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The (new) Cadillac Database^©

The 1953 Cadillac Eldorado

Survivors Roster

Pick a chapter in the table, below
or return to The (New) Cadillac Database© Index Page

 

 

Introduction

Mano Forsman of Sweden sent me an encouraging e-Mail in January 2001, complimenting me, inter alia, for the work done in  The (new) Cadillac Database© section devoted to the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham.  I had thought for a long time of devoting a  page to the 1953 Eldorado models; Mano's e-Mail was instrumental in getting it off the ground.   It was Mano who supplied the details of many '53 Eldorados currently in Scandinavia. He should be an inspiration to all owners or potential owners of a 1953 Eldorado, or any older Cadillac for that matter. Many of us would balk at the idea of attempting to restore a car that had become so deteriorated as his [photo below, car #241].

Like the bespoke Eldorado Brougham models of 1957-1960, the 1953 Cadillac Eldorado was a costly (for the time), limited production model.  Only 532 units were built, even though the highest Eldorado body number is 533; one body number was not used. Mikael Nilsson of Sweden [car #506], read in a magazine article published  in Sweden that although a car with body #533 did exist, the total still came to only 532 units.  According to the Swedish story, the numbering of the 1953 Eldorado models began with #2. This is incorrect; Matt Larson confirms that numbering did begin with car #1. 

BTW, this page was first put on line in 2001 but [unlike the pages devoted to the Eldorado Brougham models of 1957-60] does not seem to garner much support from current owners. Perhaps few of them have an Internet connection or even know about this, The (new) Cadillac Database.  

Anyway, Matt Larson has agreed to share with Database users his excellent research work that has been featured already in the CLC Self-Starter (August, 2003).  In that same issue, Fredus (Pete) Peters has seven pages of information and photos of the 1953 Eldorado for your reading and viewing pleasure.

 

History

The name Eldorado comes from the Spanish words  el dorado, the "gilded one".  It was applied in ancient times to the chief or cacique of a South American Indian tribe.  According to a legend handed down from the Spanish conquistadores, the chief's followers would sprinkle his body with gold dust on ceremonial occasions, then he would wash it off by plunging into the cool waters of a mountain lake, high in the Andes chain.

The name usually is associated also with a mythical (?) land of fabulous riches, believed to be somewhere in S. America. The quest for it inspired many European expeditions, including one to the Orinoco river by Sir Walter Raleigh [1552-1618], the man who fought with Sir Francis Drake and defeated the Spanish Armada [the fleet sent against England by Philip II of Spain in 1588 AD].

Considering the amount of gold booty stolen from the Indians by Spain's Francisco Pizzarro [1475-1541] who conquered Peru in 1530, it is highly possible that he and his band of 180 followers found and plundered more than one such el dorado on their pillaging conquest of the Inca lands.

The Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors selected the name for a special convertible show car built in 1952 to celebrate the company's Golden Anniversary. That name was suggested in an in-house competition by Mary-Ann Zukosky, a secretary in the merchandising department.  The company later adopted it for the limited-production Eldorado convertible built in limited numbers the following year. It made its official debut on September 20, 1952.

Under the banner heading The Cadillac El Dorado¹ -  Most Exciting Car Ever Built, copy writers for the annual Cadillac Data Book for 1953 spread a resounding message about the new car around the vast network of Cadillac dealerships. Illustrated in the four pages devoted to the new model are a RH ¾ front view, the rear fins from the rear RH side, a full LH side view, the  dash panel and rear seats [I have added some comments of my own in square brackets and in color -like this].

For 1953, Cadillac proudly presents the classic new Cadillac El Dorado. Its rugged  chassis offers superb riding characteristics, better roadability, greater comfort, easier handling and more safety features than ever before offered in one American open type car.   What's more, it is powered by the great new Cadillac 210-horsepower engine.   Add to this combination the fact that Cadillac stylists have created a special convertible body that sets a new pace in seating room, style and beauty ...and the result is the exciting new El Dorado.

Into this new El Dorado, Cadillac engineers and stylists have combined the features most desirable in a sports car [?!?! - the exclamation marks are for our British and Italian readers who have a different view of what constitutes a "sports car", Hydra-Matic transmission NOT being one of them].   It has a wide over-all width [sic] (80 1/8 inches), a low, road-hugging silhouette (58 1/8 inches), comfortable seating for six passengers [in a "sports car"], and ample room for luggage. The El Dorado meets the full needs of an American sports car  [?!?! again, my exclamation marks !].  Body surfaces in the Cadillac El Dorado are accentuated in subtly rounded shapes and curves. The long hood, low doors, the top and the rear deck lid are carefully proportioned to emphasize the sports car [?!?!] flavor. The durable, disappearing top is lined with a layer of rubber to assure a waterproof interior, and is available in WHITE or BLACK.  When the top is folded down, it is concealed by a metal cover in the rear deck to give a smooth, flush appearance.  the cover for the disappearing top matches the car color.

This illustration [the LH side view] shows the long, sweeping lines of the El Dorado.  Note  the full, wrap-around windshield ... the smooth fin-like fenders ... the gently sloped hood ... the wire wheels ... the low-cut doors. All give an added appearance of speed and comfort.

Interior trims are available in three solid tones of leather - RED, BLUE and BLACK, and in three two-tone leather combinations - BLUE and WHITE, RED and WHITE, and BLACK and WHITE. Any one of the interior choices may be had with any one of the twelve standard 1953 exterior colors² or with four new colors exclusive to the El Dorado³.

The El Dorado instrument panel features a plastic Royalite, anti-glare cover that keeps annoying instrument reflections off the windshield. It is color-matched to interior trim. The instrument cluster and control knobs are of chrome finish. Other features are a new El Dorado steering wheel with plastic leather [anybody know what is "plastic leather"? - Vinyl, I guess] hand grips ... smart new clock ... deep glove box.

