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.
