Drivetrain
Chassis
Body
In 1953, Cadillac was celebrating their 50th Anniversary in style by debuting the Eldorado which was built without compromise to showcase the ultimate is Cadillac styling, engineering, and craftsmanship that they are still famous for. A big, luxuriously equipped vehicle that would earn its place at the top of the prestigious Cadillac line-up and be the most expensive GM car built to date with an initial sticker price of $7,750 in 1953. A distinctive bodyshell with stylish coachwork that rode low to the ground on standard chrome wire spoke wheels. The Eldorado name translates to “Golden One”, and with a total of 12 generations produced spanning from 1953 to the year 2002. Cadillac proved year after year that the Eldorado deserved the moniker.
The initial 1953 Eldorado was a limited production, special-bodied convertible with just 532 built, making it one of the most desirable post-war Cadillacs amongst collectors. It was the 1952 El Dorado “Golden Anniversary” concept car brought to life. Showcasing a wraparound windshield with windshield washers, cut-down door sills that dipped at the end of the doors, dual exhaust that tastefully exited out of the large chrome rear bumper, a 12-volt electrical system, signal seeking radio, power windows and a heater as standard equipment. The car carried no special badging other than a gold-colored "Eldorado" nameplate in the center of the dash. A flush-mounted, body colored hard tonneau cover conceals the convertible top when lowered.
We are extremely proud to offer this rare first generation 1953 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz finished in original code correct 29- Aztec Red (1 of 4 exclusive Eldorado colors) with a White power folding convertible top. The interior is code correct 38- Red/White Leather. Out of the 532 that were made, only 43 were finished in Aztec Red, of which only 19 shared the Aztec Red paint with a White convertible top and matching Red/White combination interior! Powering this Eldorado is its original numbers matching 331ci OHV V8 engine producing 210 horsepower mated to a 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. For its launch, Cadillac's Eldorado was top-of-the-line with features including power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, AM radio with a power antenna, heater/defroster, and chrome wire wheels with US Royal 8.20-15 white wall tires.
This prestigious Cadillac Eldorado and has been meticulously cared for with the previous owner, Howard Thier of the Thier Collection, for the past 13 years. Prior to his acquisition, it had already received a comprehensive frame-off restoration in approximately 2003 while in the Lowell Dunn collection including refinishing the chassis & suspension components, professional repaint of the exterior, replacing all the window glass with new seals & body weather stripping, rebuilt brakes, new interior carpet, leather upholstery, trunk interior, wiring, re-plated chrome, etc. Mr. Thier would further perfect the running condition of the car through his personal restoration facility, TII Restorations Inc. based in Huntsville, Tennessee. Soon after his purchase in January 2009, the original engine and transmission would be fully rebuilt by his staff, properly detailed, and reinstalled. His team would also install a new convertible top that same year before taking it on to earn AACA First Junior honors at the Hershey Eastern Fall Meet in 2010.
Upon purchasing this car for the St. Louis Car Museum in September 2022, we have replaced the distributor cap, rotor, & condenser, ignition coil, spark plugs, installed a new oil pressure switch, front coil springs, all 4 wheel cylinders, rear brake shoes, turned rear drums, bled the brakes; new transmission oil pan gasket with new transmission fluid, rebuilt the Rochester carburetor with new fuel filter, changed the engine oil & filter, fresh battery with new cables & ends, and finishing with a thorough detailing.
With only 65,918 miles that are believed to be original, this is quite the opportunity to own a piece of Cadillac history with one of the first Eldorados ever constructed, especially one featuring a much desired factory color combination like this one! A genuine classic car that's sure to steal the show wherever you cruise to! Thank you for your interest and please contact sales for additional information or come into our showroom to see this beautiful car in person!
1953 Cadillac
Eldorado Biarritz Convertible
Quick Specs
Highlights
- One of only 532 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible Coupes built for first year introduction!
