Performance Review: Cadillac Eldorado Convertible 6.4L V8 3rd Gen - [1959]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Cadillac Eldorado Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Cadillac Eldorado Convertible 6.4L V8 3rd Gen is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1959. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 and the 1959 Aston-Martin DB4 GT Zagato.This particular Cadillac Eldorado has a 6384cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Eldorado shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Eldorado's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2410 kgs (5313 lbs) this makes the Cadillac Eldorado Convertible 6.4L V8 3rd Gen in the same weight category as the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Cadillac Eldorado shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 6384cc 16V V8 engine produces 350 bhp (260 kW) @ 4800 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 435 lb-ft (589.7 Nm) @ 3400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Cadillac Eldorado you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2004 Alfa-Romeo GT 3.2 V6 Lusso (170.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Cadillac Eldorado.

The Cadillac Eldorado has a Power to weight ratio of 145.2 bhp per ton and 180.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1959 Eldorado competing with the 2004 Alfa-Romeo GT 3.2 V6 Lusso (170.2 bhp per ton) or the 2005 Volkswagen-VW Phaeton 6.0 W12 (170.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Cadillac Eldorado generating around 180.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire 3.2 V6 SRT-6 2d Auto (205.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet 997 (205.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.9 secs, this made the Cadillac Eldorado Convertible 6.4L V8 3rd Gen as fast as the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (9.60 secs) the 2008 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (9.60 secs) the 2003 Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp (9.60 secs) the or the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d (9.60 secs). This Cadillac Eldorado Convertible 6.4L V8 3rd Gen is also faster than the 2005 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (9.70 secs) the 1996 BMW 3 Series 318is 4d Saloon E46 (9.70 secs) the 1994 Peugeot 106 Rallye (9.70 secs) the and the 1984 Peugeot 604 GTi 2.8 V6 (9.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Eldorado and the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion

When talking about the performance of the Cadillac Eldorado on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.63 secs @ 87.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion (15.56 secs), the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250 (15.57 secs), and the 1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix 5.9 V8 360 Hardtop (15.57 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1959 version of the Cadillac Eldorado Convertible 6.4L V8 3rd Gen has a maximum speed of 124mph.

Top Speed of the 1959 Eldorado equals the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible 6.4L V8 3rd Gen then how about the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (135 mph).

Related Links:

1959 Eldorado Rivals List.

A Brief History of Cadillac

Car Comparison