Finned Flair Cruiser: 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Review 

This day just got a whole lot better

This was not a review; it was a love letter, and rightfully so. Bravo!

Old cars: “It’s too floaty.” Today’s cars: “You can feel the road, without the road-rash.” Tomorrow’s flying cars: “it’s too floaty.”

This is my favorite car from the 1950s. As a kid, it would stop me in my tracks. The front is standard '57 Cadillac, but the rear . . . here's a little history: The new crop of GM Art Center graduates were tasked with drawing fins one day. Ron Hill, a 23 year old graduate, postulated that anything with fins could be a Cadillac. “If you stuck a couple of those plastic well-medium-rare steak indicators into a baked potato, it’d look like a Cadillac, too.” To illustrate his point, he drew a cartoon potato, eyes and all, put bumpers on the corners, allowed the eyes to serve as taillights, and posted it on the wall with the rest of the drawings. His drawing was spotted by Harley Earl and he was assigned to the Cadillac studio and instructed to implement his idea, inboard fins, eyes and all.

Wow this car was so technologically advanced for its time! When a Cadillac was a Cadillac!

Beautiful car, from an era when a luxury vehicle meant quality and elegance, as opposed to how many touchscreens and redundant gadgets you can fit in a vehicle.

When I was a kid in high school a guy named Skeet Lundgrin drove on campus in a 1957 Oldsmobile and I thought it was the most beautiful car I ever saw and have wanted one ever since but I would jump over ten of them to get that Caddy. Absolutely beautiful and my new fantasy.

That’s why I love the cars from the 50s and 60s just automotive works of art.

Wow no negative comments or a dislike I guess Cadillac just makes magic happen

Ahhh, the best of American post-war prosperity. I especially love the influence the jet age had on the design. 1950's America was special. Thank you for producing this video.

The electronic Eye isn’t just to dim the headlights, it’s so the Cadillac doesn’t have to look at the other lesser, uglier cars on the road.

Whoa! That fin removal was a great “party trick”! Cool idea. I actually think I like it better without, which as and American, is almost sacrilege to say!

Gotta love these elegant cars

I've worked for 5 years every Saturday for this company when i finished highschool. Just to Polish all the Classic cars in this big hall. The owners are the best! I had the best time there! So much beauty indeed👌🌟

I learned to drive in the mid 80's in my grandparent's 1967 Cadillac Calais. Absolutely no driver feedback, but man to this day I love to be able to have it for a long road trip. I can remember being told shortly after I go my license at 16 that I was driving the family in the Caddy on vacation from Pittsburgh to Florida. It may feel dead, but man it was a comfortable, relaxing ride. Those cars were made for a long haul drive. I ended up driving 17 hours straight only stopping for gas and quick runs to the rest room, but even still we arrived in decent shape.

I love the rear end. It takes the sleek Corvette style and puts two sharp points on it. It looks like dating a vampire.

A pure beauty like they aren't anymore. Perfection of forms and details, a pleasure to the eye.

There must have been nothing else that came close in 1957. This car still looks good to me. I can't say that about a 1957 Lincoln. The fins were period correct and it would look "unfinished" without them in my opinion. Nice video, thanks!

What an absolute dream it must be to step into the La Salle show room, with the intention and possibility to buy a car. Fantastic sight!

I had a marketing teacher at business college that described the late 50s car designs as ........... Detroit Baroque. One of the most riveting classes I ever had. Detroit Baroque.

I have a ton of channels on my sub list. This is one of the very few that I get existed when I see that little red dot next to your channel because I know I'm in for a treat. This episode was no exception.

I absolutely love the fact that he drives in the bus lane with it 🤣🤣🤣 when its not visible enough that its BIG

3:09 Love your focus work in this scene

This was when Cadillac was truly the standard of the world. I prefer the non tail fin photo. I must be doing something wrong but the price converted into U.S. dollars is $21,350. Denmark right?

Its a good day when a Dutchman posts a video about an American car

One of the cool options on the Biarritz was a chrome glove box drink mixer kit, complete with Cristal glassware. So you can have your Manhatten while driving through Manhatten. Amazing time.

