[ last update: 07.02.2008 ] Best viewed with a screen image size of 600 x 800 pixels
The (new) Cadillac Database©
The Fabulous
Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
1957 - 1960
Part 13a
(1a)
Best of the Brougham Breed (1957-58)
Being a record
of the Brougham survivors of 1957 [cars #201-400]
[Go back to cars #1-200 of Brougham survivors of 1957]
Go to the record
of Brougham survivors of 1958
Return to The (New) Cadillac Database© Index Page
or select preferred chapter
[Go to cars #1-200 of Brougham survivors of 1957]
Car #201 is reported to be a parts car. The photos below were supplied kindly b y Jack McIlwarith of Canada.
It looks like there may be some parts worth saving on this one
[ Photos: © 2007, courtesy Jack McIlwraith ]
Car #204 [current whereabouts unknown] had specially dyed blue mouton carpeting. Late Extra [10/2007]: Michael Bachman, an enthusiost from Australia writes: Just letting you know that a 1957 Eldorado Brougham #204 is for sale by a dealer in Melbourne. I saw if first offered for $89,999 in October 2006 and then again in October 2007 for $130,000 unrestored!! Yeah right!
[ images - none so far ]
Car #205 was owned in the late seventies by Gilbert Olerud of Smyrna, TN. Late extra (12/2003):
Mr. Olerud III owned the car and was offering it for sale. It is still on air ride. Any interested Brougham enthusiasts are invited to call Gilbert at (615) 459-5882 or to drop him an eMail at this address: gilandannette(at)hotmail.com [ remember to change "(at)" to "@", OK ]. Morgan Murphy, former owner of '58 EB #634, checked out the car and has this to report: after reading about #205 on your Website, I visited the owner, Gilbert, and saw the car. It seems quite original and photographs worse than it looks in person. It is practically rust-free and ready for a restoration. Gilbert wants $20,000 for it, which I think is a bit high, but the car is on the original air. Oddly, it has the 1958 tri-power, which Gilbert says it has had since his father bought the car used in the early 1960s.
Photos: © 2004 and courtesy Morgan Murphy, former owner of EB #634
Car #206 was not previously listed here and yet it is a CLC Senior car; I found it by chance while scouring the latest CLC Directory; the car is reported to be owned by Gordon Apker of Seattle, WA. As a "Senior" car I suspect that it is in near perfect condition. Photos would be welcome.
Car #210 is one of the finest, most fully equipped, original 1957 Broughams. It was owned for many years by Cy Strickler, first President of the Brougham Owners Association (BOA); in 1975, Cy told me he had never seen one better; he bought it in 1965 from the original owner in Atlanta (it was one of only two Broughams of 1957-58 delivered to Georgia); in 1975 it had just passed 45K miles. Cy also owned 1960 Brougham #35. In recent years car #210 has been in the protective care of Al Haas, former President of the Cadillac-LaSalle Club. It is part of the Cadillac Company's own museum collection which is open by appointment only, for groups of 10 or more people.
Car #211 has been on my list of survivors since the mid-seventies, when it had a "B" rating [i.e. "good condition" but not "show quality"]. This one is a bit of a mystery in that the indications on the body tag do not correspond with factory records for the car; according to the latter it left the factory painted "Deauville" gray [code #118] and had the black Karakul nylon carpets [carpet code #1]. Enthusiast Jim Crabtree writes [in June 2001]: I am sending you photos I took last week at the Silverado Concours in Vallejo California USA. This is car #211. It was being shown by Richard Traxler from Hillsborough California. It is mint, restored (as you will see). All vanity items are there (maybe not the original perfume?). It is factory red (?) - it looks weird, I prefer darker colors but here it is, feel free to post the pics on you site. Jim photographed the body tag as well as the original owner's ID tag(!); the paint code reads #50 ("Dakota" red) and the carpet code #2 ("mouton", i.e. sheepskin); his photos (below) effectively show a red car with gray leather upholstery that seems to properly match the paint and trim codes currently on the tag. Is it possible that the factory could have made such a gross mistake?
This is one of the rare Eldorado Broughams to have
(apparently) a full complement of vanity items; it has
also what appears to be the original owner's ID card [in the name of the current
owner?] showing the correct
engine number and delivery location [Massachusetts] ...but its color is a bit of a
mystery; factory records indicate
that only four Broughams were painted "Dakota" red; all were 1958 models
(this one is from 1957) ???
Left: the magnetic tumblers and other vanity items, including compact and cigarette case, located in the glove box;
Center and far right: the original (?) notepad, mirror and Arpège atomizer in the appropriate rear armrest slots
For the sake of comparison here are two different ID plates (cars #211, right, and #436 left); the plate on the left is original; the one on he right is just too "perfect" to be genuine; even the paint code matches the car as it is today [Seminole Red, code #50] although it left the factory painted "Deauville Gray" [code #118]; in addition, the car originally had black Karakul nylon carpets [last digit of Trim code = #1], now it has mouton carpets and the appropriate code digit [#2]. In addition, this car has an "original" owner's ID card [below] made out in the name of the present (?) owner, Richard W. Traxler. If the car were still owned by the Mr. Traxler who bought it in 1957, he would be now in his late 80's or early 90's; I do not believe this is so.
