SERIES SIXTY SPECIAL FLEETWOOD |
SERIES SIXTY SPECIAL FLEETWOOD |
Model Number | Body Style | Doors | Model | Seating | Factory Price | Shipping Weight | Production Total |
55-60 | 6019X | 4-door | Sedan | 6 | 4728 | 4545 | 18,300 |
SERIES SIXTY SPECIAL FLEETWOOD ENGINE |
SERIES 75 FLEETWOOD |
SERIES 75 FLEETWOOD |
55-75 | 7523X | 4-door | Sedan | 7 | 6187 | 5020 | 1,075 |
55-75 | 7533X | 4-door | Imperial Sedan | 8 | 6402 | 5113 | 841 |
55-86 | 8680S | - | Commercial chassis | - | - | - | 1,975 |
SERIES 75 FLEETWOOD ENGINE |
Feature | Standard Engine | Optional Engine |
Type | V-8: Overhead valves | |
Block | Cast iron block | |
Displacement | 331 cubic inches | |
Bore and stroke | 3.81 x 3.63 inches | |
Compression ratio | 9.0:1 | 9.1:1 |
Brake horsepower | 250 @ 4600 rpm | 270 @ 4600 rpm |
Main bearings | Five | |
Valve lifters | Hydraulic | |
Carburetors | Carter WCFB four-barre], Models 2355S, 2354S, 2185S, 2186S, 2266S, 2267S, and 2255 - also - Rochester 4GC four-barrel, (Less air conditioning) Model 7007970; (With air conditioning) Model 7007971. | Two (2) Rochester 4GC four-barrels front: Model 7007240 rear, without air conditioning: Model 7007240 rear, with air conditioning: Model 7007241 |
Feature | Series 60 Fleetwood | Series 75 Fleetwood |
Wheelbase | 133 inches | 149.8 inches |
Overall Length | 227.3 inches | 237.1 inches |
Front Tread | 60 inches | 60 inches |
Rear Tread | 63.1 inches | 63.1 inches |
Tires | 8.00 x 15 | 8.20 x 15 six-ply |
Exhausts | Standard dual exhausts | |
Standard Rear axle ratio | 3.36:1 | |
Optional Rear axle ratio | 3.07:1 |
POWER TRAIN OPTIONS |
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS |
HISTORICAL |
If you were glued to your television set on Jan. 20, 1953, that's where you would catch your first glimpse of the gorgeous new Cadillac that we'd all been reading about: the original Eldorado.
The occasion was the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. As the inaugural parade made its way down Pennsylvania Avenue, we beheld the popular new leader of the Free World, riding -- top down -- in the back seat of this sporty, yet elegant automobile.
Think about that for a moment, by the way. Nineteen fifty-three wasn't all that long ago. Yet here was the President of the United States riding in an open car. No armor plate. No bullet- proof glass. No effective protection, really -- and none of us thought anything about it. America had not yet lost its innocence.
Patterned after a 1952 "concept" car, the '53 Eldorado was the first of GM's "dream" machines to be put into production -- albeit on a limited basis. Standing three inches lower than that year's Series 62 convertible, it featured a panoramic "wraparound" windshield, the industry's first. The cut-down doors were distinguished by a stylish dip, and a sparkling set of chromed wires added a further touch of class. The interior was upholstered in the finest leathers, while the list of standard equipment included virtually all of the amenities with the exception of air conditioning, a $620 option.
The car was well named. Eldorado means, in proper Spanish, El Dorado, "the gilded one." In the lore of the ancients the term referred to a mythical kingdom of fabulous riches. This time it stood for an automobile designed to underscore Cadillac's hard-won status as America's premier luxury car -- and its most conspicuous status symbol.
Production, as we've indicated, was limited. Only 532 examples were built during the 1953 model run; and no wonder. The price -- $7750 at the factory -- though it may sound reasonable enough by today's standards, was an astronomical figure in those times. For that kind of money, in fact, the buyer could have purchased three cars: a Cadillac 62 convertible, a Pontiac sedan and a Chevrolet business coupe.
