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. With the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, 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 Eldorado Brougham is one of the indisputable highwater marks in the storied Cadillac history. Along with stunning design, the $13,974 Eldorado was twice the cost of the Eldo Biarritz, as 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. Naturally, there is air conditioning as well.

Fully and properly restored in code 12 Alpine White with white upholstery, black trim and mouton carpet; this resplendent 1957 Eldorado Brougham has the 365-cid, dual four-barrel carbureted, 325-hp V-8 engine with Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. The stainless roof has its own special beauty and immediately signals the quality throughout. The optional Autronic-Eye is onboard, and the original air bag suspension has been converted to regular coil springs. The correct forged aluminum wheels and one-inch whitewall tires also dignify this legendary platform.

Perhaps one of the most special things 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 were often misplaced over the years, and to replace them is nearly impossible and often extraordinarily expensive.

Exclusive now, as then, the original model lasted for only two years and 704 examples, with 400 of those built in 1957.