1957 Cadillac Series 70 Eldorado Brougham

Engine No. 5770102030
Body No. 155
The 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham set a new standard for exclusivity and opulence—an achievement that remains legendary today. For years, Cadillac proudly proclaimed itself “The Standard of the World,” and with the no-compromise Series 70 Eldorado Brougham, that declaration was fully realized. Priced at an astounding $13,074—thousands more than a Lincoln Continental Mark II or even a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud—the Eldorado Brougham offered a level of craftsmanship and luxury unmatched by any production automobile of its era. Each example was hand-built in limited numbers, featuring a distinctive four-door pillarless body with rear-hinged “suicide” doors unique to the model.
Power came from Cadillac's dual four-barrel V8 paired with a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, while the Eldorado Brougham also debuted the first air-spring suspension fitted to a passenger car. Power windows, chromed aluminum wheels, air conditioning, and countless other conveniences came standard. Such was the level of specification that there was, in Cadillac's words, “no optional equipment offered.” Inside, buyers could select from 44 interior combinations of full leather or broadcloth upholstery, complemented by carpeting in Mouton lambskin or cut-pile Karakul. Every imaginable luxury was provided on delivery—including a complete vanity set and even a bottle of Arpège Extrait de Lanvin perfume—ensuring that no detail was overlooked in Cadillac's ultimate expression of modern motoring prestige. In fact, with unit production costs reportedly totaling $23,000, General Motors is said to have lost nearly $10,000 on each Eldorado Brougham sold. The car's uncompromisingly premium nature effectively gave fortunate buyers a remarkable bargain.
A copy of this 1957 Eldorado's General Motors build sheet reveals it to be 155th of just 400 Broughams (style number 7059) estimated to be produced that year. Along with its body trim tag, the build sheet sourced from GM's Heritage Archives reveals that the car is finished in its as-delivered colors of Deauville Gray (118) over an interior with Light Gray Bayou Cloth, White leather seat side bars, White and Grey leather door side walls, and a Light Grey cloth headliner (1380). So few in number were the Eldorado Broughams and so vast were the paint and upholstery choices that it is highly likely that this is the singular 1957 Series 70 with this configuration. This Series 70 was further equipped with U.S. Royal blackwall tires and two license plate frames.
After production finished in Detroit, Michigan on 13 June, the car was shipped by truck to Akron, Ohio. Rare even in the United States, this beaming symbol of 1950s Americana has been, no doubt, quite the sight in Italy as one of a small handful in Continental Europe. It has seen restorative work at a point in the past. For those in search of a powerful, comfortable, and technically sophisticated American sedan with endless style and Italian papers, this Eldorado Brougham is an exceptional find.
PREVIEW DETAILS:
This lot will be available for viewing by appointment from Brusaporto, Italy.
SALE LOCATION:
Italy
BUYER'S PREMIUM:
10% + VAT on the Hammer Price
TITLE/REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS:
Italian Libretto
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
N/A
POST-AUCTION REMOVAL AND STORAGE:
Following receipt of payment, collection can be arranged by appointment only from Brusaporto, Italy with 24 hours' notice.