But of course there's no money to be made on a production of 532 cars, so for 1954 the formula was revised. The entire Cadillac line was completely restyled that year. Overall length was unchanged, but the wheelbase was stretched from 126 to 129 inches, and the cars were heavier and more massive-looking. There was, for the first time, an integrated bumper/grille incorporating two enormous chrome bullets which quickly became known as "Dagmars," in honor of a generously-endowed actress of the day. And the Eldorado's wraparound windshield was extended to the entire Cadillac family.
In contrast to the first edition, this time the Eldorado used the same body shell as the 62 convertible, though it was distinguished by its chromed wire wheels and a number of decorative touches including ribbed bright metal panels on the lower rear fenders. The impressive list of standard equipment remained, yet the price was sharply cut -- to $5,738, a difference of 26 percent. Not surprisingly, Eldorado sales increased fourfold, to 2,150 units, despite a somewhat abbreviated model year.
During its first two seasons, the Eldorado employed the standard Cadillac engine, the familiar and still highly advanced 331-cubic inch overhead-valve V-8. For 1954 it was rated at 230 horsepower, a 20 bhp increase that had been accomplished by the stroke of a pen. Truthfully, the 1953 and 1954 engines were identical, the former having been deliberately underrated.
The 1954 Eldorado was perceived -- correctly, no doubt -- as an outstanding value. But in the eyes of many observers it wasn't distinctive enough. It was altogether too easy for all but the most knowledgeable to mistake it for a dressed-up Series 62.
That situation was rectified for 1955. Rocketship tailfins topped the rear fenders, providing the Eldorado with a point of instant identification. Fender skirts were eliminated and wheel cutouts were enlarged, the better to show off the flashy new "Sabre-spoke" wheels. Destined to be retained through the 1958 model year, these gorgeous wheels were exclusive to the Eldorado. Add on the dashboard of each one of these fine automobiles was a small brass plate on which the owner's name was engraved.
Even the engine was different. Bore and stroke remained the same; but the compression ratio for all Cadillacs was raised that year from 8.25:1 to 9.10:1, boosting the standard horsepower to 250. But the use of dual four-barrel carburetors gave the Eldorado an additional dose of vitamins, nudging the advertised horsepower to 270 -- a figure topped only by the 275-hp Packard Caribbean. According to Motor Life magazine, this provided the Eldo with a theoretical top speed of 117 miles an hour, which spells F-A-S-T in any language.
Remarkably enough, Cadillac very nearly held the line on the price of this fine automobile. At $5,814 it was only $76 more costly than the much less distinctive (and less powerful) 1954 version. Of course, production surged ahead once more, to 3,950 units this time. That figure would prove to be the all-time high for the Eldorado ragtop.
A hardtop version of Eldorado, known initially as the Seville, was added in 1956. The glamorous $13,000 Eldorado Brougham joined the line the following year. But then from 1961 until production of the rear-drive Eldorado was discontinued in 1966, the Eldos were exclusively ragtops. By that time the engine displacement had grown to 429 cubic inches and horsepower had reached 340. But the price, remarkably enough, was still more than a thousand dollars lower than that of the original, 1953 car.
The 1955 body style number remained as 6267SX. Standard equipment on the Eldorado special sport convertible included customized interior and rear body styling: 270 horsepower dual four-barrel inducted V-8; radio and antenna; heater; power brakes; power seat; power windows; whitewall tires; metal tonneau cover; custom trim and ornamentation; individual circular tail and rear directional lights and saber-spoke wheels. The 1955 Eldorado is a certified Milestone Car.
