Finding a classic car that is a low-mileage example is never a bad thing, but if you fancy the idea of owning a 1985 Cadillac Eldorado that is essentially brand new, then this is a car that is seriously worth considering. During its 34-years on the planet, it has managed to accumulate a mere 979 on its odometer. I really need to thank Barn Finder Matthew for referring this incredible car to us. You will find it located in Worcester, Massachusetts, and listed for sale here on Craigslist. The price for this Eldorado has been set at $22,950.
Finished in Cotillion White with a Dark Blue Metallic vinyl top, the external appearance of the Cadillac is absolutely spotless. The original owner purchased the car, and since then, it has had extremely limited use. It has spent the majority of its days whiling away the time in a climate-controlled garage, and it doesn’t appear as though it has aged a single day. The only real flaw that is visible is that the bumper filler panels have discolored over the past 34-years, but at least they haven’t managed to completely fall to pieces, which is a pretty common occurrence with filler panels of this era. The rest of the chrome and trim, along with the distinctive wire wheel covers, look as good as they did the day the car rolled out the door of the dealership.
Under the hood of the Eldorado is the 249ci HT-4100 V8 engine…and I can already hear the collective groans coming from some of our readers. The HT-4100 didn’t have the greatest of reputations for reliability when it first surfaced as part of the Cadillac range in 1982. A significant number of these engines were replaced under warranty in the early days, as there were some issues with both the design and the execution of engine’s construction. By 1985, many of these issues had been addressed, and while the engine was no fireball, it was still a reasonable performer. As was standard at this point in time, the 135hp produced by the HT-4100 was sent to the front wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission, while power steering and 4-wheel power disc brakes were all part of the package. The owner doesn’t provide any information on how the Cadillac runs or drives, or whether any work has been performed to ensure that it is fit to return to the road after such a long hibernation. If nothing has been done to the car, it will need a pretty thorough check of everything, because items such as rubber components and brakes can easily deteriorate through lack of use. However, to complete the originality of the Eldorado, it comes with all of its original manuals in their pouch, the original Window Sticker, and even the original gold keys.
It should be no surprise to learn that a car with such low mileage has an interior that looks brand new. Honestly, there’s nothing that could be faulted inside the Eldorado, and it should be a nice place to spend some time, thanks to both the standard, and the optional equipment that has been fitted to the car. As a matter of course, there’s climate-control air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a 6-way power driver’s seat, tinted glass, and an electric trunk release and close. The owner also ticked a lot of good boxes on the options list to add Dark Blue leather upholstery, a 6-way power passenger seat, a leather-clad wheel that is adjustable for both height and reach, the premium radio/cassette player, cruise control, and a CB radio. The owner even chose the front and rear floor mats, and these are currently sitting in the trunk, having never been anywhere near the floors.
Buying this particular Cadillac really would be about as close as you are likely to get to owning a brand new 1985 Eldorado today. The low mileage is nothing short of astounding, and you have to wonder whether the car was originally purchased as a long-term investment, or whether circumstances simply mean that the original owner didn’t have an opportunity to drive and enjoy their prestige vehicle. If it was purely an investment, then it has failed rather miserably. When it rolled out of the dealership, it cost the original owner $26,200, while the asking price today is well shy of that. It isn’t clear whether there will be any mechanical work required before the car is fit for use, so that is one area which has to have a question mark placed over it. Values on the ’85 Eldorado have been increasing in recent times, but even so, it is still possible to find some extremely nice examples listed for under $12,000. This one is nearly twice those sorts of prices, but the simple fact is that there probably isn’t another example in existence today with a mileage that is this low. I have found one listed at present with 7,000 miles on the clock, and the owner of that one is asking in excess of $25,000. However, these cars are an exception to the rule when it comes to values. I guess that it raises one simple question: Is this car destined to return to the road, or is it destined to be a museum piece?
Had the same car. Leaked oil from day one
It will probably leak more than oil, as all of the seals are probably bone dry
I have many of the HT 4100, never had an oil leak.
You know what they say about ASSumptions…..
Caddy’s 4.1L was absolute junk. Soft camshafts & clattery lifters had these blowing blow smoke long before the warranty was up. There hasn’t been a true Eldorado of any consequence since `78 anyway. Anything that followed was junk from GM’s darker days. I worked for a Caddy dealer back then and can’t even tell you how many fuming owners we had rolling in with 4.1L problems. No thanks.
LS Swap.
I’ve had many HT 4100’s and have never seen the problems you mention. They will blow headgaskets if the coolant isn’t correct and fortified with the sealant pellets. I drive a 4.5 liter daily and it’s a gem, just love it.
I have owned two of these. One hardtop and one convertible. The hardtop was a wonderful car with no issues. The convertible required a new engine. Personally I love the style of these. Would love to own it, but there are beautiful examples out there for under $10K. No, they don’t have 900 miles on them. But a 900 mile car MAY need a lot of work if you plan to drive it.
Gotta be worth 9 grand ???
If it ain’t an Eldorado Barritz I don’t want it
…I had a Fleetwood Brougham coupe for a few years with the 4100 motor. Kept up on oil changes and it ran decent for a few years but leaked oil after awhile. Definitely not the previous 425 cu. but the 4100 was just another dumbfounded experiment gone bad by GM and Cadillac much like the horrible V8-6-4 disaster.
You can tell it’s an untouched original 80’s GM product by the looks of the trunk lid gaps. No self respecting body shop would let a car like that out the door.
Currently own an 85 Hess & Eisenhardt convertable. I’ve had car since 1989. It has 109,000 miles and has been virtually trouble free. Just rebuilt trans due to leaks and installed CV joints. All other work I’ve had done thru the years, would be considered normal. Engine has never been touched.
This has always been my favorite Cadillac body style, with the ’80 model being the ultimate. I want to find one of these with a diesel engine. I looked after a customer’s ’80 diesel and told him that if he ever wanted to sell it to let me know. He moved to the land where KFC only serves left wings and I never heard from him again…
Had 2 of these, an ’83 triple black w/ roadster top & rolls grill. Then bought a new ’85 Biaritz in spring ’85 for $26k OTD, silver w/ burgundy int. The HT4100 “High Tech” was anything but. A dog on take off compared to the early 80’s Lincoln Town Cars I had that lit the wheels. The ’85 ended up overheating w/ about 58k miles on it, head gasket went. Ended up giving it to a friend in ’02 as a parts car as body & int were mint.
My favorite modern Cadillac body style, guess that’s why I bought one many years ago, albeit a used ’83. Felt like a million bucks driving it, but the motor was junk. This one is a beauty.
I also worked at a Cad. store back then….many unhappy memories of the ‘Hard Tap 4100’.
A 1985 model? No thanks. If it was a 1979 or 1980, then heck yes.