Rare Rides Icons: The Cadillac Eldorado, Distinctly Luxurious (Part XXIX)

Among the myriad of alterations made to the Cadillac lineup for 1961 was a change in approach for the Eldorado. As we learned in our last installment, poor sales successively after 1958 led to a de-emphasized Eldorado model in 1961. GM realized no amount of largesse, pink paint, or fins could save its sales figures. And so for 1961 the model was relegated to a part of the much more popular DeVille line of cars, and was available only in convertible Biarritz format. The model’s toned down 1961 looks were accompanied by modest engineering changes.

(Note: The 1960 Eldorado Biarritz is shown in black, and red. The 1961 model is the salmon color.)

The Eldorado (and all other ‘61 Cadillacs except Seventy-Five) rode on a lightly updated version of the eventually controversial X-frame chassis that arrived in 1957. Wheelbase decreased from 130 inches to 129.5 inches. Width decreased slightly over 1960, from 79.9 inches to 79.8 inches. Though they varied in ride height, all Cadillacs outside Seventy-Five had identical exterior dimensions. The era of lengths that varied by body style and model across the brand had passed.

And since fins and chrome shrank in the new fifth generation Eldorado, the length shrank too: The 1960 Eldorado’s impressive 225-inch span decreased to 222 inches in 1961. It’s worth noting that other large GM cars used the X-frame C-body at this time, like the Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight and Buick Electra. However, both of those used a slightly shorter 126-inch wheelbase and were shorter in their exterior length. It was important that Cadillac was the only way to get the longest factory vehicle from General Motors.

Standard equipment across the Cadillac line in 1961 included power steering, brakes, and the Hydra-Matic four-speed auto carried over from the prior year. Also standard was the 390 cubic inch (6.4L) overhead valve V8. In a change from prior years, there was no longer a high-power option for Eldorado: All 1961 Cadillacs were fitted with the same four-barrel carb. A lack of choice was also reflected in tailpipes, as dual exhausts were no longer available.

After just a handful of years, customers and dealers were tired of the failure-prone air suspension that debuted on the 1957 Eldorado Brougham. Though the suspension quickly spread as an optional extra to the rest of the Cadillac lineup, it was never made reliable in any of its implementations. The suspension’s final year was 1960, and in 1961 a more traditional front and rear coil spring suspension took its place. 

By 1961 turn signals and reversing lights were standard on Cadillac, but new enough to warrant a mention in the brochures. Standard on Eldorado was a six-way power bench seat, power windows and vent windows, and whitewalls. Bucket seats were an optional extra, as was an interior remote control for the passenger side rearview mirror. A remote trunk release was optional too, along with a louder trumpet-style horn. 

Cruise control was an optional extra in 1961, as well as the rebranded Guide-Matic automatic headlamp system (formerly Autronic-Eye). Other extras included anti-UV and glare coating on glass surfaces called E-Z-Eye. Air conditioning was optional, as expected.

As far as looks were concerned, the entire Cadillac lineup took a more subdued appearance in 1961 at Bill Mitchell’s guidance. Fins were smaller, chrome was much less prominent, and shapes were less bulbous and rocket-inspired. At the prow of the Eldorado Biarritz, a notably less prominent hood presented a simpler looking visage for 1961. 

Quad headlamps remained de rigeur, but were no longer covered by heavy awnings. Rather, a smaller awning ran across the entire front end. The Cadillac crest and V were moved further up the hood than in 1960. The chromed grille was no longer finished in gold, and wore simplerm thinner vanes than the prior year.

The bumper was revised and smoothed for 1961, with its angled corners both thinner and less protruding than in 1960. Below the corners were large round fog lamps, which replaced the separated quadratic appearance of the prior year. At the front corner, the fender metal wrapped around the headlamp and sloped rearward, creating a sportier appearance than previous versions. 

Just past the headlamp surround was new branding: Biarritz in script replaced larger Eldorado block lettering of 1960. A chrome spear appeared along the upper character line, but all chrome disappeared from the lower rocker panel. This served to make the Eldorado look a bit lighter. In place of rocker panel trim a new lower character line appeared, and was finished in a thin chrome strip. 

At the windshield, a simpler A-pillar shape reflected a single forward curve rather than the S shape of the past few years. This was necessary as the wrap-around windshield faded from fashion and was replaced by a more traditional windshield that terminated with a standard A-pillar. Roof changes between Biarritz in 1960 and 1961 were minimal, and included a slightly larger rear window, and roof trim detailing that curved further down the rear ¾ of the canvas roof.

Along the more detailed flanks of the 1961 Eldorado, smaller fins were notable. They were not quite as sharp or stark as the previous year. There was also less sheet metal along the side in 1961 - less volume of fender overall. Note how much more of the rear wheel is exposed in 1961 compared to 1960.

At the rear of the Eldorado, 1960’s rocket thruster lamps were turned horizontal rather than vertical, shrunken, and had less detailing. The lamp pods were tucked into a much simpler rear end which lost all grille detailing. Smaller block Eldorado lettering replaced the large letters of 1960.

The trunk itself was much flatter than in 1960, and carried less detailing. It terminated simply in a straight line at the rear fascia, and was wrapped in a thin band of chrome. New lower fins sprouted beneath the brake lamp assemblies and headed outward, surely catching many a shin in their day. 

Between the lower fins was a simpler rear bumper that no longer came to a point in the middle. It was devoid of decoration aside from shiny chrome and a space for the license plate. Wheels for the Eldorado were shared with the plebeian Sixty-Two that year. 

The only indications a customer sprung for the Eldorado in 1961 were the small Biarritz logo at the front fender, and the Eldorado lettering at the trunk. Aside from that, customers got very little for their additional Eldorado bucks. Perhaps Cadillac designers made it up to them on the interior? We’ll find out next time.

[Images: Dealer, dealer]

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