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1 of 2: 1970 Cadillac Eldorado del Cavallero

I guess that everyone is allowed to have an off day. Well, except for surgeons. Designer George Barris was renowned for some of the most iconic vehicles to grace both the silver screen and the small screen, but this car typifies one of those moments when he should have put down the crayons and walked away from the drawing board. Mr. Barris is responsible for the design of the Eldorado del Cavallero, and while there were 13 built, only 2 were built with the “Super Fly” front end. Therefore, if you really like to stand out in a crowd, this rarity might be just the car for you. Located in Prior Lake, Minnesota, it is listed for sale here on eBay.

As a man who counts among his most recognized designs the original Batmobile and several vehicles from the TV series The Munsters, Barris was definitely capable of producing cars that made a statement. This car does that, but it isn’t just the front that gets the Barris treatment. The whole car is covered with his signature design tweaks. These include custom touches like landau bars on the padded top, a trunk-mounted spare tire, a custom grille, distinctive tail-light treatment, and a multitude of additional lights in numerous locations on the vehicle. There is no way that this Cadillac could ever be described as subtle, but it certainly is distinctive. It is also in good condition. All of the custom touches look solid, with no issues to report, while the body appears to be rust-free, and the paint looks good. There are also a number of photos of the underside of the car, and they also look clean.

Mechanically the Eldorado remains standard, with the engine bay being crammed full of 500ci of V8. Power is then fed via the THM-425 transmission to the front wheels. Power steering is also featured, while 1970 was only the third year where disc brakes were standard on the Eldorado. While we don’t get a huge amount of information on the mechanical condition of the car, if the owner’s claim that it has only covered 33,500 genuine miles is true, then it would hardly be worn-out. He does say that the engine has a nice gurgle to the exhaust that sounds like a Power Boat. Hmmm.

The interior of the Cadillac looks to be in good condition, with the Barris touches seemingly limited to the green head-rests and the wooden wheel. Otherwise, the white leather upholstery looks to be in good condition, as does the rest of the interior trim. Of course, the car comes loaded with all or the luxury touches that you would expect, such as power windows, power locks, power seats, and air conditioning.

The new owner of this del Cavallero will receive a letter from the George Barris Museum which verifies the authenticity and rarity of this car. They will also receive a distinctive vehicle which, while it isn’t to everyone’s taste, is a part of a special era in car customization. At the time of writing, bidding has reached $8,100, but it is not surprising that the reserve has not been met. There is also a BIN option of $22,000, which, regardless of whether you love or hate the car, does seem quite low for a car with this background. A bit of research revealed that this car was previously for sale around 6-months-ago with a price of $25,000, so it will be interesting to see if the owner has better luck landing a sale this time around.

Comments

  1. Avatar Chebby Member

    I know they are tacky, but I love the Superfly eyes.

    Like 22
  2. Avatar J_Paul Member

    My wardrobe just doesn’t contain enough velvet for me to drive this car.

    Like 34
    • Avatar Mountainwoodie

      or polyester. Mas atrocious. I’d rather drive the Munstermobile.

      Like 7
    • Avatar PhiljustPhil

      Wardrobes can be updated. Think Thrift Store or Consignment Shoppe and embrace the new you! Changing your name to Superfly would undoubtedly be a hassle and probably not required… I bought a 1974 Olds 98 and on the way home stopped to buy curb feelers. I was surprised that they actually performed as advertised! Sold the car to a guy with a big yacht and he used it to solve his “drifting issues… JK…

      Like 0
    • Avatar theGasHole

      I don’t know if I should admit this, but my wardrobe does!

      Like 5
  3. Avatar Scott Tait

    Eye of the beholder but this aint no beauty

    Like 11
  4. Avatar Mark

    As my father always said….”beauty is skin deep, but ugly is to the bone”

    Like 15
  5. Avatar nessy

    I dig the Super Fly Era decked out Cadillacs, Oldsmobile 98s, Buick 225s and the Lincolns. This Eldorado looks alot like the Isaac Hayes blue and gold Eldorado. Go look it up. The Super Super Fly of Cadillacs.

    Like 14
  6. Avatar Brent

    And the LORD said ” Let there be UGLY.” And there it was.

    Like 10
  7. Avatar Jeff

    Diamond in the back…

    Sunroof top….

    Diggin’ the scene with a gangsta lean….

    Thats a bad to the bone MOFO!!!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVANQheoRUw

    Like 23
    • Avatar LT1 Mike

      👍

      Like 2
  8. Avatar Ike Onick

    My oh my.

    Like 3
  9. Avatar Coventrycat

    Geez, I had Zappa’s “Willie the Pimp” playing when this came up. Coincidence? I think not.

    Like 4
  10. Avatar Junior

    Easy to understand the low mileage, who would wanna drive the thang & risk being seen?

    Like 11
  11. Avatar Sam Shive

    Just add a New Set Of 24″ and A BOOM BOX in the trunk and you should be able to get a Cool 1/4 Million ……..

    Like 3
  12. Avatar Rodney - GSM

    We miss you George, but at least we have your cars to make us smile.

    Like 7
  13. Avatar Steve gorlewski

    I know who owned the other one. It was white. Grew up across the street from them. We always called it the pimp mobile.

    Like 1
  14. Avatar Jeff

    Gangsta Whitewalls, TV A -Tennas in the back…

    You may not have a car at all…

    But remember brothers and sisters…

    You can still stand tall…

    Just be thankful for what you got…

    Like 8
    • Avatar JEFF S.

      Just be thankful, you don’t have this FUGLY Caddy, to try and sell. George how could you?

      Like 1
  15. Avatar CCFisher

    Are those hamster wheels in front of the headlights?