El Dorado interiors are smartly tailored in genuine leathers. The front compartment seat, seat-back inserts and a portion of the leather door panel are finished in ¾-inch saddle-stitched pipes. Hip room in front is over 63 inches. The rear compartment is similarly fashioned in leather. It features wide side armrests ... generous-sized recess in the front-seat backs for exceptional leg room ... and 51 inches of hip room [one whole foot less than up front!].  Genuine leather seat bolsters ... chrome garnish moldings and door hardware add a final touch of elegance and quality.

The following equipment is furnished standard on the El Dorado: Heater, Radio, Windshield Washer, Oil Filter, Power Steering, Wire Wheels, White Wall Tires and [a single?] License Frame.
______________________________________
¹ The text refers frequently to "the" El Dorado, which is an erroneous doubling up of the Spanish pronoun "el", meaning "the"; it's like saying THE THE Dorado.  Many (including me) often make the same mistake when referring to "the" Le Sabre, "the" Le Mans,  "the" El Camino,   "the" La Espada or Hess and Eisenhardt's late seventies-early eighties "the" Le Cabriolet.  On the other hand, it is correct to say "the" Eldorado [spelled out as a single word]; in that case, "the" becomes a function word placed before a proper, well-known name, like "the" King [Elvis Presley] or "the" Mayflower [the sailing ship that brought the Pilgrims to our shores].

²   Eleven of the standard 1953 colors were actually used. These were: code #1, black, #2 Cobalt blue metallic [a very dark or midnight blue], #3 Forest green metallic [a very dark green], #4 Emerald green metallic [a lighter, bottle green], #5 Tunis blue metallic [a medium gray-blue], #6 Phoenix beige metallic [a medium gray-beige], #7 Pastoral blue [a very pale baby blue], #8 Norman gray metallic [a very dark, anthracite gray], #10 Court gray [a very light gray] and #12 Crystal green metallic [a light turquoise green].  None were done in Gloss green [a very light pastel gray-green], code #13.

³   These were: code #22 Artisan ochre [a pale yellow], #27 Alpine white, #28 Azure blue [medium sky blue] and  #29 Aztec red [a bright vermilion]

 

What's to see, here?

I hope to gradually build up a comprehensive roster of surviving 1953 Eldorado models. For this, I must count on users of this resource who either possess a surviving 1953 Eldorado or who know the location of one or more of them to contact me so that, together, we may build up this lasting record of these rare and desirable cars. If possible, always send the car's body number to try to avoid duplicate entries.

And now for some pictures of the cars themselves. 

Mano's car really should be first on the list but now I decided to show them [more logically] in numerical sequence, so his car has dropped down to position "241".  Hope you don't mind, Mano! BTW, take courage!  There are cars out there in much worse condition than yours.  Look at these two!

 

First some factory Photos

 

 

Some factory-issued merchandising literature

To my knowledge, only three pieces of merchandising material  were issued to the general public in 1953 describing that year's new Cadillac models; only two of these mentioned the costly new Eldorado model. The first piece was a full-color, single-sided  folder from which are drawn the illustrations below.  The other was also a full-color, so-called dealer "mailer" entitled Start of a Wonderful Journey (also illustrated below).

 

A famous 1953 Eldorado

 

 

And now, the survivors

Identified surviving cars, as of 2/4/2008 are 185¹ out of  532 cars built. i.e. 34.7² of the total production 

002, 003, 004, 006, 007, 008, 009, 019, 021, 025, 033, 036, 037, 039, 040, 043, 044, 046, 047, 049, 050, 053, 055, 057, 062, 063, 064, 066, 068, 074, 079, 080, 081, 084, 086, 089, 093, 094, 095, 097, 099, 107, 113, 120, 123, 139, 145, 147, 148, 152, 153, 155, 156, 159, 165, 166, 173, 174, 177, 179, 183, 187, 188, 189, 191, 195, 203, 208, 210, 212, 213, 216, 217, 222, 223, 226, 227, 231, 235, 238, 241, 243, 245, 246, 248, 252, 255, 256, 257, 258, 261, 263, 264, 266, 268, 269, 271, 272, 281, 283, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 296, 297, 302,  303, 304, 309, 311, 312, 313, 314, 318, 319, 323, 324, 327, 328, 329, 330, 337, 341, 342, 344, 345, 348, 349, 350, 352, 355, 357, 360, 361, 362, 365, 368, 369, 373, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 389, 392, 393, 394, 395, 397, 404, 407, 412, 416, 420, 430, 433, 435, 437, 444, 447, 448, 456, 476, 477, 483, 484, 486, 489, 493, 495, 500, 502, 505, 506, 512, 513, 518, 519, 522, 524, 529, 533
________________________________________________
¹   In 2/2005, Matt Larson had a confirmed count of 165 cars (up from 138 in August, 2003); some are not listed here to respect their owners' wish to remain
     anonymous;
²  Although I am confident that more 1953 Eldorado survivors will be found in the coming months/years, the initial survey reveals a relatively low survival rate
     compared to the  equally rare - if more costly - first generation  Eldorado Brougham models built just 4 and 5 years later;  in February 2008, more than 65%
     of the latter had been positively identified as survivors.

 

But first, a word about 1953 Eldorado production figures.  I got this message [in January 2001] from '53 Eldorado fan, Dave Ventresca. He said:  Just a quick note to let you know I really enjoy your Cadillac Database website. Last night I just logged on to your new 53 Eldo page. I just have one correction so far: the correct count of cars built is 533, not 532 as is so often mentioned. There is irrefutable evidence that #533 is alive and well and sitting in Michigan or Wisconsin. There was an article in a Cadillac newsletter several years back that contained a Xerox copy of the data plate. As I am a 25-year member of the southern California Cadillac La Salle club, and have owned many Cads, I consider myself one of numerous experts on the 53 Eldo. I have body # 337, a body off restoration, so you can imagine that I really enjoyed that page. When I buy a digital camera, I will send you a picture of my Artisan Ochre with red interior Eldo. Keep up the great work!

Well, it turns out that Dave is both right ...and wrong!  True, there is a 1953 Eldorado with body number 533; it is currently [2004] located in Florida.  However, only 532 cars were actually built; the reason for the discrepancy is that one body number was never used.

