1955 Cadillac Eldorado
- Engine
- 331 cu. in. (5.4L) OHV V8, dual four-barrel carburetors, 270 bhp
- Colour
- Alpine White
A 1955 Cadillac Eldorado convertible delivered new to Beverly Hills physician Dr. Carvel James as a gift for his wife, the silent-film star Norma Talmadge. One of the era's most technologically advanced production convertibles, the 1955 Eldorado introduced distinctive tail fins and dual-carburetor V-8 power exclusive to the model. Talmadge died in 1957; Dr. James retained the car until his death in 1980. The car has been repainted in its original colour and retains its factory interior, showing modest wear consistent with a genuine low-mileage example.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$110,000
- 1955-03-08 → 1957Factory deliveryDr. Carvel James and Norma Talmadge Jamesfull documentation
Purchased new by a Beverly Hills physician as a gift for his wife, former silent-film actress Norma Talmadge. She passed away in late December 1957.
- 1957 → 1980InheritanceDr. Carvel Jamespartial documentation
Retained the vehicle after his wife's death for many years until his own passing in 1980.
- 1980 →Acquisition unknownLong-term owner following Dr. Jamesnone documentation
A single subsequent owner held the car for an extended period before it reached the current consignor.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Acquired the car relatively recently; oversaw a sympathetic repaint in the factory color and maintained the original interior.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Bodywork
Exterior refinished in the factory-correct Alpine White; described as a sympathetic rather than comprehensive restoration.
Interior was not refinished; original black-and-white leather retained with normal wear.
- —Modification
A Clardy brand air conditioning unit was fitted, representing a non-original addition to improve cabin comfort.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.