Car #212 is currently [1998] in Australia. Whereas it was reported [in error?] to be in rough condition ("C") in the seventies, its current owner asserts that it deserves an "A". She believes the mileage [37K] to be accurate and in keeping with the condition of the car. Other than a re-spray, it is all original. Its past history is fully documented. Among the remaining vanity items are an empty perfume bottle, the cigarette case, the mirror and the tissue holder. Lorraine believes her car was imported to Australia in October 1987 by a dealer. A well-known Cadillac enthusiast, she was approached as a potential purchaser for the car, and was able to snap it up for a good price prior to its advertised auction date. The original owner was the wife of a Texas oil-man, who struck it rich in the postwar Texas oil boom when he discovered "black gold" on the family ranch.
Car #213 was owned in the late seventies by Ed Meurer, Jr. of Lathrup Village, MI. Late Extra [12/2004]: The current owner is offering the car for sale through the CLC message forum for $15,000. He describes it thus: I really hate to part with it but my situation has changed, so it has to go. 1957 Eldorado Brougham in need of restoration. Tag reads : Body - 213, Style No - 57-7059X, Trim - 2281, Paint - 124. This car has been off the road since the late 70's [probably around the time it was first registered in this roster of survivors] and in dry indoor storage. It has 50 - 60 thousand original miles, a near perfect original interior, and rust free body. Motor is seized, and needs all other mechanical work you would expect from a car that hasn't been on the road for this amount of time. I talked to the person that owned the car in the 70's [Ed Meurer, Jr.?] , and was the last person to have the car licensed and on the road, he parked it because it needed brakes, exhaust, tune up etc. The car has been re-painted the original color some time ago; it needs to be painted again. The stainless roof is perfect. Unfortunately the car is only about 95% complete. The person that owned it 2 people before me took a bunch of stuff off the car, supposably to start the restoration, and it's now gone. I have found some parts, but it still needs more. It's also on Eldorado Silver [aluminum alloy] Sabre Rims. No vanities. Still on air ride, but missing the compressor and a bunch of other air ride parts. I have ownership to the car, but no keys, so I don't have any idea what works and what doesn't. I had planned on making the car into a driver, putting it on springs and keeping it on the Sabre's. This is one that if you re-built the motor you could drive as you restore. The car is located on Ontario Canada, and I may be able to deliver it somewhere for a fee. I want $15,000 US for the car, which I feel is reasonable. I have tons of pictures I can e-mail. Contact me at bankes@nornet.on.ca Later Still Extra [2/2005]: The car has changed hands again. Currently it is owned by enthusiast Dan Giove. And more [5/2005]:
Hi Yann, Brougham 213 is currently in the shop having the drive train removed for rebuilding. It will be a long road to return her to her glory but it is going to happen. Enclosed I am sending pictures in the before mode and will follow up when completed with the after pictures. I am missing some parts so any help I could get from other enthusiasts would be appreciated. From what I have seen it appears only my car was the Bahama blue [in fact it is Copenhagen Blue, Dan; the only original Bahama Blue car is #350] , can you verify this, it is why I am dedicated to this car, I love the colors. Thank you for the beautiful work on your web site. Dan Giove.
[ Photos: © 2004 and courtesy of the owner ]
Car #214 was owned in the late seventies by C. Vaughan Lewis of Utica, NY. At that time, Vaughan owned also Broughams #44, 622 and 627. This car had a reported 10K miles and ALL accessories and was offered for sale by Vaughan in the CLC's Self Starter magazine in Nov.-Dec. 2000 for ...$65,000. Enthusiast Michael D. Brooks tells me that this car was acquired by Albert Guibara, a gentleman from San Francisco who confirmed the mileage to be circa 10K. All vanities are there. Late Extra [Feb., 2008] this is the "Grace Kelly" Brougham, owned by her father Jack Kelly. It was offered for sale on Craig's List, in Feb., 2008, by Mr. Guibara (offers are being considered). It is decribed as : The best original Eldorado Brougham in the World, with only 10,600 original miles and in mint condition.
[ Photos: Internet, 2008 ]
Car #215 was offered for sale on e-Bay [Internet auction site] in April, 2002. The description reads: 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham 4-door hardtop, very rare Cadillac; this is #215 of 400 made in 1957; all stainless steel roof; runs and drives well; has been in storage since 1985; have all the manuals that go with car; has some body damage to right rear; all original; great start to a restoration of a very rare Caddy; I am selling this for my neighbor so (if you have) any questions you can call him at 360 249 3569 - John Ermey [...] Winner to pick up in Montesano, WA, or arrange for delivery to your home; sold as is; no warranty; please, no calls after 8 p.m. PST.
Car #217 was owned in the late seventies by Gerald Weber of Encino, CA.
Car #221 was owned in the late seventies by Richard Battistoni of Southwick, MA.
Car #222 has survived; we shall be hearing more about it shortly.