Anyway, thanks for the information, Dave; it's always a pleasure to have contacts with other aficionados, especially those who have something constructive to bring to the hobby, in general, and to The Cadillac Database© in particular.

Interestingly, more than half of the surviving 1953 Eldorado models listed here are currently [2004] located outside the USA; some are in Canada (these did not have too far to travel) but the vast majority of them are located in Scandinavia (Sweden, to be precise). The climate in that country does not really lend itself to the enjoyment of convertible  automobiles ...but those Swedes are a hardy race! Hej !

~~~~

Car #1 is not known to have survived. Factory records show this car to have been in company use. Painted Artisan Ochre (yellow), it was displayed at that year's Auto Shows.

 

Car #2 is the one used in President Eisenhower's inaugural parade. The engine number was listed as #5362-08900.  Matt Larson mentions three sheets in the factory records for this car.  The first one shows it as Cars in Company Use and says “Condition for Inaugural parade”; the car was shipped to Capitol Cadillac Olds Co., Washington, DC.  The second sheet is a factory Return For Credit notice; the block labeled “Reason for return” says “Show Car”.  The third sheet is the amended record to fill a New York order, shipping the car to New York City on 8/26/53. This car was reportedly sold for $103,000 at a BJ auction in 1988 [lot #963]. Color was white. Late extra [5/2008]: There exits a short, home movie of Ike's inaugural parade.   I heard about it from Cadillac aficionado, Frank Schmidt; he wrote: Roderick Cox of Bethesda, MD, took the home movie. He was a school teacher at the Friends School, a private school in Wash. DC (still operating).  He is since deceased. By the way, he grew up near Detroit and his dad worked for a bearing company there. Salesman to the auto companies. Rod went to the University of Michigan and was on a football team with Gerald Ford, later president of the U.S.  Rod was on the track team too and won the National Hammer throw championship in the early '30s. Hopefully, Frank or his brother will upload a digital version of that home movie on You Tube and I will put a link to that site here in due course. 

This could be Eldorado #1 or #2 The license tag on this factory photo reads "Cadillac El Dorado" (in two words)

 

Car #3 is believed to have survived. This came from Darrel Drennan, a Cadillac Database visitor, in February, 2003:  I have read your information as it pertains to the 1953 Cadillac Eldorado. My grandfather was a Cadillac dealer at one time and in 1953 sold a 1953 Eldorado to a local couple. About about 25 years later, he bought it back from the widow of this couple. He had it restored a little. It was painted, new interior, wheels & bumpers re-chromed. My grandfather has passed away and now my father has the car. It has about 100k on the engine which has never been rebuilt. It runs pretty good, but I think the transmission slips a little. I don't live in the same town as my father so I am doing this by memory. I was going through your database and pictures of the Eldorados that had the number of when each car was built, #1, #9, and so on. By looking at the body plate for car #241, I think my father has car #3. Again, I am doing this from memory, but I think I am correct. It's white with a black top (new), and a red & white interior. Matt Larson contacted Darrel and told him where to look for the VIN and body tag information for car #3; he did not receive a response.

Car #4 [NEW, 2/2005] was a GM show car in 1953; owned by the late Noel Thompson in the nineties, the car has since been exported; the current owner and location are not known at this time [2005].

Car #6 [NEW, 2/2005] was the GM Motorama show car; it was last heard of in Brazil, in 1992. Rafael F. de Castilho from Brazil  wrote: Thank you  for the huge contribution you're making to our hobby and this great marque we love so much. I noticed that you're tracking surviving '53 Eldorados.  There is only one known in my country (Brazil). It belongs to CLC member Luiz Gil Leão Filho. It was recently restored; originally Azure Blue, now it is beige with black top and seats.

Car #7 [NEW, 2/2005] was last known to be in Nevada, in 1992; it was painted black.

Car #8 [NEW, 2/2005] was located in Southwestern USA in 2003; its current whereabouts are not known.

Car #9 was offered for sale at a Barrett-Jackson auction in 1996 [lot #735 - venue not specified].  It was bid up to $47,500 but apparently was not sold.  White in color, the VIN is #5362-17781.   It was described as a great driver and show car. In 1994 it was in a prominent Midwest collection.

Car #19 was for sale in Las Vegas.  It is still factory red and is about 70 % restored after being in storage for the last 20 years.  This tip from Quentin Hall, a '53 Eldo owner and sleuth in Australia. Late extra [09/2005] :  the car was seen for sale again en eBay in August and October, 2005. Vendor provided a detailed history and current condition, saying that well-restored examples currently fetch $250,000 !!!  The car looks good in the photos but obviously needs a LOT of work (brakes, hydraulics). It has not been driven in 20 years or more and is partly disassembled. Amusingly, vendor says the upholstery was done over with some of the finest hydes [hides?] of the naugh, suggesting that the "naugh" might be some kind of exotic mammal. In fact, the material used is ordinary vinyl impregnated cloth, known generically as "naughahyde".  Bidding reached over $40K but the reserve was not met. Vendor gave a "Buy-it-Now" price of $65K.

[ Photos:  eBay Web site ]

 

Car #21 [NEW, 2/2005] is currently [2005] in the NY area; it has an all white interior.

Car #33 [NEW, 12/2004] was located by Swedish enthusiast Philippe Van Assche (Car #738). This one is Azure blue with red & white trim (which may have been previously solid red). The windshield and pot metal are excellent; the engine and transmission don't have matching numbers.  This is an Arizona car; it is 100% complete; there are small areas of rust in the floor pans.   Currently the car belongs to Stewart Homan ("Dream Cars"), in England, and is undergoing restoration. Late extra [11/2007]:   the car is reported to be for sale [info from Jan-Willem Halsema of the Netherlands].

[ Photos:  © and courtesy Philippe Van Assche ]

 

Car #39 [NEW, 2/2005]  was formerly owned by the late H.E. MacLaughlin of Florida. He was a long-time Eldorado and Eldo data collector. The car is currently [2005] Azure Blue with a blue interior.

