Until 1956, Cadillac offered its’ ultra-exclusive Eldorado only as a two-door convertible. However, for 1956, Cadillac expanded the Eldorado line with a hardtop coupe called the Eldorado Seville, rebranding the droptop as the Eldorado Biarritz. With an original MSRP that edged in on the $7,000 mark, just 2,150 Biarritz were produced that year. This 1956 Eldorado Biarritz features the cowl tag showing Style No. 56-6267SX, positively identifying the car as an Eldorado Biarritz. Fitted with a dual-quad 365/305 HP V-8 engine and Hydra-Matic transmission, the Biarritz spoils occupants with power steering, power hydraulic drum brakes, a power-operated white convertible top with a hard-shell parade boot, power windows, a signal-seeking AM radio, a heater and defroster, a remote side-view mirror, EZ-Eye tinted glass and woven carpeting with heel pads. It’s restored in its original Alpine White, and Eldorados also received unique tailfins fitted with special tail lights, special quarter-panel styling, additional chrome trim on the doors and a gold-finished grille and “Cadillac” script. The two-tone red and white interior features pleated leather seating upholstery, brightwork upon the dashboard and interior panels and other unique details defining it as one of Cadillac’s most luxurious and exclusive offerings. For 1953, General Motors celebrated its design leadership with the introduction of three limited-edition convertibles: the Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado, the Buick Roadmaster Skylark and the Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta. Each was a factory custom-built car with exclusive colors and special features, setting them apart from the rest of the lineup. The Eldorado was the most expensive of the special trio, costing around $7,700, and was available with a short list of optional extras such as air conditioning and wire wheels, which retailed for $620 and $325, respectively. Needless to say, neither the car nor the options were for the financially faint of heart. Just 532 were built that year, with Cadillac focusing on more palatable pricing to entertain a larger market in subsequent years.
