1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham

  •      The Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was a GM Motorama Dream Car that was put into limited production for 1957-1958. A total of 704 were built during those two years.
  • Like the fabled V-16’s of the prewar era, the Eldorado Brougham was conceived to be the most technologically advanced and luxurious car in the world. It was certainly one of the most complex with over 160 motors, solenoids, switches, relays, and lamps.
  • Many automotive firsts were developed for the car:  full self-leveling air suspension, programmable power memory seat, all-transistor radio with automatic antenna, a power trunk lid that opened and closed from a switch in the glove box, low-profile narrow-band whitewall tires, automatic power door locks, and electric fuel pump.  It was also the first car with air conditioning as standard equipment.
  • The Eldorado Brougham shared no body panels nor chassis with standard Cadillacs.  Styling features unique to the Brougham include a brushed stainless steel roof, compound curved wraparound windshield, center opening doors on ball-bearing hinges, and forged aluminum road wheels.
  • 4 inches lower and 9 inches shorter than a regular Cadillac sedan of the era, the sleek, trim Brougham was the first production car designed with a hoodline lower than the fender line. 
  • Every luxury was standard equipment. There were 44 different interior selections available with a choice of either a special Karakul wool carpet or sheared mouton fur rugs which this car has.  Full power equipment was on hand, plus front and rear heat with individual passenger controls, translucent polarized sunvisors that darkened the more you lowered them, and an automatic headlight control that dimmed when it sensed oncoming traffic.
  • Even more luxury was to be found in the personal accessories provided with each car.  In front there as a clear cigarette case, a set of magnetized stainless tumblers, a tissue dispenser, and a leather-bound ladies make-up case. The rear armrest compartment was fitted with a leather-bound beveled mirror, a leather notepad with silver Cross pencil, and a bottle of Arpege perfume!
  • The Eldorado Brougham was fitted with specially-selected driveline components tested to aircraft standards before installation.  Engine size was 365 cubic inches, with a switch from two 4-bbl carbs in 1957 to 3 2-bbls in 1958 giving a 10hp boost to 335 horsepower.
  • Cost new was $13,074.00.  With the next most expensive Cadillac sedan, the Fleetwood, listing at $6,117.00, the Brougham’s stratospheric price – a Rolls-Royce of the era cost $12,500 - contributed to the car’s extremely low production numbers. 
  • This is #701 of 704 built in the 2-year model run and was sold new by Ryan Cadillac in Seattle, Washington.