1956-1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz: A Classic Convertible Review

1956-1958 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Eldorado Biarritz Browse the article 1956-1958 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Eldorado Biarritz

1956-1958 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Eldorado Biarritz

The 1956-1958 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Eldorado Biarritz was one of the revised editions of the Eldorado convertible that didn't sell particularly well. Biarritz designation was new for '56 because there was now also a companion hardtop, the Seville.

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1957 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Eldorado Biarritz convertible.
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Cadillac's 331 V-8 was bored out to 365 cubes for 1956, with a special tuned version reserved for Eldorados (twin four-barrel carbs for 1956-57, and triple two-throat units for 1958). Comments on mechanical and design features of the Seville also apply here. After 1960, the Seville was dropped from the Eldorado line, which had been separated from the Series Sixty-Two the year before.

The 1956-57 models were once considered the last highly collectible Eldorado convertibles through 1971. But the '58 version, a chrome-plated monster, and the '59, which took tailfins to a new level of absurdity, are highly sought out now, particularly the '59. Styling was gradually improved on the early-'60s models, but they were never as "special" as the 1953-57 cars.

Pluses of the 1956-1958 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Eldorado Biarritz:

• Unique rear-end appearance
• Smooth, high-speed performance
• Luxurious interiors
• Somewhat rare, esp. the '58
• Milestone car status

Minuses of the 1956-1958 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Eldorado Biarritz:

• Heavy gas drinker
• Less interesting than 1953-55 Eldos
• '58 generally considered less desirable

Production of the 1956 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Eldorado Biarritz:
2,150

Production of the 1957 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Eldorado Biarritz:
1,800

Production of the 1958 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Eldorado Biarritz:
815

Specifications of the 1956-1958 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Eldorado Biarritz:
Length, inches: 222.2 (1956), 222.1 (1957-58)
Wheelbase, inches: 129.0 (1956), 129.5 (1957-58)
Weight, pounds: 4,880-5,070
Price, new: $6,556-$7,500 (U.S.)

Engines for the 1956-1958 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Eldorado Biarritz: TypeSize
Horsepower
Years
ohv V-8
365 cid
305/325/335
1956-1958

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