Potential federal rollover crash legislation and air-conditioning and sunroofs becoming popular factory options created the perfect storm for American car manufacturers to pull the plug on convertibles in 1976. This is one of the final 8,950 examples made during America's bicentennial year. Our local consignor is an elderly gentleman who purachsed the car with the understanding that the mileage was actual @ 14,893. We have no back up wo this claim, however.
This Eldorado ragtop was made .....
during the third week of January 1976 in Cadillac's Detroit, Michigan assembly plant (VIN code Q). Dressed in Cotillion White (code 11), the big ragtop's paint and trim are in overall very good order with some signs of age present. The engine bay is very tidy and the large chrome bumpers fit tightly to the body.
This big Cadillac rolls on a newer quartet of white stripe radial tires, size 235/75R15. The tires are mounted on steel wheels topped with body-colored wheel covers. The tires are in good (original tires included), original condition while the wheel covers are in very good order. Many people don't remember or do not realize that the Eldorado was front-wheel drive, years before the front-drive conversion was all the rage in Detroit. The biggest benefit of this in the Eldorado's case was the completely flat interior floor; no large exhaust and transmission hump to contend with.
Under the biggest hood most people will ever see or lift is the largest displacement V-8 engine sold in a production vehicle, a 500 CID (8.2-liter) unit with Delco's high-energy ignition (HEI), launched the previous year. Backing this massive motor is a Turbo Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic transmission and a 3.07:1 rear end.
As you might think, the list of driver convenience features on this car are extensive – air-conditioning, power recirculating ball steering, power brakes with discs in front, power windows, power locks, power sideview mirrors, cruise control (code C), trunk mat (code I), automatic level control (code L), door edge guards (code D), Twilight Sentinel (code J), illuminated passenger vanity mirror (code G), six-way power front passenger seat (code V) and a front license plate bracket (code X). The passenger side window controller is inop, however works form the master control.
Inside, is a white leather interior with contrasting Firethorn carpet and dashboard (code 072). The front and rear bench seats are in very good order, as is the aforementioned red carpeting. A three-spoke steering wheel looks good and matches the dash. The instrument panel and inner door liners are all in very good order. A console-mounted shifter and a factory AM/FM stereo complete the interior.
Having received a major facelift the previous year, the 1976 Eldorado received only minor styling changes, including a new grille, a small Cadillac script on the hood face, revised taillamp lenses and new black painted wheel covers.
Competition to this Cadillac in 1976 included Buick's Riviera, Excalibur's Series III Phaeton and Oldsmobile's Toronado.
If you're enamored of these big boats, GM's E-body cars between 1971 and 1978, or if you need a parade car for next year's master of ceremonies, make sure you visit MotoeXotica Classic Cars to see this droptop Cadillac for yourself.
VIN: 6L67S6Q208623
This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 14,894 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!
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