In this corner, weighing in at 3,732 pounds and measuring 17-feet in length, coming in the tenth generation, and hailing from the great state of Idaho, the middleweight champ: a 1985 Cadillac Eldorado! We recently saw a really nice 1967 Eldorado from Palm Springs and the differences between the two cars are striking, yet both are nice and elegant cars. The seller has this one posted here on craigslist in the Meridian, Idaho area and they’re asking $9,000 or best offer. Here is the original listing.
AND in this corner, the heavyweight cham’peen, weighing in at a whopping 4,700 pounds and measuring 18.5-feet in length: an eighth-generation 1967 Eldorado that we saw a few days ago here on Barn Finds. They’re even somewhat similar colors, although the 1985 Eldorado has a vinyl half-top. I know which car that 90% of Barn Finds readers would choose, the ’67. Am I right or am I right? Even with the ’67 being around double the price. That being said, this 1985 version looks mighty nice to me, despite missing a center cap on the right rear wheel in the photo above.
Enough of that, I just thought it was interesting to compare these two cars that are similar in name but quite different otherwise. Both are front-wheel-drive and this ’85 Eldorado weighs a whopping half-ton less than the ’67 Eldorado. They came to the market as GM was downsizing their full-sized vehicles in the late-1970s, the tenth-gen Eldorado being made from 1979 to 1985, so this is the last year of production for this car. The next ones would be even smaller, being over a foot shorter than this 1985 model. This one has a new fuel pump, fuel filter, and gas tank.
This particular car was bought new in Twin Falls, Idaho, and has been an Idaho car ever since, it appears to be in outstanding condition. The seller doesn’t mention if the dash cover is protecting a perfect original padded dash top or covering up a cracked dash – I’m guessing the former. The seats look perfect both front and rear, the underside, and the trunk. Hagerty is at $7,600 for a #3 good condition car and $19,000 for a #2 excellent car so this 1985 Eldorado could be a very good buy.
The engines in these two contenders are both V8s but of vastly different sizes and power levels. The engine here is Cadillac’s famous/infamous HT-4100, a 4.1L V8 with 135 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. The ’67 Eldorado has a 428 V8 with 308 hp and 447 lb-ft of torque. The big difference is in the MPG – the 1985 Eldorado should get around 19 mpg on average whereas the ’67 Eldorado gets around 9 mpg. Although, I don’t know if Cadillac Eldorado owners care about gas cost as much as some of us do. Any thoughts on this nice 1985 Eldorado? Which one would you go for?
The 4.1 engine was junk. Crank bind up break block. Brother had 2 cars. Replaced engines 7 times between the 2. Had to sell before engine blew again. Big GM problem. Best car to be stranded in my brother said. Beautiful cars just can’t keep motor in the.
Totally agree my uncle had a triple black 1985 Eldo bought it brand new. He used to tell people instead of changing the oil he went and had the engine changed. After the warranty expired went and bought Lincoln Mark’s and never looked back
Caddy could have made those side rear windows roll down, but did not. I wonder how many potential buyers complained about that.
Rollover standards may have been relaxed termporarily by ’85 considering this has the hardtop look of a ’60s car – & unlike today’s Challys & Camaros, has no BIG support beam between the 2 side glasses.
Gotta love the comfy feel of ’80s cars with a velour interior. & great color matching.
Today’s designers look closely – THAT is how & where to mount door mirrors!
Most of those seen today could not look uglier – or cheaper – or be mounted in a more stupid place, creating another blind spot! – BESIDES the 2 super wide windshield pillars – i heard they are resposnsible for some accidents to pedestrians – because the driver may not see them!
Always loked the look of this era eldo, riv, and toronado.
Scotty Gilbertson — fun writeup! I think hands down the older Eldo would be the pick of this group.
There is absolutely nothing to get nostalgic about these malaise era sleds
They were uninspiring when new and 30 plus years just makes their shortcomings that much more glaring
I have two 81’s. One a 4.1….running just fine, and the other orphan; an 8-6-4, also still running. Just proper care and routine maintenance! Also still have a ’68 Eldo. Have had many Cadillacs and loved them all.
Had an 84 El Dorado touring coupe in this exact color with brown leather.. Great Highway cruiser, really enjoyed the ride in that car… Engine knock made me give it up though
Nice car, in my area. A number of years ago I had an 85 Eldorado. Purchased from my local leasing co. way back of book. One owner. Miles around 100k but had new engine (diesel). Previous owner had purchased a long-term warranty. New engine installed by GM just before selling. Car ran great, amazing MPG.
Same engine used in other GM products. A lot of trouble. Had Olds diesel years prior, had to have new heads. Sold Caddy before any diesel problem arose. Made a few $ on sale.
I bought a new 1980 Biarritz, triple black, and loved the look of that one! It had the diesel engine, (the 350 Oldsmobile gasoline engine that GM converted to diesel). Except for the injector pump, I loved everything about the car. It would get 25 mpg on the highway. Looking back, I believe that I would have been happier with the 350 Oldsmobile gasoline engine, but the rest of the car was top shelf. I especially liked the button tucked seats, the landau vinyl roof and the stainless steel top on the front 2/3’s of the roof. A truly classic car!