    Like 6
    • Avatar Z1rider

      Actually the 3 legged star I think you are noticing is intended to mimic Lucas headlights of the 20’s and 30’s. For those Lucas lights that device holds a reflector right in front of the headlight bulb intended to help focus the light down the road. On this Eldorado they are for looks only.

      If you do a Google image search of “Lucas headlights Rolls Royce” you should get some examples.

      https://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/11/2017/06/1936-Rolls-Royce-Phantom-III-Montgomery-Front-Detail.jpg

      Like 0
      • Avatar CCFisher

        Thanks for the info, but I know what the headlight trim is attempting to emulate. In the head-on image, you can see that there are slots cut into the top of the god-awful add-ons. Lucas didn’t make ’em like that. Hamster wheels.

        Like 0
  16. Avatar Sam61

    Like it…made me think of other great pimpmobiles from Live and Let Die, Dirty Harry, Car Wash, Austin Powers…

    A little known made up fact is that Barris was an apprentice for the JC Whitney catalog.

    Like 5
  17. Avatar hatofpork

    Now what was that hit tune by the Del Cavalleros again?

    Like 1
  18. Avatar ACZ

    So unconventional that it’s kinda cool.

    Like 3
  19. Avatar Dave Member

    Cool and kooky, but ain’t that an HEI we see there?

    Like 0
  20. Avatar Mike Hawke

    Is the bordello included?

    Like 5
  21. Avatar dave brennan

    I’ll pay 22000 right now… if there’s guaranteed to be 21500 in glove box

    Like 2
  22. Avatar KevinLee

    It needs the obligatory swan hood ornament with the light- up wings. Maybe, blue or red.

    Like 1
  23. Avatar Jeff

    The green wings would be the only choice.

    Like 10
  24. Avatar Barry lamar

    Wasn’t this one on counts customs ? If it isn’t he has #2

    Like 0
  25. Avatar UK Paul 🇬🇧

    It’s ugliness is almost attractive? Automotive history no matter what you think.
    I woukd like to own it but a lot of cars i would like to own more first.

    Like 3
  26. Avatar Doug B

    I’m thinking this may have emerged as a result of something acidic the night or 2 before. Or perhaps Liberace May have commissioned it, in which case it shall be a mystery.

    Like 3
  27. Avatar Pat L Member

    Car looks like it drove straight out of this video!
    https://youtu.be/lo7XLNsxn68

    Like 1
  28. Avatar Fordguy1972 Member

    I’d have to get a stable of hookers if I bought this.

    Like 6
  29. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    I’d drive this through the ‘hood, blasting a Merle Haggard 8-track. Think about it.

    Like 7
  30. Avatar mtnhopper1

    There is a very similar Eldorado that shows up in the HBO show “The Deuce”, and, yes, it is driven by a pimp. Google it. I wonder if that car is also a Barris car.

    Like 2
    • Avatar CajunSS

      I immediately thought the same thing. If you Google images of C.C.’s Cadillac, you can immediately spot the differences between the Barris car and the HBO car, which looks like a cheap knock-off.

      Like 0
  31. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    So ugly it’s ugly IMO.

    Like 1
  32. Avatar Karl

    You guys remember one of the Dirty Harry movies and there was a pimp driving one of these monstrosities and he tried to bribe the bad cop who then put him to sleep! That was many yrs ago and the car has not gotten any better!

    Like 2
  33. Avatar David Rhoces

    be a great pimp mobile

    Like 1
  34. Avatar markp

    If I had the money I would buy both of them and crush them…

    Like 3
  35. Avatar theGasHole

    Remember this my friends…..if you’re not the handsomest guy at the party, stand next to the guys who are uglier than you, and you’ll look better. If this Caddy didn’t exist, my 82 Imperial would get a lot more hate than it already does.

    Like 3
  36. Avatar Alfred

    Hideous

    Like 0
  37. Avatar Pierre

    Pimpmobile!

    Like 1
  38. Avatar Jeff

    I take offence, there is nothing wrong with a Pimpmobile.

    Back in the day, all the Ladies loved riding in one!

    Like 5
  39. Avatar Jeff

    Currently Neiman Marcus has velvet suits on sale starting at $595.00

    http://tinyurl.com/ydbjbwhq

    Some threads never go out of style.

    Like 6
  40. Avatar Gay Car Nut

    I believe that one can be extravagant without being too hideous. And while most Cadillac Eldorados of this generation I’ve seen have looked extravagant, this looks hideous!

    Like 1
  41. Avatar firemedic2714

    I can’t help but think of this song when I see this car…..

    https://youtu.be/KDTXljIqxRE

    Like 1
  42. Avatar Wrong Way

    I usually try and see beauty in a car, but I just can’t see it with this one! This is one ugly car. I will leave it at that!

    Like 0
  43. Avatar Rustynutz

    Dear old GB was never renowned for style! His brother Sam was the complete designer and builder, however George always knew how to promote hisself to others with more money than grey matter. The bat-mobile when he bought it wasn’t that different to what it ended up as after he waved his poop paddle over it! He bought is as an old custom car off the backlot for something like $20 or so. I actually cannot even think of a tasteful job he ever did.

    Like 1
  44. Avatar James

    Not my taste, At. All. But, I can appreciate the awesomeness of it nonetheless!

    Like 1
  45. Avatar Fiete T.

    “Pimp Daddy Long”
    Sorry, tacky & trashy…burn it clean

    Like 1
  46. Avatar Eric Larson

    These were such sharp looking cars from the factory, I don’t know why anyone would want to ruin it with all that crap they added on to it. These come up for sale all the time without the awful headlight treatment so I think they ruined a few more than 13 of them. I know of 3 for sale now.

    Like 0

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