Models for 1956 and 1957?

[GOldman]

Hello all,

New to the Cadillac scene, own 16 Continentals of different years. Have been looking for a 56 or 57 Cadillac for a while. I am wondering what models were offered for each year in rank of model, base to top model. Also what is the more desirable models? I have been looking at just a 4 door sedan de ville 56 which is a project car with no engine/trans for about $2500. Is this a reasonable price??

Any info would be GREATLY appreciated

D. de Haan

[Guidematic]

 The model line up for both 1956 and 1957 were essentially the same, with a few exceptions. The 1956 was the last year of the 3-year styling cycle that started in 1954, the 1957 was an all new car from the ground up, including the frame which was of the X-type.

The base model for both years was the series 62. In '56 it included a four door sedan a 2- door hardtop coupe and a 2-door convertible coupe. in '57 there were no sedans, so a 4-door hardtop replaced the 4-door sedan.

Next up the ladder was the deVille series. Up until 1956 it consisted of a lone hardtop coupe, the Coupe deVille but the Sedan deVille was added that year. Cadillac's first 4-door hardtop. Incidentally, it's one of my favourite Cadillacs. In 1957 this series stood pat.

The Fleetwood Sixty Special was Cadilac's premium owner driven sedan. It rode on a 133" wheel base, 3.5" longer than that of the standard Cadillac. It was available as a 4-door sedan only in 1956, but switched to a 4-door hardtop in 1957.

Then there was the Eldorado series. In 1956 there were 2 models, the convertible Biarittz and the 2-door hardtop Seville. These cars carried unique rear end styling for both 1956 and 1957.

In 1957 the spectacular Eldroado Brougham was added. This was a 4-door hardtop that was quite unique in construction to other Cadillacs. It rode a shorter wheelbase, had rear hinged rear doors, a stailess steel roof cap and every convenience known to man. Suggested retail was $13,074. 400 were sold.

Then there were the 75 Series. These were long wheelbase sedans sold in 2 versions, an 8- passenger sedan and the 8 passenger Imperial limousine. The Limousine had a centre divider and a black leather upholstered chaufeur's compartment.

Of coarse all of them are desireable, but the most desireable are the convertibles, particularly the Eldorado Biarittz. The Seville is also highly sought after. The Eldorado Brougham is at least as desireable, if not more.

The Coupe deVille is pretty desireable as well.

Others would be the Sixty Special sedan and the new for '56 Sedan deVille.

The Series 75 is more of a specialty car more because ot its' size, as are the Commercial cars.

I hope this explains it in a nutshell and is not to confusing. Cadillac had a fairly extensive line up. This was possible since they sold more than twice as many cars as Lincoln, Imperial and Packard (by 1956) combined.

Mike