1976 Cadillac Eldorado

Description

You've already heard it a million times: the 1976 Eldorado was "the last convertible." Well, that turned out not to be true, but there hasn't been a convertible like this, that's for sure. With 500 cubic inches of V8 engine, a ride that smothers potholes like they don't exist, and enough room for six, this Eldo is truly the last of the open-air land yachts.

This '76 Eldorado offers chiseled good looks and outstanding proportions. The fender skirts of the earlier designs are gone, square headlights are in, and there's plenty of chrome to go around. Finished in Firethorn Red, one of Cadillac's signature metallic colors for '76, it's the perfect embodiment of the mid-70s, flashy yet elegant, ideal for a luxury car like this ragtop. There's a ton of sheetmetal to cover here, too (actually more like two and a half tons), but the overall look is clean, especially with the contrasting gold pinstripe that wraps around the heavily stylized nose. Cadillac fans will note that the front and rear end caps, which are notoriously prone to cracking, are in good condition, and the front bumper, with its upright posts at either end, fit nicely, suggesting that this big ragtop has never been hit. The grille is highly detailed, with a tighter pattern than 1975, and orange parking lights were new as well, giving it a very finished look. Frankly, we're astounded that this car is as affordable as it is, because it's in excellent condition.

1976 Eldorados came only one way: loaded. The burgundy leather interior has a comfortable, broken-in feel that's inviting without showing excessive wear, and while red is a tough color to protect from UV damage, this interior looks like it's been well-maintained, although the leather would benefit from a good feeding. Door panels remain in great shape with no cracking in the usual armrest locations, and the faux woodgraining on the dash and doors is excellent. Power goodies include windows, locks, front seat, as well as features like automatic climate control (which has been converted to R134a), a rear defroster for the glass rear window, and a later stereo system that fits in the center of the dash like it was born there. The back seat shows very little wear at all, and the matching burgundy power top is in good condition and folds in its unique "scissor" fashion, which permits a full-width back seat that can handle 3 passengers. It all seals up nice and tight thanks to new window guides, seals and gaskets. The color-matched fiberglass "hard boot" is a rather rare and expensive find and gives the big ragtop a very clean look, perfect for parades. And if you like road trips, this convertible offers a huge trunk that also carries a full-sized spare.

Until recently, the 500 cubic inch Cadillac V8 was the biggest production V8 in history. Designed to make effortless, smooth power, it is the perfect companion on a warm summer day. It starts easily and idles almost without vibration, and has enough torque to run all those power accessories without even noticing. Wearing what appears to be its original coat of Cadillac blue paint, it's surprisingly clean under the hood with plenty of evidence of proper maintenance over the years including a recently rebuilt cooling system and all new front suspension components. Note that the power braking system is powered by the power steering pump (called "Hydro-boost"), and delivers stopping power to Cadillac's first 4-wheel disc brake system. The TH425 FWD 3-speed automatic transmission shifts easily, and the car was practically built to haul across Texas at 80 MPH all day thanks to 2.73 gears in the final drive. With less than 500 miles on them, there are four correct 235/75/15 wide whites fitted to the unique Eldo wheels which wear color-matched hubcaps that aren't quite authentic (standard1976 Eldorados used black hubcaps) but sure look good.

Prices are up on '70s Eldorados, and the one everyone wants to own is the '76. Call today!