Car #223 was offered for sale in BOA Newsletter Vol. 10, #4 for $18,000 by the second owner, Hal Sundvahl. It was said to "need restoration" although it is a complete running car. A second ad appeared in the BOA newsletter at the end of 1999. Originally painted Nairobi Pearl [code #149], it was subsequently repainted a light, metallic blue [photo]. Late Extra [12/2005]: enthusiast Jim Jordan spotted the car in northern Oklahoma and sent the picture, below, for the roster. He says I just wanted to update the Brougham files. This weekend I spotted Brougham number 221 (Body # 223). Although it shows to originally have been Nairobi Pearl, it has been repainted blue some time ago. The car is on springs and is complete but not running and needs everything. It is for sale for $16,500 and is located in Northern Oklahoma.
[ Photo: © 2005 and courtesy Jim Jordan ]
Car #225 is owned by California artist-photographer, Phil Toy, whom I met in June 1999 in Jan Jose, CA, on the occasion of the CLC Grand National there. Phil has also another Brougham (of which I don't yet have the number). Aficionado, Michael D. Brooks saw the car at Laguna Seca in August, 2003. He reported: (Phil) was taking photos and trying to sell his car; it was a gray color [originally, this car was painted black] with black/white interior [correct], riding on springs, with a single 4-bbl carb; the car had a 1957 front grille and bumper installed (!!!). The asking price was $50,000. A good friend of mine took some photos that I will send along.
Car #226 was offered for sale on eBay as a "project" car. I may have to downgrade this to a "parts car" unless the buyer can convince me that the car effectively will be restored and not simply parted out. Thanks again to Jerry Jansson of Sweden for picking this one up ! Late Extra [August 2004]: according to Greg Short, an Aussie enthusiast, this car is now "down under", in Melbourne. Greg says it is obviously a dry state car and the evidence points to it last being registered in 1972. It was then stored inside where it was partially stripped and sat until the owner died and his widow sold it, apparently. Despite the missing power plant, it is a solid, straight car.
Car #227 was listed as a survivor already in the mid-seventies but its whereabouts were unknown; it was offered for sale on eBay in April, 2006 where it was listed in error as "car #72"; the vendor presumably took the last two digits of the VIN to be the unit number of the car; he has since made the correction. The car appears complete and in relatively good condition; certainly worth restoring.
Car #230 owned by Roger Zimmermann, of Bienne, Switzerland. In my opinion, and knowing Roger's propensity for perfection, this car has to be one of the finest 1957 Broughams in existence today. Roger has done a superb ground-up restoration, probably the finest around (with the exception of car #274, below). Roger's car is still missing some of the "personal accessories"; he has an original "Arpège" perfume atomizer, which I sold to him in 1991. Photo [below] is included courtesy of Roger and of French Cadillac enthusiast, François Roux, also a friend of mine, who took the pictures and wrote the story of this car appeared in the French magazine "V8", #16, pp.26-29.
The "before" photos, soon after Roger acquired his Brougham
"After" photos © 2003 by my friend, François Roux
[ All photos courtesy Roger Zimmermann, the owner ]
Roger's car at a show in Germany in 2008
Car #232 became a cannibalized parts car in 2006 when thieves got into the yard where it was stored. Today (May, 2007) there is not much left of it. This information and the photo below are from CLC member, "Shane". Many "Brougham" parts that were sold at auction on EBay in early 2007 may have been stolen off this car !
Car #233 was scrapped in 1957 after it was damaged in transport by the New York Central Railroad [...two down, 702 to go!].
Car #235 [current whereabouts unknown] had specially dyed blue Karakul nylon carpeting.
Car #238 [current whereabouts unknown] had black Karakul nylon carpeting.
Car #240 had disappeared from the Brougham scene in the early seventies; in May 2003, I got this e-Mail from collector Frank Corrente in California: thought you might be interested to know we just purchased '57 Brougham #240. Perhaps Frank will be kind enough to tell us more about the car, its history (if known), its present condition, etc. Late Extra [Dec., 2006] : Perhaps this is the black '57 Brougham that Frank was offering for sale in Self Starter for September, 2006 (with a $70K ticket).
Car #241 was owned in the late seventies by Rudy Stahl of Toledo, OH. At hat time Rudy owned also Broughams #155, 167 and 520. An article on one of Rudy's car's was featured in C&P. Feb. 1979, pp.10-15. That car appears to have had all the vanity items. It was offered for sale in 1999 by my friend Larry Muckey, for $27,500. The car was still for sale in summer, 2002. Late Extra (Dec. 2002): the car had a new owner, Paul Dehnert of Austin, TX. Paul reported that the car does have all the original vanities, with the exception of the note pad, being a repro item. He says: The car is an excellent driver with everything there and most options in working order. Larry did and excellent job of partially restoring and maintaining this car over many years. Paul also acquired this year car #59 that had been restored in Michigan by Dick Baruk, former owner/restorer of the unique Eldorado Brougham Town Car "Motorama" special that was sold again in 2006.