Cadillac made a concept car around this time period with functioning radar guided cruise control. They used the system from the F-86 Sabres radar guided gunsight and stuck it in the dagmars. Worked beautifully but practically doubled the price of the car.

Been following you for some time now Ed. Love your Style and presentation. For such a young guy you have the American Classic Car Addiction. I’ve had it since I can remember.

If this car had rolled off the assembly line without fins, there wouldn't have been an un-clutched pearl in all of Detroit. But it's even more stunning that way. This from a fin lover. Heresy! Wonderful video, Ed!

Great video! Your presentations get better and better. Thank you for the beautiful camera and audio work that befits this classic Cadillac.

I can go to sleep happy now, Thank you Ed!

GLAD to see you back, Ed!!!

Another fine review! I really enjoy these classic reviews you do! Your new friend from Detroit! Pete Pellerito

Amazing video again Ed! It really made me laugh to see you prancing around the bus lane in the convertible like you had no idea

As someone from the Basque Country, the way you say "Biarritz" gives me an aneurysm, but I still love you Ed.

Thanks for a well thought out review. Thanks LaSalle Motors for lending this Gem to Ed.

Love the fins, no fins comparison. Although I would never touch what a beautiful example of design and style from a time long ago, the no fins looks pretty sweet.

If Cadillac is the quality of car making, you sir, are the equivalent of making car reviews. Your beautiful voice over with the perfect sound effects makes me feel like I'm truly watching the american dream, amazin

Every day you get closer to 100,000 subs, I'm rooting for you E.A.R!!

When I was a kid our neighbor had one. There was a body noise...sort of a squeak that occurred over bumps and that was annoying. But it was a "sports car". We had a short Fleetwood. They were about absolute isolation and effortless driving. I think they achieved it. Our previous car was a Packard Caribbean and that was truly special, quite different from the Cadillacs.

I love luxury cars from the 50's, and 60's as it was time when luxury meant quality, and usually the best a company could build, unlike today where "luxury" cars/trucks/SUV/etc.. are all about how much tech, and other gadgets can we cram into the damn thing that will either be broken and/or outdated/useless in 5 years rendering the luxury status, and the value of the vehicle to barely anything of it's original overinflated price. This is why these days I like basic cars/trucks/SUV/etc.. with basic features that will last much longer, and are simpler to work on when they do break.

Thank you, Edward. A beautiful trip down memory lane.

Great review! So nice to see young people appreciate these magnificent automobiles!

ahhhh i was expecting this, and im very happy it happened! nice to see ed doing some reviews

Great video with very competent comments. Thank you and do not give up this way!

Beautiful car, wonderful review

Man, I have missed your uploads. There is just something about your intro, and how you talk about cars. Also the interesting cars you talk about, it just feels like home... I don't really know how to describe it. I was born in '75, but when I watch one of your videos, it seems to almost transport me back time, to like the '40s or 50s, and it just feels comfortable, like coming home. Does anyone else experience this, or something similar??? Anyways, this video made my night. Thank you again.

legit your videos make my day go from 1 to 10 just like that. you are the best car channel on youtube!!!!! keep it up.

The way Ed slowly starts to review the car like Patrick Bateman comments on Paul Allens business card in American psycho says it all

The fins absolutely make the car, I love that Elegant back to it.

You get it. You understand the attraction of this and other 1950s vehicles. It's a beautiful car and your description of it was wonderful. Of course it took you a an hour to photograph this vehicle. By the tone of your voice you probably could have taken even more time to photograph it. It's a work of art and you appreciate it. Thank you for your videos, your perspective is much appreciated.

This one is a dream. It makes me think the US did Art Deco style cars very well. It did Streamline Moderne style like this one brilliantly. As it tried Modern it kind of lost the plot. We are now in Post Modern! New designs will be very welcome. Fins anyone? Really enjoying your reviews!

Great job on the video! You are a natural, keep em coming!

Cruising the open road in style with the hum of a big V-8 fed by two four-barrel carbs, my God, I love it!

Your channel is amazing. I have enjoyed every video. I will enjoy all the new ones you create, too. Thank you.

Ooooooo getting reviews like this from you sounsd awesome

When I was a kid in the late 70s in Massachusetts my stepfather had one of these, as well as an ice blue 59 convertible and a handful of other cars.

