At the pinnacle of America’s luxury car market, the General Motors Cadillac Division went from strength to strength during the immediate postwar years, including new postwar models by 1948 and a powerful new V-8 engine for 1949. Based on the El Dorado Golden Anniversary concept car that wowed visitors to GM’s 1952 Motorama roadshows, the Series 62 Eldorado Convertible reached limited production in 1953 and by 1956, the Seville two-door hardtop joined the Eldorado series, while the glamorous Eldorado convertible was named “Biarritz,” after the luxurious French seaside town. Handsomely restyled for 1957, the Eldorado featured a tuned 365 cubic inch V-8 with twin four-barrel carburetors delivering 325 factory-rated hp, matched with a standard GM Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic transmission. Just 1,800 examples of the Eldorado Biarritz were manufactured for 1957, priced from a lofty $7,286.

Purchased in 1999 from John P. Esposato, and reportedly the classic car most frequently driven by veteran film producer Richard Donner around Los Angeles, this 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible is offered showing approximately 68,100 miles. Striking in its black exterior finish, the Eldorado is nicely accented by a white soft top and red and white two-tone leather interior. Abundantly powered by Cadillac’s 365 cubic inch V-8 engine and GM Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic transmission, the Eldorado’s vital signs are monitored by an under-dash ammeter and oil-pressure gauge. Cruising enjoyment is afforded by air-conditioning and AM radio, plus power-assisted brakes and steering. Steel wheels, factory style wheel covers, and Coker wide whitewall radial tires provide the finishing touches. Rare and powerful, this 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible is ready for continued enjoyment.