“It has been stored in the family’s run-down barn for the last 30 years” so claims the seller of this 1971 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. Well, this first-year, ninth generation (’71-’76) Eldorado is as big as a barn at 222 inches in length, 80 inches in width, and tipping the scale at 4,900 lbs. It shows surprisingly well considering its long-term nap but the seller does mention the presence of some rust, and of course, “patina”. I’m intrigued, hope you are too, let’s see what this cavernous convertible is all about. It’s located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $4,650 with twenty-five bids tendered so far.
For ’71, the redesigned Eldo added about two inches in length and close to 200 lbs. in weight though to my eyes, it looks a whole lot bigger than the ’70 edition. It was the same formula as possessed by its sharply creased predecessor, that being a Humongo V8 engine driving the front wheels of a big two-door coupe and in this case, a convertible body style that was now available. Total production reached about 27K copies with 6,800 of those having the ability to go topless.
This convertible is triple blue but it’s not overdone blue. The seller mentions, “It has a mostly straight, fairly-solid body – with little rust and patina. Looking under it, I can see it has some rust in the floor and the frame” – yes, it’s visual inspection time as his idea of some rust and mine are likely different. Still, I wouldn’t discourage anyone from actually taking an in-person gander at the underside of this 86K mile Caddy. The top is said to look “pretty good“.
Cadillac was in its sophomore year of offering a 500 CI V8 engine powering their personal luxury car but the HP was down to 365 (from 400 the previous year) thanks to a lower compression ratio designed for low lead and the coming no-lead, gasoline. We’re told, however, that this Eldorado is a non-runner, or at least the seller hasn’t tried to start it. The fuel tank has been removed – it is included in the sale, and the gear selector was stuck in park which necessitated a linkage disconnection to get the car to roll free.
Inside is a serious expanse of blue leather upholstery and it still displays well – not too much top-down sun exposure would be my guess. The steering wheel has gotten a bit wonky looking but beyond that, no complaints. As is often the case with luxury cars of this era, the instrument panel has a rather pedestrian bearing about itself. It’s OK, but not what I would expect for a car of this stature.
The seller suggests, “If you figure it needs everything, you won’t be disappointed“. Well, there’s a red flag for you. I would think that wouldn’t be the case, seeing what’s visible via the listing but I guess it’s just a reminder of “caveat emptor”, right?
Damn.
Moby Grape must have been kept in a really nice barn or carriage house. Kudos to the seller who must have cleaned it up!
I took care of two of these giant Eldorados as part of a corporate fleet of an insurance company I worked for years. The endine weight was too much for the front drive axles, they bowed afrer a couple of years. $425 each (1980s) but the ones made for Oldsmobile were @ $100 less, same part. Also replaced the power antenna a few times. Cruising on a freeway, they are like a living room, don’t fall asleep at 80mph!
Biggest(widest) brake pedal ever?! The ones on some “modern” vehicles are a joke in size(width) – with auto trans.
I thought there would be more leg room for the back seat.
I think the Pinto with the original very thin & cool high back buckets had more leg room inside – front & back!
I owned both the Pinto & 2 Caddies! I loved my Pinto it was a great car for as much crap people used to talk about them it took a lot! But both my Caddies had great room and luxury beyond, we even bought one last year they made the Brougham we didn’t want the shorter version!
Kudos to the seller for not over promising and under delivering. Expect it to need everything is pretty honest. If someone has the means and a place to work on it they could end up with a pretty nice car.
Yes, and all it needs is an owner, who will get it back to drivable and enjoy it for what it looks like, a really well preserved original Caddy.
Got to love it! That body with pseudo vents on rear fenders looks back to earlier Cadillacs and IMO is likely the best Eldorado. Hopefully someone will save and restore this MONUMENT to the GREAT AMERICAN Luxury car, from the era when Cadillac WAS The Standard of the WORLD! As I have said in other posts, It’s HUGE! It guzzles gas! It pollutes the air! It scares the birds! Other cars part like the Red Sea to get out of the way! I LOVE it! Nothing Cadillac (or any manufacturer) builds today can compare! 🏆
A beautiful tank!
Gee? TANKS! 👍 🏆. Truly BOLD and BEAUTIFUL! 😉
222 inches…I could’ve sworn these were long than an Electra 225, lol. At least this one doesn’t have a fake Rolls Royce grille :)
I’d get it running and driving safely first ,,,,,,,,,,,I want this car, I’d paint it Black and put some horns from a Texas long horn steer on the hood & just enjoy the hum of that 500 Cubic Inch gas guzzling MONSTER under the hood
There is a lot of rust in the engine bay so at one period of time this car sat outside! Not running, detached gas tank, stuck shifter, rusted frame, and holes in the floor is a lot for a car that looks this good! The Eldorado is a personal luxury vehicle that always had a lot of power! I have the 1970 Eldorado with 400 HP and starts right up! No rust on the floor at all! Only rust is where the vinyl top was. Thinking about leaving it bare!
Id like to see the barn this battlewagon was stored in… I have a blimp that needs a good home.
Is your blimp a GOODYEAR? Definitely a good year for Cadillac! 👍.
Always bought full size RWD vehicles. Among those were a 1989 Fleetwood Brougham deElegance. One of my favorites. OTT Excessive luxury with plush tufted velour seats. True Cadillac quality. The next Cadillac BROUGHAM (93) was a disappointment. Quality was so inferior. Many issues, including peeling of bonded leather drivers seat and premature rust though of rear wheel openings which allowed moisture to get into rear seats and trunk. Always regretted selling that beautiful 89. By then, Cadillac was building NOTHING to interest me. Have since moved on to Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Cars. Now even LINCOLN has turned to glorified trucks masquerading as Luxury vehicles. Per my instructions, my cremains will be carried to my grave in my Town Car. Nothing available is a suitable option. And a friend will get the Lincoln as a final bequest.
Lest we forget that Cadillac and Lincoln was as much about image as it was luxury. Today that “glorified truck” is the image buyers want.
With all due respect to you, today’s buyers IMO have NO taste. Like personal appearance of most, CLASS is sadly Gone With the Wind! As God is my witness, I will never drive one of those POS! 🏰
No disrespect, Rick. I don’t represent the market. It’s only an observation of what people today drive. I would much rather drive a full size car even if it wasn’t a Cadillac but the wind tunnel has ruined the automobile as we knew it.
No offense taken. Obviously we have much in common. The wind tunnel, computer design and huge push from the industry for high profit have led younger folks down the garden path, never having experienced the magnificent vehicles we have enjoyed and love! 👍
i have a gold 71 convertible drives great