1953 Cadillac Orleans

The 1953 Motorama showcar "Orleans" was the first 4-door hardtop concept car. Hardtop sedan construction eliminated the traditional "B" pillar, enabling a sleeker appearance. This styling innovation utilized frameless windows and was widely adopted throughout the industry. Buick and Oldsmobile introduced their production 4-door hardtops in 1955, but Cadillac waited until 1956 to introduce theirs.

The Orleans was one of two dream cars built by the Cadillac Studio for the 1953 Motorama. It debuted that year at the Waldorf-Astoria show in New York City.The Orleans was very similar to the 1953 Cadillac Coupe de Ville in appearance with one significant difference. It was the first pillarless four-door hardtop automobile to be shown by General Motors. This feature would go into production for the 1955 model year on Buicks and Oldsmobiles. The Orleans also had a wraparound windshield, a feature that was displayed on many of the other dream cars for 1953 as well, as the production model 1953 Eldorado.