Throughout the fifties Cadillac kept increasing their own standards taking ideas from their show cars of earlier years and incorporating them into the 1957 Cadillac
models. One of the most expensive cars ever produced in this time period was
the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, price at over $13,000, rivaling the
Rolls Royce in price, but not style. The look of the 1957 Cadillac Brougham
outshined the Rolls Royce completely. The Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was
mirrored after the 1954 and
1955 show car combinations known as the Eldorado
Brougham, Orleans, and the Park Avenue. The 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
was a compact car with only a 126-inch wheelbase.
One of the most fascinating features that this Cadillac had was a brushed
stainless-steel roof, as well as the introduction of the air ride system, a
new suspension system that offered the Cadillac owner a smooth and seamless
ride compared to the traditional coil spring systems in all other
Cadillac’s. However, this new air suspension system was regarded by many as
being finicky, unreliable and expensive to repair, the Air Side system of
many Eldorado Broughams were retrofitted with conventional coil springs.
After four years of use, the air side system was discontinued and the
coil springs became standard again. As well, the introduction of quad
headlights was also standard for all Cadillac models in 1957. But ironically
these headlights were illegal in some states. Both power brakes and power
steering were also standard features on the Cadillac at this time on the
Eldorado and Sixty Specials a new six-way power seat was an optional
feature, as well. All Cadillac Eldorado Broughams were available with
air-conditioning, radios, and heaters. These cars had extensively beefed up
engines, as well, a two four-barrel carburetor and a tri-power V-8 rounded
out the mechanical updates for the Brougham.
One of the most distinguishing features for the 1957 Cadillac was the introduction of the “shark fin”. This tail fin treatment protruded like sharp razor blades from the slender down curving rear fender.
The 1957 Cadillac Brougham was declared the ultimate in luxury; however, because of its expensive price tag, not many were sold for the first two years of production, and in fact only a total of 704 were sold in 1957 and
1958 combined. In 1959, the Brougham got a complete overall and all production was moved to Italy.
Check out some other Cadillacs from the 1950's -
1951 1952 1953
1954 1955
1956 1957
1958 1959
