The Cadillac Eldorado has gone through many fits and starts in its lifetime, and in those changes it has gone from big to small and somewhere in between. The 1984 Eldorado Convertible shown here is from one of those eras where concerns over gas prices and fuel economy caused Cadillac to downsize its flagship, but the car itself was still desirable among Cadillac enthusiasts. This 1984 convertible here on craigslist is offered by its longtime owner for $8,950.
I can’t recall seeing too many of these Eldorados in blue, so I figure this has to be a fairly low production vehicle wearing this paint code. Production numbers weren’t exactly high to begin with, and the seller reports that his car is one of just 815 convertibles made that year. I’m not sure where this figure comes from, as over 3,000 convertibles were reportedly sold in 1984. Perhaps he is speaking about the color scheme, which would make more sense.
When you look at these cars now, it becomes somewhat hard to believe that they reigned at the top of the domestic luxury car heap for so long. I’m not trashing the car; rather, it’s just that standards have changed in terms of what makes a particular brand emblematic of the best luxury car company in the world. The wood trim looks very artificial, and the steering wheel and door panels look somewhat low-rent in terms of appearance. The white leather seats appear to be in good condition, but obviously, tufted surfaces went the way of eight-tracks.
What’s curious is that the back seat actually looks far dingier than the front seats, as the rear seats in a luxury car like this that was typically purchased by retirees or empty nesters would often appear unused. Still, the seller reports there is no rust or rot and that his car has never needed to be repaired for those issues, and it’s said to run well with all power features working as designed. I doubt the market will heat up for these any time soon, but it should still be a great cruiser in the meantime.
Dirty rear seats are from driving with the top down
Did this have the 4100 engine?
The ad does not say what is under the hood, but there appears to be two V8’s available for 85 Eldos – the 4.1 and 5.7. In researching this, it looks like the 4.1 had more hp – 135 vs. the 5.7 at 105. I find that hard to believe so I wonder if the 5.7 was actually 150 and the reference website I was looking at had transposed the 5 and the 0?
https://www.conceptcarz.com/s18993/Cadillac-Eldorado.aspx
The Olds 350 was phased out in ’80, and the 22.5:1 compression seems to indicate this 5.7L is the diesel option. So the engine options for ’84 were both molasses slow and as reliable as an AA meeting sponsored by Miller Lite.
The 5.7 was a Diesel
Too far away, but a decent price. I like the color. I’m used to seeing these in either white or red. Looks like it was a summer car, stored in the garage at someone’s lake house with the top down most of the time. I’m not sure if the seller is right on the production numbers. I feel like there were more of these.
I tried to buy one in 1994. I drove it out to a house on the Jersey shore from Philly so my dad’s boss had a spare car for his gumar. It was a sweet ride, and although it was a little out of character for a 20something kid, I made a deal with him to buy it after the summer season. Unfortunately it was in a chain reaction accident on the Atlantic City Expressway and was totaled. Our body shop guy bought the wreck and fixed it, but I didn’t really want to take a chance on a rebuilt wreck.
Lose the continental kit though, it would clean the looks up a bit.
@ Mark C
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I like the car but that ghetto grill , trunk rack and fake rear tire think would have to go 😝
In 1984 and 1985 Automobile Specialty Company (ASC) was the official GM top chopper for Eldos and Tornados. Check for ASC sticker on driver’s side door. This appears to be another company’s conversion. The chrome front grill surround and the continental kit are the first hints of such. Nice ASC cars are in the $15,000 price range. All of them were gas powered.
Is it certain that’s a “fake” continental tire? Looks large enough to house the real thing. And, though I don’t dislike continental kits, on this car – and that iteration – it should be removed. The grill is just awkward, IMO. Can’t disparage the luggage rack.
I see your point however , to me , the grill, rack and tire are not tasteful 👍
What a negative article! I’m sorry you have zero appreciation or concept of its competition. This was an outstanding car in 1984. Period!
I was in service management for a Cadillac store when this generation of the ElDorado was in production. Yes, the convertible was a conversion and not a good one as the quarter panels would shake when the doors closed and the A-pillars shook on bumps. We sold a few of them as well as a two-door Seville conversion that was even worse.
The car needs a blue inside.
The car would look cool with a light peanut color interior.
I like the grill!
The picture with the top up tells me this is the ASC conversion.
I had a neighbor that had one in the same color combo. Sharp looking car! This one just looks a bit tired to me, but not beyond hope. What is beyond hope is that 4100 engine. Swap in am Olds 455 & call it a day!