The seller claims this 1976 Cadillac Eldorado features a rare paint and trim combination. Regardless of the accuracy of the claim, it is a stunning classic that recently emerged from a private collection. It carries the hallmarks of a car treated respectfully and ready to find a new home. The Eldorado is listed here on Craigslist in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. The seller set their price at $17,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting this luxurious survivor.
Cadillac introduced the Ninth Generation Eldorado in 1971, and with cars remaining on showroom floors until 1978, it enjoyed the longest production run of any model to that point. It would eventually be surpassed by the Twelfth Generation, which served the company faithfully from 1992 until 2002. The original owner ordered this Eldorado in striking Georgian Silver with a matching Landau-style vinyl top. The car’s history is unclear beyond spending years as part of a private collection, but its condition suggests the seller focused heavily on preservation. The paint holds a mirror shine, with no evidence of significant flaws in it or the vinyl. The photos indicate the Caddy may have succumbed to the typical crumbling bumper fillers because of a color mismatch between those and the rest of the exterior. Its panels are straight, and there is no evidence or mention of rust issues. The trim and glass are spotless, and the damage-prone wheel trims are in as-new condition.
I have been unable to confirm the seller’s claim about the rarity of the paint and trim combination, but the contrast between the Georgian Silver exterior and dazzling Red interior is spectacular. The seats wear leather covers that exhibit the wrinkles that are typical of gracefully aging leather. There is no wear, with the remaining upholstered surfaces in a similar state. The dash and pad are excellent, and the woodgrain has survived nicely. The carpet is slightly scuffed and marked near the driver’s left foot, and there appear to be a couple of small holes in the headliner. However, there are no other significant issues. A luxury car always brings creature comforts, and this Cadillac is no exception. The new owner receives air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power front seat, power trunk release, remote exterior mirrors, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/tape player with a power antenna.
The 1976 model year marked the end of an era for the Eldorado, as it was the last where the engine bay housed the monstrous 500ci V8. It sends 190hp and 360 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed automatic transmission. It is a no-brainer that power assistance for the steering and brakes was integral to the package. With the Eldorado tipping the scales at 5,302 lbs, performance is relatively leisurely. However, cruising effortlessly at freeway speed is where this classic comes into its own. Single-digit fuel consumption figures would rule this out with most people as a daily driver, but they wouldn’t consider it a problem in a vehicle that is ideal for relaxed luxury weekend touring. The listing shows an odometer reading of 76,000 miles, although there is no indication from the seller that they hold evidence verifying its authenticity. However, it seems this Caddy runs and drives well, with its monster motor feeling very powerful.
Cars like this 1976 Cadillac Eldorado are often referred to as land yachts, and there is no denying they don’t suit individuals seeking a sporting driving experience. However, those enthusiasts seeking a luxurious, relaxed classic ownership experience view them favorably. Values have recently remained static in what has been a volatile market, and the listed price for this classic is competitive. It has only been on the market a few days, but how quickly do you think it will find a new home?
I was the fleet manager at Fanning Cadillac-Buick in Chicago ’85-`90, and ordered many non-factory recommended color combinations.
It required using the D60 Edit Override option, so the computer knew it was intentional.
Prior to the DCS system, all the orders were done by mail or pick up by the zone managers when they visited the dealership.
I did them so we could dress them up further with aftermarket carriage tops Vogue Tyres, wheels and gold exterior trim packages.
Certain colors really popped with interiors that were not matching.
Driftwood Beige looked brown with a tan interior as Cadillac intended, but looked gold when over a black interior.
So a black cloth top really made it stand out.
Blues and reds with tan or white interiors etc.
All big sellers.
Particularly with Buicks, as most competing dealers would stick to the factory color combinations.
Our zone manager said I ordered more two-tone LeSabres in `87 than the entire Midwest zone.
Gaining a Buick ticket in `81 was a plus, because we could dress them up as switch cars for customers who could not afford Cadillacs.
With aftermarket add-ons on Buick base models like FWD Electra 380/later Limiteds, they could get the look & body style of a Park Avenue at a lower cost.
(Switched from the de Villes that they originally came in for)
Even if we removed most of the profit from the add-ons, we were still getting full sticker for the cars, and looked like heroes to the customers.
So it was win/win for all.
They failed to say that the floor board
Next to the gas peddles is completely
Flat all the way across. No transmission
Hump, that’s because the El Dorado was
A front wheel drive. Furthermore I think
You could have ordered it in Diesel ⛽️
Diesels were an option on the next generation Eldorados, starting in 1979.