Car #243 [NEW, 8/2007] appeared out of nowhere and was offered for sale at an RM Auction on Amelia Island, in March 2007. Bidding peaked at $125,000, resulting in no sale as the vendor's reserve apparently was higher. Photos may be seen on the RM Web site, here.
Car #244 may have had a custom modification; it was sent to the Styling section before it was shipped. Being on the list of survivors, we may learn more about it soon.
Car #245 was delivered initially to Illinois. It is still in the Chicago area and belongs to Bill Buckingham Jr., who has also two other Broughams. This car has a reported 9000 miles on the odometer! An all-white version, it had specially dyed white mouton carpeting too. It was on show at the Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry; Henry Leland's 1905 Osceola, the first enclosed Cadillac, was on show there too for many years. Bill sent the following facts, in August 2001: The car on the left is car # 245. It's White, with white leather & white mouton. The odometer currently reads 9939 original miles. Dad bought the car in 1977 with 8,300 miles from the original owner. The only deviation from original on this car is that the previous owner removed the air ride and converted it to springs. He did it early in the cars life, supposedly around 1959 or 1960. The car on the right is car #337, and has been owned by my father since 1967. It has 34,700 original miles, it's white with white & black leather & black mouton. It still has the original air ride, which functions quite well (most of the time). Bill also owns cars #337 and #356, below. The latter car was featured on the front cover of BOA Newsletter, Vol. 11, #4.
Photos: © 1999, Stephen Nadon, courtesy Allan Dowling, BOA and © 2006, Yann Saunders
Car #247 currently [3/2001] is offered for sale [price "on request"] by Old Timer Garage in Berne, Switzerland [it was bid up to SFr 55,000 - circa $37,000 - at auction already in April, 2001 but failed to meet the reserve]. I assume OT Garage acquired it from the previous owner, Olivier Joyet (or Jolliet?) of Lausanne, who tried to complete the restoration himself over the last 10-12 years. I know this car well; it was acquired first, in New York, by Lebanese businessman, Ali Milantchi, a wealthy resident of Vésenaz, Switzerland [part of Vésenaz overlooks the beautiful bay and historic water-spout at the western end of Lake Leman; it is the Beverly-Hills of Geneva; the other flank is mainly agricultural and farm land]. When Ali Milantchi passed away in the late sixties (?), the Brougham was acquired from his widow by a Mr. Müller, a neighboring pig farmer. Regrettably, the car served on his premises mainly as a rabbit hutch and chicken coop for a number of years; that's where I first saw it (and turned my back on it...), in the mid-seventies, when I was looking to trade my 1960 Eldorado Seville for the rarer 1957-58 Eldorado Brougham. Soon after that, it was acquired by the late Patrice Geneux, a used car dealer, also of Geneva. I supplied Patrice, at the time, with the car's full history as well as useful information and parts sources he needed for its restoration (Pat and I subsequently fell out after he cheated me on the sale of my former 1960 Seville). He began to restore the Brougham with considerable enthusiasm; but he quickly lost interest and finally botched the restoration and made a quick sale; he painted the car "prize-winning red" and upholstered the interior with a hideous, navy blue, velour interior!
Car #247 after the first (hastily botched) restoration
[Photos: courtesy Christian Vaney]After changing hands a couple of times in the eighties [one of the buyers was my buddy, Christian Vaney], the Brougham was acquired by Olivier (above) who painstakingly attempted to restore it, correctly this time, with guidance from Roger Zimmermann [car #230]; Olivier certainly did a better job than Pat Geneux, although a few details still are incorrect (e.g. red, batwing air-cleaner and chromed valve covers). But Olivier too lost interest and the car was acquired, for resale, by the current owners. As an interesting aside, when I first saw the Brougham in Müller's farmyard, it did not have the regular, cast aluminum "turbine" wheels; the latter had been removed by him, before he sold the Brougham to Pat Geneux, and put on his 1959 Cadillac Series 62 convertible (a car he had bought - over my head! - from a lady doctor in Geneva); at the same time, he took the wheels and wheel covers off the '59 Cadillac convertible and put them on the Brougham. Subsequently, when Pat Geneux bought that car, he replaced the regular '59 Cadillac wheel covers with the special turbine-blade wheel covers from my former '60 Eldorado Seville (another reason why I fell out with him!) So the Brougham now looked as though it had the correct turbine wheels. From the most recent pictures I have of the car [below], it appears to have acquired again a correct set of wheels!
The car appears well-restored ...apart from that bright vermilion
air cleaner and those crazy, chrome valve covers!
Car #250 was last reported in California. Its owner, Michael Rizzuto, is actively involved in replicating many of the Brougham vanity items.
