1956 Cadillac Eldorado Cab V8
The Cadillac Eldorado is a luxury car manufactured and marketed by Cadillac from 1952 until 2002 over twelve generations.
The Eldorado was at or near the top of the Cadillac line. The original 1953 Eldorado convertible and the Eldorado Brougham models of 1957–1960 had distinct bodyshells and were the most expensive models that Cadillac offered those years. The Eldorado was never less than second in price after the Cadillac Series 75 limousine until 1966.
Starting in 1967 the Eldorado retained its premium position in the Cadillac price structure, but was built in high volumes on a unique two door personal luxury car platform.
The nameplate Eldorado is a contraction of two Spanish words that translate as “the gilded (i.e., golden) one” — and also refers to El Dorado, the mythical Colombian “Lost City of Gold” that fascinated Spanish explorers.
Brilliantly new in concept; it was an ideal introduction for a refreshingly new era in automotive design which left the 1940s far behind. The pillarless hardtop design was the industry’s most desired as witnessed by the 1956 Eldorado Cab V8. This avant-garde example of automotive excellence makes a cameo appearance…in the continuing saga of “As the Standard of the World Turns.”
Factory Sabre-Spoke wheels measure 15″ in diameter and are fitted with BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whitewall tires. The Eldorado utilizes a coil-spring front suspension along with a live rear axle on semi-elliptical leaf springs. Braking is managed by four-wheel power-assisted drums.
The 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Cab V8 is powered by GM’s 6.0 litre 16-valve 365 CID V8 engine. The engine runs in five main bearings. It has a cast iron block and cylinder heads for durability. It is equipped with a Carter WCFB 2370S 4-bbl carburetor with equalized manifolding, automatic choke, hydraulic valve lifters, mechanical fuel pump, and intake silencer. The engine is mated to GM’s Hydra-Matic (Jetaway/Flashaway) 3-speed automatic transmission which had been refined with an increase in size to facilitate smoother overall shifting qualities.
Two-tone leather seat upholstery is accompanied by a color-coordinated padded dashboard top and door panels accented with polished trim. Factory features include power-operated windows and an AM radio as well as GM’s automatic headlight dimming system, Autronic Eye, which is retained on the left corner of the dash. The white-rimmed steering wheel with chrome accents and a horn ring frames a sweeping 120-mph speedometer and a five-digit odometer.
Cadillac was the luxury leader for the 1950s. The Cadillac Eldorado Cab V8 is the elite luxury cruiser that captured the fancy of high-end automobile buyers. The Cadillac Eldorado Cab V8 was the essence of exclusivity retaining the poised dignity that was the hallmark of every Cadillac. The 1954 through 1956 model years further established the brand’s identity reinforcing the consummate luxury proclamation set forth as the “Standard of the World.”
