The specter of tightening safety regulations during the 1970s saw American vehicle manufacturers drop their Convertible models. One of the last was Cadillac with its Eldorado, but it elected to take the variant out in a blaze of glory. With a touch of patriotism, the final 200 cars received special paint and trim and were called the Bicentennial Edition. The first 199 of these classics found homes with the buying public, while the last has spent its life in the GM Heritage Center. However, of the 199 released for public sale, this car stands above the rest. The seller holds documentation verifying its history, which makes a fascinating story. It needs a new home, so the seller has listed it for sale here on eBay. The Caddy is located in  Travelers Rest, South Carolina, and while the bidding has raced to $51,100, it remains short of the reserve.

Cadillac built 14,000 Eldorado Convertibles during the final year of production. The country was in the grips of Bicentennial fever, so the company harnessed that enthusiasm with its special edition offering. While 199 of those cars found buyers in the general market, our feature car did so via a different route. The original Window Sticker confirms its first owner as the Cadillac Motor Car Division. It was initially used by the company’s Sales and Marketing Department as part of the National Dealer’s New Car Introduction seminar for the 1976 model year. Once its time as a display vehicle ended, it followed its siblings into private ownership. All Bicentennial cars featured Cotillion White paint with color-matched hubcaps, a White power top, and Red and Blue pinstripes on the hood. The seller indicates this classic is original and unrestored, although the factory bumper fillers have made way for ABS plastic items. The photos are limited, but they paint a positive picture. The paint shines well, with no flaws or issues. The panels are straight, and there are no signs of rust. The damage-prone hubcaps are faultless, the glass is crystal clear, and this classic appears to need nothing beyond a new owner.

Adopting a “one size fits all” philosophy, all Bicentennial Edition Eldorados featured identical interior trim. The seats wore white leather with contrasting red piping. The remaining upholstered surfaces featured white, while the red theme continued onto the carpet, dash, and plastic items. A brass plaque on the dash above the glove compartment identified these classics as the real deal. This Convertible’s interior presents superbly, with no signs of wear, stains, or discoloring. The faux woodgrain inserts are excellent, and describing the overall condition as showroom fresh would not be stretching the truth. The company loaded the Bicentennial with all the tinsel and toys buyers might expect in a luxury car of this caliber. In addition to a power top, there is climate-control air conditioning and power assistance for the windows, locks, front seats, and trunk release. Driving duties are improved by including a tilt/telescopic wheel, cruise control, a Twilight Sentinel, and an AM/FM radio and tape player.

The owner supplies some limited engine photos, but apart from those vehicles delivered to Californian buyers, all Eldorado Bicentennial cars featured an identical drivetrain configuration. The engine bay houses the mammoth 500ci V8 that sends its 190hp to the front wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. In keeping with its luxury leanings, power steering and power brakes make light work of the driving duties. At 5,153lbs, the Eldorado Convertible is a heavy beast. That makes its ¼ mile ET of 19.2 seconds no surprise. However, this is not a high-performance model, so those figures would be irrelevant to most owners. If its ownership history increases this car’s desirability, its odometer reading won’t do any harm. The seller indicates it has a genuine 1,837 miles on the clock, although they don’t mention verifying evidence. If the buyer can confirm the mileage, this is an extraordinary vehicle. There is no information on how the Eldorado runs or drives, but with a car of this value, we need to hope the seller is approachable and willing to answer questions on that subject.

When the last Convertible rolled off the production line, the motoring world believed they had said a final goodbye to the Eldorado drop-top. The company would revive the Convertible concept for 1984, although the new model lacked the presence of its predecessor. The Bicentennial Edition is a rare classic, but this car’s ownership history and odometer reading add to its interest and appeal. The price has already sailed beyond the figures suggested by NADA off the back of fifty-nine bids, and I won’t be surprised if it tops $60,000 before the auction ends. It is not a cheap classic, but is it one you would like to find parked in your garage?