Car #251 was believed to have been owned first by Fidel Castro, Cuba's premier. It is alleged to have been a gift to him by the U.S. government ...that was before the Bay of Pigs incident! It was acquired soon after that, in Havana, in almost new condition, by His Excellency Giacomo Menasce, then Swiss Ambassador to the Caribbean island nation. But for the alleged Castro connection, this car’s history is fully documented. Mr. Menasce imported the car to Switzerland after completing his tour of diplomatic duty. It was licensed under Swiss tags #BE25388 [from the Canton of Berne]. In 1961, it was acquired from the ambassador, for about SFr 15,000 (circa $3,500 at that time), by businessman Pierre Schweig; the transaction was arranged by a Mr. Wenger of Fleury Garage in Geneva, the local Cadillac dealer; the car got new tags at that time [#VD90069 - from the Canton of Vaud]; it still had all the vanity items and the odometer reading was around 30K miles [as a matter of interest, Pierre Schweig happens to be also the first owner of MY first Cadillac, a black 1956 Sedan De Ville]. Pierre mentioned that the Brougham had the triple carb set up of the 1958 cars; this may have been a later modification in Cuba or in Switzerland), Mr. Schweig sold the car in 1963 to a private individual in Geneva who wanted "an American car" to tow his caravan! The selling price was SFr. 6,000 (circa $1,400); by now it had 78K miles on the clock. Pierre recalled the problems they had with the air suspension, having to change one or more of the diaphragms about every 6,500 miles; as these were not readily available, the car was frequently laid up; he recalls also the compressor being changed 2-3 times [of course, this could have been simply a ploy by the garage to extort more money from the owner!] In 1962, the car was involved in a major fender-bender in Vienna, Austria; the local GM people had to replace a fender, the front grille and the headlight units. At one time it was acquired by the Forag Trust of Vaduz, Liechtenstein but licensed in Geneva under #GE79356; it was used there for some five more years. It disappeared from view for the next almost ten years until it was "re-discovered" in 1977 by a friend, Christian Vaney, in a private parking "cage" in Geneva’s chic Parc de Budé residential area. I had a number of contacts with a representative of the Trust with a view to acquiring the car ...but the asking price was simply ridiculous (talk about a "solid gold" Cadillac)! In addition the mileage was claimed to be 75K miles when the odometer reading was already 78K miles in 1963! The car subsequently "disappeared" from its usual parking place around 1979 and for the next almost 18 years. In March, 1996, while Gita and I were touring in Arizona, a house located close to ours in suburban Geneva (about 5 miles away as the crow flies) was offered for sale at auction, following bankruptcy of the owner. Other items were brought onto the property to make for a more interesting auction, including this Eldorado Brougham which (I was told recently) had been seized in another bankruptcy case. Ralph, a young musician friend of mine had a workshop adjoining the property being sold; he attended the auction and bid on the car "for fun"; he was the first to be surprised when he got it for a song [circa $2,700] ...well, he is a musician after all! Had we been home at the time, I would gladly have bid it up to at least $3000! Regrettably, I learned that Ralph is making a low-rider of the car! Shame! Late Extra [summer 2005]: apparently Ralph gave up on his project and has sold the car. The new owner [I don't have his particulars] intends to do a "normal" restoration. Latest [Nov., 2006]: Jerry Jansson eMailed me to inform me that the car was for sale. I spoke with the vendor (a Frenchman) who had bought it from Ralph. Thankfully, it has NOT been converted to a low rider.
Car #253 was owned in the late seventies by Harry Grant, Jr. of Lebanon, PA. At hat time Harry owned also Brougham #502.
Car #254 was owned in the late seventies by Richard Oldham of Empire Chevrolet, Novato, CA. At that time Richard owned also Brougham #1.
Car #255 was reported in January 1999 as belonging to John Phillips, of California. Enthusiast Larry Ginsburg wrote, in December 2004, that he had seen he car. He says it is complete but needs a total restoration. Thanks for the update Larry.
Car #257 was offered for sale by the Barrett-Jackson group in Scottsdale, AZ. Check out their Web page: http://www.barrett-jackson.com/events/scottsdale/vehicles/cardetail_list.asp?id=172091; it reads: Eldorado Brougham, body #257 of an original count of just over 412 built ["just over 412" ??? - Is that like "412½", i.e. not quite 413 ??? In fact, precisely 400 units were built]. The restoration was a 7-year, frame-up. Restored air-ride suspension, engine, transmission and brakes. Restored to original specs including dual 4-bbl carbs with factory air cleaner. Interior is authentic [original?] leather with cloth [the original was done in beige Parisienne cloth with matching beige leather - code #424 - is that the original leather color on the door panels? - see photos, below]. Carpeting is munton (fur) [read "mouton" - BJ's marketing staff never was very good at spelling, especially foreign words and phrases; in fact, the original car had the black Karakul nylon carpets - code #1]. No expense was spared on any item on restoration. Car is in #1 condition. Restoration (was) completed in November, 2002. Cranberry color [original color is "Sandalwood" (beige) - code #144] with stainless steel top. Interior is tan [correct] with brown carpet [wrong]. Factory turbine wheels. Engine and trunk have been detailed to factory specs. The car is reported to have sold in January, 2003, for $82,080 (yeah, right!) Late extra (11/2005): the car is offered for sale by Hyman Ltd. in St, Louis, MO. Seems like the buyer who paid the $82 grand for it, almost three years ago, wants a major return on his investment ! Good luck, I say. Personally, I don't think the world is ready yet for a $100K Brougham, especially one that has some imperfections and not all the vanities in place. Still, the vendor rates it as "one of the finest in existence".