Car #40 [VIN #35467]  was sold recently to a collector in Texas for six figures (tip and photos from Aussie enthusiast Quentin Hall). Swedish Eldorado sleuth, Jerry Jansson, though this might be car #65 because the VIN falls between car #64 and car #66.  In fact Matt Larson knows the car well. It was for sale in July 2004 by Heritage Classics in Hollywood for $128,500. At that time it was restored to the present condition and acquired by Wayne Davis of Davis Oldsmobile Co., Fort Worth, TX. Matt reminds Database users that body numbers are by no means in ascending order of VIN. The car is correct, but for the white top that was originally black. Latest [4/2008]: The car is being auctioned again by the RM Auction group on April 19, 2008.

 

Car #43 was previously shown in error as belonging to Sr. Luís Noé Arredondo, of Mexico [see car #46, below].  In fact the car is properly titled in the USA and has belonged to a collector in north-eastern USA since 1984 [see also car #46, below]. Late Extra [3/2006]: according to Belgian enthusiast, Dirk Van Dorst, this car was on display at Hershey in October, 2005. He got some photos.

[ photos to come ]

 

Car #46 Was erroneously identified as #43 [this correction was received from enthusiast Philippe Van Assche, our '53 Eldorado investigator  in Sweden].  Sr. Arredondo had first contacted me in December 2000, saying his car is white with red leather trim.  Luís lives in Guadalajará, Mexico.  He said: por el momento no tengo ninguna foto buena del auto, este está en perfectas condiciones de restauración, nos ha llevado 17 años reconstruírlo [...] Prometo enviar fotos pronto y los felicitó por el exelente trabájo que hacen con su pagina, me sentiré muy orgulloso si me ponen en ella [translation:  right now I don't have any nice photos of the car; it is in perfectly restored condition; it took us 17 years to rebuild the car; I promise to send photos soon and I congratulate you for the excellent work you are doing on your page; I would be very proud to be listed].  He says he knows of three other '53 Eldorados in Mexico City; he will try to provide more details about them. In a subsequent communication to Philippe [thanks to whom many cars in this roster were located], Luís wrote:  Perdón por la tardanza en contestar pero no tenía ni las fotos ni los datos. Pero aquí hay algunas fotos del auto en el estado de reconstrucción que se encuentra y el número de serie 53-6267SX, motor número 536233304 y el número del auto es el 046; espero que les sirva de algo y estamos en contacto [translation: sorry for the delay in answering you, but neither the photos nor the data were available; however, I now enclose some pictures of the car during restoration; the series number is 53-6267SX, engine #536233304, body #046; I hope this is of use to you; let's keep in touch].

Car #47 [NEW, 2/2005] was located in the Midwest in 203.

Car #50 [NEW, 12/2004] is a red one with red and white leather trim.  It was owned many years ago by collector-enthusiasts John and Irene Linhardt of New York [now (2005) residing in Florida but preparing to move to Georgia].  It found its way to France   where it was owned by Alain-Dominique Perrin, CEO of Cartier, Paris. It was offered for sale at auction (in Paris) in December, 2004. Late extra [3/2006]: our "man in Scandinavia", Jerry Jansson, saw the car advertised for sale in Norway for circa $100K. You may still be able to see it on this site. 

 

Car #55 [NEW, 2/2005] is a California survivor; it is now painted Alpine White.

Car #57 [NEW, 2/2005] is also a California car; it is mostly original and sports a Continental kit.

Car #62 [NEW, 2/2005] was offered for sale in Hemmings, in 2000; located at the time in Arizona, this one had a Continental kit and was offered for $33K, with a CDV parts car.

Car #64 is a black one (?), on exhibit at the Deer Park Winery and Auto Museum collection north of San Diego, CA.  It is featured on p.20 of the book Cadillac Eldorado by James W. Howell and Jeanna Swanson Howell, published by Motorbooks International of Osceola, WI, in 1994  [ISBN #0-87938-879-X].

Car #66 [NEW, 2/2005] was a California car; it is now [2005] located in the Eastern USA.

Car #74 was offered for sale for $7,000 (!) in the Self Starter in the seventies.  It was blue with an after-market Continental kit.  I wonder where it is today?

 

 

Car #79 is in Sweden; its owner has also car #235. This one is undergoing a frame-off restoration.

[ Photo: © and courtesy Jerry Jannson ]

 

Car #80 [NEW, 2/2005] was sold to a French buyer circa 1995; this car has dealer-installed A/C, with outside air intakes; it features also the stainless steel trim from the 1953 Series 60 Special as well as 60S hash marks on the rear fenders.

Car #84 was advertised in for sale in Hemmings Motor News in the Fall of 2003. It was brought to my attention kindly by Jerry Jansson of Sweden (who is helping also to build up the Eldorado Brougham database). The vendor said: This may be the last available 100% complete, rust-free, number matching California 1953 Eldorado convertible; it needs easy cosmetics. The phone number was given as 916-989-3191, FAIR OAKS CA.  Late extra (5/2005):  this one has been acquired by Mikael Måtensson from Sweden.  Mike has also #297, below. He says it had been garaged since 1965 and is one of the best, untouched ones to be found.  It is a good running car and is totally rust-free.

 

Car #86 is featured in the CLC's Self Starter magazine for August, 2003; it belongs to CLC member Gerald MacPherson who resides in Bangkok, Thailand. The VIN is #5362-42833; this car reportedly was sold for   $75,000 at a BJ auction in 1992 [as lot #1003]. The color is white.

Car #89 with VIN # 5362-44493 reportedly was sold for a reported $85,000 at a BJ auction in 1994 [lot #662]. Color was white.

Car #93 was offered for sale on eBay in September, 2004. There was no sale. An Ontario (Canada) car, it was originally black on black, it is currently being painted red.

Car #95 was "discovered" in Hemmings by my Swedish buddy, Jerry Jansson.  This California car is described as a 100% complete, rust-free, 78,000-mile car that will be "an easy restoration".

