of a different breed — and it sold for a different price: $5738, more than $2000 less than the ’53. It was a convertible similar to the Series 62 convertible, but was much more. Buyers responded, snapping up 2150 units.

After 1954 the Eldorado was even more distinctive with sharply pointed “shark” fins above round taillights. Sales increased to 3950 units for ’55, then twice as many for ’56 when Eldorados doubled to include a Seville hardtop coupe priced at the same $6556 as the retitled Biarritz convertible.

Cadillac styling was heavier and more massive for ’54. The new models outweighed their 1953 counterparts by something like 64 kg, due in part to 76mm longer wheelbases across the line. Whether their more slab-sided appearance made them better-looking may be open to question, but they were nevertheless well received. Power was still supplied by the division’s milestone 5.4 Liter overhead-valve V-8 that had first appeared for 1949. Though rated horsepower now rose from 210 to 230, there were no engine changes from the previous year. In fact, the ’53 figure had been deliberately understated in order to facilitate this corporate sleight of hand.

The Eldorado still carried the basic Cadillac engine and its predecessor’s impressive list of standard features, but it now used the exact same bodyshell as the Series 62 convertible, with no sheetmetal modifications as on the ’53. Although the ’54 could be readily identified by ribbed bright metal on the lower rear fenders and gold Cadillac crests on the door uppers, it was much less distinctive than the original. Still, the price was right, even if it was now “only” $1300 higher than the 62’s. Despite a somewhat abbreviated model year, the Eldorado found 2150 buyers, a dramatic four-fold increase.

The Eldorado had golden identifying crests centered directly behind the air-slot fenderbreaks and wide, fluted beauty panels to decorate the lower rear body sides. These panels were made of extruded aluminum and also appeared on a unique, one-of-a-kind Eldorado coupe built for the president of the Reynolds Aluminum Co. Also included on the production convertible were monogram plates on the doors, wire wheels, and custom interior trimmings with the Cadillac crest embossed on the seat bolsters. The body style was designated: 6267SX