These photos: courtesy of Brougham enthusiast, David King
[ these three photos: Internet ]
Car #258 [NEW, 4/2007] turned up for sale unexpectedly in Houston, Texas, in April 2007. It looks like a nice, original survivor. Here's what the vendor wrote: My name is Jeffrey Bules. I live in Houston, Texas. I am writing to you to give you information about car number 258, which currently resides in Texas. A very good friend of mine passed away in December 2006. He was a very well-known evangelist that has owned "Ethel" since 1963. He called her Ethel "because that is all she will drink". The Reverend had owned Ethel since 1963. He bought her from the estate of Mrs. Turner in Midland, Texas. Ethel currently has 99,000 original miles, of which only 15,000 miles have been driven since 1968. The Reverend used her as his daily driver until 1968. Ethel is currently for sale since we are liquidating the estate. If you know of anyone who may be interested, feel free to have them email or telephone me. The sale will be completed by midnight, April 30, 2007, by sealed bid. Several of the Reverend's friends are also interested in Ethel, so we figured it was best to take bids to determine the new owner. I am making her available for inspection April 27-29 in Houston. I have attached the information we have sent out regarding the car, as well as the other cars we are selling from his estate.I thought this information would be helpful for your registry. I am also a collector of classic cars. [call 713-409-0562 for more info]. Late Extra [12/2007]: Jeffrey wrote to tell me the car had changed hands. He is respecting the buyers privacy and leaves it up to him to decide whether or not he wants to be listed here. Latest [4/2008]: I was contacted by friend and Cadillac enthusiast, Morgan Murphy of Montgomery, AL, who informs me that he bought this car. He has not yet sent any details as to its condition but I hope to get that information, as well as some photos, in the near future.
Car #261 was admired in the collection of Rod Brewer, during the 2001 CLC Grand National in Denver, CO. The car is in excellent condition and appears to be all original. I did not inquire if it had still all the vanity items.
Photo: © 2001, Yann Saunders
Car #262 was not believed to have survived. Now it has turned up again. I hope to get more details from its Australian owner in the next few weeks. This is the only car of the 1957-58 Brougham production to be painted "Starlight", not a regular Brougham color but included nonetheless on the palette for later Cadillac models [code #92]; we might refer to it as "silver". In fact, on the color palette for 1958 it is called "Rajah Silver Poly". Late extra [10/2004]: This from lucky new owner, Greg Jensen: G'Day ,Yann, this is Greg Jensen from Australia I have the Eldorado Brougham #262 in silver. We haven't started on the car yet as we are restoring a 59 Cadillac convertible, which I want to finish before we start on the Brougham. Good luck with the restoration, Greg; do keep in touch !
[ Photos: © and courtesy Greg Jensen, Australia ]
Car #263 has been located again by Brougham aficionado, Michael D. Brooks - car #123; if I get any more information on it, I will add it here. Meanwhile, this ad appeared on e-Bay: This rare Cadillac Eldorado is being re-listed with a new and improved lower reserve. I feel very lucky and honored to be able to work with and list another Eldorado Brougham. I listed and sold two 1958 examples in the fall of '02 and I made two buyers very happy and lucky to be able to join a very exclusive group of car owners. This car is about 95% complete and does include some great original vanity items. This car which is 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham #263 is alive and is a very willing candidate for restoration. She is available to be viewed in the Chicago area and comes with a nearly complete set of original vanities (not repros). Complete vanities have sold in the area of $8000 recently [I sure would like to have details on any effective sales of "complete" Brougham vanities in the last 2-3 years]. Click here to see complete pictures and details of the included Brougham vanities. Body is solid and only shows minor rust under the battery pan (common location). The stainless top is in great shape as well as the headliner and the chrome bumpers. In fact, the chrome bumpers are in exceptional condition. As a whole, the stainless pieces on the car are all in very good shape. Currently, the car is white [this is the correct, original color] and is ready for a fresh coat of paint. The car was originally painted with paint code #112 which is Chamonix white. This car is only 1 of 45 painted that color in 1957. The ID plate reads Trim #1581 which corresponds to light gray leather with white leather [and black, Karakul nylon carpet]. Only 10 produced with that interior trim combination in 1957. The mileage on the odometer shows 77,500 miles. The car comes with 5 original Turbine wheels and center caps and is still riding on air in the rear (2 new diaphragms) and on springs in the front. There is some leaking of air to the rear airbags which is common on these cars. This car also includes the complete set of jacking equipment. This is an excellent candidate for restoration. I know there are guys out there looking for a project and with only 400 '57 Broughams ever produced, this would be a terrific car to bring back to it's original splendor. Also, it is not uncommon to purchase the car with the vanities simply to acquire the vanities and then re-sell the remaining car without the vanities. Strange as that may sound, I know of at least one instance where that has happened [details, Ron?]. The car is not drivable which means that it starts and drives and stops but with many parts not securely attached, it is not safe to be driven on any roads until the restoration is complete. Fully restored Broughams have been demanding [but NOT getting] prices between $80,000-$100,000+ at prestigious auctions recently. To view 2003 Barrette-Jackson auction results of 1957 Brougham #257 ($82,080), click here; To view 2002 Barrett-Jackson auction results of another 1957 Brougham ($81,000), click here. Late extra (9/2003): My inside man in Sweden, Jerry Jansson, informs me that this car is headed for Sweden ...like so many others. It will have all the vanities advertised on that other Web site indicated above.