Car #97 [NEW: 5/2004] :  Enthusiast Jerry Jansson spied this message in the guest book of the owner of car #326 (below): From: JOE MARCHIONE (JMCARSOO@webtv.com), Date: 15.4.2004, Subject: 53 caddy eldo : I have owned 4 Eldorados in the last 20 years; my car is #97 and is getting a total frame off restoration. I hope to have it done this year; the color will be azure blue with dark blue and white interior; I will keep you up-to-date as the car completes its 5-year restoration. The car was originally Alpine White, with red leather and a black top.

Car #99 with VIN # 5362-43382 reportedly achieved a high bid of $80,000 at a BJ auction in 1992 [lot #695]. Color was yellow.

Car #107 [NEW, 12/2006] has found a new home in  Louisiana. Matt Larson offered the buyer some help and was able to authenticate the car.   It is an original, red car; it was recently acquired by Brady Como from the owner who had performed a frame off restoration, begun  in 1984.  The car is in # 1 condition and is a numbers matching car, including the transmission…  It is a real Eldo complete with red interior and black top.  

 

Car #120 is owned [1/2001] by Christer Hansson, Lödöse, Sweden.  This car was sold first in Canada (Calgary, Alberta). Christer bought it in 1999, when it arrived in Sweden for the first time. Originally Alpine White, it has been restored and currently is painted Artisan Ochre [yellow].  I believe this one is for sale  (2005)

 

Car # 139 [this from enthusiast Philippe Van Assche in Sweden]: the car is located in the UK and is for sale; the reported (but unconfirmed) mileage is 14K.  Described by the owner as a strong #2 needing minor detailing;  the car is said to have been restored in California about 20 years ago. It has been stored and maintained in Monaco and has the six wire wheels.

 

Car # 148 [according to the engine number (5362-69173), this is car #287 - Matt Larson will seek clarification from the owner - Philippe Van Assche gives the engine #536255622, as shown in the tabular record].  This fine example belonged for many years to Robyn McCombe of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; it was bid to $52,000 at a BJ auction in 2000 [lot #708].  Here is what Robyn wrote to me: My 1953 Cadillac Eldorado was fully restored, with a complete frame off restoration. It was bought by the president of CJOB 68 AM radio in Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada in 1953. I was the fourth owner and owned it for about three years. The car is in immaculate condition and currently resides in Greenwich, CT [Robyn sold it to Malcolm Pray in 2001]. Colors are Alpine white with a red and white interior; it has a white vinyl top. Only 29 Eldos were ordered and delivered with dealer-installed Continental kits; this is one of them, which makes the car rarer than most. Because these factory-ordered kits were supplied by different accessory houses, not all of them are the same.  Others owners/restorers also have added because they liked the look of them. Robyn has acquired two more 1953 Eldorados that he plans to fully restore (#246 and #365 - see below).  Late Extra (5/2005):  this car (or one purported to have the same engine number 5362-55622, was offered for sale at auction on eBay by the San Diego Collection of Vintage Cars; it does NOT have a continental kit! Bidding rose quickly from $10,000 (opening bid) to $81,000. There was shown a "Buy-it-Now" price of $125.000. "Later" Extra (1/2006):The car was bid up to $115,000 at a Kruse auction in  Scottsdale, AZ.   Even later (3/2006)  [???]: I saw this car for sale on Internet, apparently by the Imperial Palace collection in Las Vegas, with this description:  1953 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible ID# 7J1002276 [???] The Eldorado was first introduced into the public in 1953 in limited production; only 532 were built. This particular car is number 148. The Eldorado factory list price was $7,750.00 which was more then the cost of an average home; it was America's most expensive car. Powered by its original 331 V-8 and Automatic Transmission, it is in excellent driving condition. All components and instruments work properly, power equipment includes power steering, power brakes, power seats, power windows and a power top. The 1953 Eldorado is one of the most elegant American cars ever built.  http://www.theautocollections.com/index.cfm?key=1542&action=details&tab=inventory is the address of the Imperial Palace Web site.

 

Car #155 will soon be for sale [12/2004].  Our '53 Eldorado detective in Sweden, Philippe Van Assche spoke with the owner in July 2002 who says he got the car from the estate of John Miller. The car is Alpine white, with red & white trim and black top.

Car #156 [NEW, 11/2005] was offered for sale on EBay in November, 2005 (item 4593558717] with a starting price of $55,000.

VIN 5362-54818 for sale on EBay, Nov. 2005 [ thecar is located near Boston, MA ]

 

Car #173 was formerly owned by Cadillac Dealer, Dave Towell of Akron, OH. Enthusiast George McVey bought it from Dave in 1980 and sold it again in late 2003. The photos I took of the car in Dave Towell's premises, back in June 1978, show it with saber-spoke wheels and stainless steel (Fleetwood) lower fender trim.  Matt Larson says that at least four 1953 Eldorados got the same fender treatment; he adds that saber wheels were seen also on many '53 Eldorados, after these wheels became available, starting in 1955. Like most of Dave's cars, this one carried his personalized "DT" license tags, this being number 11 in the collection. I wonder where it is today ?

 

Car #174 [NEW, 10/2005] was exported to France in the early eighties, according to '53 Eldorado enthusiast, John Linhardt, with whom I had a long phone chat in October, 2005.  John has had many of these Eldorados and has recently sent Matt Larson all the details. I shall be incorporating them on this page in due course.

Car #179  is currently [2/2002] in Germany; it is maroon (a non-original color).  Thanks for the tip,  Andreas!

Car #187 with VIN # 5362-59395 reportedly was for sale at a BJ auction in 1993 [lot #675]. Color was red. Results of bidding (if any) not listed.

