Sea of Blue: 1964 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible – SOLD!
(To stop the slideshow and expand the pictures, click on the current photograph below)
June 8, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar
1964 marked the final year for the sixth-generation Eldorado, and while the ‘65 was a spectacular machine in its own right, the car represented a clear turning point. Kicking off with the 1960 model year’s massively downsized tail fins, and cemented with the following year’s all-new line, Cadillac enjoyed a brief but brilliant stretch in which its gothic-colored mid-century modern designs led the world in elegance; find an extraneous line or bad angle on a ‘61 Bubble Top Caddy, or indeed anywhere on this ‘64 Eldorado convertible originally listed in May 2022 on Craigslist in Carlsbad (Los Angeles), California.
Currently advertised for $29,500, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is just about right for a convertible in what looks and sounds to be of a high driver level condition. By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you make an educated bid on the car we are featuring for auction here:
As a second data point, the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $23,550 and its #2 “Very Good” appraisal of $36,525.
As was typical for American cars of the time, the sixth-gen Eldorado had a relatively brief two-year run. Introduced in ‘63 and gone by ‘65, the car shared quite a bit with its predecessor, including a 129.5” wheelbase, roughly 80” width, and near-19-foot length. Though the initial engine remained a 390ci V8 making 325 hp and 430 lb. ft. (gross), in reality, it was entirely new, severing links with Cadillac’s first and revolutionary OHV V8 331 of 1949, while also providing a base for the brand’s 429, 472, and legendary monster 500. Being a ‘64, this particular car should have the 429ci unit, good for a smooth, silent 340 hp and 480 lb. ft. of torque.
The CaddyDaddy YouTube Channel features this first chapter on their 1964 Cadillac Eldorado convertible driver quality project from a few years ago:
We love this 1964 Cadillac Eldorado convertible’s beautiful blue, one of several offered for the year. We’ve narrowed it down to either Firemist or Beacon Blue; bright, beachside sunlight might be the car’s natural environment, but it doesn’t make for the most “readable” photos. Blue on blue is a highly underrated combo, and the subject car’s gorgeous powder blue leather looks to be in fine shape. Though the seller sounds unsure of the car’s originality, hide, patterning and details look factory correct. That’s real wood in the enormous, open-air cabin, and the dash and door panel design is easily up to par with the exterior. Along with their less graceful sheet metal, 1965 Eldos marked the start of a distinct, decades-long slide in Cadillac interior design and materials quality; this is as good as it got, but man, was it good. About the only thing we’d wish for with this ‘64 would be De Villetrim, which featured largely identical lines apart from the addition of rear fender skirts, which really emphasized the car’s length and crisp sheet metal.
Here’s the seller’s description:
Show or go: What would you do with this 1964 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible? Please comment below and let us know!
How cool… a picture of the boat at the beach.
Now THAT’S a Cadillac!