With the same owner since 1992, this 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham has covered about 17,000 miles since the completion of its comprehensive restoration. It’s powered by a 365 CI V-8 engine equipped with three 2-barrel carburetors and backed by an automatic transmission, an alternator has replaced the original generator, and the engine block was replaced in 1962. Twin fuel tanks are controlled by an electric transfer pump. The Brougham is finished in Copenhagen Blue with the signature stainless steel top, and the silver and gray interior features a replacement back seat. Introduced for the 1957 model year, the Eldorado Brougham became one of the most expensive cars available at $13,074, or roughly $144,000 today. To compare, a standard Rolls-Royce cost around $10,000, as did the new Continental Mark II, without the optional air conditioning. The Mercedes-Benz 300Sc cabriolet was the outlier, costing between $15,000 and $17,000, something to the tune of $166,000 and $188,000 today. Needless to say, these were the cars preferred by the captains of industry, land barons and Hollywood moguls. With Continental getting a head start, launching the Mark II for 1956, Cadillac, which had been developing its flagship Eldorado Brougham, sent letters to customers alerting them to the forthcoming car that would be a technological and engineering marvel. It would ride on an all-new, self-leveling air suspension system, employ a new X-frame and feature rear- hinged back doors and a stainless-steel roof. If that weren’t enough, it would offer a central locking system with a trunk lid that could be operated at the press of a button; switches in the rear doors would prevent the car from starting if any of the doors were open; the high beams switched to low automatically in the event of an oncoming car; and it would be the first vehicle to offer memory position power seating. No options were available, including air conditioning, which was standard, as was a plethora of remarkably personal items with perfume and small drinking cups among them. The only choices a customer would be concerned with were colors and interior surfaces: leather, cloth or a combination. The astronomical price ensured absolute exclusivity, as just 400 were made in 1957 and a mere 304 in 1958.
