Eldorado: The King of Cars

In the golden era of American automobiles, the word "Eldorado" symbolized just one thing ... the biggest, boldest and best convertible on the Sunset Strip. This born-in-Detroit dream ride was more than "The Standard of the World." Eldorado was The King of Cars, the Cadillac of Cadillacs.

The premiere edition was a custom-bodied 1953 convertible with the
industry's first wraparound windshield. Most were white with a sinfully-rich red leather interior.

Main Street America got its first sighting of the rare Cadillac on TV,
watching the March 1953 inauguration parade of President Eisenhower.
Having the new President standing in the back of a stunning white Eldo
was a real publicity coup for General Motors.

Through the Fifties, the Eldorado was a favorite of kings, presidents
and movie stars. Elvis bought a new one every year. With its unabashed
Las Vegas style and Hollywood panache, there was never anything
understated about an Eldorado. The most iconic model of all has got to
be the '59 convertible, with its soaring tail fins and ultra-low
profile.

In 1967, a new front-wheel drive coupe-only Eldorado arrived with an
ultra-long hood, razor-sharp lines and formal roofline. But fans of the
traditional Eldo applauded in 1971, when the convertible returned in a
bigger, grander new series of Eldorados.

When Cadillac announced that the 1976 Eldorado Convertible would be
last of the full-size drop-tops, collectors rushed in and production
soared to the 14,000 mark. Convertibles did return a few years later,
but somehow the new downsized cars never matched the sheer majesty of
the opulent, classic Eldorados.

Today, we love 'em all but solid gold seems like the color most
appropriate for the fabulous Eldorado.

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