Car #188 [NEW, 12/2005] offered for sale at the annual Barrett-Jackson auction venue in Scottsdale, AZ, in January 2006 [lot #1051]. Described thus [I give it to you in extenso]: The '53 the Eldorado Convertible was a very expensive Luxury automobile as the listing price was $7,750. A quite rare and sought after automobile as there were only 532 Eldorado convertibles built for 1953. The featured cllassic is #188/532 as documented on the cowl tag. Numered rare cars are in high demand and short supply. The car was purchased as an actual mile car. The odometer reads: 53,587 although being sold as "mileage exempt." One must really consider over the past 52 years how many have disappeared for various reasons: rusted out, wrecked, destroyed etc.. The rule of thumb would be that only 10 - 20% exist today and how many become available for purchase... This fine automobile is equipped nicely: 331 c.i. V8 with 210 horsepower, power steering for ease of driving, power windows, original AM radio, hydra-matic transmission, power top the fabric replaced with the German harts-cloth to add the perfect elegant touch, black and white leather interior compliment the jet black exterior finish, glass windshield washer jar and gold plated emblems. Opportunities to own this type of a rare piece of precious metal do not come every day. This fine Cadillac is a real investment that you can enjoy parading around. Own a real American icon. Late Extra [1/2006]: the car sold for $108,000 [this figure includes BJ's commission].

 

Car #203  survives, according to my friend Quentin Hall in Australia (car #433),   Few details are currently available; the owner is "Larry" of East Coast Sheetmetal. The car is an unrestored original.  It is red with a black interior.  According to Q., it's a good, honest, rust-free survivor.

Car #212  is currently [2/2002] in Germany; it also is maroon.  Thanks again, Andreas!

Car #213  is an Aztec red car that belongs to Helmut Koch from Horgen, Switzerland. It was reportedly  restored in England at a cost of $ 600,000 (!!!).  Mister Koch bought it in Switzerland from a dealer who usually specializes in European cars. Mister Koch is the organizer of the annual international Cadillac meet at Zurzach, he is NOT the president of the Swiss CLC nor of any other car club. Information for this entry was supplied, kindly, by Austrian enthusiast, Georg Pfeiffer.

 

Car #216  is currently [4/2001] reported in Southern California, where it is owned by Jerry Krumm of La Habra Heights. This information came all the way from Philippe Van Assche, in Sweden.  Thanks Philippe. Come to think of it, I remember photographing this car at the CLC Grand National meet in Denver, CO, in August 2001.  Late extra: The car was offered for sale in the Self Starter  for October, 2001 and September 2002 ($75,000), and as of 2/2004, Jerry is still willing to sell his car. Latest [Feb. 2006]:   one more 1953 Eldorado that has gone to Sweden (tip from Christer Hansson, car #120)

Car #222 has been fully restored and found a new buyer at the annual Kruse auction sale in Auburn, IN, in September 1999 (lot #652).  Blue with matching blue and white interior it was bid up to $64,000

Car #223 resides in Belgium and is definitely not a trailer queen. Gert Verberk, her owner attends all the meets he possibly can ...even if the weather does not allow dropping the top. The car was previously owned by Ronald Schillage of San Jose, CA (venue of the 1999 Cadillac Grand National); at that time it sported the license tags "IFG-140"; it has been featured in a book (published in England, in 1989) showing that tag number. The car has a continental kit and a 45rpm record player in the glove box (info and photos supplied kindly by Belgian Cadillac enthusiast, Dirk Van Dorst).

 

Car #227 was brought to my attention in 2002 by enthusiast, Philippe Van Assche in Sweden: Body # 227 VIN # 5362 64041, Trim # 35 (Black) Paint # 22 (Artisan ochre) Top # 4 (Black) Location: California. This car was bought new in San Diego California. It was a good running car in 2002 but needed a lot of restoration work. Lots of chrome work had been done already done. The interior needed seats and carpets; the side panels and dash were excellent and original. The car showed 62,000 miles on the odometer. Late Extra [1/2008]: Freshly and totally restored by its new owners, David and Wendy Finlon of Suwanee, Georgia, the car took a first place in the Primary Division, Class P14, at the 2007 CLC Grand National Meet in Savannah, Georgia. 

Car #231 is owned [1/2001] by Svein-Erik and Willy Mortensen from Tromsö, Norway. Svein wrote this: I live in Tromsö, Norway. In February 2000, my brother and I bought a 1953 Cadillac Eldorado from Svein Johansen from Reinoy, 130 miles from Tromsö. It had been standing for 12 years and we knew about it all that time. Svein had purchased it from Bjorn Selvik from Lillestrom who in turn had got it from Jerry Drescher, Tacoma, WA, in 1987. The odometer shows 61.000 miles. It is very rusty ...but not as bad as Mano Forsman's car! The exterior color is Artisan Ochre with white top and red/white interior.

 

Car #235 currently [7/2002] is in Sweden, owned by the same person who has car #79 (above). This car is also undergoing a frame-off restoration.

 

Car #238 is VIN 65536 with paint #28, trim #32 and top #4. It is owned by Harry J. Visco of Middletown, NJ [(732) 495 1156] . The car is restored in the original colors; the owner is still looking for a few parts.

[ Photos:  courtesy Matt & Michaline Larson, 5/2006 ]

 

Car #241 belongs to Mano Forsman who inspired this page of the Cadillac Database [the VIN is #5362 65356].  It was first delivered to Chicago, IL ( he has a copy of the first truck shipping label from the factory).  It spent some of its life in Florida.   From there, about 10 years ago, it went back further north than Illinois, to Canada; that's where Mano bought it 10 months ago.  As may be seen in the photo below, it needs a lot of work. Mano believes that when it is completed, his '53 Eldo will have undergone the mostly extensive restoration of any of them! All the metalwork will be done by Mano's son, Henric, a professional coach builder in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. Late Extra (9/2007): Mano had a minor heart problem in 2007 and has had to give up restoring this one; also his son got married and now has a life of his own to lead. Mano sold the car to the owner of #243, below, who will continue where Mano left off.  Thanks for saving this one, Mano.  Take care of your health !

 

Car #243 [NEW, 2/2005] was originally an Ontario (Canada) car; it has a new windshield; it may be for sale with a coupe parts car from Texas. Latest [Feb. 2006]:  one more 1953 Eldorado that has gone to Sweden (tip from Christer Hansson, car #120).   The new owner is Jerry Långdahl (the son of Elving Långdahl, the previous owner of this one); he is the only man in Sweden (maybe even in Europe) to own three “Tripple Crowns” (all 3 exotic GM Motorama models).

