1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham - Emerald Mist by John D'Agostino

Description for Cadillac Eldorado 1958

The very well preserved John D'Agostino's custom 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham dubbed "Emerald Mist. " Derived from mid-'50s dream car designs. the hand-built. limited-edition Brougham represented the ultimate in opulence when introduced in 1957. At $13. 74. the pillarless four-door was the most expensive production car in America (by comparison. Corvettes went for about $3. 00 that year). For this price buyers not only got every creature comfort imaginable (automatic memory seat. magnetized drinking cups. and even a perfume atomizer spraying French fragrances). but also exquisite styling highlighted by a stainless steel. coupe-style top. A combined total of just 704 Broughams were built in 1957 and 1958. "Compared to other production cars. D'Agostino says. the Brougham "had a Motorama look and elegance that was unmatched. " That explains the restraint he exercised while instructing the father-and-son team at Oz's Kustoms (Oroville. CA) to put it under the torch. The most significant change was the front end facelift. which involved sectioning the fenders ahead of the wheel openings. installing a modified '58 Coupe DeVille bumper. and forming a custom grille opening that was filled with perforated metal and 160 chrome bullets. The front fender scoops were also exaggerated. and all emblems and handles were shaved. "Probably the most challenging part of the customizing process was not chopping the top. D'Agostino says. "The car is so naturally proportioned that I felt chopping it would ruin the elegant Hollywood look. " He had no such reservations about refining the rear end styling. however. so the team at Oz's tweaked and peaked the tailfins and relocated the taillights to the bumper. When the bodywork was done. Gene Winfield stepped in and applied one of his signature blended paint jobs using House of Kolor hues. D'Agostino describes the color as "white. platinum. and mint pearl blending to candy emerald. highlighted in diamond ice pearl. " Whew!With its pillarless top design and suicide-style rear doors. the Brougham really opens up to invite you inside. The Bob Divine upholstery-pearl white vinyl accented with green velour-simply enhances the effect. The balance of the car. meanwhile. remains nearly stock. a by-product of D'Agostino's ability to start with such a clean. original vehicle. A rebuilt. tri-carb. 365ci V-8 engine provides power. while Air Ride Technologies goodies properly tuck the Roadster wires and BFGoodrich whitewalls up into the wheelwells. DESCRIPTION DETAILS:Chassis:Since he started with a nearly mint restoration-in-progress. D'Agostino didn't worry about rebuilding the car from the ground up. Oz's Kustoms added a complete air spring system from Air Ride Technologies. and that was about it. Wheels & Tires:Roadster's 48-spoke. Cadillac-style wires are an appropriate choice. don't you think? Gene Winfield center bullets add the proper custom touch. The chrome wires are wrapped in BFGoodrich 7. 60x15 wide whites from Coker Tire. Drivetrain:The original 365ci V-8 was brought back to life by Hust Brothers in Marysville. California. A custom-painted air cleaner covers the factory triple-carb setup. while a U. S. Radiator unit keeps things cool. The stock transmission was rebuilt by A&A Auto in Brentwood. California. Body & Paint:The Brougham showcases plenty of custom work. even if it's not as radical as many D'Agostino creations. The front fenders are sectioned in front of the wheel openings to make way for a taller '58 Coupe DeVille bumper. The grille cavity is custom formed and filled with chrome-plated perforated metal and 160 bullets. The scoops on top of the front fenders are modified. Emblems and door handles are shaved. with Unkl Al's actuators opening the doors and trunk. The tailfins are peaked and extended slightly. with taillights fit into the bumper. Oz's Kustoms (Oroville. CA) gets credit for the bodywork (plus many other construction chores). while the master of blended paint-Gene Winfield-used custom House of Kolor hues to create the faded finish. All brightwork is by Sherm's Custom Plating (Sacramento. CA). Interior:Bob Divine Custom Interiors (Martinez. CA) stitched pearl white vinyl and green velour accents over the stock seats to give the interior a late-'50s/early-'60s flavor. Classic Instruments gauges are incorporated into the stock gauge cluster. and a hidden Pioneer stereo provides tunes. D'Agostino keeps cool with a Vintage Air unit. Please feel free to ask any questions.