A whole new chapter in Cadillac history began with the 1967 introduction of the front-wheel-drive Eldorado. A popular model even today, it was destined to shatter all previous sales records for the Eldo. For that story, read about the Eldorados for 1967
ENGINE |
Feature | Series 62 Eldorado |
Wheelbase | 129 inches |
Overall Length | 223.2 inches |
Front Tread | 60 inches |
Rear Tread | 63.1 inches |
Tires | 8.20 x 15 four-ply whitewalls |
Exhausts | Standard dual exhausts |
Standard Rear axle ratio | 3.36:1 |
Optional Rear axle ratio | 3.07:1 |
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS |
HISTORICAL |
SERIES 62 |
While no major appearance changes were seen on Cadillac’s this year, a number of refinements were apparent.
Cadillac horsepower seemed to climb right along with sales. For 1955 it reached 250 standard via higher compression (9.0:1) and improved manifolding; Eldorado now boasted 270 bhp courtesy of dual four-barrel carburetors, optional for other models.
I. D. NUMBERS |
Model Number | Body Style | Doors | Model | Seating | Factory Price | Shipping Weight | Production Total |
55-62 | 6219(X) | 4-door | Sedan | 6 | 3977 | 4375 | 44,904 |
55-62 | 6219(X) | - | Export sedan | 6 | 3977 | 4375 | 396 |
55-62 | 6237(X) | - | Hardtop Coupe | 6 | 3882 | 4364 | 27,879 |
55-62 | 6237DX | - | Coupe DeVille | 6 | 4305 | 4428 | 33,300 |
55-62 | 6267X | - | Convertible Coupe | 6 | 4448 | 4631 | 8,150 |
55-62 | 62 | - | Chassis only | - | - | - | 7 |
ELDORADO SPECIAL | |||||||
55-62 | 6267SX | - | Sport Convertible Coupe | 5 | 6286 | 4809 | 3,950 |
ENGINE |
Feature | Series 62 Sedan | Other Series 62 |
Wheelbase | 129 inches | 129 inches |
Overall Length | 216.3 inches | 223.2 inches |
Front Tread | 60 inches | 60 inches |
Rear Tread | 63.1 inches | 63.1 inches |
Tires | 8.00 x 15 | 8.00 x 15 |
Exhausts | Standard dual exhausts | |
Standard Rear axle ratio | 3.36:1 | |
Optional Rear axle ratio | 3.07:1 |
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS |
HISTORICAL |
SERIES SIXTY SPECIAL FLEETWOOD |
The Sixty Special sedan had luxurious Fleetwood style interior appointments. Identifiers included the traditional fender louvers, V-shaped ornaments on the hood and rear deck and a Fleetwood script in the latter location. Wheelbase measurements returned to 133 inches for the first time since 1949. Also seen were a panoramic (wraparound) windshield, new grille, longer more sweeping fenders and all other 1954-style appearance innovations. The newly expanded equipment list appeared on the 60S sedan, too.
Model Number | Body Style | Doors | Model | Seating | Factory Price | Shipping Weight | Production Total |
54-60 | 6019X | 4-door | Sedan | 5 | 4683 | 4490 | 16,200 |
ENGINE |
SERIES 75 FLEETWOOD |
Model Number | Body Style | Doors | Model | Seating | Factory Price | Shipping Weight | Production Total |
54-75 | 7523X | 4-door | Sedan | 5 | 5875 | 5031 | 889 |
54-75 | 7533X | 4-door | Imperial Sedan | 8 | 6090 | 5093 | 611 |
54-86 | 8680 | - | Commercial chassis | - | - | - | 1,635 |
ENGINE |
CHASSIS |
Model | Wheelbase | Overall Length | Front Tread | Rear Tread | Tires |
Series 60S | 133 inches | 227.4 inches | 60 inches | 63.1 inches | 8.00 x 15 (opt. 8.20 x 15 whitewall) |
Series 75 | 149.8 inches | 237.1 inches | 60 inches | 63.1 inches | 8.20 x 15 |
Exhaust | Dual exhaust system standard | ||||
Rear axle ratio | (Standard) 3.07: 1; (Standard with air conditioning; optional without) 3.36:1 |
POWER TRAIN OPTIONS |
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS |
HISTORICAL |
Yet only a year later, the division evidently felt it had sufficiently made that point. It was time for a new kind of Eldorado, one that could be sold in significant numbers and thus turn a substantial profit. Accordingly, the 1954 model was of a different breed -- and it sold for a different price: $5738, more than $2000 less than the '53.
