So yesterday I was on my way to get a pizza slice, and out of the corner of my eye I happened to see . . . Yes! The unmistakable profile of the great ne plus ultra of the ’50s–a 1959 Cadillac! A ’59 Cadillac convertible no less–but not just a convertible. An Eldorado Biarritz–the top-of-the-line version with bucket seats, special trim–the car for the open-air motorist who wants the finest and is willing (and able) to pay for it! And I’m sure today’s owner is still paying–a lot!
What can I say about the 1959 Cadillac that hasn’t already been said? How can I photograph in a new way one of the most artistically photographed cars of all time? Hmmm, let’s see . . .
Every time I see a ’59 Cadillac, I can’t believe it’s real. And yet, here it is! To the “rational” mind, this design makes no sense. But it makes no sense in a beautiful, fascinating, and charismatic way that has captured the imagination of the whole world!
But for now we must leave the world of fantasy, and get back to gritty, harsh reality. It appears that this Eldorado is undergoing complete restoration. The interior and dashboard have been completely disassembled, and everything is being repaired and renewed. Such skilled and precise labor does not come cheap, I can tell you!
The photos give you a rare opportunity to see what’s actually inside a car, without all the fancy trim.
Awaiting a new windshield . . .
Most of us are blissfully unaware of the “rat’s nest” of complexity directly in front of us as we sit behind the wheel, operating the controls.
Hopefully, some day, if the stars align correctly–the interior will look like this!
So, let’s talk about money. 💲 Given that the average retail value of an Eldorado convertible like this is approximately $110,000, it is theoretically possible that you can buy a tired, worn out example for, say, $50,000; you put $60,000 into it, and then sell for $110,000 (or more), and drive this spectacular convertible for free!
Pellegrino’s formula: $50K Eldo wreck + $60K + lots of time + a few little unforeseen tragedies along the way = Free Car (when you sell) and the Good Life! 🎵”You may sa-ay I’m a dreamer–but I’m not the only one . . .”🎵
ELDORADO . . . The Golden One.
Eldorado BIARRITZ . . . Named for the French seaside resort where everything is beautiful.
I got my slice of genuine Jersey pizza; I’m walking back to my car and I notice that the 1962 Imperial I recently profiled is now parked at the curb. This enabled me to take a series of photos that almost look like they were taken over 60 years ago:
Another “rocket” car . . . puddingstone walls . . . big, rambling Victorian houses with wrap-around porches to take advantage of the summer breezes . . .
Some may say this is “peak Imperial”: The 1962 coupe model, shown in profile.
Crossing the street . . . What year is this?
There’s my car, parked next to a simple church. For a few moments it felt like a beautiful summer day in 1962–seeing the ’59 Cadillac at the shop; a shiny ’62 Imperial parked at the curb behind me; a ’58 Ford, looking as if it’s dropping off some kids for a summer church program; the vintage architecture and streetscape. There was a magical yet eerie “Twilight Zone” quality about the whole thing, which I attempted to capture in pictures. But my “time traveling” experience quickly ended, and I had to return to 2025, where I belong.
Further CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1959 Cadillac Coupe DeVille – False Prophet Of A New Era by Paul Niedermeyer
Curbside Musings: 1959 Cadillac Sedan DeVille – All Of The Things by Joseph Dennis
Cohort Outtake: 1959 Cadillac In Traffic – Still Turning Heads by Paul Niedermeyer
Curbside Classic: 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville – Flamboyant Survivor by Moparlee
That Cadillac’s A-pillars don’t look like they would help you much in a rollover and they hadn’t improved much by 1966 when Jayne Mansfield’s Buick sedan met it’s end.
Those photos couldn’t pass for 1962. You need a Kodachrome filter. Life was more vivid back then. Which explains the cars. Great job on the Cadillac spacecraft though.
More vivid:
The 1962 photos are splendid! Looking closely, I only see one detail that doesn’t quite belong: the colors and fonts on the traffic signs. Otherwise it would be suitable for a movie set.
The numerous window air conditioners, which look smaller and more modern than any from 1962 or earlier, are also a tipoff.
Stop. The first photo, is there a windshield or not, how did you photograph the Caddy without reflections? Is it a movie car? Ahhh, body shop! And thanks for the artsy tail light photos, they always brighten the day.
No windshield.
I have become deadened to 59 Cadillac convertibles, but this one in a semi-disassembled state is actually interesting. And though I am thoroughly sick of white cars in my personal life (having owned too many of them) that Imperial is lovely.
The 58 Ford could have been sitting in Bodega Bay in 1963. Watch out for those birds!!
In 40 years, we’ll likely have the same comments about the cars today. Over the top front end styling, particularly towering pick-ups, SUVs, gaping BMWs, and the cow catcher look of the Lexi. Some will sign praises, some will sling something.
Great cars. Great pics. Great post.
Thank you so much! 😀
Your numbers are values and restoration are soooooo far off IMO
A good solid builder sells for $80-120k depending on colors and options.
Nice driver quality cars are $175-250 while super high end cars can change owners in the $300-400 range.
And, there are a few being restored now that will have in excess of $500k into the build.
For what it’s worth, here’s a Classic.com chart of auction prices over the past five years. https://www.classic.com/m/cadillac/eldorado/4th-gen/year-1959
I got my $110K figure from NADA, soooo . . . idk ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
I do know that in my own case, I have bought classic cars, put money into fixing them up, and have sold the cars at a higher price, recouping much of the money I had put into them.
Better adjust your #s to reflect reality. A restoration 59 Eldo needing everything will cost >$150k and a complete restoration will cost way over $200k even if the owner dies a lot of the work himself. Ask how I know. I had >$300k in mine 25 years ago with my guys doing the work @ >$20/hr:
Whoa! I wonder why NADA’s numbers are so low . . . ?
What a great era for cars – late 50s to early 60s. You captured this one nicely, in its state of undress and all. Excellent work Steve.
So over the top is this car, was when new too .
I briefly owned a white 1959 Caddy drop top, it had black seats and wonderbar radio, Magic Eye headlamps, so on and so forth .
All original and in good shape, when it needed a new radiator I let the L.A.P.D. tow it away on street sweeping day .
-Nate
A mate of mine has a 59 Caddy 4 door hardtop factory RHD, he does weddings the let it pay for itself, it is the only 4 door hardtop here his wife gave it to him for a birthday many years ago she paid 74K Australian for it plus shipping, had the old car market not collapsed that convertible could have been worth big coin but it did and it isnt.