- Represents one of only 19 in this special Aztec Red over Red/White leather combination!
- Well kept, older frame-off restoration with rebuilt engine & transmission in 2010!
- Number matching and factory color code correct!
- Most recently belonged to the Thier Collection for past 13 years!
Description
In 1953, Cadillac was celebrating their 50th Anniversary in style by debuting the Eldorado which was built without compromise to showcase the ultimate is Cadillac styling, engineering, and craftsmanship that they are still famous for. A big, luxuriously equipped vehicle that would earn its place at the top of the prestigious Cadillac line-up and be the most expensive GM car built to date with an initial sticker price of $7,750 in 1953. A distinctive bodyshell with stylish coachwork that rode low to the ground on standard chrome wire spoke wheels. The Eldorado name translates to “Golden One”, and with a total of 12 generations produced spanning from 1953 to the year 2002. Cadillac proved year after year that the Eldorado deserved the moniker.
The initial 1953 Eldorado was a limited production, special-bodied convertible with just 532 built, making it one of the most desirable post-war Cadillacs amongst collectors. It was the 1952 El Dorado “Golden Anniversary” concept car brought to life. Showcasing a wraparound windshield with windshield washers, cut-down door sills that dipped at the end of the doors, dual exhaust that tastefully exited out of the large chrome rear bumper, a 12-volt electrical system, signal seeking radio, power windows and a heater as standard equipment. The car carried no special badging other than a gold-colored "Eldorado" nameplate in the center of the dash. A flush-mounted, body colored hard tonneau cover conceals the convertible top when lowered.
We are extremely proud to offer this rare first generation 1953 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz finished in original code correct 29- Aztec Red (1 of 4 exclusive Eldorado colors) with a White power folding convertible top. The interior is code correct 38- Red/White Leather. Out of the 532 that were made, only 43 were finished in Aztec Red, of which only 19 shared the Aztec Red paint with a White convertible top and matching Red/White combination interior! Powering this Eldorado is its original numbers matching 331ci OHV V8 engine producing 210 horsepower mated to a 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. For its launch, Cadillac's Eldorado was top-of-the-line with features including power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, AM radio with a power antenna, heater/defroster, and chrome wire wheels with US Royal 8.20-15 white wall tires.
This prestigious Cadillac Eldorado and has been meticulously cared for with the previous owner, Howard Thier of the Thier Collection, for the past 13 years. Prior to his acquisition, it had already received a comprehensive frame-off restoration in approximately 2003 while in the Lowell Dunn collection including refinishing the chassis & suspension components, professional repaint of the exterior, replacing all the window glass with new seals & body weather stripping, rebuilt brakes, new interior carpet, leather upholstery, trunk interior, wiring, re-plated chrome, etc. Mr. Thier would further perfect the running condition of the car through his personal restoration facility, TII Restorations Inc. based in Huntsville, Tennessee. Soon after his purchase in January 2009, the original engine and transmission would be fully rebuilt by his staff, properly detailed, and reinstalled. His team would also install a new convertible top that same year before taking it on to earn AACA First Junior honors at the Hershey Eastern Fall Meet in 2010.
Upon purchasing this car for the St. Louis Car Museum in September 2022, we have replaced the distributor cap, rotor, & condenser, ignition coil, spark plugs, installed a new oil pressure switch, front coil springs, all 4 wheel cylinders, rear brake shoes, turned rear drums, bled the brakes; new transmission oil pan gasket with new transmission fluid, rebuilt the Rochester carburetor with new fuel filter, changed the engine oil & filter, fresh battery with new cables & ends, and finishing with a thorough detailing.
With only 65,918 miles that are believed to be original, this is quite the opportunity to own a piece of Cadillac history with one of the first Eldorados ever constructed, especially one featuring a much desired factory color combination like this one! A genuine classic car that's sure to steal the show wherever you cruise to! Thank you for your interest and please contact sales for additional information or come into our showroom to see this beautiful car in person!