Photographs by the author
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!
It was hard to step back far enough to get the whole car in the frame, LOL!
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 . . .
I took my photograph, changed the background, and now the Cadillac is soaring through outer space like in those Fisher Body magazine ads!
Everyone focuses on the tail, but the front end is another out-of-this-world product of the stylist’s imagination.
Another background change–a repair shop’s parking area becomes a distant and exotic planet. Make this into a poster and hang it on your bedroom wall!
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.
Photo from 1959eldorado.com
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.
Taken in 1962 or 2025?
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.