1959 Cadillac Eldorado, fine design

by YankeeJim | December 20, 2010 at 10:11 am

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In 1966 I was on my third car following first, a 1949 Ford flathead six cylinder three-on-the-tree. Then, I bought a 1943 Plymouth convertible that needed too much work, but I sold it for a profit. Next, I was on the prowl for a new (used) car and I wanted to find a 1959 Cadillac Eldorado. I had to settle for a 1961 Mercury Comet instead, yuck.

What was it about that Cadillac that made it so special? The answer is the fins. The Eldorado appeared to be a large jet on wheels. It was sleeker than a B52 bomber, and more powerful than a locomotive. It was das boat.

That little Comet had fins too. They were on a slant, and maybe even more aerodynamic, but it lacked the ride and comfort of the Eldorado.

In those days, I think gas was 29 cents a gallon. Cheap gas, it would take a lot to keep an Eldorado tank filled. As a student, I probably couldn’t keep it repaired if I had it.

I remember my lust for the bomb when I read today that its designer, Charles M. ‘Chuck’ Jordan died at 83. See the article here and you will discover that he had some style breakthroughs.

Later on, I gave my Comet that we called affectionately, the Vomit Comet, to brother. He wrecked and that was good. I bought a 1959 Oldsmobile as a replacement and it too has some jet-like features, though lacked the sharpness of the Eldorado, though shared an appetite for gasoline. Further, the Olds had trouble staying in calibration and sometimes sputtered and lurched down the road.

“Charles M. 'Chuck' Jordan dies at 83; former GM vice president of design

In his 43-year career at General Motors, he was involved in designing vehicles such as the 1958 Chevy Corvette and the 1968 Opel GT.

December 19, 2010|By Dennis McLellan, Los Angeles Times

Charles M. "Chuck" Jordan, a former General Motors vice president of design whose early successes as a chief designer included the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado, a space-age icon with enormous tail fins, has died. He was 83.

Jordan died of lymphoma Dec. 9 at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, said his wife, Sally.

In his 43-year career at General Motors, Jordan was involved in designing vehicles such as the 1958 Chevy Corvette and the 1968 Opel GT. In 1986, he became the fourth man in GM history to be named vice president of design.”