Lot F173: Mecum Kissimmee $374k 1960 Eldorado

[Zack Ray]

Just curious if anybody put eyes on that particular Eldorado at Mecum Kissimmee and saw the details that led it to sell for so much money? Looks really well done on the photos I've seen, but hard to say without a first hand look. Who did the restoration? Dare say it's a record for a Cadillac at auction, much less a 1960. Thanks. See link to lot below:

https://www.mecum.com/lots/1134492/1960-cadillac-eldorado-biarritz/?aa_id=641727-0

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Is it me or is the steering wheel upside down?  Exceptionally clean.....prices for the 59s-60s have been going ape$hit.

[Big Fins]

The steering wheel argument is as old as the cars are. Which way is correct? I never saw one roll off of the assembly line.

Gorgeous car no matter. Even if it is a '60!  I wonder if it was triple white, if it would have brought the same money?

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Steering wheel grips are in the correct position. The car was purchased by a CLC member who specializes in 59/60 Cadillac restorations on behalf of a client. He said it was one of the best he'd ever seen- clearly money-no-object.  Triple white would've brought significantly less. Nothing tops triple black (or black w/red leather) on the desirability scale. In forty years in the car business, I've seen it countless times- especially with Cadillacs. 

[Zack Ray]

Eric, that's true. Triple black brings the money for sure. That car is probably the best example I have ever seen. Would love to have an idea just how much the restoration cost. It has little small details I've never seen before on any other 1960. Amazing restoration and sell price!

[Cadillac Jack 82]

I'm a huge fan of the dash pad redo.  I wonder if that was a Just Dashes job?  Mine needs to be redone but its still too crisp for all original.  Perhaps I'll source a core and have it redone.

[59-in-pieces]

Eric, that's true. Triple black brings the money for sure. That car is probably the best example I have ever seen. Would love to have an idea just how much the restoration cost. It has little small details I've never seen before on any other 1960.!

Zack,
As a student of this and the 59, what were some of the small details that caught your eye.

Have fun,
Steve B.

[Zack Ray]

59-in-pieces, the small paper tags on the power antenna knob, headlight knob, AC compressor, the shock tower braces under the hood, correct bypass valve for the AC, and the perfect dash pad. They usually sag a bit in the middle from the factory but even that has been remedied. Could truly look at that car for hours. The epitome of a 1960.

[Roger Zimmermann]

Fantastic looking car. I just saw something which is not 100%: the LH bumper end don't hide the lower molding's end flange at its lower point; the RH side is better.

[Big Fins]

Fantastic looking car. I just saw something which is not 100%: the LH bumper end don't hide the lower molding's end flange at its lower point; the RH side is better.

That's it! The buyer wants his money back now. Take the whole car apart and redo it and make sure the LF bumper is corrected to Roger's specifications. 

[Cadillac Jack 82]

59-in-pieces, the small paper tags on the power antenna knob, headlight knob, AC compressor, the shock tower braces under the hood, correct bypass valve for the AC, and the perfect dash pad. They usually sag a bit in the middle from the factory but even that has been remedied. Could truly look at that car for hours. The epitome of a 1960.

Good to know the sag is a factory thing.  I thought mine was just starting to fail.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Absolutely outstanding!  I'd love to see it in person. 
As for the selling price, I'm sure the restoration
cost to obtain that level exceeded $300k.  There are
no shortcuts to that level of perfection.  The black
color really dazzles.

Does anyone know which shop did the work?

[tcom2027]

Spectacular car. Well bought for the money. If I were devoted to, and desired a car of that quality and had unlimited discretionary funds I would have purchased it for whatever it took. That is the buyers world this car lives in.

Every detail looks like it was addressed. It is obviously upgraded from a factory example. I.e., A polished stainless steel exhaust system, a finish on the undercarriage as good as the front fenders. Anything less would take away from the overall look of the car. Done to the level it has,it's gone from ordinary to the level of fine art. I can't imagine the amount of work done researching and sourcing all the parts an pieces to achieve the result, to say nothing about the work to achieve the finished product.   

Not knowing a lot about the early sixties Eldorados, I can't see the defect on the front bumper noted above. However I did notice that there are four white spots on the left rear bumper. Dirt, artifact or spots on my monitor?

I doubt that if it were painted resale red it would have sold for more money. Triple black is understated elegance.

tony

[tcom2027]

I'm a huge fan of the dash pad redo.  I wonder if that was a Just Dashes job?  Mine needs to be redone but its still too crisp for all original.  Perhaps I'll source a core and have it redone.

Anyone using Just Dashes  won't be disappointed. We had the dash in my sweeties' '71 240Z done by them. It returned looking better than an original.

[Roger Zimmermann]

Not knowing a lot about the early sixties Eldorados, I can't see the defect on the front bumper noted above. However I did notice that there are four white spots on the left rear bumper. Dirt, artifacts in the picture, damage to the bumper, specks of dirt on my monitor? OMG! How declasse'.

Tony, I wrote to quickly: it's the LH rear bumper end / rear lower molding which are not well aligned.

[Big Fins]

That's okay, Roger. Tony wrote too quickly also. Datsun never made a 250Z. It was either a 240Z, a 260Z or a 280Z. 

[tcom2027]

I have to get more sleep....along with using the preview and quick edit function more.

 I corrected the the typos. It was a 240Z. We replaced the engine after thirteen years at 256K miles with a recon  260Z motor. and.... Roger, you are correct. It's there.