Car "Cadillac-Eldorado": description, photo, characteristics

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

"Cadillac-Eldorado" - a car for majors who value luxury. The model is the most avant-garde among all American cars. We althy individuals chose this vehicle because of the increased comfort and luxury of the cabin. How the model has changed over time, we will consider below.

Car History

The American concern Cadillac released the Eldorado model in 1953, at that time it belonged to the Personal Luxury Car class. The car was produced in a two-door version. From 1957 to 1960, this version was the most expensive. In subsequent years, this place was taken by magnificent limousines and extended sedans from the 75th series of Cadillac.

For the first time in the global automotive industry, electrical equipment with a voltage of 12 V was used. Adaptive headlights, unique for those times, reduced the intensity of the glow when an oncoming car appeared, this option significantly increased the cost of the model. "Cadillac-Eldorado" was produced exclusively to order, whichmade the car exclusive. During the first year of production, the company was able to sell only 532 cars, and today this vehicle has become the object of desire for many collectors.

An interesting fact is that Eldorados were not always produced in the classic rear-wheel drive version. Since 1967, a version with front-wheel drive has appeared.

First model

The first generation Cadillac Eldorado first rolled off the production line in 1953, at a time when the company needed to create a buzz around the model. And the developers managed to do it - from the first days the car attracted attention with its spectacular appearance. The body resembled a fast-moving sports car, combining luxury and speed. Memorable elements were bulging fenders and a hood. The massive front bumper had a large grille. For buyers, only one type of bodywork was available - a convertible.

A combination of two shades was chosen as the interior color scheme. The classic two-spoke steering wheel is complemented by a beige insert. As a power unit, the developers used an engine (5.4 liters) with a maximum power of 190 horsepower. It is very difficult to find such a version of the Cadillac-Eldorado now, because it is now considered a retro car.

Further improvements

A year after the start of production, the company released a restyled version of the Cadillac. Its production was established from 1954 to 1956, and the mainthe change was supplemented by some elements of the appearance. On the body appeared "gills" and "fins" on the wings. The radiator grille has acquired a fine mesh structure.

In the cabin, the changes also benefited the model. The front panel has become larger, and the instruments are more informative and understandable. For the first time, a radio was installed in the car.

In addition to the convertible, the Cadillac-Eldorado sedan also appeared. The same engine with a volume of 5.4 liters was used as a motor. The addition was a four-speed automatic transmission. At the moment, at American auctions, you can find such a car for about 5,000,000 rubles. But it is worth remembering that it will be necessary to shell out a lot of money for shipping and customs clearance.

Technical update

From 1957 to 1958, the manufacturer released the third generation of the Cadillac Eldorado, which received double head optics. The shape of the grille and bumpers has changed. The interior received a host of chrome elements, as well as individual inserts with beige leather.

There have been changes under the hood. Installed a new 6.4-liter V-8 engine with a power reserve of 345 horsepower. This engine gave the Cadillac-Eldorado the characteristics that helped it compete with other brands.

Impressive change

A year later, the automaker showed a new "Cadillac-Eldorado" (1959), which produced a realfuror. The presentable appearance has lost a large number of stampings and swollen elements. The elegant fins on the rear fenders remained intact, but the dimensions of the car increased quite noticeably. The car was produced only in the back of a convertible.

The salon has undergone significant changes, and the main feature has become a separate front row of seats (in previous versions it was a single sofa). The climate control system has moved under the dashboard.

The company produced Cadillacs with two types of V-8 engines:

1. 6.4 liter engine with 325 horsepower.
2. The new 7-liter unit, the maximum output of which was 340 horsepower.

Collectors today can buy a car for just over 7,500,000 rubles.

The next was the model produced during 1965-1966, which was already the fifth generation. Body lines have acquired a strict and classic look, head optics began to be located vertically. The body type was still the same - a convertible, no other options were expected.

The developers removed the 6.4-liter engine from the car, now only a 340-horsepower 7-liter engine was offered, working in conjunction with a three-speed "automatic".

Another change

The company needed to expand the circle of customers. Therefore, the developers decided to restyle the 1959 version. The result of the changes was a new"Cadillac-Eldorado" 1967. The front of the car has undergone significant modifications. The head optics acquired a sliding design; in the case of idle lamps, the headlights were hidden under the hood. The image of a fast car was observed from the side projection. It turned out thanks to the small angle of inclination of the rear pillars and magnificent wings. The first hardtop body appeared.

Under the hood, American engineers installed three engine modifications:

1. Same good old 340hp V-8.
2. More powerful 7.7-litre petrol engine with 375 horsepower.
3. The most serious unit is 8.2 liters and 400 horsepower.

Without exception, all engines worked together with a three-speed automatic transmission.

Pride of the company

Undoubtedly, one of the recognizable versions was the 1972 Cadillac-Eldorado model. Monumentality was added to the appearance by creating a convex hood and a huge number of chrome parts. Due to numerous reviews about the unsatisfactory build quality of the headlights, the developers had to abandon the original performance of the hiding optics. The seventh generation "Cadillac-Eldorado" was produced in two body styles: coupe and convertible.

In the 70s, most American automakers began to reduce the power of power units due to the oil crisis. Therefore, in the line of motors"Cadillac" were significant changes. The 7-liter engine lost the lion's share of the "horses", now its power was equal to 180 horsepower. The most powerful among the engines produced by the company with a volume of 8.2 liters gave out a maximum of 218 "horses". A positive change was the front-wheel drive performance of the car. Oddly enough, in 1978 the Cadillac-Eldorado was given a boost in engine power to 370 horsepower.

Who will suit the car

From the very beginning of production, Cadillac-Eldorado was purchased exclusively by we althy people. The presence of rich finishes and high-quality leather said one thing - the car will cost a lot of money. In addition, the model was never transferred to mass production, but it was produced exclusively by individual order of customers. You can imagine the price of this model only after looking at the photo of the Cadillac-Eldorado.

Today, the versions of the presented generations are considered retro cars, and you can find them mainly in collectors' garages. The cost of some copies reaches ten million rubles, or even more. Basically it all depends on the condition of the car and its history.

It is worth noting that the company released eleven generations of the model, and their production continued until 2002. Of course, cars were not delivered to Russia, although they couldpurchase by order.

Undoubtedly, "Eldorado" is a luxury item, and owning it indicates the viability of a car enthusiast. The model will perfectly fit into the collection of cars of the second half of the 20th century and, no doubt, will take a significant place among retro cars.