Stamp '58 Eldorado

It's worth noting that G.M.s automatic convertible closure from a rain sensor first appeared on the Le Sabre.

Outstanding 'My First Take' JK !

Posted by: @100ford2003

Outstanding 'My First Take' JK !

I've told him before, he's a natural at this. With the proper handling,  John could go national with his own Podcast. It could be an interesting hobby-related mix of reviews, history, current news, special guests & interviews. I'm not being facetious, I'm serious. There's an ASMR (if you don't know, Google it ) quality about John.

Looks nice. The interior looks amazing.

I purchased the GLM/Stamp 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz top down in metallic blue back in April 2022. I've compared it to the blue "raindrop" 1958 Eldorado on the turntable and can't see any difference other than the grill on the "raindrop" being gold and narrower whitewalls and possibly some difference in the hubcaps. Can anyone point out any other differences? The red prototype above is quite different due the rear fins which resemble 1959 Cadillac fins or even Imperial fins.

Another fine look at and review of this great-looking Stamp 1958 Cadillac, John ! What a superb model, and even at this stage and it will certainly be a knockout in anyone's 1/43 display. 

Speaking of rare and unusual 1957 Cadillacs, I want to know the story behind the only four of these that were made according to my production books and a Collectible Automobile article.

Note the above is a four door hardtop but does not use the rear quarters or the rear hinged rear door of the silver Brooklin Eldorado Brougham shown below with an Eldorado convertible.

Posted by: @kenspear

The red prototype above is quite different due the rear fins which resemble 1959 Cadillac fins or even Imperial fins.

From what I recall, that "red prototype"  was more of a gift and/or style exercise by Harley Earl's design team. As Earl was preparing for retirement in early '58, his staff created that '58-'59 hybrid. The pointed-cone taillight lenes were glass, not plastic. Little one-off touches (that the staff thought Earl would like ) were engineered in. It's a cool story but I can only recall parts of it.

Obviously, Earl liked what he saw and the '59 followed, although rumor is that Earl, whose lasts projects were 1959-1962 Cadillacs, wasn't that involved and delegated many tasks. 

Posted by: @john-quilter

I want to know the story behind the only four of these that were made according to my production books and a Collectible Automobile article.

From what I remember, these ultra-rare 1957 Cadillac Seville 4-drs, although not featured in brochures, were simply special-order cars that anyone (anyone with the means ) could purchase. Apparently, few dealers promoted the car. Subsequently, only a VERY few purchased them. 

I'm not a 1957 Cadillac expert but I believe their back-story  is just that simple. 🙄 😯 

@chris  Thanks,  sounds like a likely situation.   And don't forget the Italian bodied four door Cadillacs from 1959 and 1960 of which I believe only 100 were made each year.   They fore told the next year's styling with regard to the fins and were ultra expensive.

@john-quilter Yep, know those well. Actually, production was 99 and 101. During transport, one fell off the ship's lift in 1959, to compensate, 101 were produced in 1960.

@john-quilter Which sources and books are you referring to? Can you post your references? I am talking about the 1957 4 doors Seville.

Posted by: @nickies

@john-quilter Which sources and books are you referring to? Can you post your references? I am talking about the 1957 4 doors Seville.

The Production Figure Book For US Cars,  by Jerry Heasley 1977 published by Motor Books International, Oceola Wisconsin, library of Congress 77-4149.  Page 111.  This lists production of four, as Sedan Seville, (6339 SX).    This production figure was also quoted in a table in Collectible Automobile magazine but I am unable to lay my hands on that issue in my library.

@john-quilter Here is the available information from the online Cadillac Database. 

Fleetwood (USA) special 4-door Eldorado Seville 4-door sedan, style 6239SX. Only 4 were built. Two members of the Cadillac-LaSalle Club own one of these rare cars: Don S. Pike and John W. Vandegrift [see 1997 membership roster]. These four cars have block ELDORADO lettering centered on the trunk above the Cadillac "V". Also there is a "Seville" script on the front fender. But for their four doors in lieu of two, these cars are like regular '57 Eldorado Coupes. One of these Seville hardtop 4 door sedans was sighted in 1991 in a junkyard called "A-Autoparts" on Arrow highway near the 605 freeway intersection in Arcadia, CA, by Cadillac enthusiast Michael J. Morton. It was in unrestored original condition, black, complete and not rusty. At the time, the yard said they were taking offers on it. They did know about its rarity but did mention it was #4.

     

This photo courtesy of Katie Robbins, MI

     
These two photos courtesy of Lance Hirsch, TX