Before there was the fabulous, front-wheel-drive Cadillac Eldorado, there was the Cadillac Eldorado. It’s a storied model name that dates to 1952 though many will associate it with the revolutionary front-wheel drive version that debuted in the 1967 model year. For your review today we have an example of the last of the rear-wheel-drive versions, and a convertible to boot! This triple black 1966 Eldo ragtop is located in Los Angeles, California and is available, here on craigslist for $25,000.
Actually, a convertible was the only way that a “Fleetwood” Eldorado came in ’66 and both it and its ’65 predecessor now wore the Fleetwood designation. These were big cars, tipping the scales at 4,800 lbs. and stretching 129″ between the front and rear wheels. Notorious Luxury claims that GM’s top drawer division assembled 2,250 Eldorados in ’66 out of 196K total Cadillacs, so these are pretty rare cars.
Our subject was supposedly parked in 1981 and experienced 99K miles of use in its initial fifteen years. It looks pretty good, its worn finish is the most obvious demerit. It’s referenced as being all original but it has had a lot of “stuff” replaced like the top, rear window, hydraulics, and weather stripping – all good items to have had renewed. Other than some trunk lid surface rust, this big convertible appears to be corrosion-free. The underside images are typical for a lifelong SoCal domiciled vehicle – no worries!
If that interior looks new and not original, that’s because it is. And it’s leather – that had to cost a king’s ransom! Being a Cadillac it has pretty much power everything and the seller advises, “Power windows, power vents, power locks, power trunk, power antenna, all work“. I can’t get over how spectacular that interior looks though black upholstery, on a hot day, in top-down mode could be more of an adventure than one bargained for.
Said to “run and drive like new“, that Montana-sized hood covers over a 340 gross HP, 429 CI V8 engine which works through a Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission. The seller adds, “All new brakes, new tires, freshly rebuilt transmission, new radiator, new water pump, all new oils“.
A turnkey collectible? Sointenly! Worthy of the “Whammer-jammer” designation? You bet! This Eldorado really needs nothing as the important stuff, and some of the aesthetics have been well-tended too. The exterior? That can wait or the new owner can just go all Roadkill-style and leave it as it is. At least one won’t have to worry about nicks, scratches and dings, right?
A few months ago I made the comment that 15K is the new 5K, but I guess I need to update that to 25K is the new 5K! SMH
And your point is?
The last time a 1966 Eldorado convertible like this original one was worth 5k was was in the 1990s. Geez
I guess it’s all in how you buy ’em. Here’s my very nice ’67 Newport Custom, purchased not quite 3 years ago for $1250. The Riviera cost me 6K 3 years ago. I don’t overpay.
His point is obvious, and, sadly, spot-on.
Another good read, Jim. I can’t recall ever seeing a ‘66 Eldo drop top. And I appreciate the 3 Stooges references. This big Caddy could seat all six Stooges and you wouldn’t hear Moe bark, “Spread out!!”
So weird, this car is all steel, heavy and strong at 4800 pounds, but a new Highlander all plastic is 4500 pounds.
About a year ago I purchased a near perfect 65 Eldorado convertible with bucket seats and ZERO corrosion anywhere from a dealer in LA for $30K. I thought I was paying too much at the time, but if this one sells for 25K, I am a happy man. Best of luck to the seller.
Nice car, my late wife had a 63 Model 62 convertible as her first car, she would have loved this, but she preferred a red one like hers. God I miss her. I wonder if it would be cheaper to fly to LA and drive back to Houston or have it shipped by rail or truck. Shipping is so costly these days. Anyway I won’t be buying this car so no need to stress about that.
God Bless America
So sorry for your loss John.
“Straight body, no rust holes, new all leather interior, new top with rear glass, new top boot, all new hydraulics for the top, new weather stripping, all new brakes, new tires, freshly rebuilt transmission, new radiator, new water pump, all new oils. Ready to be driven and have fun with. Power windows, power vents, power locks, power trunk, power antenna, all works.”
25k is a great price for this. While it’s true that there are some carcasses being priced for silly money, this is not one of them. All these grumpy old men who are sad that collectible cars are actually being bought with 2022 dollars instead of the 1980 dollars they remember need to take a seat
I have always liked the big Cadillac cars of the 60’s and early 70’s until I had to fuel it anyway its been interesting to watch the prices over the years. This is going to be a fun ride for its next care taker
I would love to have this CAD. However I need to find the proper scam to raise the needed funds. You just can’t go into a bank point a gun and expect a huge amount of money, at least not now.
“Sointenly”!!
So, who’s buying this for the Cadillac Diva?
Hello? (Echo in the room)
Had the Eldorado been it’s own model and not an appearance package I bet Cadillac would have sold a lot more of them prior to 1967. It’s just a really loaded DeVille called an Eldorado, and this was especially true by 1966. In the 50’s they were slightly easier to distinguish from a DeVille and a few years they had slightly more horsepower, but they were just a DeVille with some extra chrome and the best interior, which could be ordered on a DeVille. Thank God for the 1967.
This model year of Cadillac started my love for the brand. I was standing in the doorway looking out into the garage when my aunt pulled in driving her brand-new ’66 DeVille. When she shut it off, I watched the power antenna go down on its own and it was love at first sight.
Didn’t get my first one for a few years, but when I did it was a loaded-to-the-gills ’63 Fleetwood with eight power windows and a power antenna, of course.
Some new standout wheels, a clearcoat and an upgraded suspension is all this needs. Apart from that, leave it the F alone and just drive it.
Michael Gregory, that ’63 Fleetwood sounds sweet. I assume you got rid of it years ago and are now kicking yourself in the a**. As we all do.
Still kicking myself for getting rid of my ’75 Fleetwood that I bought for $400 in the late 80s. Of course, by that time it didn’t have front or rear vent windows, much less power vents.
The seats have been reupholstered- the Eldorado had perforated leather in the horizontally upholstered areas from the factory- and the smooth leather does not appear to be done in the original-style leather. The dash pad appears to have been replaced as well. That said, the upholsterer did a very good job. The walnut panels on the door and rear quarters really show wear from exposure, as does the trim cap on the center of the steering wheel. Wheel covers are incorrect- those shown were used in 1963-64. Overall, with the exception of paint issues and some relatively minor damage, the car appears complete, and possibly a candidate for complete restoration.