[ last update:
05.02.2002 ] Best
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The (new)
Cadillac Database©
The Fabulous
Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
1957 - 1960
Part 17
Baby Broughams for Big Boys
Being a look at some Broughams in
Miniature
for the avid Brougham buff and toy car collector
Return to The (New)
Cadillac Database© Index Page
or select preferred chapter
| 
Selection of Eldorado Brougham toys from the
collection of
Charles Barnette, Texarkana, TX [1958 Brougham #590]
From L-R: Revell [1:24 scale], Gunze-Sangyo, [1:32 scale],
Western Models [1:43 scale], Hot Wheels [1:66 scale]
[ Photo: © Rusty Thompson,
courtesy Charles Barnette ]
|
For those who, like me, could not afford to buy a
real Cadillac Eldorado Brougham when it was new ($13'074 for the first
generation, $13'075 for the second), some satisfaction could be derived from acquiring
one's dream car in miniature.
For many years I was a fervent collector of
Cadillac cars in miniature (scale models, scale replicas and toys). During these 40-odd
years, I acquired or had purposely built many replicas of the Cadillac Eldorado
Brougham and of the Motorama show cars that preceded it.
Changing circumstances in my home and professional
life caused me to have to part with my Cadillac toy collection in 1989. At that
time, I believe it was the single, largest collection of scale model Cadillacs in the
world.
On this page are listed the Eldorado Brougham or
EB-related toys that were in my collection in June, 1989, together with others
that have been marketed since that time. I shall gladly update the following list if any
Database user(s) would kindly provide appropriate and current information.
*****
NEW [FOR January, 2002]: On
this Web site you will find for sale a very nice
looking, tinplate replica of the 1957-58 Eldorado Brougham by Japan's Marusan
company, masters in making tin toys for the last half century. This was marketed in 2002.
Custom
models inspired by the Eldorado Brougham
19. 1959 Pininfarina Skylight
coupe
by RD (FRANCE)
Serial #1
(wood and plastic replica)
built in, 1973
This replica in circa 1:43 scale is whittled from
balsa wood and trimmed with PVC windshield
and windows; it was commissioned from René Daffaure (RD Marmande1 toys, France)
|
20. 1959 Pininfarina Starlight
coupe
by RD (FRANCE)
Serial #3
(wood and plastic replica)
built in 1973
This replica in circa 1:43 scale is whittled from
balsa wood and trimmed with PVC windshield
and windows; it was commissioned from René Daffaure (RD Marmande toys, France)
|
21. 1961 Pininfarina Jacqueline
coupe
by RD (FRANCE)
Serial #3
(wood and plastic replica)
built in 1972
This replica in circa 1:43 scale is whittled from
balsa wood and trimmed with PVC windshield
and windows; it was commissioned from René Daffaure (RD Marmande toys, France)
|
1 The "RD" models were commissioned - through Dr.
Michel Sordet, a friend and fellow toy collector in Geneva, Switzerland - from their
maker, Rene Daffaure [hence the name RD]. René hand-built these models, one by
one, from bits of balsa wood and plastic, on the kitchen table of his home in
Marmande, in S.W. France [which is the reason these models are known sometimes as Marmande
or RD - Marmande models]. René specialized in building replicas of cars
that had raced at Le Mans; he may have built some 8,000-10,000 of them over a
period of some twenty years. During that time, he built also about 200 Cadillacs in
miniature; more than half of these were commissioned by me. His first scale-model
Cadillac was the well-known 1950 Series 61 coupe that ran in the Le Mans
race that year; René built a few dozen of these. He made also some scale replicas
of the Cunningham barquette nicknamed Le Monstre, powered by the
sturdy 1950 Cadillac V8 engine, that also ran at Le Mans in 1950. The RD
or Marmande models, although crudely built, possess a fascinating
appeal. Their charm is surpassed only by their rarity. Indeed, some of the
Cadillac models I commissioned from René are unique. I believe my friend Dr. Sordet
has the largest, single collection of RD models in the world; his RD
collection consists mainly of replicas of Le Mans race cars. My former RD
models are currently [1998] in safe hands in Zürich, Switzerland.
Eldorado
Brougham Toy Trinkets
22. & 23. Unidentified
comic ceramic lookalikes
by [unknown]
Serial # ...???
(ceramics)
built in the nineties (???)
Unknown Scale
 
