[Jun.01.2020] The car is listed for sale in Hemmings under Ad #2408066 with a listed price of $135,000. It is located in Ramsey, New Jersey and appears to be in excellent condition. Jean-Claude Franchitti spoke with the current owner, Mr. Gopi Menon (+1 845-353-2745, gopimenon@optonline.net), who confirmed that this pampered example has enjoyed its golden years being admired at home and abroad, including stints at the Shanghai Auto Museum, in China, and the Imperial Palace Automobile Museum, in Las Vegas. This car is 1 of 532 made with matching numbers. The car is rust free and has no known previous rust repair. The Alpine White paint is in good condition, with no blemishes or swirl marks, although it is unknown when the car was last painted. Additionally, the exterior glass is free from scratches and cracks, the chrome gleams, and the convertible top is new and in working order. Also in place is the metal convertible top boot cover that’s unique to the Eldorado. A continental kit comes with the car, but it is not installed. The Eldorado’s red-and-white, leather-trimmed interior shows very well, with the minimal wear commensurate with the car’s limited usage and former service as a museum piece. The carpet and pleated seat upholstery appear to be in excellent condition, with no significant cracking and no tears in the leather, though some signs of age are beginning to show in the seating surfaces. The steering wheel is free of cracks and the leather-topped dashboard, steering column, and speedometer all appear to be in excellent condition. All of the correct trim is in place, too, and the heater, instruments and lighting operate normally. Because the Eldorado was the top-line model, almost all of the other Cadillac models’ optional accessories were standard fare, including power windows, power steering, and a signal-seeking radio is still in place, but no longer does a great job at pulling in those signals. A Cadillac’s 331-cu.in. V-8 engine powers the Eldorado with its four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts, it was rated at 210 horsepower when new. The car has its original engine and there is no known history of a rebuild. Per the seller, the car starts easily and there are no observable leaks or weeping from the engine or transmission. Speaking of the transmission, it is a Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic and reportedly operates and shifts normally. Though some other ’53 Cadillac models received Buick Dynaflow transmission after a fire crippled the Hydra-Matic plant that year, all Eldorados received the Hydra-Matic transmission. A service was performed on the car in July of 2018, covering the engine, transmission, brakes, and other drivetrain components and all are in good working order. The tires are in good condition with decent tread remaining, but their age is unknown.

It is rare to see such a well preserved instance and the following emphasizes how special and rare this car is: " Cadillac marked its fiftieth anniversary in 1953 by celebrating with the landmark Eldorado convertible. It was a production version of the dramatic Motorama show car that wowed auto show attendees the previous year and drove immediately to the top of the prestige pyramid. With a base price of $7,750 — around $75,000 today, adjusted for inflation — the ’53 Eldorado was the highest-priced car in America. It was also quite rare, with only 532 examples produced, ensuring exclusivity for the doctor, celebrity or industrial mogul who could afford it. Developed as part of General Motors’ post-war push to re-establish design dominance, the 1953 Cadillac Eldorado’s exterior styling epitomized the very best in American automotive design and introduced the era’s signature wraparound “panoramic” windshield motif. More than the brand’s golden-anniversary flagship, the ’53 Eldorado represented the very best in engineering and design from Cadillac (i.e., a dreamboat with Dagmar Bumpers, sleek design, and timeless elegance). It was largely hand built, with many of its features differing enough from other Series 62 models to demand special attention. In that regard, it’s much like the coach-built cars from Cadillac’s early years. And with only 532 ever built, it remains an exceedingly rare example of America’s golden age of automobiles, a time when a car went from the main attraction at the auto show to the garage of a wealthy and discerning owner.

[Jun.01.2010] The Auto Collections (Imperial Palace) lists the car as having been sold; the car is actually sold to its current owner, Mr. Gopinath ("Gopi") K. Menon, for a total price of $145,058.25.

[Mar.01.2006] Yann Saunders finds this car for sale on the Internet, apparently by the Imperial Palace collection in Las Vegas, with the following description: 1953 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible ID#7J1002276 [???] The Eldorado was first introduced into the public in 1953 in limited production; only 532 were built. This particular car is number 148. The Eldorado factory list price was $7,750.00 which was more than the cost of an average home; it was America’s most expensive car. Powered by its original 331 V-8 and Automatic Transmission, it is in excellent driving condition. All components and instruments work properly, power equipment includes power steering, power brakes, power seats, power windows and a power top. The 1953 Eldorado is one of the most elegant American cars ever built. 

[Jan.01.2006] The car is bid up to $115,000 at a Kruse auction in  Scottsdale, AZ. 

[2006-2010] The Imperial Museum in Las Vegas loans the car to the Shanghai Museum. 

[May.01.2005] The car is offered for sale at auction on eBay by the San Diego Collection of Vintage Cars with a "Buy-it-Now" price of $125.000. Bidding quickly rises from $10,000 (opening bid) to $81,000. Philippe Van Assche verifies the engine #536255622, as shown in the tabular record.