1957 Cadillac Door edge Gaurds ?????

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Hello, My Questions is did the 1957 Cadillac offer these edge gaurds as an option ? and where can you purchase these items now ? Thanks Bill

[Warren Rauch]

 In 1957 Cadillac offered Dor-Gards  as option code D. These were standard equipment on the Eldorado models.Without looking at my Barritz , I think they are stainless steel.  They are unlikely an item that can 't be bought repo. Plastic ones to cut and fit ,I'm sure are avalible . Warren

[35-709]

Watch eBay too.

[Warren Rauch]

 In my first post ,I said that Dor-Gards were standard on the 57 Eldorados. This was based on a statement in the New Car Specification Manual for 1957. "Do Not Order any groups. Only optional equipment that can be  added (to the Eldorado) is :K-air conditioner, E- E-Z glass, U- Autotronic Eye, and Q- Dual Carburetor Engine - (N0 Extra Charge) " Another note is that the grille is chrome unless option G is ordered for gold at no extra cost.
I looked up the data book for 1957 today.  It gives  a long list of standard equipment , but no mention of Dor-gards. So  I may have assumed too much. Warren

[Walter Youshock]

Dor-Gards were included in an options package (can't recall which one at the moment), along with License Frames.  They were also available as a dealer-installed accessory.  As I can best tell, they weren't installed at the factory, but at the dealership.  My car, and most, came with the package, but the Gards were never installed. 

A member from the Philly area bought his car brand new and he said he told the dealer he didn't want them on the car.  They attach with metal clips and the strip snaps over the clips--scratching the paint!  Plus, they kind of break up the lines of the car.  I know my car never had them as the original paint wasn't scratched up.

Big-bodied Buick and maybe Olds coupe doors were the same as the Cadillacs.  The coupe Gards are longer than the sedan models and curve down almost to the bottom of the door.  The rear doors of the Cadillac were exclusive and only the Cadillac Gards will fit, but the front Buick and maybe Olds sedan Gards will also work on the Cadillac.

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

All I can say is that when I had the '79 Fleetwood painted, I took my door guards off, and they are still lying in the trunk. I didn't want to scratch the new paint. Leave 'em off. If you're like me, you are extra careful about where the door swings open anyway...

[Walter Youshock]

OK, Dor Gards were a part of the numbered equipment groups in 1957: Group 2 was Autronic-Eye, Fog Lamps Dor-Gards and 1 License Frame; Group 2 was 2 frames; Group 3 was 1 Frame and no Autronic-Eye; Group 4 was 2 Frames and no Eye.  The Gards and frames were installed at the dealership. if the car came with the group, the Eye and Fog Lamps came from the factory.  Except for power trunk, ALL accessories (including factory air conditioning) were available as a dealer-installed accessory kit.

This code would show on the Build Sheet under "Equip Group", but not on the body plate.  Approximate retail price for 2 Gards was $4.30 and 4 was $7.40.   A license frame was $8.45 and Air Conditioning was $624.00.  Not too bad when mouton sheepskin carpeting for the rear compartment for a Series 75 was $444.65!  Group prices were considerably less, of course.  These prices are from the 1956 #57-CAD-0-1 Options Price List, effective 11/12/56.