1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
General Motors launched a corporate-wide styling revolution for 1959 after glimpsing Chrysler’s radical 1957 designs, with Cadillac receiving the most dramatic transformation of all.
The Eldorado Biarritz Convertible showcased towering tailfins that rose nearly 15 inches above the fender line, crowned by distinctive quad “rocket-booster” taillights that created an unmistakable silhouette. At two-and-a-half tons of steel and chrome, this flagship convertible commanded attention wherever it appeared.
Performance matched the flamboyant styling. The enlarged 390 cubic inch overhead-valve V8 featured three two-barrel Rochester carburetors (“Tri-Power”) that boosted output to 345 horsepower in Eldorado applications, compared to 325 horsepower in standard Cadillacs.
This powerplant could propel the massive convertible to speeds in excess of 120 mph while maintaining the refined character expected from America’s luxury leader.
Standard equipment reflected Cadillac’s position at the top of the domestic hierarchy. Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, and power seats all came included, while the innovative Autronic Eye system automatically dimmed the headlights when detecting oncoming traffic.
Priced at around $7,400 when new (Cadillac’s most expensive open car in 1959), the Eldorado Biarritz was a rare sight. Only about 1,320 were produced, making each example a significant piece of American automotive excess and one of the most iconic symbols of the jet-age design era.
Source
