- Seller: John D
- Location: Clinton Township, Michigan
- Mileage: 73,943 Shown
- Chassis #: 1G6VR3175JU101587
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 472 cui V8
- Transmission: Automatic
The first owner’s decision to follow the “triple-black” path when ordering this 1969 Cadillac Eldorado guaranteed that it turned heads when it first hit the road. Those days are well behind it, but do they need to be? It has occupied this location for years and could be ideal as either a restoration candidate or a source of invaluable small parts for another build. The current owner is trying to clear his yard, listing the Caddy with us exclusively at Barn Finds Auctions.
The Personal Luxury Car market segment had grown enormously by the time this Eldorado hit the market. Created by the Ford Thunderbird, General Motors joined the party with the Buick Riviera, the Oldsmobile Toronado, and the Eighth Generation Eldorado, providing a wealth of choices for those preferring the finer things in life. The first owner ordered this 1969 Eldorado in Sable Black with a matching vinyl top. It would have been a striking vehicle in its prime, although it has spent a few years exposed to the relentless attention of Mother Nature. She has exacted a toll on the paint and vinyl, but the situation may not be as bad as it first appears. The close-up shots reveal no significant rust in the lower quarter panels, wheel arches, rockers, or lower door corners. If the underside is as sound, this Eldorado could serve as an excellent first project if the winning bidder is able to be hands-on in their approach. Otherwise, the trim, tinted glass, and panels could all serve well on another restoration. Therefore, whether the goal is a restoration or a parts source, there is plenty to like about this Eldorado.
Apart from its predecessor’s different styling, the biggest change to the Eighth Generation Eldorado range was hidden below the surface. General Motors made the Unified Powerplant Package that first saw service in the Oldsmobile Toronado available to other marques. Therefore, this car foregoes traditional rear-wheel drive in favor of front-wheel drive to improve interior space. The 472 cui V8 sends its 375hp and 525 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic 425 transmission. Considering its luxury leanings, the inclusion of power assistance for the steering and brakes was standard fare. The curb weight north of 4,500 lbs meant that this would never be a muscle car, but the performance remained pretty impressive compared with the opposition. The owner confirms that this Caddy ran when parked, admitting that years have passed since that day. It is unclear whether the engine turns, but revival might be possible if that proves the case.
The “triple black” theme continues inside this Eldorado, with the first owner trimming the interior in Black leather. Add climate-control air conditioning, power windows, power locks, three-speed wipers, remote mirrors, and an AM/FM radio to the mix, and life aboard this Caddy would have been very pleasant. If considered purely as a parts source, there is a lot to like about this Eldorado’s interior. The leather is pretty dirty, but with no significant rips or other faults, cleaning and conditioning may be all that stands between it and a fresh start in life. The dash, woodgrain, and bright trim components are also quite impressive. Cleaning everything won’t produce an interior that will score the buyer show trophies, but if their plans involve restoring this classic, the result could be presentation that is acceptable for a driver-grade build.
This 1969 Cadillac Eldorado is the second Personal Luxury Car that we have seen from the current owner and, regardless of whether you view it as a potential project or a parts source, it appears to have much to offer its new owner. One of the greatest challenges faced by many enthusiasts when performing a project build is locating the little screws, brackets, and other items that seem to magically disappear once removed from their vehicle. Parking this Eldorado in the workshop could provide ready access to replacements, and even if you believe this classic is beyond salvation, that is why it remains worth a close look.
Bid On This Auction
LaSalle bid $250.00 2025-03-08 09:20:34
Tarp Ruined that car
Yeah, just too bad they left it sitting outside all those years. I see these Cadillacs and the ones from the movie live and let die come to mind, such amazing cars.
In the film ELVIRA, Mistress of The Dark ELVIRA (aka Cassandra Peterson) drove a triple black Thunderbird with appropriate additions ⛓. That Bird was in pristine condition. This poor Eldorado might make a lawn ornament in a Haunted House 🏰 . It’s a sin to treat a classic like that. Hopefully someone will give it a resurrection.
