The seller says that this 1985 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible is like new, or as close to new as is possible after 38 years. A lot of us have vehicles that have been in storage for years and we know that certain parts start degrading due to age, but this one looks outstanding. The seller has it listed here on eBay in Ellenton, Florida, there is no reserve, and the current bid price is $18,500. Thanks to T.J. for sending in this tip!
I’m not sure if this is the best photo to show for a convertible unless it’s in motion and is either halfway open or halfway closed. We have to assume that the convertible works as it did when this was a new car because they say that everything else (there’s no mention of the top at all) works like new. Still, this is literally the only photo showing this car with the top down – or partially down, weird.
It really does appear to be a jewel box of an Eldorado, though. This is the last year of the tenth-generation Eldorados, some might say the last year of the last real cars, or the last big cars. GM downsized most of its lineup in or around 1979, and the Eldorado lost 20 inches in length and several hundred pounds of weight from the previous generation cars. The seller says that this gorgeous Eldorado has absolutely no rust and has been stored in a climate-controlled garage.
This is one beautiful interior, which isn’t surprising. The Biarritz was a high-level car and this Eldorado has every option offered in 1985, according to the seller. Those red leather seats are to die for and the back seat looks even nicer. This car is in amazing condition, from its all-original paint, no rust, and beautiful interior. It even comes with the original gold Biarritz keys.
The engine is the famous (infamous) HT-4100, a 4.1-liter V8, which would have had 135 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque when new. I had this same engine in a Seville and it was great, but they were known for sometimes having issues with intake gaskets, aluminum oil pumps, and more. As I said, I had no issues with mine and the seller says that this one drives like a new Eldorado. Have any of you owned a tenth-gen Eldorado convertible?
The drain back holes in the heads were tiny and would clog easily without regular oil changes.The cams were notorious for walking up and back in the block. Poor power and torque.Junk engines imo through the years I worked on them decades ago.
Any engine can be junk without regular oil changes!
you are correct sir .I had one as clean as could be inside and the cam was cracked in 1/2 in the middle.It was in a 82 -83 coupe de poop. Cam walking was a big problem with these turds.
I bought one years back in red with ofcourse a busted engine. I still have all of the convertible stuff from it including the rear body tub. We never had a good 4100 come through the yard in the 80s. For me the Riviera convertible was the one. A much nicer looking car to me and a not fast but damned reliable power plant. I ran an 82 Riviera convertible from the late 80s until the early 2000s. The car clocked nearly 200,000 miles and aside from oil changes and brakes and tires, I did nothing to it. A white with red with a red top and the Continental fake spare on it. Nice car for an 80s ride. I would never trust that Eldo.
I always thought the 1976 Eldorado was the last American Convertible from the factory?
It was; well, the last of Caddy’s ‘verts. The Eldo here was specially customized. I think a few cars were taken to custom-coachbuiilders who were approved by the factory for conversion to ‘verts. But Caddy itself did not do another ‘vert after ’76.
There was, however, a resurgence in ‘vert interest at that time. Ralph Nader was singularly responsible for trying to kill convertibles, but his time was passing by the ’80s. Chrysler started defying Nader’s waning status with ‘verts built on their K platform.
Actually, there was another factory ‘vert Caddy sold later on: The Allante, not one of Caddy’s most memorable models but a pretty car in my opinion.
I also had an 82 red Riviera convertible with a white top. Roughly $25,500 on the original sticker. I thought that the 84 and 85 ElDorado only came in red, white, or blue? Never black.
No.
Yes they come in black I have a black with Red interior
I had a 1985 El Dorado Conv when it was new. The cars were not finished at the factory, they were fitted with the convertible equipment at another factory for cadillac. I think it was in California. I had problems with that motor from day one.
Auction update: this one ended because “the item is no longer available”.
is this ’85 cadillac eldorado barritz convertible still for sale?
Had an 84 Triple Gray…great car, biggest prob was the Front axle boots splitting and rear air ride shocks leaking. Currently own a 98 White Diamond with 133k miles….had case halves sealed at 100k miles…wonderful vehicle.