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First One Built: 1971 Cadillac Eldorado

1971 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible

This massive luxury convertible isn’t just any old Cadillac, it’s the very first 7th generation Eldorado built! For ’71, the Eldorado was completely redesigned, with a more curvy body. I like the way these look, especially the convertibles! This beast is in need of some attention, but it looks solid. If any parts are missing, a parts car is being included in the deal and hopefully would have anything you might need. You can find this Cadillac here on eBay in Wylie, Texas with a BIN of $10,800.

1971 Cadillac Eldorado Engine

When it comes to sports cars I prefer my horsepower routed through the rear wheels, but in a big luxury cruiser like this, I don’t mind having it running through the front. A car that is over 5,000 pounds isn’t going to handle the same as a light sports car no matter where the power is being put down, so you might as well make more interior space by getting rid of the transmission and driveshaft tunnel!

1971 Cadillac Eldorado Interior

Speaking of the interior, have a look at this drop tops interior. I see some missing bits here and there, but it doesn’t look to be in too bad of shape. I like the two tone combo, but it looks a bit off to me. Did Cadillac really fit white door panels against a red dash?

1971 Cadillac Eldorado

This Cadillac belongs to our buddy Dennis Collins and he is ready to see it go to a new home, so make him an offer! Given the condition, the fact that this is the first one built and the inclusion of a parts car, this doesn’t seem like too bad of a deal. So any Eldorado fans out there that want to weigh in on this car? Does being the first one built help value much? How about being one of 300 cars built with the louvered trunk?

Comments

  1. Avatar rmward194 Member

    I thought all of the ’71 Eldorados had louvered trunks? At least the one I drove, a coupe, when I was 16 had them. But then, that was over 35 years ago.

    Like 1
  2. Avatar Mike B

    Yes the white door panels and different color dash was common. I have a 76 Eldo convertible with a blue dash and white door panels and white seats.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Chebby

    GM never made a white dash, so all white interior cars had one that was black, red, blue or green.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Pontiactivist

      Never say never. Look up the 70 Buick GS stage 1 prototype. I helped restore that car. It had ever last piece of the I interior in white. Carpets, console, steering wheel and column, seats door panels and dash. All white! Of course that was a one off GM show car.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Paul Bellefeuille

    From automotivemileposts.com: “The top of the deck lid housed louvers for GM’s new flow-through ventilation system, which lasted just one year in this form. For 1972, the deck lid exhaust louvers would be removed, relocated to the face of the door lock pillar, which was concealed by the door when it was closed. A one way exhaust valve was incorporated that allowed air to flow out of the car.” If I recall correct, the trunk lid louvers leaked so they were moved.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Alan (Michigan )

    Saw the coupe version yesterday in San Diego, done in white over pale yellow. Massive footprint, but surprisingly svelte from the top of the wheel arches to the top of the body. I had not remembered how flat these were.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Jim Benjaminson

    Had a 71 boat-tail Riviera with the louvered trunk lid. It was a terrible system and went by the wayside for ’72.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Roselandpete

    Those trunk louvers were a disaster. Only lasted 1 year.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Albert

    I agree on the interior. My cousin has a 70 DeVille convertible that was the 1st new car sold at his dad’s Cadillac dealership. Any way the car is emerald green with a white top and interior but the dash and carpets are green,

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Steve

    So this is #1 of that Eldo generation. How much does that add to the value? It’s pretty rough but is a convertible. And when those bad boys are restored they are nice and go for pretty good money, no? Always liked that body style. Would probably be worth restoring because of that magic No. 1.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar CarNut from Winnipeg Member

    Should go to GMG for Aaron and the boys.

    Like 0

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