It is hard to imagine an American automaker today building a four-door sedan that would be priced higher than a new Ferrari or Rolls-Royce. In the 1950s, it was a different time. Glitter was good, bigger was better, and too many accessories was just right in the age of neon, and Ford had upped the ante with the introduction of its Continental Mark II, a two-door coupe so elite that the Blue Oval didn’t even bother calling it a Lincoln. It was an era ripe for the ultimate Cadillac: a car heaped with everything that General Motors’ engineering and styling specialists could throw at it.

Harley Earl’s styling team contributed multiple new ideas, including four-door hardtop sedan bodywork, with side windows that disappeared completely, frames and all; rear-hinged rear doors, a throwback to the 1930s; and a broad expanse of sparkling brushed stainless steel roof. Quad headlights were exclusive to the model—and still illegal in most states. The engineering staff worked out a litany of power accessories, so numerous that “power everything” wasn’t just a convenient phrase, it was a reality. The trunk lid and rear doors not only opened with the push of a button, but they closed with one too, and the doors would lock automatically when the transmission was put in gear. A memory front seat was a first for a production car, as were the forged aluminum wheels. Naturally, there was air conditioning.

The car was so fully-equipped that the glove box even came filled. Cadillac thoughtfully provided a lady’s vanity case with compact, powder puff, comb and holder, lipstick, and coin holders, as well as six drink tumblers, a tissue dispenser, and a cigarette case. The rear seat armrest opened to reveal a notepad and pencil, a mirror, and a perfumer atomizer, which came with a complementary ounce of Arpège by Lanvin.

All of this high living came at a cost of $13,974, which was twice the cost of the Eldorado Biarritz Convertible. In fact, one had to look long and hard to find a production car anywhere in the world that was as expensive as an Eldorado Brougham. Cadillac reportedly lost $10,000 on every car built, which was why the original “Eldo Bro” lasted for only two years and 704 examples.

This fine example was the 332nd built, and it is reported to have originally been sold in Texas. The car came to Sacramento in 1959 for an undetermined period of time until being purchased by the consignor in 1995.

Like many Eldorado Broughams, it has been converted from the original air suspension to conventional springs, for durability’s sake, but retains the very rare original aluminum wheels, which have been swapped out for wire wheels on many surviving cars. All of the original suspension parts have been retained and stored by the owner.

The body has never been off the frame, and it is rust-free throughout. The interior is largely original, except for the carpet and dash cover. The bodywork has recently been repainted in Code 126 Fairfax Blue.

The owner also reports that the car has received new chrome on the wheels and bumpers. It typifies an honest car in outstanding overall condition, with excellent chrome, beautiful deep paint, and a perfect stainless steel top, plus it has only 52,500 actual miles.

Among the many features on this outstanding model you can find air conditioning, power windows, power ventipanes, Autronic Eye, AM radio with power antenna, four headlights, fog lights, automatic trunk release and memory power seat to name but a few. This car is stated to even have the vanity items in the glove boxes.

This Eldorado Brougham placed first in class at the 2009 Marin Sonoma Concours and has also achieved a first in class at the 2012 Hillsborough Concours. Additionally the Cadillac was second in class at the 2010 Palo Alto Concours.

Cadillac has stood for uncompromising performance, daring design and groundbreaking technology. This is a perfect illustration of how Cadillac automobiles became to be known as “The Standard of the World.”