The Cadillac Eldorado is a luxury car
Cadillac relaxed its outrageous design for the 1960 Eldorado, the year in which the division stopped using triple two-barrel carburetion as standard equipment. Throughout the remaining six years of its production life, the rear-drive Eldo had the same engine specifications as its less exotic linemates.
The air suspension system was abandoned after 1960, as well. A hardtop was also available for the Eldorado. In a year where the Biarritz sold more than the Seville. With two other hardtop coupes in the Cadillac lineup, the Seville was now redundant. Likewise, Cadillac ended production of the 1959-60 Brougham after only 200 cars were built.
The two-door Eldorado coupes and convertibles were much more exclusive and expensive than the four-door sedans. Three two-barrel carburetors guzzled gas through a 345-horsepower version of the 390-cid engine.
Due to a change from ’58 Sabre Spoke wheels to stamped steel wheels. The Eldorados lost some of their exclusivity in 1959.
Eldorados, however, came with deep-dish wheel covers (as did the Sixty Special) as standard as were fender skirts. (Chronic leakage problems led to its disappearance after 1960).
There was also cruise control, the Autronic Eye headlight dimming system, radio and electric antennas, power door locks, fog lamps, and three rows of jewels on the rear end.
1960 Cadillac Eldorado Vintage Photos
In chronological order, here is the Cadillac Eldorado generational line-up:
- First Generation: Produced only in 1953
- Second Generation: Produced from 1954 through 1956
- Third Generation: Produced from 1957 through 1960, with the following variations by year by year:
- 1957- Eldorado*
- 1957-1958- Hand-built Series 70 Brougham
- 1958- Eldorado Seville, Biarritz, Brougham
- 1959-1960- Italian-produced Eldorado Brougham
- 1959- Eldorado*
- 1960- Eldorado*
- Fourth Generation: Produced from 1961 through1964
- Fifth Generation: Produced from 1965 through 1966
- Sixth Generation: Produced from 1967 through 1970
- Seventh Generation: Produced from 1971 through 1978
- 1978 also produced more luxurious Eldorado Biarritz
- Eighth Generation: Produced from 1979 through 1985
- Ninth Generation: Produced from 1986 through 1991
- Tenth Generation: Produced from 1992 through 2002
The 1960 Cadillac is similar to the 1959 Cadillac, but it has a smoother, more streamlined appearance.
On the general front, there were full-width grilles, the elimination of pointed front bumper guards, and more careful use of chrome trim. On the rear, there were lower tailfins with oval-shaped nacelles and directional indicators installed on the front fenders.
Several exterior variations saw the Seville two-door hardtop and Biarritz convertible adorned with fender skirt highlights on both sides and Eldorado lettering on the sides of the front fenders, just behind the headlamps.
An X-frame structure and finned rear drums were technical highlights. The interiors were done in Chadwick cloth or combined Chambray cloth and leather. In 1960, the last Eldorado Seville was built.
Northern Exposure’s Maurice Minnifield drives a 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz 6467E.
Related: 1953 Cadillac Le Mans