Cadillac styling was heavier and more massive for '54. The new models outweighed their 1953 counterparts by something like 140 pounds, due in part to three-inch longer wheelbases across the line. Whether their more slab-sided appearance made them better-looking may be open to question, but they were nevertheless well received. Power was still supplied by the division's milestone 331-cubic-inch overhead-valve V-8 that had first appeared for 1949. Though rated horsepower now rose from 210 to 230, there were no engine changes from the previous year. In fact, the '53 figure had been deliberately understated in order to facilitate this corporate sleight of hand.
The Eldorado still carried the basic Cadillac engine and its predecessor's impressive list of standard features, but it now used the exact same bodyshell as the Series 62 convertible, with no sheetmetal modifications as on the '53. Although the '54 could be readily identified by ribbed bright metal on the lower rear fenders and gold Cadillac crests on the door uppers, it was much less distinctive than the original. Still, the price was right, even if it was now "only" $1300 higher than the 62's. Despite a somewhat abbreviated model year, the Eldorado found 2150 buyers, a dramatic four-fold increase.
The Eldorado had golden identifying crests centered directly behind the air-slot fenderbreaks and wide, fluted beauty panels to decorate the lower rear body sides. These panels were made of extruded aluminum and also appeared on a unique, one-of-a-kind Eldorado coupe built for the president of the Reynolds Aluminum Co. Also included on the production convertible were monogram plates on the doors, wire wheels, and custom interior trimmings with the Cadillac crest embossed on the seat bolsters. The body style was designated: 6267SX
ENGINE |
CHASSIS |
Model | Wheelbase | Overall Length | Front Tread | Rear Tread | Tires |
Series 62 Eldorado | 129 inches | 223.4 inches | 60 inches | 63.1 inches | 8.20 x 15 whitewalls |
Exhaust | Dual exhaust system standard | ||||
Rear axle ratio | (Standard) 3.07: 1; (Standard with air conditioning; optional without) 3.36:1 |
POWER TRAIN OPTIONS |
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS |
HISTORICAL |
Pillared coupes didn't return for '54, but Eldorado did. Though more like the standard Series 62 convertible, the '54 was far less expensive -- $4738. Buyers responded, snapping up 2150. The figure improved to 3950 units for '55, then twice as many for '56, when Eldorado’s doubled to include a Seville hardtop coupe priced at the same $6556 as the re-titled Biarritz convertible.
Eldorado’s was more distinctive again after '54, with sharply pointed "shark" fins above round taillights. Other models retained the small taillight-and-fin motif that had become a Cadillac hallmark. The division's basic '54 look persisted through effective, if evolutionary, facelifts for 1955 and '56. The latter year saw introduction of Cadillac's first four-door hardtop Sedan de Ville, which immediately scored almost as many sales as the Coupe de Ville and standard 62 hardtop combined. Many appearance improvements marked the 1954 Cadillacs.
They included:
Round, jet-style dual exhaust outlets were incorporated into the vertical bumper extensions and the rear bumper was entirely redesigned. An Eldorado type wraparound windshield was seen on all models. Sedans used a distinctive type of window reveal molding which created a built-in sun visor effect. For coupes, a smoothly curved wraparound backlight (i.e., rear window) was referred to as the "Florentine" style rear window. A wide ventilator intake now stretched across the base of the windshield on all models and the chrome visored headlamp look was emphasized.
