Cadillac Models & History 1957
Thehorsepower ratings were 300/325 for 1957, when compression went from 9.75:1 to 10:1. The line was again rebodied, emerging with blockier but still evolutionary styling inspired by the Orleans, Eldorado Brougham, and Park Avenue show cars of 1954-55. Reaching into the luxury stratosphere, Cadillac unveiled a production Eldorado Brougham priced at a princely $13,074. Like its Motorama namesake, it was a surprisingly compact, low-slung pillarless sedan with a special 3200mm-wheelbase chassis, center-opening doors, and a brushed stainless-steel roof (one of Harley Earl’s favorite touches). Standard quad headlights were an industry first shared that year with Lincoln, Nash, and some Chrysler Corporation cars.
The Brougham’s most intriguing mechanical feature was its unique air suspension, the work of engineers Lester Milliken and Fred Cowin. Based on systems used for commercial vehicles since 1952, it employed an air “spring” at each wheel comprising a domed air chamber, rubber diaphragm, and pistons. Fed by a central air compressor, the domes were continually adjusted for load and road conditions via valves and solenoids for a smooth, level ride. Cadillac’s system differed from “air ride” options at other GM divisions in being “open” (taking in air from outside) rather than “closed.” Unhappily, cost and complexity were too high relative to benefits. The air domes leaked, and dealer replacements were frequent, leading many owners to junk the system in favor of conventional coil springs. Four years later, Cadillac and GM abandoned air suspension altogether.
After two years and 704 units, the Brougham was fully restyled and its final assembly farmed out to Pininfarina in Italy. Only 99 were built for ’59, another 101 of the near-identical ’60s. Though clean-looking (lines actually previewed Cadillac’s 1961 styling), these were larger (3302mm wheelbase) and heavier cars that weren’t put together very well (bodies contained lots of lead filler). They’re collector’s items now, but restoring one is a chore.
I. D. NUMBERS
- Serial numbers and engine numbers were the same again.
- They appeared
- on a boss on the front right-hand face of the engine block;
- on the lubrication plate on the left front door pillar (1953-1957)
- and on the right frame side member behind the motor support.
- The first pair of symbols were “57” to designate the model year.
- The next two symbols indicated series as follows:
- “62” = Series 62 including Eldorado Specials
- “60” = Series 60 Fleetwood
- “70” = Series 70 Eldorado Brougham
- “75” = Series 75 Fleetwood
- The immediately following numbers, beginning at 00000 for each series, indicated the production sequence in consecutive order.
- Ending numbers were the same for all series since the engines were installed in mixed production fashion.
HISTORICAL NOTES
1957 Cadillac Notes
- The 1957 Eldorado Brougham was designed to compete with the Lincoln-Continental Mark II.
- The new dual quad headlamps seen on the Brougham were illegal in some states during 1957.
- The Brougham air suspension system proved unreliable and Cadillac later released a kit to convert cars to rear coil spring type suspension.
- This makes Broughams with the feature rarer and more valuable today.
- The Brougham is a certified Milestone Car.
- Series 62 sedans were short-deck models with trunks five inches shorter than 60S sedans.
- Ball joint suspension was a new technical feature adopted this year.
- Model year sales amounted to 146,841 deliveries earning Cadillac Division ninth industry ranking for two years in a row.
- James M. Roche was general manager
- Charles F. Arnold was chief engineer
- Charles Jordan was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
- Fred H. Murray was general sales manager
- Cadillac production figures
Series 6266,847 (increased 5,213) Sedan de Ville23,808 (decreased 17,924) Coupe de Ville23,813 (decreased 273) Eldorado3,900 (decreased 2,150) Sedan Seville4 Series 6024,000 (increased 7,000) Series 70 Eldorado Brougham400 Series 754,069 (decreased 6)
1957 Automotive Notes
- Harlow H. Curtice was president of GM
- Albert Bradley was chairman of the board at GM
- The AMA bans factory-sponsored racing in order to eliminate speed from auto advertising
- The five-mile Mackinac Bridge links Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas
- The names Nash and Hudson are dropped in favor of Rambler
- Chrysler cars replace the front coil springs with torsion-bar suspension
- Fuel injection is available on some Chevrolet and Pontiac cars
- Some American cars begin the switch to quad headlights, but they are considered illegal in some states
- Eldorado Brougham features brushed aluminum roof, air suspension, and quad headlights
- Chevrolet offers optional triple-turbine Turboglide automatic transmission
- Ford introduces Skyliner retractable hardtop convertible
- Ford introduces the Ranchero car-pickup
- Mercury Turnpike features a retractable backlight (i.e., rear window) and 49-position driver’s seat
- Oldsmobile re-introduces the station wagon to their lineup, absent since 1950
- Oldsmobile has a triple-carb option to boost horsepower to 300
- Packard Clipper re-introduces the station wagon to their lineup, absent since 1950
- Pontiac Bonneville convertible comes with fuel injection or triple-carb (Tri-Power)
- Studebaker introduces the basic Scotsman model
- Studebaker Golden Hawk exchanges the Packard V-8 with a Studebaker V-8 with a Paxton supercharger
- Most American cars have 14-inch wheels
- Options: six-way power seats, electric door locks, speedometer buzzer which sounds when preset speed is reached, and limited-slip differential
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1957
1. General Motors2,770,391 (decreased 414,515) 2. Ford1,991,344 (increased 202,051) 3. Chrysler1,299,997 (increased 239,229) 4. Others207,936 (decreased 5,568)
- Top model year production for 1957
Ford1,676,449 Custom192,775 Custom 300355,237 Fairlane148,725 Fairlane 500637,162 Station Wagon321,170 Thunderbird21,380 Chevrolet1,505,997 150146,080 210651,358 Bel Air702,220 Corvette6,339 Plymouth762,231 Plaza122,259 Savoy247,657 Belvedere280,584 Suburban104,293 Fury7,438 Buick404,049 Series 40 Special220,242 Series 50 Super70,259 Series 60 Century65,966 Series 70 Roadmaster32,928 Series 75 Roadmaster14,654 Oldsmobile384,390 Golden Rocket 88172,659 Golden Rocket Super 88132,038 Starfire Ninety-Eight79,693 Pontiac334,041 Chieftan162,575 Super Chief64,500 Star Chief105,768 Bonneville630 Dodge287,608 Coronet Six17,658 Coronet Eight143,321 Coronet D-500101 Royal40,999 Custom Royal54,701 Station Wagon24,515 Custom Station Wgn7,216 Mercury286,163 Monterey157,528 Montclair75,762 Turnpike Cruiser16,861 Station Wagon36,012 Cadillac146,841 Series 6266,847 Sedan deVille23,808 Coupe deVille23,813 Eldorado3,900 Sedan Seville4 Series 6024,000 Series 70 Eldo Bro’ham400 Series 754,069 DeSoto117,514 Firesweep41,269 Firedome45,865 Fireflite28,430 Adventurer1,950 Chrysler122,273 Windsor46,020 Saratoga37,196 New Yorker33,229 Town & Country3,426 300C2,402 Rambler91,469 Studebaker74,738 Lincoln41,123 Capri5,900 Premiere35,223 Imperial37,593 Imperial18,066 Crown16,851 LeBaron2,640 Crown Imperial36 Metropolitan15,317 Nash10,330 Packard4,809 Town Sedan3,940 Country Sedan wgn869 Hudson3,876 Continental462
Keyword: Cadillac History 1957