1961-1964 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
The 1961-1964 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz was one of Cadillac's top-line specialty convertibles, though rather less special than in prior years, and lacking its companion Seville hardtop. The '61 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz benefited from GM's swing to slightly smaller and lighter big cars, as well as from new design chief Bill Mitchell's less flamboyant approach to Cadillac styling. The '62s were even tidier, while the restyled 1963-64s were crisper and more massive-looking. 1962 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible. See more pictures of Cadillac cars. |
Tailfins on the 1961-1964 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz were progressively lowered each year -- by '64 they were mere vestiges of the outlandish '59 examples. That same year brought an all-new 429 V-8 engine boasting improved reliability and even greater refinement. The 1961-63s used the standard Caddy 390 with a single four-barrel carb, and unlike prior years, had no extra horsepower.
Bucket seats, a no-cost Biarritz option, are worth looking for today. A six-position tilt steering wheel and AM/FM radio became available for '63, while "Twilight Sentinel" and automatic climate control became available for '64, the same year the Eldo's traditional rear fender skirts were deleted. Dual-circuit "safety" brakes were adopted for '62.
Though the 1961-1964 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz was not the line-leader it had been, it is a mighty worthy collectible. All Caddys of this period are becoming, and they are also far fewer in number than the "everyday" Series Sixty-Two ragtops.
Pluses of the 1961-1964 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
- Still the sportiest "standard" Caddy
- Fairly rare
- It's a convertible
- The usual Cad attractions
- Long underappreciated, so prices reasonable
Minuses of the 1961-1964 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
- Much more similar to lesser linemates than earlier Biarritzes
- Relatively slow value appreciation, though that's changing
Production of the 1961 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
1,450
Production of the 1962 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
1,450
Production of the 1963 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
1,825
Production of the 1964 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
1,870
Specifications of the 1961-1964 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
Length, inches: 222.0
Wheelbase, inches: 129.5
Weight, pounds: 4,600-4,650
Price, new: $6,477-$6,630 (U.S.)
Engines for the 1961-1964 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
| Type | Size | Horsepower | Years |
| ohv V-8 | 390 cid | 325 | 1961-1963 |
| ohv V-8 | 429 cid | 340 | 1964 |
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