This is my all time favorite vehicle I believe that the fins enhance the vehicles beauty. Thanks for the review.

Another great video, Ed. This was back when owning a Cadillac really did elevate one's status. Not like in the later 60's when they were a dime a dozen. Thanks, Ed!

Already enjoyed your content. Now, I love it.

Great video Ed! Thank you! In my opinion, though, if you remove the fins it turns the car's profile into a bit of a fat-butted dowager, certainly not GM's intent!

It's my birthday today, and this channel is the best effin' present EVAH! My Canuck arse really loved your "Malaise Era" quadro-docu effort. I once thought Mr. Regular was the coolest thing operating atop four questionable wheels while lamenting with such eloquence and humour on the hits and misses of the auto industry. But you, sir (yes, I'm including some of my specialties; REALLY bad grammar, syntax and run-on sentences for your cringing displeasure while reading...if that ever happens) have achieved G O D-LIKE status with your very well researched, written and produced opus. I was a child of that particular era, and have to completely agree with you. While we Canadians are often regarded as softer, more watered down versions of Americans, we also tend to climb into vehicles that have no business being in our driveways. Yet, in saying that, there are distinct differences between what an average American motor-head will buy, and then helm as opposed to their neighbours on ice up atop the 49th parallel. With exceptions made for Texas North (Alberta), not a one of us would be caught dead in a Hummer. And most of us have never laid eyes on a Chevy Caprice past that God-forsaken 1990's whale that GM tried to pass off as affordable luxury. Here, we generally do like our practicality. Being that Canadians are generally wary of the asphalt ice rinks that allow us to ramble about cautiously; we actually have a legitimate need for the SUV's and Crossovers. Reason? Well, it has a lot to do with very icy roads sleeted over with packed slushy snow that habitually veneers this nation for months on end. A car any smaller than an SUV often finds itself launched into a snow bank after spinning out on black ice, or trying to get a grip while accelerating helplessly trapped in an ever-deepening ice trench of it's own unfortunate design. Generally, people in urban centres like Toronto or Vancouver will opt into buying that Honda Civic, if buying a vehicle at all. So, we Canucks definitely guilty of buying these overpriced, oversized road blimps. For most Canadians (and any Northern State would likely agree here), it's due mostly to need of weight and traction than anything else. That same logic applies to people who live in rural areas with a lot of gravel or unprepared roads, which are becoming more and more common now than it's ever been. In short 4 wheel drive and traction control; things not available on your average compact sedan. Where we truly differ from Americans is, well, practicality. While we do like our little luxuries (most of our conveyances come equipped with power windows and door locks), what most of us generally turn heel on are garish rolling penises. Well, at least those of us over the age of 20. There are boys that will buy that first car, and proceed to affix what are commonly known as fart cans the the tail pipe of their little grocery hauler. I mean; nothing screams "I'm Cool" louder than a Chevrolet Cobalt belching and buzzing like a lawn mower on the drag strip, eh?. This breed will also clear the cladding sale racks at Canadian Tire and fasten as many plastic panels as possible to their ride. This process happens ONLY after chopping the suspension and adding neon lights below to complete their expression of "manliness". This breed is known as the Canadian "speed ricer". You can often find them careening out of control into people's bedrooms at two in the morning, or choking back bravado while watching their baby being hauled to the impound lot after a highway patrol person clocks them at 125 km over the speed limit. Aside from these fools, most of us tend to like our vehicles hauling groceries on demand, picking up the brood when needed (or drop them off), taking the dog to the vet, or getting us to and from work (or a park and ride lot). As a rule; we like our vehicles sedate, with our expressions of vanity proudly plastered to the rear windshields and bumpers. Now, with my lament on the state of our vehicular sins lain to rest here, I truly want to thank you again for perking up my ears with your ribald and hilariously cynical diatribe on an era where cars were honestly built like junk. With the Chevy Vega (and Pontiac Astre) and their insta-seize engines, wheels falling off at highway speeds (which were not fast by any stretch of the imagination), the Volare's chronic fuel and brake problems (the list is seemingly endless), etc; well, you summed it up hilariously. I have subscribed. I will watch. I will occasionally comment. And I will look forward to many more wonderful moments on your channel. Thank you.