[ Photos: © and courtesy Jerry Jansson ]
Car #264 was owned in the seventies by Robert V. Dabao, a doctor, of San Marino, CA
Car #266 Victor Milke, a resident of Mexico and owner of Car #407 reports that this one too is in Mexico; my records show that, like Victor's car, it was first delivered to California, so neither car had very far to travel! The current owner's name is Arturo Perez. It is in overall good car but although the upholstery follows the original pattern, it has been trimmed in dark and light gray vinyl. The original trunk lining is still there but the car no longer rides on air. Aside from that, it seems fairly complete, including the dual carbs and correct air filter. Car is silver in color (code #118). Victor has been very helpful in providing useful information for the Database, on "Mexican" Broughams. In January, 2001 he wrote: I was at a Car show last Saturday. There, I saw a '57 Brougham (couldn't check on the number) and talk with two owners. Among the three of us, and a friend, a long time Cadillac fan and collector, we are almost sure there are only five Broughams in Mexico, four of them in Mexico city: (1) #266 [this one] in the Museum, owned by Arturo Perez, (2) #407 (mine), (3) Mr. Oliveros' car (the one seen at the show) #376, which is medium metallic blue with a white, all-leather interior and the original blue carpet1, (4) Dr. Betancourt's car (I had the wrong name before. I still need to find out about it but the story is that he brought it from Europe; apparently it too is medium metallic blue), and (5) one that is in a museum in Puebla; the current owner is Fernando Garcia-Limon. The latter car is the first Brougham I ever saw, probably 20 years ago; back then it was owned by an Architect, Mr. Mestre, and painted ...bright orange! Mr. Garcia told me it still has it's original blue interior and that he painted the car back to the correct medium blue metallic. So, out of the five cars in Mexico, we have 3 that are medium metallic blue, one that is dark blue metallic (mine) which originally was (and will be when restored), black, and one silver.
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1 Thirty-eight Broughams (of 1957-58) had all-white, all-leather interiors; however, only three of them were painted any shade of blue: #235 (Fairfax blue), #250 (Academy blue), and #516 (Balmoral blue); only one of these had a "special order" blue Karakul nylon carpet, code "0", i.e. car #235; the original destination of that car was Louisiana, which is not too far from Mexico, via Texas. It will be interesting to find out, Victor, if this is
Mr. Oliveros' car.
Car #267 was brought to my attention for the first time in June 2002 by its new owner, "Robbie", who inherited the car from his grandfather. He says: I don't know anything about this car and wanted to know if you would give me an idea of what it might be worth and some info about it. It has approx. 72,000 miles and has never been restored. I have been in touch with "Robbie" by e-Mail. Robbie subsequently offered the car for sale on e-Bay. The car apparently changed hands. Late extra (June, 2003): The car is being offered for sale again on e-Bay; it is located in Knoxville, TN. According to the description: The BROUGHAM has 71,661 miles from the original owner's estate [so it has done no mileage since it was last sold?], with older cosmetic restoration, on SPRINGS with rebuilt water pump, carbs and TRANSMISSION. New interior, not correct [Robbie said it had never been restored; the photos he sent (below) seem to show the correct beige leather interior, although the original carpets were white mouton (lambskin)]. Even Later Extra [May, 2004]: This from enthusiast Michael D. Brooks ['57 EB #123]: 1957 Brougham # 267 is currently for sale (10-May-04) in Costa Mesa, CA. Pretty shabby shape. Ladies compact is in the glove box ! I verified that it's on springs with a bad interior re-do...seat inserts are grey and rest of it is a red color. Looks like engine work has been done and new suspension parts were observed. Needs lots of work to restore but appears all there. Location is House of Luxury, Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA. When I inquired about the price, he said $49,995 [read $50K] . When I stopped chuckling I suggested $20,000 might be more realistic. He said "They sell for $80,000 restored and $25,000 will get that one perfect." Later extra still: [June 2004]; the car is advertised on eBay with a "Buy-it-Now" price of $69,500 ! [mileage: 72,110] And even later: ...the car apparently found a new home (in Houston, TX ?); the buyer reportedly paid $40,000 for it. The mileage is unchanged. Later still (5/2005): the car is back on eBay with a high reserve (over $45K). Let's see how the bidding goes this time.
