The mid seventies were a tough time for automakers. High fuel prices, ever more stringent smog controls, NHTSA safety regs. out the wazoo, and the ascendent Rising Sun auto industry put the Detroit three and a half in a pickle. Something had to give, and size became a target – everything’s gotta get smaller and lighter was the universal direction. GM started the trend in ’77 with its downsized B and C-body cars but not every model got caught up in the big shrink. Take this 1977 Cadillac Eldorado for example, it remained large and in charge through the ’78 model year. Oh, and lest I forget, this beauty is an exalted Biarritz edition! Wauconda, Illinois is where you’ll find this big front-wheel driver and it’s available here on craigslist for $23,500. Thanks are due to Jack M. for this tip!

Cadillac’s Eldo sold well in ’77 with 47K units making their first country club appearance. A two-door coupe was the only way they rolled and trim levels were two, standard and Biarritz. The latter got buyers a landau top with specialized brushed aluminum trim, pillow top leather upholstery and badging. This 32K mile example is in survivor condition, and has been clearly driven gently and stored well. The seller states, “Very nice survivor condition. No rust and no bubbling rust around vinyl top like most of these cars have!… All original including paint except for replacement front bumper fillers / rear lic plate filler. ” Yup, those Cadillac bumper fillers can be a problem. The listing makes note of a “small bit of patina” but the images aren’t forthcoming.

Caddy’s 500 CI behemoth V8 powerplant was gone with the wind for ’77 and in its place was a 180 net HP 425 CI V8, attached to the same Turbo-Hydramatic 425 front wheel drive assembly as used in prior Eldorados. It’s an interesting thought to consider a 7.0 liter V8 engine as “downsized” but that was the case. There’s no word rendered regarding running and driving attributes, but there’s no reason to suspect an issue.  It’s a bit hard to tell from the included images, but the engine compartment appears to be original and unaltered.

Get a load of that interior! The black leather upholstery set on top of the red carpet certainly makes a visual statement – and perhaps a question of originality. I suppose it is, considering this car’s genuineness, but the contrast just seems so un-Cadillac-like. Those front seats are among the most elaborate that I’ve observed. I appreciate this Eldorado’s dash and instrument panel; it’s more in keeping what I would expect to find in a car of this caliber. Finally, look up and you’ll see this Biarritz’s optional power Astroroof.

Needs? None, other than a new owner. Excessive? Oh yeah, but that’s how Caddy’s rolled in this era. Depending on how you interpret automotive generations, this Eldorado is either a member of the fifth or the ninth of the venerated Eldorado moniker. I don’t know for sure and am not too concerned about generational classifications. What I do know is that Cadillac was closing in on the end of an opulent era with this version of their personal luxury car. What would arrive in ’79 was a whole new ball game and I’d suggest a far cry from this car’s bearing. Let’s talk price. What do you think, at $23,500 priced right or not quite?