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. The 1950s were a different time. Glitter was good, bigger was better, and too many accessories was just right in the age of chrome and neon. 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 gurus 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, which were a throwback to the 1930s; and a broad expanse of sparkling brushed stainless steel for the 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.

All 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 Eldorado Brougham lasted for only two years and only 704 examples were made.

The 1958 model offered here, number 471, was originally delivered to the Toledo, Ohio, sales district upon completion, finished in Nairobi Pearl with a Light Gray leather interior featuring Genuine Mouton carpet. While early ownership is unknown, according to an online Cadillac database, the car was owned in the 1970s by noted Eldorado Brougham collector Larry Muckey of Muskegon, Michigan. Ed Meurer purchased the car in the late 1990s, proudly showing it over the years at Eyes on Design, the Milwaukee Concours, and St. John’s.

Today the car is finished in a shade similar to the factory color Lake Placid Blue, accented beautifully with the stainless-steel roof. The car rides on whitewall tires mounted on steel wheels with factory wheel covers. The car is believed to ride on its original air suspension. It should be noted the system will require attention. When started, the car will level out and maintain a level stance; however, once the car is turned off, the system will deflate due to leaks. The Cadillac is equipped with air-conditioning, power steering, and brakes. The car appears to retain its original button-tufted Light Gray leather seats. Interior features include an Autronic Eye, clock, radio, and numerous power amenities. The Brougham is accompanied by a copy of its original build information from Cadillac.

The 1958 Eldorado Brougham retains the stunning glamour of a bygone age as only Cadillac could present it—with the most expensive automobile in the world.