Good video! Thanks, Edward. Excellent Whatnot!

Excellent content and beautifully done.

I pressed the thumb up as soon as it started with adverts. I knew it would be good, as always.

What a beautiful Cadillac!! 👍👍

Thank you!!! A truly deserving tribute.

Love the coverage of this car

Love looking at car interior designs like this; so much more luxurious than a new S-Class. If technology and touchscreens = luxury then why did Bugatti implement a "minimal screens" philosophy for its interior design, and why does Bentley have an option to replace the centre infotainment screen with analogue dials? Imagine if Ferrari made the mannetino a touch panel (which will probably happen with the direction they're heading).

Got to be up there with the collest cars you could possibly own. Love all that chrome.

Only the most beautiful review for such an astonishing car

And best of all.....it's a Cadillac! Another awesome video.

For me, this is the most beautifull car ever made. The ultimate oldtimer.

That must have been an incredible time to be alive! Such a simpler time with more chrome and no cell phones. That's unmistakably a Caddy with those fins and if you took the fins away in that era they would have called you crazy!

Cars like this are works of art

I am a typical Cadillac American my Seville is so automated and comfortable It is truly a dream to drive cross country to California. My wife's mustang GT takes so mucj efforts and attention to drive and the ride is truly like a horse is is a pain to drive 50 miles on the road.

A great review for one of the greatest brand in the world!!

Beautiful car, and I really love the dashboard! I don't know, it kind of looks better WITHOUT the rear fin. But that wouldn't work in 1957...

very special car. It's just jaw dropping.. Nice commentary and editing on your video my friend! glad I subscribed! Electronic eye.. awesome

I picked up a 57 caddy eldorado siville a few weeks back. Hasn't been on the street since 1974. It's a project but will be fun to bring it back and put it on the road.

Thank you! I might be crazy but I think the car looks smoother without the tail fins. Also and please understand this is written with all respect the trim level is pronounced “Bay-a-ritz”. Once again, i mean no disrespect. I am simply trying to help here.

The musical jingle for Ed's Auto Reviews reminds me of an old LA radio station called KHJ. Not sure if it's still around but it was a popular AM top 40 station in the 1960s growing up there

Such a beautiful car, fins or not. I love how they look from behind. I never knew about the “electronic eye” though, very nice video

The Cadillac of Cadillacs. The true cruiser.

Nicely done! Makes me want to get one. That could have been used to sell that car back when it was new.

Love the theme from "This is your life" 😎🥰

Loved this model even as a young lad when they were 20 odd years old. They seemed so unlike new cars of then that it was like a mind bend at how quicky Detroit ( and the world) took the sober pill. The fins on this are perhaps dagger- like but even the regular line's fins are super cool to my eyes. Without fins I'll quote Virgil Exner "They look like plucked chickens"...

So cool they let you actually drive the car!

fantastic car and fantastic review! hello from croatia

Really enjoying this channel

Always my dream car.Has perfect styling.Wouldn't change a thing!

So pretty, personally the fins make it just enough over the top which is something I can appreciate

Thanks again for your excellent video.JDS

Absolutely gorgeous! Wow!

Gonna subscribe after watching that fab vid. Thanks!

That Cadillac is rolling art.

Its a Wirlitzer jukebox on wheels and it was the rocket age, so fins were a must

That car was/is stunning. I'm glad you didn't judge the styling by modern standards, although I may agree with you with the tail fin delete (I'll have to watch that part again). But the fins are also what help make the statement. And you're correct about the details, both inside and out. I was born in 1957 and I still remember seeing a Cadillac (not an Eldorado) parked in our neighbor's driveway when I was about 8 or 9 years old. It must have been grandpa's car because nobody in our neighborhood could afford a Caddy. I remember looking in the windows like it was a department store display window. The color was a sort of blue-green that I had never seen on any of the cars on the block. It was special, for sure. Now I have an 8 year old Cadillac SRX and it's been a pretty good car but nothing as unique as the Eldo.

Today's equivalent of this car would be a Rolls Royce or a Bentley. Nowadays Mercedes is what Buick was in the 50s

Thank you Ed.