About as elegant as it got in 1980, this 1980 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz was at, or at least towards, the top of the mountain for American-made luxury cars in this era. Not many others had a stainless steel top, can you think of another American car from this era with that feature? The seller has this one posted here on eBay in Louisville, Kentucky, the current bid is $5,200, and the reserve isn’t met yet. Thanks to Bart D. for sending in this tip!
It would have taken me a while to figure out just how long Cadillac offered the Eldorado. I don’t know if I would have initially guessed five decades, but that’s how long – from 1952 to 2002, basically. They would be made for seven generations before they got to the ones that I think of when I think of a Cadillac Eldorado, the first front-drive cars in 1967.
The ninth-generation Eldorados (1971-1978) are the ones that I know the best, as my first job as a teenager was parking and washing cars in a heated parking garage and a lot of doctors and dentists had ninth-gen Eldorados. If you think they’re easy to snake around a maze of concrete columns in questionable lighting, you’re mistaken. But, that’s where I learned how to back up a vehicle into a parking spot, something I do to this day, every time without fail. The original carpeted floor mats are in the clean trunk.
This happens to be a tenth-generation Eldorado, which was made from 1979 through 1985. There are a few issues with the body and trim, as you can see from the detailed photos that the seller has provided. There is some rust showing up in a few places. That interior, though! With red seats, this interior would have been perfect, but it’s fantastic now. There are a few issues inside, just due to being 42 years old now, but overall, it looks really nice. There is a new headliner and stereo, but the original unit with an eight-track player comes with the sale.
Sadly, there is no engine photo but this one should have GM’s 368-cu.in. V8, which with electronic fuel injection would have had 145 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The seller mentions an issue with the wiring on the AC, and they mention some hail dings on the hood, but with some (hopefully) easy detail work, this would be one luxurious ride. Are any of you fans of this generation of Cadillac Eldorado?
Wow those seats look comfortable as heck.
Beautiful car, reeks luxury.
Would be nice to have a squared out car….just to contradict
all the jelly bean cars & Suv things of the day.
Cant beat a square for efficient space. This car always reminds me of the car 💣 on DeNiro scene 🎬
This is probably the best year to buy a 79 to 85 Eldo because in 81, GM put in that dreadful 4.1 POS boat anchor. To think the engineers that designed that engine get a pension for life just makes head explode as a GM shareholder. These are beautiful cars and I want one, but refuse to buy even a perfect one with the 4.1 engine, err boat anchor. This white one is a beauty.
82 is when they went to the 4.1
I own a 1980 just like this but has the sunroof and factory aluminum wheels.
Bulletproof 368 cubic inch cast iron block and heads.
Nlt
82 is when they went to the 4.1
I own a 1980 just like this but has the sunroof and factory aluminum wheels.
Bulletproof 368 cubic inch cast iron block and heads.
28k original miles
Nlt
Beautiful and comfy but anemic engine powerless
Better than the 4.1 they started using in 1982
The first MY for Delorean (built in Northern Ireland) was 1981, so yes there was another car from that era with a stainless steel roof. It just wasn’t built in the USA.
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.
Very Nice car despite the particular flaws you mentioned. And to my knowledge, no other American or foreign produced automobile shared that distinction of the Stainless Steel roof option. This generation Eldorado certainly was the most popular and best selling Eldo from 79-85. I’ve owned an 85 Riviera and a 81 Toronado but I’ve never had the pleasure of being an Eldorado owner…maybe one day for the right price. And I believe it was the 79 and/or 80 Eldo that was built with the steel plate underneath the driver’s seat thanks to the information provided by Robert DeNiro and Martin Scorsese…I never knew that before I saw their movie “Casino” Ha!
All I know about this is I was living in Vegas when that happened and it was a Cadillac coupe deville not the eldorado.
@Richard B. There are many videos on You Tube showing the real car when it happened and it was clearly an Eldorado. The only reason he survived was because it was an Eldorado.
Not a huge yellow fan but this car in the Phoenix area is reasonable and different:
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/7559876299.html
That yellow one looks like my fathers car. His was the same year, color and had the same optional wheels. It could be his since it was in California when he had it.
Sorry you are right. I’m thinking of a different car bombing. There was a few lol
Onto1980 garbage motors used long horizontal springs below
the seat foam but the poor quality of the foam detoriated
within a few years – maybe this was the trigger that garbage
changed to a steel plate. The seats then got very heavy but durable.
My solution was to carefully feed a thick piece of plastic
between the springs and the foam. Recaro had made them
the better solution but the gm management was always only
interested in shareholder dividends. ‘Poor’ Cadillacs.
I had two ‘Ritz like this with front accident, the new bonnet
was 3500$ and needed 3 weeks to ship from america.
I sold both repaired with a good profit. One had a moon roof.
A pleasing design but every 1800 VW Golf is faster. And
guzzles less gas.
The solution for this models would be an engine crate lift-out
from a 1995 upward Eldorado. Or maybe a 4-valve from a STS?
I don’t think many driving an Eldo are that interested in racing around.
And of course a Golf would get better gas mileage. lol
Even with it’s limited HP, this Eldo probably cruises very nicely on the interstates or turnpike.
And never a Northstar if that is what your suggesting !
Come here take a deep look about the topography and how
here goes driving. Im proud European so my thoughts go
only to European topography – no ‘interstates’ 2000 KM only
drive straight ahead. This cars dont work here. Its that
simple.
Your comments confirm my sentiment
The standard engine for 1980 was the 350 ci fuel injected V-8. The optional engine was the 368 ci. In 1981 the V-8-6-4 368 was the standard. I’ve driven a 1979 with the 350 fuel injected V-8 and that had incredible off the line acceleration and all the way up to 70 mph +. I wonder why they didn’t offer the 350 ci after 1980, as it was a better performer than the 368ci.
Whaaat??? Does anyone know what Mitch is talking about??
Where is this car yellow? It looks white to me then with white and red interior, come on
Al camino: yellow? Do you mean, the link to the yellow one that PaulG posted? I don’t think I mentioned that this car is yellow in the article.
Mark, not this year the 82-85 had the bad 4.1 engines
This one has 368 or 350 if original destination was california.
Auction update: this one ended at $8,100 and no sale.
The 1979 – 1981 cars are the ones to have. I am surprised there are even any 1982 – 1985 left on the road at all, if there are any.
Cadillac didn’t produce a yellow exterior paint with the white seat interior through 1979-1985.The factory interior color combo was a creme/vanilla or matching yellow. This vehicle’s exterior color is White.