23k Original Miles: 1970 Cadillac Eldorado

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This 1970 Cadillac Eldorado isn’t any old classic. From its original paint to its monster V8, it seems to have something for everyone. However, it is the odometer of 23,800 original miles that places it in a league of its own. Many of our readers have finely tuned radars for wonderful survivors, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for referring this stunning Eldorado to us.

Cadillac produced its Eight Generation Eldorado from 1967 until 1970. As the seller rightly states, this is a final-year car. It will immediately score points with many enthusiasts courtesy of its Triple-Black paint and trim combination. The seller describes its condition as “like new,” and it is hard to argue with that assessment. The panels seem perfect, and the Sable Black paint retains a beautiful shine. That sounds good in isolation, but the fact that the paint is original lifts this Eldorado to a higher plain. The Black vinyl top is immaculate, and the sparkling chrome perfectly contrasts the paint shade and prevents the Caddy from looking somber. It is unclear whether this gem has been garage-kept, but the lack of rust and overall deterioration suggests it has been protected from the worst that Mother Nature could potentially throw at it.

This Eldorado tips the scales at 4,718 lbs, meaning that it isn’t even close to being considered a lightweight. Therefore, Cadillac had to provide something respectable under the hood if progress was to be anything but glacial. The company delivered, fitting every 1970 Eldorado with a 500ci V8 that generates 400hp and 550 ft/lbs of torque. Considering its weight, the ability to deliver a ¼-mile ET of 15.4 seconds and a top speed of 131mph proves this car is more than a pretty face. The seller claims that it has a genuine 23,800, miles on its odometer without mentioning verifying evidence. We must take such claims at face value in this case, but the general presentation of every aspect makes it plausible. If it can be confirmed, there will be very few Eldorados of this vintage that can match that figure. The seller supplies no information on the car’s mechanical health, which may be one reason why it hasn’t found a buyer. They appear approachable, meaning they might furnish information that would eliminate any potential lingering doubts.

I described this Cadillac as a Triple-Black classic, making the first owner’s choice of leather trim in that shade unsurprising. This is another aspect of the Eldorado that supports the mileage claim. There is no evidence of wear or deterioration, with the leather sporting creases typically found on soft aging leather. The woodgrain is excellent, while the dash, pad, and carpet are spotless. The car isn’t heavily equipped by modern standards, but with air conditioning, power windows, cruise control, a Twilight Sentinel, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio and 8-track player, it would have been considered impressive when it left the showroom floor.

Some classics effortlessly make a positive impression, which is undoubtedly true of this 1970 Cadillac Eldorado. The seller has listed it here on Craigslist in Melville, New York. Their price of $69,895 isn’t for the faint-hearted and is well above what both the market and the ever-optimistic Hagerty quotes for a Concours example. Is the price justified? That’s a hard call to make, but I can’t remember seeing a better original Eldorado of this vintage for many years. Values are static, suggesting there isn’t short-term investment potential. However, the market’s unpredictable could see that change in the blink of an eye. It has been on the market for almost four weeks, suggesting the seller must either be patient or be prepared to compromise if it is to find a new home. What would you pay for this Cadillac?

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Comments

  1. Big Bear 🇺🇸

    Beautiful Eldorado triple black! But the price almost $70,000. Sorry can’t see it. Maybe $50,000. Would be fair. Good luck to the seller.😃

    Like 11
    • Frog

      From 1st glance this crown jewel looks museum quality. It’s a catch 22. Risky to drive and show it off and too beautiful to store it hidden away from view.

      Like 0
  2. Billy

    Beautiful Eldo. Appears to have been taken care of. Kinda wish we would have some underside photos.
    Dollars seem a little bit steep, IMHO.

    Like 6
  3. Ken Sulzen

    Beautiful car. Love it. I had a 84 triple black love it, put mechanically not good.

    Like 0
  4. Elmo

    Pimpin’ ain’t easy but this would make it easier.

    Like 6
  5. Mike J

    At 20 or 30k it would have been gone yesterday. At 70k he’ll have it until the cow’s come home.

    Like 9
    • The Cadillac Kid

      Moooooooo!

      Like 2
  6. mrshred

    Opera lights in 1970???

    Like 1
  7. Nelson C

    Good example of a great car. Triple black is hard to turn down. There’s probably another out there you could buy but you’re going to have to find it.

    Like 1
  8. JoeNYWF64

    Can i assume a floor shift was not avail on Eldo & Toronado with bucket seats because of the flat floor? Odd that no modern fwd vehicles have flat floors.

    Like 0
    • Nelson C

      Would have defeated the intent of the flat front floor not to mention the floor was high enough to route the exhaust, just like their rear drive brotheren. Later FWD cars were smaller and needed an exhaust tunnel.

