For Sale: 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz in Saint Louis, Missouri

The unchallenged icon of its era, the 1959 Cadillac is testament to the mantra of the 1950s - more is better, too much is not enough. The story of the revamped General Motors lineup is well known. An advance glimpse at Chrysler's radical 1957 car line convinced GM bosses that their planned 1959 cars would be dated and obsolete by the time they reached showrooms, so a crash program was instituted for a corporate-wide revamp. All five GM brands received restyled new bodies, with Cadillac's fins dramatically more than four feet tall, it would be king of luxury cars, bar none. In 1959, Cadillac's premier Eldorado sub-series included the Seville hardtop, the Biarritz convertible, and the Brougham four-door hardtop. Standard Eldorado features included all the items available on the DeVille line and beyond, including a heater, fog lamps, air suspension, a radio with a rear-mounted speaker, power windows and vent windows, six-way power seats, power top, remote-control trunk lid lock, electric door locks and whitewall tires. Additional amenities include numerous lighting conveniences, visor vanity mirror and special finned wheel covers. Very few options were available on the Biarritz, although our featured example has the desirable factory air conditioning system, Autronic Eye dimming headlights, cruise control and E-Z Eye glass. The flamboyant interior features vast swaths of leather upholstery and is complemented by an abundance of painted steel and brightwork. Of all the 1959 Cadillacs, the convertibles are the most sought after, and of course the glamorous Eldorado Biarritz sits at the pinnacle of collectability and desirability. When all was said and done, Cadillac reigned supreme over the full-sized luxury car market in North America with exciting, well-built automobiles featuring advanced engineering and the leading-edge styling of Harley Earl. While the 1959 Eldorado was controversial and misunderstood in time, the collectors and critics of today agree that it possesses an unmatched combination of power, presence and luxury. The pinnacle of the Cadillac line in 1959, the Eldorado Biarritz Convertible carried a base price of a then whopping $7,401, and just 1,320 examples were produced for the 1959 model year. This 1959 Eldorado Biarritz is a remarkable example which benefits from an older, high-quality restoration that still presents beautifully today. The car is presently finished in a stunning combination of a red exterior over white leather upholstery, with contrasting red dash and carpets and a white convertible top. While the restoration is older, it was finished to a high standard, and it still exhibits beautiful paint, excellent brightwork, and straight, crisp body panels. The white leather is in excellent order, showing some light character from use, particularly on the driver's seat, but is otherwise beautifully clean and supple. Original interior appointments include a pushbutton radio, dash-mounted Autronic Eye sensor, and an ash tray for every occupant. The pinpoint vinyl top is, of course, power operated and in good order, with a small vinyl repair noted on close inspection. The Eldorado Biarritz-only fiberglass parade boot is included for a tidy finishing touch. The Eldorado showcased Cadillac's ultimate engine for 1959, the powerful Q-code 390 cubic inch V-8, which is topped by three two-barrel Rochester carburetors. This engine produces 345 horsepower, and is mated to a three-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission as standard equipment. Lifting the enormous hood reveals a highly detailed engine compartment with correct colors, decals, tags and cadmium finishes on nuts and bolts as original. The massive gold air cleaner covers the factory multiple carburation system, and power steering and brakes are standard fitments. It is noted that the engine number does not match the VIN, though it is a period-correct 1959 block. While a complicated and oft-troublesome air suspension was standard on the Biarritz, this example has since been converted to a more conventional coil spring setup - a common practice to improve reliability and eliminate headaches for owners, and many were converted early-on. Additionally, it was recently fitted with a new set of correct US-Royal bias-ply white wall tires for the proper stance and ride quality. The 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz is the ultimate expression of mid-century design excess, yet it does so with a brilliant balance of elegance, sophistication, and panache. It is no wonder that it is one of the most iconic and collectible American cars of the era, and this marvelous example is certain to bring Cadillac-sized joy to its next custodian. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details please view this listing directly on our website https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7507-1959-cadillac-eldorado-biarritz-convertible/