The Series 62 chassis had a brand new, longer wheelbase. One identifying feature of this line was the lack of rear fender louvers. V-shaped ornaments and crests were used on the hood and deck and there were full-length body underscores in bright metal. Coupe DeVille scripts were seen on the rear corner pillars of the luxury hardtop, which also had wider sill moldings. The Eldorado (which is still considered a series 62) had golden identifying crests centered directly behind the air-slot fender breaks and wide, fluted beauty panels to decorate the lower rear body sides. These panels were made of extruded aluminum and also appeared on a unique, one-of-a-kind Eldorado coupe built for the president of the Reynolds Aluminum Co. Also included on the production convertible were monogram plates on the doors, wire wheels, and custom interior trimmings with the Cadillac crest embossed on the seat bolsters. Automatic windshield washers, power steering, 12-volt electrical system and aluminum alloy pistons made the long standard equipment list this year. The Series 62 four-door sedan was now seven inches shorter than other models in this range. Another one-off creation was an exclusive Sedan DeVille.
I. D. NUMBERS |
Model Number | Body Style | Doors | Model | Seating | Factory Price | Shipping Weight | Production Total |
54-62 | 6219(X) | 4-door | Sedan | 5 | 3933 | 4330 | 33,845 |
54-62 | 6219(X) | - | Export Sedan | 5 | 3933 | 4330 | 408 |
54-62 | 6219SX | - | Sedan DeVille | 5 | - | - | 1 |
54-62 | 6237(X) | 2-door | Coupe | 5 | 3838 | 4347 | 17,460 |
54-62 | 6237DX | - | Coupe DeVille | 5 | 4261 | 4409 | 17,170 |
54-62 | 6267X | - | Convertible Coupe | 5 | 4404 | 4598 | 6,310 |
54-62 | 62 | - | Chassis only | - | - | - | 1 |
ELDORADO SPECIAL | |||||||
54-62 | 6267SX | - | Sport Convertible Coupe | 5 | 5738 | 4809 | 2,150 |
NOTES:
|
ENGINE |
CHASSIS |
Model | Wheelbase | Overall Length | Front Tread | Rear Tread | Tires |
Series 62 Sedan | 129 inches | 216.4 inches | 60 inches | 63.1 inches | 8.00 x 15 (opt. 8.20 x 15 whitewall) |
Series 62 | 129 inches | 223.4 inches | 60 inches | 63.1 inches | 8.00 x 15 (opt. 8.20 x 15 whitewall -- except for 6267) |
Series 62 Eldorado | 129 inches | 223.4 inches | 60 inches | 63.1 inches | 8.20 x 15 whitewalls |
Series 60S | 133 inches | 227.4 inches | 60 inches | 63.1 inches | 8.00 x 15 (opt. 8.20 x 15 whitewall) |
Series 75 | 149.8 inches | 237.1 inches | 60 inches | 63.1 inches | 8.20 x 15 |
Exhaust | Dual exhaust system standard | ||||
Rear axle ratio | (Standard) 3.07: 1; (Standard with air conditioning; optional without) 3.36:1 |
CHASSIS |
Model | Wheelbase | Overall Length | Front Tread | Rear Tread | Tires |
Series 62 Sedan | 129 inches | 216.4 inches | 60 inches | 63.1 inches | 8.00 x 15 (opt. 8.20 x 15 whitewall) |
Series 62 | 129 inches | 223.4 inches | 60 inches | 63.1 inches | 8.00 x 15 (opt. 8.20 x 15 whitewall -- except for 6267) |
Exhaust | Dual exhaust system standard | ||||
Rear axle ratio | (Standard) 3.07: 1; (Standard with air conditioning; optional without) 3.36:1 |
POWER TRAIN OPTIONS |
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS |
HISTORICAL |
Fiberglass-bodied Cadillac show cars appearing at the GM Motorama this year included the Park Avenue four-door sedan, El Camino coupe, and La Espada convertible.