Looking Back: Cadillac's downsized 1986 Eldorado

[91 s-10baja]

For 1986, yet another downsizing occurred, and it was fairly extreme. The Eldorado lost about 16″ in length, and some 350 pounds in weight. The convertible was discontinued. Just like in previous generations, the Eldorado shared its chassis with the Oldsmobile Toronado and Buick Riviera, as well as Eldorado’s four-door companion, the Cadillac Seville. However, the coupes from Buick and Oldsmobile both utilized Buick’s 3.8 liter V6 engine, while Cadillac continued to use their exclusive 4.1 liter V8....


1986 Cadillac Eldorado Promo

[StormHunter77]

That's when GM realized it hit rock bottom and started reaching out for help.

[johnstarnes]

That dash is so bad!

[MN91]

Oooof. Can we just erase the late 1980s from history? (The mistakes, not the lessons learned from them...)

[91 s-10baja]

It apears i am in the minority, in thati find this version far more pleasing than the antiquated upright 'far to traditional' generation before it.

[CamaroCrazy]

Jeez between this and the Buick Excelle thread, its like the GM Horror Show on GMI today.

[bmwboy2007]

That car looked too much like the N bodies of the era like the Buick Somerset

[sfdenny]

That's when GM realized it hit rock bottom and started reaching out for help.

I'd say, that's when GM SHOULD have realized it hit rock bottom. It took some time, but by 1991 or so the Eldo - and cousins - grew into their new down-sized looks. Somewhat. Interesting to compare year-to-year on carsforsale.com

[PositiveAboutGM]

It apears i am in the minority, in thati find this version far more pleasing than the antiquated upright 'far to traditional' generation before it.

I found the new versions more athletic, quieter and more comfortable. What got me out of my 84 Toronado Caliente was the 1991 Eldorado when they upped the V8 to 4.9 L and made the styling a tad crisper. Oh, and the availability of the monochrome touring package.

And actually it was a very good car having only one warranty repair and trading it at around 210,000 miles.

That car looked too much like the N bodies of the era like the Buick Somerset

Yeah, it somewhat resembled the Somerset. The reason I went with the Cadillac is that the Toronado looked so much like the Calais. I was given the keys to a Toro and walked right up to a Calais on the Olds lot and knew something was wrong!

[1958carnut]

Think about it. They did a quick remake on this one too, remember the front and rear facia redo. I personally think the 1992-on Eldo was the best looking of the smaller ones. Still though the '75 to '78 were the real classics of the modern ones.

[yello430]

IMG_0233.jpgjust in case you might have thought I might not have any of these......

[yello430]

another...IMG_0232.jpg

[KingElvis]

It apears i am in the minority, in thati find this version far more pleasing than the antiquated upright 'far to traditional' generation before it.

I thought the '79 E body was the best ever! But the Toro roof was really chopped off looking.

[vcs2600]

That's when GM realized it hit rock bottom and started reaching out for help.

"My name is General Motors and I have a styling problem."

Starting with the 1988 W-Bodies, they really turned it around and produced some nice looking cars over the next several years.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

It apears i am in the minority, in thati find this version far more pleasing than the antiquated upright 'far to traditional' generation before it.

You have to be, because even the last 1985 sold like 10 times as many as this

Mind you I don't hate them... it is kind of an interesting take on small luxury car.