There’s no denying that the first of the front-drive Eldorados is a styling masterpiece. Intricately detailed with swoops and swells and creases, it’s certainly among Bill Mitchell and company’s best efforts. The 1970 model, pictured for sale here, was the last model year of that generation, being replaced by a more baroque 1971 effort. Is this one worth a look?
Here it is after a thorough cleaning. A sign of a good design is when it looks good in almost any color, and I’d say that’s true of the Eldorado. Although I’m not usually a fan of white cars, it’s a striking choice here.
Especially when it’s paired with this blood red interior. Here we see one of the Eldorado’s calling cards, its perfectly flat floor that its front-wheel-drive architecture afforded. Under the hood of this Eldorado is a first-year Cadillac 500, whimsically rated at 400 gross horsepower. I’ll let you decide for yourself if that’s optimistic.
The seller claims to have pulled the Eldorado out of a barn after sitting since 1983. The odometer reads 11,658 miles: the owner doesn’t make any concrete claims about the mileage but speculates that there’s a chance it may be accurate considering the lack of wear on the seat and pedals. He also claims it’s nearly rust free, but that would be worth a firsthand look. As a Michigan resident myself, I know that my definition of “rust free” is different from other people’s definition. It’s not that we in Michigan are lying; rather, it’s that we’re conditioned by seeing some truly spectacular terminal rust around here. As always, buyer beware.
One thing that the photos show and the seller mentions is the fact that it will need a new vinyl top. It is, however, rarely that simple. It’s what’s underneath the top that matters, and that’s going to be the wild card if you’re considering this Eldorado. Additionally, it needs tires and currently does not run, although the engine does turn over with the battery. The ad says that the fuel system will likely need to be serviced after sitting for so long.
That’s the rub with something that has sat dormant for decades. Before you even deal with the cosmetics, you’re thousands of dollars deep on mechanical work alone simply to get it back on the road. But that’s always the draw with these barn finds, saving something that needs a helping hand: It is a hobby, after all. This one is on Marketplace in Michigan for a reasonable asking price of $2,950. It’s a beautiful car – are you up for the challenge?
The car looks pretty good, but if the guy has a shop, he should get the car on the lift and take some photos of the underside. And why no engine photos?
As Aaron says, a car like this could set you back thousands just to get it roadworthy, and especially a front-drive car. There’s NO room to work in that engine bay, and who amongst us has ever worked on a front-drive Eldo! I’d be leery of a car like this that a car guy with a shop only wants 3K for.
Have you looked under the hoods of modern even rear wheel drive cars?
Yes, I have looked under the hoods of modern cars. Your point is?
Rex Kahrs, well, compare the room/empty space under the hood to work on, say, a last gen or ’95 camaro to a 1st gen with a straight 6. With the latter, there’s room to climb in & stand on the ground under the hood! Or change the plugs with one’s eyes closed.
Those huge shock towers & shorter hoods ruin everything on the new ones.
Just saw an episode of Steve Mangante’s Junkyard Gold. These were designed to fit a V12 engine that never happened.
Actually, Cadillac was going to bring back the V16 and put it in the 65 Cadillac but that did not happen either.
I’ll definitely go for the BAROQUE ĺater Eldorados, BEFORE the severely downsized EL DO OH NO!
These were magnificent cars. Anyone who owned one was someone.
Buy it ship it to a storage unit in Memphis Tennessee for a year than sell it for triple claiming it was once driven by Elvis
“Thank you very much…”
You couldn’t wear out a Cadillac passenger seat that badly in 11k miles, and 111k miles is still low for its age. Worth restoring imo.
“Thank you very much…”
Hey Rex,
I’ve owned 2 of these Eldos. I’m 6’2″and weigh in at 210 lbs, I’ve done all my own mechanical work on both of them. Never had any tight spots that I couldn’t handle.
Your point is?
My point is that the engine bay is full!
Oh what a beautiful engine! The biggest passenger car engine in the world! 500 CID, 400 Brake HP and 525 massive foot pounds(NOT pounds feet) of torque. I have owned several and did all my own work, everything on all my Cadillacs and I never bought any other make from 16 to my present age, 66. Never had any problems working on then.
Always interesting to hear people put down Cadillacs that they have never owned let alone worked on THEMSELVES, assuming they ever did more than change an air filter!
John, never mind the lack of room. Please, take it from a guy that knows how much you will absolutely enjoy the ride of this heavy weight king of the “Land Yachts” cruiser. Take the plunge. You won’t regret it for this kind of money. Unless, there is rust belt evidence to change your mind.
I’m kinda suspect of the lack of underside photos also.
Anyway, best of luck.
Billy
Rex,
I’m a little confused.
With your disparity about under hood engine bay room…you leave me wondering where you got a gorgeous picture of a 2nd generation Eldorado pristine clean engine bay?
I enjoy a good cigar every now and then..also.
Cad Kid : No. lbf-ft or “pound-feet” is the proper designation for SAE torque measurements. Most people (including myself) say ft-lbs, but that doesn’t make it correct.
I’m the guy that’s dumb enough to go for something like this. $3 grand to purchase, shipping to Texas then the Title has to be transferred ( that’s a must) before any work begins. I’m sure I can get that engine up and running after some work on the fuel system and a good tune up. I won’t even bother with the vinyl top. I’ll flip this bad boy before I even get it running good. As a retired ASE auto mechanic I worked on a lot of these old Cadillacs back in the day. They’re easy to work on. Problem is right now I have no more room for projects. Being from the rust belt there’s always the frame issue and with no pictures of underneath that could be a serious issue. Oh well, life is short.
God Bless America
John, never mind the lack of room. Please, take it from a guy that knows how much you will absolutely enjoy the ride of this heavy weight king of the “Land Yachts” cruiser. Take the plunge. You won’t regret it for this kind of money. Unless, there is rust belt evidence to change your mind.
I’m kinda suspect of the lack of underside photos also.
Anyway, best of luck.
Billy
A work of art, unlike today’s Cadillacs.
I’m guessing that the seller is mechanically inclined, he should spend a week getting it running and stopping and double the price…
This engine is a great transplant for the Chevy trucks that had the Olds diesels and even the 6.5 diesels. Would tow a house!
When there is that much abuse to the front seat of this Cadillac, it makes me wonder how much abuse the rest of the car has seen.
Poppy. So tell me why all my manuals back to 1960 say Foot pounds?
What makes you think that all of a sudden, everyone else was wrong?