More exclusive -- and more expensive -- were the two-door Eldorados: Seville coupe and Biarritz convertible. They came with a 345-horsepower version of the 390-cid V-8 that guzzled gas through three two-barrel carburetors. The Eldorados lost some of their exclusivity in 1959 because they no longer sported unique rear end designs and they switched from the "Sabre Spoke" wheels of '58 to stamped steel wheels. Nonetheless, Eldorados sported deep-dish wheel covers (sharing them with the Sixty Special) and fender skirts were standard, as they were for all 1959-60 Cadillacs. Air suspension was another standard item (it disappeared after 1960 because of chronic leakage problems). Also included were cruise control, Autronic Eye headlight dimmer, radio and electric antenna, power door locks, fog lamps, and three rows of jewels in the rear.

Distinguishing characteristics of the Seville were a color-keyed roof covering of weather resistant fabric and unique chrome trim that started at the vent window and followed the body contour to the rear bumper, then proceeded down and around, following the rocker panel to the front wheel. The Seville was dropped after 1960, although the name would be reincarnated 15 years later on a smaller Cadillac. The Biarritz sold for the same $7401 list price as the Seville. Its top was hidden by a metal cover when down, giving the car a smooth, uninterrupted profile that flowed from front to rear, ending in a dramatic upsweep of the towering fins.

Standing at the top of Cadillac's 13-model lineup was the second-generation Eldorado Brougham, which debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in January 1959. This limited-production model sold for a lofty $13,075. It did without the shark fins, twin taillights, and wraparound windshield of lesser '59 Cadillacs, and none of its exterior panels interchanged with the regular models. In fact, the Brougham wasn't even made in America. Pinin Farina built the bodies in Turin, Italy, for installation on stock chassis shipped from Detroit. It's grille differed in that it didn't incorporate the divider bar, and its fins and taillights predicted the styling of the '60 Cadillac. Even the windshield and roofline were unique, previewing the look of the '61 Caddy. Styling was clean, although not as distinctive as that of the earlier Brougham. The Brougham didn't contain as much gadgetry, either, although the rear quarter windows retracted a bit for easier entry and exit when the rear doors were opened.

Narrow-band whitewalls were found only on the Brougham for 1959 and '60. In 1960, the Pininfarina (the name was legally changed in 1960) cloisonne emblems moved from the side of the front fenders to the back of the rear fenders, hubcaps were changed to a smaller disc design, and the creaseline rode lower on the body sides (seen again on the '62 models). The Broughams were easily the rarest of the 1959 and '60 Cadillacs, with only 99 and 101 built.

ELDORADO/BROUGHAM SUB-SERIES 6400/6900

External variations on the Seville two-door hardtop and Biarritz convertible coupe took the form of bright body sill highlights that extended across the lower edge of fender skirts and Eldorado lettering on the sides of front fenders just behind the headlamps. Standard equipment included:

• power brakes
• power steering
• automatic transmission
• dual backup lamps
• windshield washers and dual Speed wipers
• wheel discs
• outside rear view mirror
• oil filter
• heater
• fog lamps
• Eldorado engine
• remote control trunk lock
• radio with antenna and rear speaker
• power vent windows
• Six-Way power seat
• air suspension
• electric door locks
• license frames
• five whitewall tires

A textured vinyl fabric top was offered on the Eldorado Seville and interior trim choice included cloth and leather combinations. The Brougham continued as an Italian-bodied four-door hardtop with special Brougham nameplates above the grille. It did not sport Eldorado front fender letters or body sill highlights, but had a distinctive squared-off roofline with rear ventipanes -- a prediction of 1961 styling motifs for the entire Cadallic line. A fin-like crease, or "skeg," ran from behind the front wheel opening to the rear of the car on the extreme lower body sides and there were special vertical crest medallions on the trailing edge of rear fenders. Cruise Control, a Guide-Matic headlight dimmer, air conditioning and E-Z-Eye glass were regular equipment.

Model Number	Style Number	Body Type	Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
60-64H	6437H	Seville Hardtop Coupe	6	7401	4855	1,075
60-64E	6467E	Biarritz Convertible	6	7401	5060	1,285
60-69P	6929P	Brougham	6	13075	-	101

ELDORADO/BROUGHAM SUB-SERIES 6400/6900 ENGINE

• V-8 Overhead valves
• Cast iron block
• Displacement: 390 cubic inches
• Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.875 inches
• Compression ratio: 10.5:1
• Brake horsepower: 345 @ 4800 rpm
• Five main bearings
• Hydraulic valve lifters
• Carburetion: Three (3) Rochester two-barrel Model 7015901

CHASSIS

• Wheelbase: 130"
• Overall Length: 225"
• Tires: 8.00 x 15
• Dual exhausts standard
• Rear axle ratios: 2.94:1 standard; 3.21:1 optional or mandatory with air conditioning

POWERTRAIN OPTIONS

The 345 horsepower Eldorado V-8 with three two-barrel carburetors was $134.40 extra installed in any other Cadillac model.

CONVENIENCE OPTIONS

• Air suspension standard on Eldorado
• Autronic Eye ($46)
• Cruise Control ($97)
• Door guards on two-door ($4); on four-door ($7)
• Electric door locks standard on Eldorado
• E-Z-Eye glass ($52)
• Fog lamps ($43)
• Automatic heating system ($129)
• License plate frame ($6)
• Six-Way power seat ($85-113) depending on style number
• Power window regulators ($118)
• Power vent windows ($73)
• Radio with rear speaker ($165); with rear speaker and remote control ($247)
• Remote control trunk lock ($59)
• White sidewall tires, size 8.20 x 15 four-ply ($57 exchange); size 8.20 x 15 six-ply ($64)
• Anti-freeze -20 ° F. ($8); -40 ° F. ($9)
• Accessory Group "B" included air conditioner
• Whitewalls, heater, radio and E-Z-Eye glass at $876 extra and Six-Way power seat, power vent windows and power windows at regular prices
• Gas and oil delivery charge was $7 and district warehousing and handling charges averaged $15

HISTORICAL

• Car Life magazine selected the 1960 Cadillac as its "Best buy in the luxury field."
• This was the last year for air suspension and for wraparound windshields, except on the Series 75 Fleetwood models.
• According to contemporary road tests gas economy ratings for 1960 Cadillacs were approximately 14 miles per U.S. gallon (16.8 l/100km) at a steady 60 miles per hour (96 kph).

PREVIOUS: History of the 1959 Cadillac NEXT: History of the 1960 Cadillac 6200 NEXT: History of the 1960 Cadillac Fleetwood NEXT: History of the 1960 Cadillac DeVille NEXT: History of the 1960 Cadillac Overview NEXT: History of the 1961 Cadillac

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