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Cadillac’s Eldorado Biarritz is among the best classic cars ever produced. The classic vehicle emerged around the 1950s and became the standard choice for most folks who wanted a bundle of luxury in the shape of a two-door Speedster. When the industry lacked cars with more to offer, the Eldorado delivered beyond expectation. It came with an upscale look on the outside and wood trimmings on the inside.
For the 1963 model year, the Eldorado Biarritz underwent an extreme makeover that led to a bolder front end, highlighted by a taller grille. It also came with an iconic tail fin that paid homage to the original Lockheed P-38 lightning. A new V8 engine also made it to the scene, which improved the vehicle’s performance. Cadillac only produced 1,825 vehicles for the 1963 model year. Today, this is among the scarcest and most valuable classic vehicles in the market. As of 2022, the average price of the classic 1963 Eldorado Biarritz is $41,400.
We’ll dive into some major highlights of the Classic Eldorado Biarritz, and what makes it ideal for a classic car collector.
The 1963 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Has A Unique, Trend-Setting Exterior Styling
The unique feature of the 1963 Eldorado Biarritz is likely its design. For the 1963 model year, Cadillac decided to square off some edges and make some more changes to the body. The result was a completely revamped Eldorado Biarritz with a much bolder and more sophisticated look that put its competitors to shame.
The 1963 model had newly-trimmed front fenders that came projected to about 4.625 inches more towards the front of the vehicle than on its sibling. The brand also made changes to the tail fins, trimming them back for a lower shape. The tail fins are among the best distinguishing features of the 1962 and the 1963 models. Aside from that, the wheel arcs on the 1963 model came with a more squared-off look. Cadillac also got rid of the rounded edges and side sculpting. Instead, the automaker gave the vehicle flatter sides. This subsequently reduced its width by a mere 3 millimeters.
At the front, the 1963 Eldorado Biarritz came with a rectangular grille pattern that was also recognizable on the Fleetwood Sixty Special. The vehicle also inhabited a taller V-shaped radiator grille. The makeover incorporated the parking lamps into the grille extensions, right below the Twin headlamps. Compared to its predecessors, the 1963 model came 82 pounds lighter. This is because it used aluminum accessory drives as a replacement for the heavier iron counterparts.
Although it underwent an extreme makeover, the 1963 Eldorado Biarritz still carried on a lot of features from its preceding sibling. The 1963 Biarritz inherited the overall DNA of the preceding model, including the FR layout, wheelbase, and chrome bumpers, just to name a few. The best thing about the Eldorado Biarritz is that all twelve generations of the vehicle carry the same heritage. So, whether you’re looking at a 1959 or a 1970 model, you’re sure to recognize it as an Eldorado Biarritz.
The 1963 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Also Features A Completely Redesigned V8 Engine
For the 1963 model year, Cadillac completely redesigned the engine. It came equipped with a Cast iron-block V8 engine with overhead valves and a 390 displacement. Even though the 1963 Eldorado Biarritz had a new engine, neither the engine displacement nor the output changed - not even by a fraction. However, in comparison to the older engine, the newer one was quieter and much more efficient. It was also 4 inches narrower and about an inch shorter than the engine on the 1962 model.
Initially, Cadillac advertised the engine output at 304 horsepower. However, the 1963 Eldorado Biarritz V8 engine went on to produce up to 325 horsepower and 404 lb-ft of torque. The engine came paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission to send power only to the rear wheels. Thanks to the lightweight and more aerodynamic styling, the 1963 Eldorado Biarritz's performance improved. The vehicle excelled from zero to 60 mph in under 11 seconds and made it up to a quarter-mile in 17.7 seconds. Its top speed clocks in at 121 mph.
The 1963 Eldorado Biarritz’s Interior Offers The Best Of Luxury And Standard Equipment
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The classic Eldorado Biarritz became famous for embodying the best in luxury. Inside, the Biarritz offered what any luxury car buyer considered “ideal.” One of the most outstanding interior features was the seats. The vehicle featured bucket seats at the front and a bench in the rear. All seats came upholstered in high-quality leather, which gave the cabin a unique sparkle of luxury.
As a luxury car, the Eldorado Biarritz’s interior featured wood-accented doors, a dashboard, and a center console. On top of that, it came with touches of chrome and silver across the cabin. The classic Biarritz also had a lot of standard equipment that wasn't offered by most of its competitors. This includes a cruise control function, a power-assisted steering wheel, and electric locks. Other features included a push-button AM/FM radio and an air conditioning system.
We also appreciate the cockpit, which provides the driver with easy access to the gauges, buttons, and dials. Unlike the rest of the interior, the cockpit gets a lot of silver touch-ups, which further enhances its traditional appearance.