Gold-Plated Door Handles and All... The World’s Only Car Sets Cadillac’s All-Time Record at 1.8 Billion Won

Only One Built in 1953, Auctioned After 73 Years
Breaks Previous Cadillac Auction Record of $940,000

The 1953 Cadillac 'Elegante,' adorned with 24K gold-plated decorations, was sold at a U.S. auction for about 1.7 billion won, setting the highest price ever recorded for a Cadillac at a public auction.

According to reports from the New York Times and international automotive media, the vehicle was recently sold at Truezu Auction's '56th Auburn Auction and Show' held in Auburn, Indiana, for $1,275,000 (about 1.711 billion won). Including buyer’s fees, the total price reaches approximately $1.4 million (1.879 billion won).

A 1953 Cadillac 'Elegante' adorned with 24K gold-plated decorations was sold at a U.S. auction for about 1.7 billion won. Truezu Auction

The previous highest auction price for a Cadillac was set by a 1934 V16 Fleetwood Aerodynamic Coupe, which sold for $940,000 at the 2023 Broad Arrow Auction. Elegante surpassed this record by more than $335,000, establishing a new auction record for Cadillac. This auction marked the first time in about 73 years that Elegante was offered as a public listing.

The Elegante is a one-of-a-kind custom-built vehicle, not a mass-produced model by Cadillac. Commercial artist Harry Birdsall and architect Joe Mascari from New York commissioned the vehicle, basing it on the chassis of a 1953 Cadillac Series 62.

The design was participated in by Albrecht von Goertz, who would later design models such as the BMW 507 and Nissan 240Z. The coachbuilding was handled by Carrozzeria Motto in Turin, Italy. Just shaping the aluminum body by hand took about 30 months, with production costs at that time reaching approximately $30,000.

Elegante features 24K gold plating applied to various decorations, with approximately $30,000 spent on production costs. Screenshot from the YouTube channel ‘Cruise Actions’

The most eye-catching aspect is its lavish gold decoration. While the body itself is not made of gold, 24K gold plating was applied to various parts, including the door handles, front windshield frame, and the area around the headlamps. The combination of a pearlescent white body, gold-colored roof, and red Italian leather interior maximized the image of 1950s American luxury automobiles.

The mechanical setup was also unique for its time. It features a 5.4-liter V8 engine and a four-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission, as well as an electrically and hydraulically operated retractable hardtop. Inside, the vehicle boasts a transparent Lucite steering wheel and an illuminated St. Christopher medallion.

The Elegante debuted at the 1955 New York International Auto Show, drawing significant attention. It was subsequently used as the owner's daily vehicle, passed through multiple owners, and suffered severe damage in 1992 when the garage where it was stored collapsed during Hurricane Andrew. Afterwards, Harry Birdsall’s son retrieved the car and undertook a restoration project that spanned approximately 16 years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.