[ClassyEldo]

I can appreciate why you may have such an opinion, being an Eldorado enthusiast all of my life. I really debated getting a 1967 through 1970 Eldorado Coupe. I picked this particular car to "collect" for several reasons. Although the 1971 model appears larger than its crisply chiseled forebears (the 1967 through 1970 Eldorado Coupes), it is actually just 0.6 of an inch longer overall--but the wheelbase is several inches longer. The weight increased by about 70 pounds between 1970 and 1971. It is the rather "bloated" styling that makes the car look so much larger. However, for me, a Convertible model is much more desirable and fun for a "collector" vehicle than the hardtop, and I primarily use the car on only "nice weather days." Of the 1971 through 1976 Convertible Eldorados, the 1971 model has the most razor-like lines of its predecessors, and I liked the fake "side gills," similar to the first 1953 Eldorados. My Mom also had one of these, and growing up (age 7 to 10), I thought it was the coolest car, and I recall looking out over that long, sculpted hood, with the tri-color lamp monitors and stand-up hood ornament, and of course, the all flat interior floor. I also dislike the plastic body-filler panels (prone to cracking) near the bumpers on the 1973 through 1976 Eldorado Convertibles. Incidentally, there were only 6,800 of the 1971 model built, compared to 14,000 of the so-called "last" convertibles in 1976--partly due to the strike-shortened 1971 production period.

Thank you to the others who have posted compliments. The car drives great, with 48,000 original miles, and mechanical refurbishing where needed.