While not a particularly booming segment of the automotive field, the small but mighty industry of converting Cadillacs into a fancy El Camino is well known by now. In general, the big body Eldorados just seemed like perfect Guinea pigs to many, with those acres of trunk lid ripe for using like an open bed pickup or as a flower car for parades and funerals. This is one of those trends that seemed to live and die with the 1970s, and I’ve always wondered if we should be grateful for that. This 1978 Eldorado was converted to a pickup by one of the foremost names in the game, Caribou Motor Company. Find this mellow yellow beast here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $13,850.
Now, here’s the thing about these conversions that always stops me in my tracks: it actually looks…not terrible. You don’t buy an Eldorado of this vintage for the backseat room in the first place, so why not at leas make that space more usable? That approach has always been fine for the classic Chevy El Camino and Ford Ranchero, so why shouldn’t the ultra-swanky Eldorado get into the mix as well? What’s ironic to me about this is how many times companies like Lincoln have attempted to marry the idea of a heavy-duty pickup with ultra luxurious trimmings and failed; didn’t they get a quick history lesson on why this segment was so short-lived?
It seems in the 70s and 80s, celebrities were hanging their hats on converted Cadillacs, from short wheel base Sevilles to Eldorados like these with a custom bed lined with wood paneling. Celebrities also got behind oddballs like Stutz’s re-entry into the marketplace, and retro-revivals like the Excalibur. To me, if there was any question as to why we shouldn’t look to celebrities for anything resembling advice or style points, all we need to do is look at what they were buying in the 70s and 80s (Steve McQueen and his ilk excluded). This particular Caribou conversion may not have a connection to a Hollywood starlet, but for certain its first owner was someone who didn’t mind standing out – especially with that paint job.
The seller claims the teak wood bed is actually a fairly rare option/upgrade made by Caribou, and while it’s not in perfect condition, it is surviving at this point. It comes with all the standard luxury and power options you’d expect, along with the added convenience of a rear tailgate. The seller mentions nothing specific about the health of the drivetrain, but all signs point to this Eldorado “Eldomino” having been well maintained. The primrose yellow paint is gorgeous, and while the aftermarket wheels are mounted on fresh rubber, I’d still look to find a more period-correct set of replacement wheels as my first order of business. Do you think these oddball Eldorado creations are worth the money?
Don’t know if it’s worth the money but the conversion certainly looks good.
These conversione were always fated to be a tiny niche market because the conversion alone cost more than a well-optioned El Camino, meaning the buyer of one of these could have had one of those AND a stock Eldo for the price of their Cadillac pickup.
Not even a New Orleans pimp would want that.
Conversion looks well done, I really kinda like this one…but I can’t get over those wheels, just so wrong…iirc, eldo and toro had special offsets, that makes it double wrong….
Aside from the wheels it’s got COOL over it.
You don’t like the meat slicer rims?
I would have enjoyed this car when I was living in small town Saskatchewan, Canada. I would have been a celebrity! Or could have posed as one.
And if you were sporting a “Canadian Tuxedo” while cruising you would have been elected mayor.
While we’re at it, how about posting some Donks? 1971 – 1976 Impalas ought to be fair game.
Aw, it’s not that bad Steveo, it actually looks well finished. Some nice wheels, a little dash chrome repair and refinish the wood floor and I’d drive the snot out of it. I saw a Donk with 30″ wheels on it. With the cobbled up suspensions on them those things are UNSAFE at any speed above 0.
As long as practicality doesn’t matter, this is a good looking conversion. Some quality workmanship was involved. The flying buttress is an eye catcher. I like how it conceals the ugliness of the back of the cab. The tailgate is pretty trick too.
The weak points are the seats and access to a spare tire. It’s unfortunate there’s not enough room to keep the spare behind the seats which need to be rebuilt. Accessing the spare under the bed will be a challenge at the wrong time. The tailgate will only get in the way.
I like it but I wouldn’t want to own it.
All’s it needs is a big set of horns mounted at the front!
Those 3 bladed food processor wheels have been and always will be hideous.
The car looks to be well executed.
GLWTS.
Located in:
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I don’t think it’s ugly. 😄
Keep the color and wheels, add horns to the hood and turn the back into a hot tub. Put a leopard print hat over your mullet and wait for the ladies to come runnin’!