1954 CADILLAC

Pillared coupes didn't return for '54, but Eldorado did. Though more like the standard Series 62 convertible, the '54 was far less expensive -- $4738. Buyers responded, snapping up 2150. The figure improved to 3950 units for '55, then twice as many for '56, when Eldorados doubled to include a Seville hardtop coupe priced at the same $6556 as the retitled Biarritz convertible.

Eldorado was more distinctive again after '54, with sharply pointed "shark" fins above round taillights. Other models retained the small taillight-and-fin motif that had become a Cadillac hallmark. The division's basic '54 look persisted through effective, if evolutionary, facelifts for 1955 and '56. The latter year saw introduction of Cadillac's first four-door hardtop Sedan de Ville, which immediately scored almost as many sales as the Coupe de Ville and standard 62 hardtop combined.

Many appearance improvements marked the 1954 Cadillacs. They included

• a lower, sleeker body,
• a new cellular grille insert,
• inverted gull-wing front bumpers
• tapered dagmar style bumper guards.

Round, jet-style dual exhaust outlets were incorporated into the vertical bumper extensions and the rear bumper was entirely redesigned. An Eldorado type wraparound windshield was seen on all models. Sedans used a distinctive type of window reveal molding which created a built-in sun visor effect. For coupes, a smoothly curved wraparound backlight (i.e., rear window) was referred to as the "Florentine" style rear window. A wide ventilator intake now stretched across the base of the windshield on all models and the chrome visored headlamp look was emphasized.

The Series 62 chassis had a brand new, longer wheelbase. One identifying feature of this line was the lack of rear fender louvers. V-shaped ornaments and crests were used on the hood and deck and there were full-length body underscores in bright metal. Coupe DeVille scripts were seen on the rear corner pillars of the luxury hardtop, which also had wider sill moldings. The Eldorado (which is still considered a series 62) had golden identifying crests centered directly behind the air-slot fenderbreaks and wide, fluted beauty panels to decorate the lower rear body sides. These panels were made of extruded aluminum and also appeared on a unique, one-of-a-kind Eldorado coupe built for the president of the Reynolds Aluminum Co. Also included on the production convertible were monogram plates on the doors, wire wheels, and custom interior trimmings with the Cadillac crest embossed on the seat bolsters. Automatic windshield washers, power steering, 12-volt electrical system and aluminum alloy pistons made the long standard equipment list this year. The Series 62 four-door sedan was now seven inches shorter than other models in this range. Another one-off creation was an exclusive Sedan DeVille.

I. D. NUMBERS

STYLE

NOTES

• The export sedan was shipped in CKD form to foreign countries.
• The symbol X after Body Style Number with brackets indicates hydraulic window lifts optional equipment
• without brackets indicates this feature is standard.

ENGINE

CHASSIS

POWER TRAIN OPTIONS

CONVENIENCE OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

• Assembly of 1954 models began January 4, 1954 after a 25 day halt for changeover to new production specifications.
• Fiberglass-bodied Cadillac show cars appearing at the GM Motorama this year included the Park Avenue four-door sedan, El Camino coupe, and La Espada convertible.

PREVIOUS: History of the 1953 Cadillac
NEXT: History of the 1954 Cadillac Eldorado
NEXT: History of the 1954 Cadillac Fleetwood
NEXT: History of the 1955 Cadillac

Books about Cadillac	History of LaSalle	Books on other automobiles

Sign My Guestbook " View My Guestbook