Car #245 [NEW, 10/2005]   was owned many years ago by collector-enthusiasts John and Irene Linhardt of New York [now (2005) residing in Florida but preparing to move to Georgia].  Its current whereabouts are not known.

Car #246   was acquired recently by Robyn McCombe of Winnipeg, Canada. It is painted Alpine White with an Azure Blue interior and a blue top. This car came from New York and Robyn has begun a complete frame-off restoration of it, to bring it back to show quality. In March 2002, he wrote:  As you know I am currently doing a frame off on Car #246. So far we have taken apart every single part of the car. The frame has been sandblasted, and fully detailed. The body has been sandblasted, painted and put back on the frame. Now we are working on the body panels (doors, fenders, parade boot etc.) I have enclosed some progress pictures of the car. We are expecting it to be completed by Fall 2002. In 2001, Robyn sold another '53 Eldo (car #148, above).

 

Car #255   is owned [4/2001] by a Mr. V. Williams; it is Artisan ochre in color although it had once been repainted Aztec red.  Mr. Williams pulled the car out of a chicken coop in Alabama, back in 1997. It is a little rusty in the middle (floor pans and rockers), however, it is all there and all original. It is unrestored and sits in a dedicated two car garage alongside his red 1959 Series 62 convertible.  The owner is curious to know how many 53 Eldorados are in existence today; I hope this Internet page gradually will give him a reasonable idea. He would also like to know the best way to trace the history of his car, including the dealer who took delivery of it originally, as well of the name of the first titled owner. That, unfortunately, is almost impossible to find out.

Car #256 is a sassy, azure blue custom Eldorado [VIN #5362-66847]; it is quite well known. It was ordered by a wealthy industrialist in Wisconsin, Mr. John Alexander. Cadillac engineering boosted the engine to 300 HP with a 4-71  turbo-charger and a 2-way, functional header and exhaust. The project was supervised by Cadillac's Chief Experimental Test Engineer at the time, Frank C. Burell.  The car has knock-off, Borrani spoke-wheels in lieu of the regular Eldorado issue for that year.  It recently [2000]  underwent a 4-year restoration;  Art Chrisman did the engine work and the interior was done over by Jenkins Restorations, in NC.  It was reportedly sold for $105,000 at a Barrett-Jackson auction in 1997 [as lot #695]

 

Car #258 with VIN # 5362-66948 reportedly was for sale at a BJ auction in 1993 [lot #457]. Color was black. This is said to be the one used by the Franklin  Mint to create their replica in 1:16 scale.

Car #261 was located in 2004 by Swedish sleuth, Philippe Van Assche (car #378) who also sent the images, below. The car is painted Artisan Ochre and has black leather trim. It is a rust free California car with an excellent windshield and pot metal; passenger rear quarters are perfect, numbers match; front seat and steering wheel appear to be from a '53 Coupe de Ville and it is believed the car came like this from the factory (?).   Currently the car belongs to Stewart Homan ("Dream Cars"), in England, and is undergoiong restoration. Late extra [11/2007]:   the car is reported to be for sale [info from Jan-Willem Halsema of the Netherlands].

[ Photos:  © and courtesy Philippe Van Assche ]

 

Car #263   [engine #5362-68032] is owned since 1982 by Dan McNamara of Merced, CA. He acquired it from classic car dealer Dale Johnson; the car is in #2 condition; it is a near-original, non-restored driver that was sold new in Los Angeles. The license tag reads 53 ELDO !

 

Car #281 [NEW, 10/2007] was reported by owner-enthusiast, Mano Forsman of Sweden, as having survived.   The body tag shows:  Trim 39, Paint  28 and Top  1. At the present time it is repainted white and has a black top. The car is located for the moment in Germany but will soon be going to the UK. The present owner purchased it two years ago. It is in very good condition with very good original interior, with some minor details missing. Mano is hoping to get us some pics for the survivors pages.  

[ pics to come ]

 

Car #286 Seen for sale in Hemmings, May 1999, for $125K. Current owner unknown. These pics turned up on the Internet in 2007.  Here is a nice looking survivor despite the body tag having been sprayed blue at the same time as the car.

Internet photos, 2007

 

Car #287 was reported sold as Lot #732 at the annual Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ, in January 2002. I've seen two prices quoted for the same car:  $87,500 and $94,500. It was reported to have a new interior by Jenkins of NC. The car was offered again for sale at the Barrett-Jackson venue, in Scottsdale, in January 2003.  Makes you wonder if there is any truth in these grandiose auction sale results.  So far as I can see, it is not unusual for the same cars to cross the block in Scottsdale a number of times in a row! I guess the purpose is to drive up the prices. Hemmings had it advertised again in June, 2003, for $110,000 ! Duh ! This is possibly also the car offered at auction by RM Classics in January, 2005 as Lot #071 [same color, same trim]. http://automotivewharehouse.com/10711953954119FL_1100_1072.dat.html A car very much like this one (red/red) was again offered for sale on the Internet in June, 2005: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4554538211 Is it this one ? The minimum bid was $90K; there were NO bidders. Late Extra [9/2005]:   This just in from Eldorado "detective", Jerry Jansson of Sweden : GXM Auto Wholesalers sell government seizures. New Hummers that the goverment must sell are being auctioned off for as little as $50. Used car dealers are not legally allowed to bid on these cheap vehicles. [They have in abeyance] Drug Seized 1953 CADILLAC ELDORADO; THIS CAR IS NUMBER 287 OF 533 BUILT IN 1953. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH POWER WINDOWS, POWER SEAT, POWER TOP, BRAND NEW TIRES. The photos of this 1953 CADILLAC ELDORADO for sale can be seen here [Click for Pics of the drug seized 1953 CADILLAC ELDORADO].  EXTERIOR COLOR Aztec Red.   INTERIOR COLOR Red/White. LOCATION Pompano Beach FL.  PRICE $110000    It’s always fun when the bad guys get it!!! But I suspect you have do be dealing some illegal substances to be able to afford these cars!

