1956 Cadillac Eldorado

The 1956 Cadillac line offered buyers a choice of Eldorados for the first time. The convertible returned with the name Biarritz (body style series #6267SX) to set it apart from a new two-door hardtop companion called Seville (body style series #6237DX). Both names were taken from historic—and, of course, prestigious—European cities, Seville in Spain and Biarritz in France. Styling changes common to both included the addition of a smart, twin-bladed hood ornament—suitable for impaling unsuspecting pedestrians—and a pair of ribbed chrome "saddles" on the door tops.

1956 Cadillac Eldorado

An Eldorado script appeared, with a fender crest, on the luxury convertible, which also featured a twin-fin hood ornament. Other extras on this car—now known as the Biarritz—were a ribbed chrome saddle molding extending from the windshield to the rear window pillar along the beltline and flat, pointed rear fender fins. The Eldorado represented an especially luxurious hardtop coupe, which was built to Eldorado standards and similarly priced. Both cars in the Eldorado sub-series were slightly longer this year.

The Seville proved to be particularly popular, outselling the Biarritz by nearly 2 to 1 (3900 to 2150). Interestingly enough, their positions would be reversed within three years. Under the hood, the Cadillac V-8 was enlarged for the first time since 1949, with a 4.8mm increase in bore (101.6mm) and the same 92.1mm stroke bringing swept volume to 5.972 Liter. Compression was 9.75:1. Horsepower was rated at 305 @ 4700 rpm for the two Eldorados, again 20 more than that of other models. The engine had two carburetors (rather than one for other models): Carter WCFB four-barrel Model 2371S.

1956 Cadillac Eldorado

The Eldorado Seville two-door hardtop was introduced to the public almost a month earlier (October 24, 1955) than other models which were introduced on November 18. The 1956 Hydra-Matic transmission incorporated changes that increased its size and smoothed out shifting qualities. It was developed by GM at a cost of $35 million.