Cadillac’s Eldorado was introduced in 1953 as part of GM’s famed Motorama shows, and it quickly established itself as the last word in American automotive luxury at the time. The Eldorado was Cadillac’s flagship, and Cadillac sat atop GM’s family of brands, making the Eldorado the pinnacle of automotive achievement and the aspirational dream of every GM car buyer. Only the most successful of individuals could afford the pricey $7,286 price tag, and ownership of one was akin to driving a trophy that proclaimed your professional success.

Even though the hardtop Eldorado Seville and the equivalent convertible, the Eldorado Biarritz, first went on sale in 1956, the next year brought about several important updates, both mechanically and cosmetically. New for that year was Cadillac’s X-frame construction, which brought increased structural rigidity and helped to make the Eldorado’s ride even more sublime. Under the hood lay Cadillac’s 365-cubic inch V-8, which was topped with twin four-barrel carburetors and could produce 325 brake horsepower, which was 20 horsepower more than the standard Cadillac engines.

The 1957 Eldorados also received a complete restyling to go along with their new mechanical components, which was inspired by Cadillac’s Eldorado Brougham and Park Avenue show cars. The aforementioned new chassis also allowed the body to sit lower than it did on earlier cars, reducing overall height and improving the overall visual impression on the road. The car was given a distinctive tail treatment that included rounded flanks and each bearing a single shark-like fin. Only 1,800 Biarritz Convertibles were produced that year, accounting for a small percentage of total production.

The current owner purchased this Biarritz approximately five years ago. At the time it had been completely restored in the eye-catching shade of Dakota Red. The previous owner is said to have rebuilt the suspension, engine, and transmission, as well as the entire brake system. Additionally, he replaced the exhaust system, rear leaf springs, and bushings and fitted new rubber seals throughout. The chassis and body were sand-blasted and then properly primed before being repainted with nine coats of lacquer. All chrome items were redone, and the gold trim, including the optional gold grille, was re-anodized. The interior, trimmed in red and white vinyl, was refurbished as needed, so was the air-conditioning system and Wonder Bar radio and clock. The car also received new carpeting and padding throughout, and the convertible top mechanism was refurbished to ensure proper operation.

As this Cadillac was used sparingly since it was acquired, it continues to drive exceptionally well and would make for the ideal head-turner at the Dream Cruise. Pulling up to your favorite joint on Woodward Avenue in a Biarritz shows that you have “arrived,” in more ways than one, and the Eldorado offered today would certainly be no exception.