The Best Cadillac Eldorado Models of All Time (Part One)

Elegant… opulent… dripping with class and prestige. The Cadillac Eldorado is one of the few luxury coupes to stand the test of time, proving that a car can truly have it all. Since its 1953 debut, every angle of the Eldorado has demanded—and received—attention without even trying.

Uniquely, the name came from Mary-Ann Marini, a Cadillac secretary who won a contest to name the 1952 Golden Anniversary show car. Fittingly, in Spanish “El Dorado” means “the gilded one.” Pinpointing which Eldorado years or specific models have been most sought-after isn’t easy: each generation possessed its own distinct style and attitude, evolving only slightly from one to the next without ever compromising its essence.

Other automakers tried to mimic its sleek lines and add trimmings that “felt” luxurious, but the Eldorado could never be duplicated. Some fans favor a particular year or generation; others simply love any Eldorado for what it is.

With that in mind, here’s our guide to the Eldorados that have captivated enthusiasts over the decades. First, a quick refresher on the generations—each lasting roughly five or six years, with minor tweaks each season:

• First generation: 1953 only
• Second generation: 1954–1956
• Third generation: 1957–1960, with these yearly variants:
– 1957 Eldorado*
– 1957–1958 Series 70 Brougham (handbuilt)
– 1958 Eldorado Seville, Biarritz, Brougham
– 1959–1960 Eldorado Brougham (Italian-built)
– 1959 Eldorado*
– 1960 Eldorado*
• Fourth generation: 1961–1964
• Fifth generation: 1965–1966
• Sixth generation: 1967–1970
• Seventh generation: 1971–1978 (1978 also saw the ultra-luxury Eldorado Biarritz)
• Eighth generation: 1979–1985
• Ninth generation: 1986–1991
• Tenth generation: 1992–2002
(*the base Eldorado was also offered alongside those sub-models each year)