51K Survivor: 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham

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July 12, 2023 Update – The high bid did not meet the seller’s reserve price, so we’ve moved this vehicle to our “Rides Still Available Page.”  Click the blue button above or below to navigate to this ride’s bid page, where you can either select the green “Buy Now” button to agree to the seller’s $145,000 Buy Now Price.

GuysWithRides is to offer Lot 219, a 51.4K original mile 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham survivor, in an online, reserve-price auction on behalf of the current caretaker.

Bidding opened Wednesday, June 28, 2023, and closed at 5:30 PM Eastern on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

If you know anything about the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, you know what a rare and special car this is.  With a price of over $13,000 when new ($141,500 in 2023 dollars), the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was the most expensive car in the world that year.  Consequently, Cadillac only made 400 examples and reportedly lost nearly $10,000 on every unit sold.

Purchased new by Phil Wrigley (of the Chicago Wrigley and Cubs Baseball Team), this is a high-quality survivor example with only 51,400 original miles. At some point during his ownership, Phil gave the car to his daughter who kept it for several years before selling it to the third owner in Arizona.  The current caretaker eventually bought the car from the third owner.

Featuring a Camelot Gray exterior, it is believed to be the only 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham painted in this exterior color, as the manufacturer reportedly made Phil Wrigley wait nearly a year to get the car painted that shade.  Contrasting the Camelot Gray exterior is a black and white leather interior.

The seller reports their 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham starts and drives.  The power accessories and the factory air conditioning system also work.  The only item in the car currently not working is the factory radio.

Most importantly, the seller reports that the “Unobtanium” Glove Box Vanity Set and rear seat Perfume Bottle are included with the sale of the car.  The only change from new was a swap from the original air suspension to traditional coil springs that a previous owner commissioned many years ago.

This 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham is part of a West Palm Beach, Florida, collection.

If you have any questions about this vintage Cadillac, please comment below or call Rudy directly at 877-468-6497.

The Deets

Year: 1957
Make: Cadillac
Model: Eldorado Brougham
Location: Palm Beach, Florida
Mileage: 51,714
VIN: 5770090427
Exterior Color: Camelot Gray
Interior Color: Black and White Leather
Engine: 325 hp 365 cu in dual quad V8
Transmission: Four-Speed GM Hydra-Matic
Drivetrain: Rear Wheel Drive
Fuel: Gas

Current Bid: $30,100

The 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was a luxury automobile that epitomized elegance, style, and innovation. It was produced by Cadillac, General Motors’ luxury division, and was a limited-production, handcrafted vehicle designed to compete with other high-end luxury cars of its time. Here’s a detailed description of the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham:

Exterior Design: The Eldorado Brougham featured a distinct and futuristic design that showcased Cadillac’s commitment to luxury and sophistication. It had a low, sleek profile with prominent tailfins, a popular design element of the 1950s. A wide, chrome-laden grille with quad headlights and a sleek bumper characterized the car’s front end. Large, pointed tail fins and stylish taillights highlighted the rear end. The car was adorned with lavish chrome trim, giving it a touch of opulence.

Coach Doors: One of the most notable and distinguishing features of the Eldorado Brougham was its unique coach doors. The rear-hinged rear doors opened opposite the front doors, allowing for easier access and adding a touch of grandeur. These doors were power-operated and featured a touch-sensitive release mechanism, adding to the car’s luxurious appeal.

Luxurious Interior: The interior of the Eldorado Brougham was a true testament to luxury and craftsmanship. It featured a spacious cabin that could comfortably seat four occupants. The seats were upholstered in plush, supple leather and were power-adjustable, ensuring optimal comfort for the passengers. The front seats were equipped with memory functions, allowing them to remember and adjust to the preferred seating position of different drivers.

The Eldorado Brougham showcased cutting-edge technology and innovative features for its time. It was one of the first production cars to incorporate quad headlights, providing enhanced visibility on the road. It also featured an air suspension system, allowing for a smoother ride and automatic leveling based on road conditions. The car also boasted a built-in air conditioning system, power windows, power door locks, and a power trunk lid, all considered luxurious amenities in the late 1950s.

The Eldorado Brougham offered high customization and personalization options for its discerning customers. Buyers could choose from an array of interior color schemes, upholstery materials, and trim options to suit their preferences. The car also came equipped with a wide range of standard and optional accessories, including a beverage set with magnetic cups, a vanity case, a notepad, a cigarette case, and even a ladies’ compact with a lipstick holder.

Under the hood, the 1957 Eldorado Brougham was powered by a high-output 365 cubic-inch V8 engine topped with two four-barrel carburetors. It delivered an impressive performance for its time, producing around 325 horsepower. The engine was mated to a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, which provided smooth and effortless gear shifts.

The Eldorado Brougham was a limited-production luxury car, with only 400 units manufactured for the 1957 model year. Its exclusivity and handcrafted nature added to its desirability and made it a symbol of prestige. At $13,074 when new (the equivalent of $141,500 in 2023 dollars), It represented the epitome of automotive luxury in the late 1950s and remains an icon of American automotive history.

The current caretaker reports Philip Knight Wrigley, the heir of the Wrigley Chewing Gum Company and the Chicago Cubs baseball team, originally purchased their 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. The seller reports their Brougham is a 51.4K mile survivor car that retains its original numbers matching powertrain and its original paint and interior. The only change from new was the conversion of the troublesome air suspension to a more traditional coil spring setup.  Most importantly, this 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham retains its original full vanity set, including four metal drink tumblers and a magnetic tray in the glove box, tissue holder, and cigarette case. In the rear, a special compartment in the center console still contains a perfume atomizer with a vintage bottle of Arpège Extrait de Lanvin perfume.

With only 400 produced, these were very rare cars when new and are extremely hard to find for sale.

Exterior Gallery

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Interior Gallery

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Underhood And Undercarriage Gallery

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Tires And Wheels Gallery

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Documentation Gallery

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If you have any questions about this 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, please comment below or call Rudy directly at 877-468-6497.  Thank you for looking, and happy bidding!

3 Comments
  1. 1957 Camelot Gray Cadillac Eldorado Brougham For Sale

    Very cool car! Does the AC work? (thus making it even cooler!)

    Reply
  2. 1957 Camelot Gray Cadillac Eldorado Brougham For Sale

    I’m not familiar with your auction system so my question is : do you have a buy-it-now prize on the car ?

    Reply
    • 1957 Camelot Gray Cadillac Eldorado Brougham For Sale

      Hi Job, the auction ended without meeting the seller’s firm reserve price of $145,000. Our buyer’s premium is capped at $4,000, so to buy this rare Cadillac, you select the “Buy Now” button located on this listing and agree to the “Buy Now” price. You can call me directly at (877) 468-6497.

      Reply

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