She still has that car and its still in pristine condition
Apparently you know her. I’ve always enjoyed her work and her 😉 DAGMARS. I actually have an oversized card of ELVIRA framed in a rococo frame. If you’re in contact with her, let her know about this. 👍
Danny Coker from Kounts Kustoms in Las Vegas rebuilt her 59 roadster in an episode of counting cars. Pretty nice car but kind of sad they cut the top off a 59 hardtop instead of finding a convertible. Back when they built that car they were much easier to find and inexpensive. My mom had a 59 convertible back then. My twin brother and I had a blast laying on the trunk hanging on to the back seat while she was driving around our apartment complex at speed and then ending up on the back seat floor when she dodged into our parking space and locked up the brakes. Miss that car but always liked the bullet nose T-Bird and I was born in 63. This is a very nice example. Wouldn’t mind being the new owner if all the stars align in time.
What a really sinister looking car this would make for a 🎥. It would’ve been great for The Car with James Brolin but that front wheel drive is much too delicate to rough house with. The Tornado I had used the same setup that’s in this car and what a POS.it was too. It spent more time
on a tow truck than I got to use it. The last straw came when both driveshafts fell out whole towing a small john boat to our local fishin
hole. One last fix and I traded it for a
’62 Buick LeSabre convertible. As I said earlier, that car soured me on FWD to this very. Gotta run, my battery’s croaking! Night all.
I want the drive train if not stuck, steering column and seats. Will have twatch the price.
Rust under vinyl and on front of hood. Some pooling of water on floor mat but thats about it.
Low mileage.
Well worth saving.
Oh my God! Why would anyone purposely ruined this Cadillac Eldorado? This is a travesty!
Possibly good parts car. I’ll bet those taillights are worth $125 each.
Michigan, a terrible place to store any car, (even in a garage), the moisture is just dripping wet 24/7, the same car in a dry climate would be in great condition.
I don’t think it’s to far gone to save yes you will have to take it all the way down but when your done restoring it you will have a really nice looking car
water on the front floor. bet the windshield or pillar area has rot. what a shame
Let me pile on. Us humans love to do that…TOAST…
At least the seller has the sense to list this (and his other two travesties) at No Reserve. So many owners of cars in this condition tell themselves, “It’s worth $15,000.” This will be lucky to hit $1500.
At least the seller has the sense to list this (and his other two travesties) at No Reserve. So many owners of cars in this condition tell themselves, “It’s worth $15,000.” This will be lucky to hit $1500.
I just realized something about the rear end of this era eldorado. This car has fins. I don’t think engineers intended that to happen but this car has fins
Is it just me or is this car “STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW?” Wish people would post under the hood and in the trunk pics at least. I think this one is worth saving if like me, you can do most of the work yourself. Hopefully my settlement will come in on time (any day now) and I’ll have the opportunity to bid on it. It could be a sweet ride.
I’ve owned more of this style Eldo than I can remember. What I do recall is the cost to restore is usually a labor of love and deep pockets.
Seller should have put it on facebook marketplace (too lazy to pull it out and clean it up a little, marketplace)….Junk at its highest price that it should be…anything over 250 is pure luck or buddy bidding.
What a shame! A beautiful car like that left out to rot away. Breaks my heart.
This El Dog is pure gangster.If I could afford it I would restore it to original w/a little cam to give it attitude.
I am the seller this car belongs to a friend I am selling on his behalf. I was with him in 1981 when he bought it in California. It’s actually still a pretty decent car. It’s complete. Sorry I was unable to open the hood or the trunk. I know it ran when he put it in the backyard. I’m sure it would make a great donor car for Parts. Everything is still there. It would make a really nice car as a Rusto rod. Couldn’t even be restored back to original of somebody was so inclined as we all know it’s a labor of love most people don’t end up profiting. I left it in its original environment, so people knew exactly what they were bidding on. Good luck.
I am selling this for a friend. I was with him in California in 1981 when he bought it it’s complete would make a really good Parts car everything still there would make a great Rusto rod or if somebody were so inclined it could be restored we all know that would be a labor of love and it’s not for profit. I left it in. It’s intentional position so you knew what you were bidding on. Good luck.