The 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Town Car, internally known as the XP-48, was recently sold at an RM Sotheby's auction in Hershey, Pennsylvania, for $494 500. The vehicle was originally created as a concept car for the 1956 GM Motorama and was designed by Robert Cumberford with contributions from Herb Cadeau and Harley Earl.
The car features a unique design with an open chauffeur compartment and an enclosed rear passenger area, equipped with leather upholstery, Wilton wool carpeting, and gold-finished hardware. Originally, the concept lacked a powertrain, functional brakes, and an electrical system, as GM had only installed weight in the front end of the chassis.
In 1958, GM sent the vehicle to Warhoops Used Auto & Truck Parts in Michigan for destruction. However, the junkyard owner, Harry Warholak Sr., chose to preserve the car instead of dismantling it. The vehicle remained hidden for decades before being acquired by collector Joe Bortz.
In the early 1990s, the car was purchased by J.C. Whitney owner Roy Warshawsky, who initiated a restoration. In 1996, Cadillac enthusiast Dick Baruk acquired the vehicle and completed the restoration, which included installing a period-correct engine and transmission. In 2013, the car won Best in Class at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.