Car #288   is owned by CLC member Ronnie Branch; it is currently (May, 2008) undergoing a full restoration and is about 3 months away from completion.  Formerly shown here were three photos of a red/red car  It turns out that this was NOT car #288, which has been recently (May, 2008) the subject of an exchange of messages on the CLC Forum.   Ronnie wrote: This car has never been red. I did see that in the Cadillac Database but they must have the pictures in the wrong spot. When I got this car 5 years ago it was an ugly purple with green interior.  Now it has all blue interior; it has gone through a nut & bolt restoration and  has taken us 5 years to get to this point. But we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It has all been worth it. It's been very expensive but, it's very beautiful. The photos of the (erroneous) red car have been moved to the section, below, showing surviving '53 Eldorados still requiring positive identification.

[  photos awaited - May, 2008 ]

 

Car #289  is only partially restored; it was available for purchase in December,  2002 for around $46,000. For that kind of money, in my opinion a serious collector can find a very nice running car needing only minor detailing and cosmetic work to become a first prize-winner. From what I have read, this car is made up of bits and pieces of an original car with parts from a 1953 Coupe de Ville; the result will be a non authentic car. The current (2/2003) market value of a near-mint original 1953 Eldorado is in the region of $74,000 (Consumer Price Index value guide); the most fitting description for this one is a car that is "restorable but not operable"; it is "all there but presents a real challenge to the restorer." As such, according to the experts, its value is around   $13,000-14,000 (still a lot of moolah, considering the physical condition of the vehicle and the fact that some excellent originals are currently available for $45,000-$50,000. The car was advertised again on e-Bay in February, 2003; you could "buy it now" for $28K.  More information and photos available on this Web page. The photos below show the car as it was when offered for sale.  In December 2004, our '53 Eldorado expert in Sweden, Philippe Van Assche, said the car was now in his country and would be restored in the coming years.

 

Car #296  [engine # 5362-70650] was brought to my attention in November 2001 by Philippe van Assche, of Sweden.  He says it is a 20 year old restoration, still in good condition. The car is Azure blue (code #28), with matching blue and white interior (trim code #32) and a white top (code #1). The owner lives in Michigan, USA.

Motor City meet,  2004

 

Car #297 was imported to Switzerland in the early mid-eighties by the Oertli family [better known as Ertley, in the USA] who restored it from ground up but then painted it from white to a non-original color (Burgundy wine). He subsequently sold the car to a friend of mine, Daniel Von Aesch [not to be confused Philippe Van Assche - Car #378, below!].   Daniel kept it around twenty years and I used to see it frequently at meets of the Swiss Cadillac Club. In July 2003, he sold it to Mikael Måtensson from Sweden. Mikael says: The VIN is 536270524; Daniel owned it for more then 20 years. It´s a good rust-free car from California that was repainted in non original color (dark red metallic) have been white from the beginning; the interior was done in the same color, dark red and white; the car runs real fine and looks good; I will use it for a couple of years before doing anything to it. He kindly sent the pics below.   Thanks, Mikael. Enjoy your "new" car. I told Mikael there probably are more nice, running '53 Eldorados in Sweden today than in any other country in the world ...including the USA ! 

Car #303 [NEW, 5/2005]  was apparently exported to Mexico.  I got this info from enthusiast Gary Hillman, in the UK, who got it from another enthusiast in Finland.  The Finn wrote: Hi Gary. Sorry for my late answer. I have had a lot of problem with Internet in the last 4-5 weeks but finally now it works (I hope.) The caddy is still in the first owner’s family and the engine and tranny have been rebuilt since I put the ad in usabil.nu. The tranny was leaking oil so they rebuilt the gearbox and engine at the same time; it has only been in the car for 1-week now and runs great. Also the engine room has been rebuilt and re-painted. The extended rear fenders were done by a Cadillac dealer in the 50´s [custom job?] This car was in the Autorama motor show in Detroit, Michigan, in 1953! It was one of 3 [Eldorado?] cars exported to Mexico. This car is #303 of 535 [actually, only 532 cars were built]. The car was repainted a few years ago and the interior is new. The chrome is good. One side window has a crack (easy to fix). I think there is a small crack on the front window on the passenger side. The rear window is the small model. There were 2 different styles that year. No rust at all, ever. The car is located in Mexico City. The price on the car is 85,000 USD. Best regards: Jari Savolainen.  Late extra [Feb., 2008]: Matt Larson, CLC resident expert on the 1953 Eldorado models, has this corrected information about #303:  Jari Savolainen is in error about the history and details of car #303.  Other than the 17 cars that were sold into Canada, only one car was “exported” when new; it went to GM Continental in Antwerp, Belgium.   Car #303 could not have been “in the Autorama motor show in Detroit, Michigan, in 1953!”  The very first Autorama was put on by the Michigan Hot Rod Association at the University of Detroit Field House in January of 1953.  Car #303 was built in July 1953 and shipped to Los Angeles on July 15.  I do not have any way of determining by whom and when the car was taken into Mexico.  The statement that: “The rear window is the small model. There were 2 different styles that year.” is misleading.  There was only one style of rear window for the Eldorado.  It is a small plastic window and does not have a zipper.  Only the standard 1953 series 6267 convertible has the large zip down rear window.

 

Car #304   was located by Philippe Van Assche from Sweden [he owns Car #378, below]; the owner lives in the USA close to the Canadian border. This car was up for sale in April, 2002.

 

Car #309 [NEW, 12/2204]   was located in 2004 by Swedish '53 Eldorado sleuth, Philippe Van Assche, owner of Car #378, below.

[ Photos:  © and courtesy Philippe Van Assche ]

 

Car #312   is owned [1/2001] by Roland Bränd, of Bjursås, in Sweden. He bought it from Dale Johnsson of  Turlock , CA, in Feb. 1980. It was in good driving condition; Roland restored the car doing all the work on his own. Excellent job! This one is in VERY beautiful condition [see photo below].