For most people, the 1959 Cadillac embodies its decade as much as neon signs, Elvis Presley, and hula hoops do. Its styling represents the peak of American exuberance, as well as the ongoing transition between the retiring Harley Earl and his successor, William Mitchell. Mitchell favored low ground-hugging torpedoes, while Earl wanted ever more chrome and taller tailfins. The 1959 Cadillac combined both successfully, bearing David Holls’ famous tailfins, the largest ever installed on an American production car, and chrome galore.

However, the ’59s were not merely high-finned glamour wagons; they were, as historian Maurice Hendry wrote, “undeniably excellent” in every way. This was never truer than in the top-of-the-line Eldorado series, which offered a list of sumptuous luxuries, like power brakes, power steering, a tri-power 345-horsepower V-8, and Hydra-Matic Drive, all as standard equipment.

Arguably the most desirable of the Eldorados was the Biarritz Convertible. It was Cadillac’s most expensive open-air car for 1959, and 1,320 of them were built.

The Eldorado Biarritz offered here was fully and beautifully restored to concours standards in the early 1990s while it was part of the well-known collection of Gordon Apker in Arizona. It was awarded Best of Show, Postwar Late, at the 1992 Cadillac-LaSalle Club Grand National, after which it was acquired by the renowned Milhous Brothers Collection in Florida. The Milhous brothers, in turn, passed the car to the present owners in 2004.

The car, originally finished in Olympic White and now in the factory-correct color scheme of Persian Sand Metallic over white leather, has been well maintained in its current ownership, and it has also been thoroughly detailed, with the body being noted as perfectly straight, with excellent door and panel fit. It has every available power and luxury convenience, including the optional features of factory air conditioning and cruise control, as well as a fiberglass “parade boot” top cover. Most importantly, it still rides on correct original factory air suspension, which was standard on this model. The air suspension system was complex, and many owners elected to install conventional coil springs later in their car’s life; however, the air suspension is much more desirable, as it provides a featherbed-like ride that cannot be achieved with springs alone. The system in this car has been restored using correct components from Mastermind Inc., of Wildomar, California, and it is accompanied by detailed instructions for maintaining and adjusting the suspension.

This is one wonderful Eldorado!