Thank you for this insight. Very interesting
I live in the Chicago suburbs. Please refresh my memory, where was Fanning located?
Lot’s of great Cadillac dealership s in that era. Cullerton Cadillac, Hanley Dawson, Denemark Cadillac, Mack Cadillac, John Bays, Foley Rice.
Thanks David, that was interesting and well-written.
A customer came into the Lincoln Mercury dealership that I was working at looking for a base Town Car. Most dealerships put a few popular options on their Town Cars to help them sell. The customer said that he didn’t want to wait to order one. The owner of the dealership went into his office and wrote out an order for a base Town Car and put it in the order binder. Then he flipped through the binder and said hey we do have a base Town Car on the way.
At first sight I guessed $15-20k.Appears original mileage from under hood.I’ve never ever seen one with those huge back bumper add ons; should be removed asap.Nice driving and handling big Caddy.And there’s nothing like the sound of the deep roaring screech of “front wheel drive burn-outs in these heavy beasts.Really the best part of working at a used car lot was testing the acceleration of every vehicle.Light sand, gravel or a little water to help burn a little rubber!!!
I wonder what auction G Yost was watching? I’ve seen plenty of big FWD GM cars selling for over 20K on Bring A Trailer. This one is a beauty! and might fetch the 17G’s
Classy Highway Cruiser. 🛣
Nicest One Left In This Color?
lol
I appreciate this generation of Eldos, but I strongly prefer the convertible.
I have had several, and still have a ’71 in my collection. Last weekend I visited (very prolific) car collector, near me who owns the white ’76 Eldorado that was used by Queen Elizabeth. She rode in it to tour Upper Canada Village when she was in Canada for the 1976 Olympics.
I live in the Chicago suburbs. Please refresh my memory, where was Fanning located?
Lot’s of great Cadillac dealership s in that era. Cullerton Cadillac, Hanley Dawson, Denemark Cadillac, Mack Cadillac, John Bays, Foley Rice.
I wouldn’t doubt at all that the fillers were all replaced at some time; the rubbery plastic they used back then had to be the biggest unfunny joke to embarrass the American auto industry, even more so than the woefully-inefficient engines of the time (I mean, c’mon, 190 horses out of a 500-cid mill??). That is one thing I have to nod to newer cars: Sure, they don’t have bumpers anymore, but the body plastic is of better quality; at least it doesn’t self-destruct.
Let’s be realistic and set you straight. The engine was technically a 509 CID
It was rated at 400Hp and 525 Foot pounds of torque, just the way it sits.
No supercharger or tinker toy turbo.
Raw Hp. I’m 65 now, steered my first caddy at age 6, drove my first Caddy, alone at age 11 and bought my first Caddy at age 16. Never, ever bought another make car, never.
Sorry, but the article has it right for a ’76. I like Cadillacs too. Been buying them for years. Currently own a ’20 CT6-V. But the article has it right. Mid-late 70’s was the malaise era for engine output.
I own a 1974 Eldorado completely restored. My dad bought it new for $10,500 I’ve probably got north of $40,000 invested Haggerty would only insure it for $24,000 but the gentleman saying their at auctions for under $5,000 had to be looking at high mileage junk just saying!!
I was thinking that too but he said the car had 500 miles on it. No way. Sometimes a driver Lincoln or Cadillac will go for $8,000 because they are not highly sought after cars but $3,000 never.
I had a 76 Eldorado, loved the car, traded it in for a Coupe Deville
At first I thought the car was light blue 🔵 Only after reading the article do I know differently. It’s a nice clean vehicle, possibly the mileage might be considered a tad high, but certainly not relative to its age. The bumper fillers well could be replacements, But they could also be the originals. The rubber Never matched exactly just in terms of how the metallic content falls on the material. Many times a car door will look different than the quarter (or wherever) just for the reason I mention. It’s the same paint, just not applied at the same time or direction from the actual spray nozzle. Anyway, yeah, I can’t tell if those are the original fillers. They Should be replaced at any rate. I’m impressed by the car, not sure if 17.5k is good or not, just depends on what they’re All going for at that particular time.
I don’t think silver with a red interior was all that unusual when this was made. Striking, but rare? Nope!
Beautiful car!
A dealer sold one with white interior on BaT for under 12K less than a month ago.
Can I buy one, insure it for 24K, and have someone steal it please?
I need 12K to buy one and another 12K to drive it home. This is begging for a modern turbo 4 or 6 cylinder with 200 – 250hp at most.
Not sure how easy to swap, but my dream would look just as elegant as this automobile while maybe cracking 20mpg.
Save the original engine for the guy who owns it next.