      Like 1
    • Jeff

      You can get bucket seats in a 70 Olds Toro. It is the same console shift and bucket seat set as on a 70 cutlass Supreme or fastback cutlass variant.

      However the Toro console shift had an additional color keyed piece of plastic on both the driver and passenger sides of the console running front to back to bridge the distance between a common cutlass console shift that accommodated the hump to now extend to the flat floor of a Toro instead.

      They are rare but I saw one at the Olds Quad state Nationals in 2016.

      Like 1
  9. ACZ

    The Standard of the World!

    Like 4
  10. Az car guy

    A beautiful car, but it would’ve been nicer if it was a 67 or 68 with hidden headlights. $50,000 would’ve been more appropriate for hidden headlight car.

    Like 2
  11. mainlymuscle

    What Mike J said …….
    I appreciate the sportier lines of the 70 ,but there is a showroom 76 Eldo convertible in gleaming Gold on tan leather with similar low miles (remember when everyone was hoarding them ? ) being advertised locally .Price is $30k Canadian ,which is 22 ish US funds .Super clean luxo barges are doing well right now ,but this gorgeous Black Beauty is not priced to sell.

    Like 1
  12. Frog

    Something I noticed zooming in on close inspection. The silver trim surrounding the wood on the dash switches is worn off. Possibly from harsh cleaning?

    Like 1
    • Billy

      Frog, all mine did that same thing. I talked to a person at Cadillac factory years ago. As I recall correctly it’s due to the amount or lack of a bonding agent that was used to make the very fine layer of chromium attach to the plastic.

      Never will understand chroming plastic. Oxymoron.
      That’s about it.

      Like 2
  13. Mongoose

    Maybe a multi-millionaire/billionaire car freak lost his/her cherry in one and is sentimental, otherwise no way Jose! Nice example…

    Like 3
  14. hairyolds68

    really sweet Eldo. not a craigslist car. high end auction is where you could possibly get that #.

    Like 0
  15. Angel_Cadillac_Diva Angel Cadillac DivaMember

    When did opera lights start showing up on limousines and luxury cars? I’m thinking ’73/’74. I also know Cadillac did not have stand up hood ornaments in 1970. 1970 and ’71 were the only years Cadillacs did not have the V hood and trunk ornaments.
    Fleetwoods and Eldorados did have the crest, but not stand up. Wonder what other newer modifications have been made? Right there the price dropped $20,000 for me. If you’re going to charge $70,000 for an original car, it better be original.

    I had one of these around 1981, for all of about 8 hours. I traded a 1974 Chevrolet Vega for it. Drove the car home, watched the gas guage go down as I drove. I thought the gas tank had a big hole in it. Got home, no hole. Curious. Washed the car, vacuumed it, cleaned it all up, replaced a missing hubcap with the correct one my cousin had.
    Then my father came home. Wanted to know where HIS Vega was. Not a pleasant altercation. Had to return the Eldorado and get the Vega back. But it was a really nice 8 hours. That one was black also.

    Like 3
    • Norman Stevenson

      Yeah,I had a ’70 Fleetwood Brougham and that had the crest,but definitely did not have a stand up hood ornament/gunsight!

      Like 0
  16. Billy

    Nice story. Your dad should have bought you a new car just because you saved him from the dreaded Vega syndrome.
    The “opera” lights controversy should not even be discussed. This car is correct. So is the front hood ornament.
    Priced way too high but quite nice.

    Like 1
    • Angel_Cadillac_Diva Angel Cadillac DivaMember

      @Billy

      I’m sorry, Billy, but this Eldorado is not correct. After doing some research stand up hood ornaments were not used on Cadillacs until the 1971 Eldorado.
      I could not find one photo of a 1970 Eldorado with opera lights except for this one. This car has been altered. The opera lights were not factory.

      Like 5
  17. Frog

    The closer I look at this car the more flaws I discover. This car has been repaired on the passenger side. Possible the second owner doesn’t know this or the original owner didn’t disclose it.

    Like 3
  18. Joe Haska

    What the Hell are Opera lights? Are they worth 70 K? It is always something!

    Like 0
  19. Angel_Cadillac_Diva Angel Cadillac DivaMember

    @Joe Haska

    Hi Joe,

    Opera lights are those small elongated dim lights put on the “C” pillar right behind the rear side window. Sometimes they are on the “B” pillar between the side windows.
    Opera lights were a thing in the 70s & 80s but can still be seen on today’s stretch limos.
    If you enlarge the first photo of this ’70 Eldorado you can sorta see the Opera light behind the rear side window on the “C” pillar

    Like 1

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