New for 1957, the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was over-the-top with its first-ever quad headlights, signature stainless steel roof cap, rear-opening suicide doors, and Jet Age air suspension. Just 400 were built in 1957, selling new for a staggering $13,074. Powered by a 325-hp V-8 with two four-barrel carburetors, the car was laden with high-roller accoutrements like a matched set of tumblers, special lipstick and cologne, and a rear armrest that included a pad, pencil, and mirror. Another 304 were produced for 1958, after which the original Eldorado Brougham became a thing of the past.

The car offered here, body number 442, was delivered new to Robert D. Frisbee, of Atherton, California, by George S. Paddleford Cadillac, of Palo Alto, on 7 December 1957, and the original sales sticker is still in place inside the engine compartment. It eventually made its way to New Jersey, and there, it was acquired in 1989, by Eldorado Brougham enthusiast Dave Barclay.

In 2006 the third owner acquired the Cadillac and, three years later, refinished it completely, including a new, show-quality repaint in the attractive original color of Deauville Gray (118). The interior has been reupholstered in its correct original combination of Medium Blue Parisienne cloth and leather (222) and genuine mouton carpeting (2). The car has been retrofitted with a new self-leveling air-suspension system, which does not ride down when the car is parked, as the original did, and it is also less prone to leaks. The factory radio has been upgraded to AM/FM, and importantly, every power component on the car is reported to work, including even the air conditioning, the memory seat, and the clock. Even the low-profile tires are correct.

Perhaps the most special thing about this Eldorado Brougham is that it is still accompanied with many of the special vanity accessories with which these cars were delivered new. These include the stainless steel drink tumblers, the bottoms of which are magnetized so that they can be placed on the dashboard without sliding about, as well as a cigarette case, tissue holder, a lady’s compact, and an ounce of Arpege by Lanvin.

This is one of the nicest Eldorado Broughams to be offered in some time.