TGTBT? 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible – Flagged For Removal

December 22, 2022 Update – We called it.  The Craigslist ad for our inaugural “TGTBT?” (short for “Too Good To Be True?”) Award has been flagged for removal.  Judging by the comments a reader made when they tried to contact the seller (see below), this ’57 Eldorado convertible listed for only $32,000 is, in fact, a scam ad.

“TGTBT?” stands for “Too Good To Be True?” and is our new category of rides designed to compliment our popular “NEW!” Award. Unlike the “NEW!” Award for sellers with very optimistic pricing, “Too Good To Be True” recipients post a car on Craigslist with a price well below current market conditions.  Consequently, we caution potential buyers to do their homework before sending the sellers any money.

Our first official recipient of our “TGTBT?” award goes to this 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible, once listed in December 2022 on Craigslist near Nashville, Tennesee. With a stunning black over red leather color combination, the seller reports their Biarritz is a highly optioned example featuring both its original interior and numbers-matching powertrain.  Similar examples in this condition easily approach six-figure asking prices these days, so the fact the seller has it listed for about one-third of what we would expect has us questioning the ad.

Once offered for only $32,000, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is well below the one-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for third-generation Cadillac Eldorados of all trims and body styles produced between 1957 and 1958.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the price of the Biarritz convertible featured here:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls well below this guide’s #4 “Fair” value of $49,200 before factoring in adjustments for factory air conditioning. If this turns out not to be a scam ad, then the pricing for this car is practically a steal.

Cadillac produced the Eldorado across twelve generations spanning 1952 through 2002.  Eldorado was always at or near the top of the Cadillac model offerings.  The original 1953 Eldorado convertible and the Eldorado Brougham models of 1957–1960 had distinct bodyshells and were the most expensive models that Cadillac offered in those years. The Eldorado was never less than second in price after the Cadillac Series 75 limousine until 1966.

Cadillac launched the third-generation Eldorado for the 1957 model year in both Biarritz convertible and Seville hardtop body styles.  Eldorados that year featured new styling with an exclusive rear-end design incorporating a low, downswept fender line capped by pointed in-board fins. Just behind the open rear wheel housings, the lower rear quarters were trimmed with broad, sculptured stainless steel beauty panels that visually blended into the split rear wraparound bumper assemblies.  Series 62 Eldorados (as distinct from the Series 70 Eldorado Brougham) were further distinguished by the model name above a V-shaped rear deck ornament and on the front fenders. Eldorado shared its three-section front bumper with the rest of the redesigned Cadillac model line.  As in previous years, Eldorados came with a long list of standard features.

The What’s It Like YouTube Channel features this video providing a modern-day review of the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible:

Based on the pictures and description, this 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible for sale features a well-preserved original Leather interior powered by its numbers-matching powertrain. What isn’t clear from the seller’s description is whether the car received a repaint at some point, so you’ll need to confirm that with the seller.

Here’s the seller’s description:

What say you: Do you think the price of this 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible for sale is too good to be true?  Please comment below and let us know!