[ Photos: Internet and © 2004 by Michael D. Brooks ]
Car #270 was offered for sale at auction by the Kruse organization in January and April 2001 (Internet ads, E-Bay). This car was initially exported (possibly to Canada or Mexico). In 2001 it was in Colorado. The Kruse ad stated that the car was Fairfax blue with gray leather and cloth upholstery. Its original paint color was black (code #110) and the upholstery beige (code #414). The original mouton carpeting was white (code #2); the restored car has blue carpets. Kruse said also that the body was by Pininfarina, obviously confusing this Brougham with the 1959-60 model! The car was (reportedly) bid up to $52,000 but was not sold. I looked over this car at the 2001 CLC Grand National in Denver; there, the irate owner pushed me away from the car while it was being judged because he had overheard me saying that the paint and trim numbers on the body tag did not match the car and that some of the vanities on show with the car were not original. I guess he was hoping the judges would not notice the car's minor flaws and thus garner more points. Nice car! Not nice owner! Anyway, no sooner was the judging over than he advertised the car for sale for ...$70,000! That was more than twice the posted market value for a 1957-58 Brougham in excellent condition! Apparently the car did find a buyer at the annual Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ, in January 2002 [lot #377]; conflicting auction results show the selling price as ...$75,000! and $81,000!!!. Jerry Jansson of Sweden reported that the car was up for sale again in Monterey, CA, in August 2002 (seen on the Rosso & Steele Auctioneers page). It seems very strange to me that someone who just spent a reported $81,000 to buy this car would want to sell it again so soon! In my opinion, the transactions involving this baby all were fake ...or at least nowhere in the alleged price range! I will retract if the buyer sends me a notarized invoice copy...
[ Photo (left): © 2000, Yann Saunders, (right) auction catalog]
Photo (left): Internet, 2001
Photo (right): © 2001, Yann Saunders
[ Photo (left) : Russo & Steele auction catalog ]
Car #271 had a special trim modification [code #0, indicating a custom finish; gray was used instead of black for some interior trim parts. This is a survivor. It was offered for sale at the end of 1999 for $13,500 by my friend Larry Muckey. The car was still for sale in July, 2001.
Car #272 was trimmed throughout with gray leather and had specially dyed gray Karakul nylon carpeting. The car belongs to an Atlanta Doctor, in GA. It is in very fine condition and still on air springs [new ones were waiting to be installed - 1998]. The present owner, who has the car since 1978, reports that it spent its life between Philadelphia, PA and Pompano Beach, FL. It has only 66K miles.
Car #273 [previously shown here in error as #274] is reported to have been bought in an estate sale of Elvis Presley cars; my records show that it was delivered initially to North Carolina. Mr. Ch. Barnette [1958 Brougham #590] reported in July 2000 that this is not the car formerly owned by the late James Carlisle of Charlotte, NC; the latter car is #274, below. Car #273, although delivered initially to NC, was restored in Texas by Wayne Meadlin, Ed Merchant and Phil Betello, all of Fort Worth, for the owner, James Cashion, CEO of USA Life, an insurance company. Lance Hirsch [car #436] informed me (2/2000) that the car is currently titled in Elvis' name (I understand there is no law against titling a vehicle to a person named "Elvis Presley"). Having recently viewed my Database, however, the owner has begun to question the authenticity of the title. About the car itself, Lance says it has to be the finest Brougham restoration projects ever; Wayne Meadlin, he says, is a most exacting, perfectionist. To date, the tab is estimated to exceed ...$600,000 (yes, you read it right, six-hundred thousand dollars!) I spoke to Mr. Meadlin on the phone (March, 2000) and he reckons the three restorers each have put more than 3000 hours into restoring the car, thus far. Of note: the air suspension was rebuilt at considerable expense with parts from Mastermind and - according to Wayne - under the high-cost supervision of its CEO. According to Eldorado Brougham enthusiast, Michael D. Brooks, this car has changed hands ...for an undisclosed amount! It is featured on the front cover of BOA Newsletter, Vol. 12, #2.
Left: tail-end of a $600,000 Brougham; right: chassis and air suspension details
[Photos: courtesy Lance Hirsch, Texas]
These photos taken during restoration are courtesy of
Ch. Barnette and the Brougham Owners' Association (BOA)
Car #274 was owned in the late seventies by G.C. Thomas Jr., of Charlotte, N.C., then by James Carlisle of Charlotte, NC. Mr. Ch. Barnette [1958 Brougham #590] reported in July 2000 that this car is still owned by Mr. Carlisle's widow. In February, 2002, I got an e-Mail from the person who restored this car that once belonged to Jim & Wilma Carlisle. His son now owns the car; he has a restoration shop in Statesville,N.C.
Car #276 was owned in the late seventies by Michael G. Komanda of Rutherford, N.J. He offered it for sale at that time for $5,500, describing it as rust-free, re-upholstered car, converted to springs by the factory and with only 22K miles on the odometer.Car #277 has survived; this information was supplied kindly by Brougham aficionado, Ron Susser. He supplied also the photos below. The owner's name is Ilkka Brotherus; he lives in Helsinki, Finland. According to collector-enthusiast Bill Wetzel of CA [car #154], this is one of SIX Eldorado Broughams sold by the Gene Winer Cadillac dealership in Bakersfield, CA. The others were #s 154, 284, 462, 323 and 686.