(Left): This cute, glass replica, advertising spark
plugs, depicts an unlikely
2-door Cadillac Eldorado Brougham in shocking metallic pink
(Right): Similar to the preceding replica, this ceramic imaginary Eldorado
Brougham
2-door model may inspire a foolish owner to convert his real car!
|
Circa 1:64 Scale
MATTEL , USA
 
Left: this customized version was seen on e-Bay in
2002
Right: Hot Wheels (USA) - new issue, 2002
[ Photo: © Rusty Thompson and courtesy Dr. Charles Barnette ]
MARX TOY , USA
The front bumper is not in exact proportion
to the rest of the toy but it is still a fine replica
|
Circa 1:43 Scale
BROOKLIN MODELS, UK
 
From Brooklin Models in England come these
fine replicas of the bespoke
1957/58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham; on the right is catalog #27, limited
to 750 pieces
 
New edition of the same toy,
also from Western Models, England. Enthusiast
Luke Sanz added: This is a 1:43 scale white metal model of a 1957 Cadillac
Eldorado Brougham by Brooklin Models (BRK 27A). The "A" designates
that it is a revised and updated version of the earlier BRK 27.
Luke added this better photo of the revised Brooklin model:
<<<<<image
to be processed >>>>>
VF MODELLEN, GERMANY
[ image needed ]
1956 Eldorado Brougham
Town Car for $285, made (on order only) by "VF" models in
Germany.
|
Circa 1:32 Scale
GUNZE-SANGYO, JAPAN
Built kit, by Gunze-Sangyo (Japan), from the
growing collection of my son, Philip
UNIDENTIFIED, USA (?)
 
Eldorado Brougham lookalike toy, scale and
origin unknown; appears to be soft plastic or rubber molding
with plastic wheels; the toy features non-authentic continental kit and quad trumpet
horns mounted on the hood
|
1:24 Scale
FRANKLIN MINT, USA
The first scale-model (kit) of the 1957/58 Cadillac Eldorado
Brougham
was issued by Revell, USA. This one is from the Franklin Mint,
circa 1999;
it is highly detailed and, consequently, very expensive
 
 
The Franklin Mint replica comes only in
black; that fact has inspired a keen enthusiast
to create his own, personal series, based on actual cars and colors delivered by Cadillac;
here we see work in progress on car #350 of which only a single one was painted Bahama Blue
[ interiors, of course, will be color coordinated also to match the original cars ]
[ Castille Maroon example - photos to come ]
REVELL, USA
 
This is the first scale-model (kit) of the 1957/58
Cadillac Eldorado Brougham issued
by Revell, USA, in 1/24 scale; it was re-issued in the late eighties; on
the right
is a factory promotional built-up kit of the Revell replica, complete with
the two scale figurines
 
This one is from the author's former collection
 
From the author's former collection too comes this
conversion of the stock, Revell Eldorado Brougham kit
into the unique, 1956 Eldorado Brougham Town Car that toured the Motorama
circuit that year;
showing off the true scale of the toy (left) is a one-ounce atomizer bottle of Arpege
perfume extract from Lanvin,
Paris; this accessory was standard equipment with each of the 704 Eldorado
Brougham models built in 1957/58
|
| Circa 1:18 Scale
SUN STAR, THAILAND (?)
[ showcase photos to come ]
Cheap at the
price
This is an absolutely beautiful Model of the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado
Brougham. Sun Star has done a great job with this American Classic; it has
opening front & rear doors (which are of the so-called 'suicide' style), the hood and
trunk also open,
|
| Circa 1:16 Scale
[about 13 inches long]
MARUSAN, JAPAN
 
Marusan Toys (Japan)
These photos were taken with a wide-angle lens; in reality the car
is more stubby and appears too wide but it is still a fine replica (circa 13"
long)
For more details, or to order one, e-Mail my friend, Ron Smith:
< nojoke@apk.net >
|
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Cadillac Database© Index Page
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© 1996, Yann Saunders and the Cadillac-LaSalle
Club, Inc.
[ Background image: boxed plastic kit model of 1957 Brougham in 1:24 scale by Revell
]