1956 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Prototype Up for Grabs

Scheduled to go under the hammer at the upcoming RM Auctions event at Amelia Island on March 12, a Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Town Car prototype is expected to fetch between $500,000 and $750,000. Presented at GM's own traveling auto show in 1956, the Broughham Town Car was a concept version of the Cadillac Eldorado that would hit the market the following year.

Built of fiberglass, the Town Car was just 55.5 inches (1,410mm) high, and it had a half-roof over the passenger compartment, covered in black leather. Inside, the passenger compartment was done in beige leather in a “biscuit and button” motif with gold trim, while the driver was treated to black Moroccan leather and chrome.

The passenger compartment was equipped with twin compartments furnished with, among other items, a decanter and cups, a vanity case and a tissue dispenser, all in gold plate. The divider bulkhead had a sliding glass window, but for contacting the driver without opening the window, a bulkhead-mounted telephone was provided, also in gold.

More recently, the car has been fitted with a V-8 motor from a 1956 Cadillac sedan donor car. The engine compartment was dressed up with such items as gold-plated valve covers, dual four-barrel carburetors and unique air cleaners.

“Cadillac brought their prototype to running condition, this is what it would have looked like. It should be noted, however, that RM did not build the car to be road- and highway-worthy. The intention of the modification was to allow the fortunate new owner to run and drive the car on the show field and on and off the trailer,” RM Auctions say.