The handsome new 1979 Cadillac Eldorado was a huge hit in its first year, selling 67,436 units, an improvement of over 20,000 compared to the gigantic 1978 models, and speaking of size, the new Eldo lost over a thousand pounds and 20 inches compared to its direct predecessor. It was a distinctive package, attractive enough for the wife of the owner of Lex Depp Cadillac in Florham Park, New Jersey, to order this one as a demo (with a special two-tone paint scheme). When she moved on, its first registered buyer traded in a one-year-old Eldorado (with a $12,909 trade-in allowance) for the reward of driving the newest Cadillac, and now it’s being offered for sale on craigslist in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey. T.J., our friend in Barn Finding, spotted it with an asking price of $14,000 and an odometer reading of just 44,000. Cadillac lovers, read on.
Some think that the 1979 Eldorado is the best pick of its entire generation (1979-1985) due to its engine, the reliable Oldsmobile 350 with standard fuel injection. In 1980, Cadillac switched to its own fuel-injected 368 (not bad); in 1981, it got the 368 with the V8-6-4 scheme (uh-oh), and in 1982 it got the HT-4100, which has a dubious reputation. The ’79 with its 350 was the most potent engine of its generation as well, with 170 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque (the ’80 368 had 150 horsepower and 265 lb.-ft. of torque). The transaxle was the THM-325 three-speed unit with a shocking final-drive ratio of 2.19:1 (!). Is that the tallest gear ratio ever offered in a “modern” car?
The interior is in excellent condition, and this picture offers a decent view of the Eldorado’s flat floor, a feature it enjoyed since the introduction of the gorgeous 1967 model. This example has velour upholstery and simulated woodgrain dashboard. Almost everything a discerning driver would need was standard on the Eldorado: power driver’s seat, power windows, power door locks, air conditioning with automatic climate control, “electric trunk release and power pull-down,” four-wheel disc brakes, and much more.
While the Eldorado’s stablemate, the Buick Riviera, won Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year” in 1979, the Eldorado was in the running, and it won the more important prize: sales. Buick moved 52,181 of its beautiful Rivieras compared to the aforementioned 67,436 Eldorados. To find one that has been so clearly well-maintained and stored over the years is a marvel, and its asking price is $5,219.50 less expensive than its first owner paid for it when it was new (not counting trade-in, of course). I know that a lot of Barn Finds readers love this bodystyle, and while some traditionalists may scoff at its Oldsmobile engine, it’s hard to argue that it’s one of the best combinations you can get in the 1979-1985 era. Thanks to T.J. for finding us another winner.
“Whoever it was, they put the dynamite under the passenger’s side. But what they didn’t know, what nobody outside the factory knew, was that that model car was made with a metal plate under the driver’s seat. It’s the only thing that saved my life.”
I know this is a ’79 but regardless the quote still fits I feel
Casino
Sam Rothstein was quite lucky at that.
This Eldorado is impressive. The Blue NJ QQ plates are actually quite old possiblythe early or mid 80’s. Odds are, this owner had another older vehicle with these plates befote placing them on this one. I remember those rims, and I want to say they’re quite rare. This has been one special Cadillac since day one.
And I’m going to pull a Bob in Tn thing here. The Cadillac dealer on Columbia Turnpike in Florham Park that this was purchased from is still there and still a Cadillac dealer. But now its Open Road Cadillac. They payed over $19000, paid cash and traded a ’78 Eldorado in on it. 19 grand in ’79 is over $85000 today. I love it when the original paperwork is still with the car.
I apologize the sticker was over 19000 but they traded their 1 year old Eldorado in on it. So technically they layed out less.
I’ve always liked this body style. The lack of leather seats may disappoint some, but finding a ’79 Eldorado in this condition is not easy. I know only because I shopped around for one a number of years ago. I wanted a ’79 for the Olds 350, having heard all the horror stories of the later engine options.
I wonder how many devoted GM buyers were turned off by those pathetic, underpowered and deliberately under-engineered engines and transmissions of the 1980s that Cadillac had, and never bought one ever again.
Great scene. I remember seeing a few good gangster classics in the theater 🎥 Mitchell.
Goodfellas, Carlitos Way, Casino, Copland, and The Departed. Can’t beat a good theater, good movie, bucket of popcorn 🍿 & ice cold 🧊 soda 🥤
2.19 gear in this comfy Eldo wow. That is something. Thanks Toth.
I had a dark blue metallic ’79 Biarritz w/baby blue leather as a young entrepreneur (early 80’s). Took it to the local U-Haul and had a hitch installed, loaded up the apartment’s stuff & headed to southern Florida with my buddy for new adventures, a year later, limped it into a car lot in Tampa to trade for an ’82 280ZX. The Eldo performed flawlessly during its reign!
Call Ace. His car didn’t blow up. If you want a 79 to 85 Eldo, this is the ONE to buy. Just beautiful and no leather seats to dry out. I prefer cloth. Leather seats dry out because people do not take proper care of them. This car is worth every penny seller is asking. My garage is full or I would be going to Jerzee today with cash.
If people are going to list a beautiful car like this, why can’t they take a little time to clean up the engine bay? All that dirt and the torn air intake hose don’t do the rest of the car justice.
Cool back story. Thank you explaining the paint job. I attempted to locate a vehicle for a client recently only to learn that most of them, and there weren’t very many, were ordered as demos for the dealer’s wife to drive.
This is a beautiful Eldorado. The sales numbers are congruent with the redesigned Grand Prix of a decade earlier. Sometimes less really is more.
I still drive a 1979 Eldorado in and around New York City.
It’s a great example of its era. I kind of waffle on cloth vs leather. If I wanted a tank of this era, this would be a consideration. Hey seller, detail the engine bay
Ya’ll know how I feel. I’ve said it before but I’ll repeat myself for the ones in the back….. I hate these.
After the long, low & wide 70s Eldorados, these are a freaking kiddie car. Disgusting.
The fuel-injected Olds 350 in this car is arguably the best engine installed in this generation of Eldorado. This one just needs to be relieved of the awkward two-tone paint job.
My Dad bought a low mileage used ‘80 Eldo Bairritz from a well-heeled acquaintance It was very similar in appearance to the subject car, in a similar color, stainless tiara, a light gray partial padded top, and grey leather interior. It was a beautiful thing to behold! However, due to the 5.7 diesel engine, and fritzoid climate control, it was best used as a static display. It looked like someone was burning tires when it went done the road. The “Climate Control” system basically had two computer components that did battle with each other. After one of the main units was replaced, it caused the other to go out. The local Cadillac dealer threw up his hands. He took it to an independent auto electric shop, and he said the only chance was to buy both units and replace them as a pair. That would cost roughly what he paid for the car- with no guarantee. The diesel had already been replaced with a rebuilt gas 350 Olds engine. It was sold at auction “as/is”. The buyer blew the engine up on his way home from the auction…
My father had driven Cadillac cars exclusively since the early ‘50s. In his words, that car “broke him of Cadillacs”. He switched to Lincolns.
I took a ‘78 Eldo Bairritz in trade.Once again- a beautiful car.Everything worked on it, except the passenger power seat. In self defense I traded it off quickly (for a used hot tub). It soon took up residence at the local Auto Electric, where it languished for months. “Hard pass” doesn’t really cover it.
I like the scale down Cadillacs of 1979. Starting with the Seville Elegante and El Dorado Biarritz. After 79 things went down hill in my opinion. The last year you could get the 350 Olds standard which makes this dog the one to get.