1971 Eldorado Convertible (Restored)

[HoeyHimself]

Originally Posted by FoMoCo Fan

I hate to disagree, but I think that the Eldorado's styling took a big step backwards for the 2nd gen FWD car. The 67 was AWESOME. This is just a big garish land yacht.

The same argument can be said for 90% of American Luxury cars in the 70s..it was just the times.

I however love them. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING beats a black Cadillac ragtop from the late 60s to early 70s. So cool. Nice resto job aswell, when you can sit at a carshow and not have a "Under Construction" sign up, it must feel very rewarding. So whats the next project?

[ClassyEldo]

Originally Posted by HoeyHimself

The same argument can be said for 90% of American Luxury cars in the 70s..it was just the times.

I however love them. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING beats a black Cadillac ragtop from the late 60s to early 70s. So cool. Nice resto job aswell, when you can sit at a carshow and not have a "Under Construction" sign up, it must feel very rewarding. So whats the next project?

Your comments reflect my sentiments, as well. I forgot to mention, "the power door locks with Automatic Seatback Releases" are all functioning, as well--and the locks seem lightning quick, and loud enough to be heard several cars away in a parking lot! As for the next project, keeping and maintaining this car, along with my every day cars, keeps me busy--and my resources ($$$) are being consumed by ordering a 2008 CTS-4 to replace my 2003 CTS 'Sport' as my everyday car. (I hope to do that around October 2007.)

[HoeyHimself]

Originally Posted by ClassyEldo

Your comments reflect my sentiments, as well. I forgot to mention, "the power door locks with Automatic Seatback Releases" are all functioning, as well--and the locks seem lightning quick, and loud enough to be heard several cars away in a parking lot! As for the next project, keeping and maintaining this car, along with my every day cars, keeps me busy--and my resources ($$$) are being consumed by ordering a 2008 CTS-4 to replace my 2003 CTS 'Sport' as my everyday car. (I hope to do that around October 2007.)

Sounds like you'll have a garage full of "Cadillac Class"

I cant think of anything that compliments a new car more then it's past sitting right beside it, and vice versa.

[ClassyEldo]

Originally Posted by MCGARRETT

Nice 71!

Yes of course they are flashy showboats, look at the era that they came out from!

I actually like the 1972 a little more than the 1971, I think that the inch that they added to the grille "header" and the wider bars in the grille is what sways me. I also like the cursive "Eldorado" script and the different wheel covers.

I have been searching for the right 1972 Eldorado convertible to add to my collection.

I would love a loaded Coronation Red over white convertible, with the oxblood dash and carpets. Parade boot
Dimmer and Sentinel
Track Master
split power bench

Of course, I also have much love for the 1967-1970 Eldorado's as well. I consider the 1968 to be the best of the breed myself, the new 472 replaced the old 429, the wipers were hidden and the parking lamps moved up to the corners of the fenders where they should have been on the 1967's.

McGarrett: Thought of you when I saw the following e-bay listing--another gorgeous example of the '71-'72 Eldorado Convertibles (although this one doesn't have the passenger remote mirror or power door locks, it does have the split bench 60/40 seating--amazing that it was ever built without power door locks & automatic seatback releases, in my opinion):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA:IT&ih=007

Tres !

[powervette]

this is what I call a Cadillac!

[F14CRAZY]

It shouldn't have any problem towing our 22', triple axle deckover with the backhoe on it

[talltimber2]

Originally Posted by FoMoCo Fan

I hate to disagree, but I think that the Eldorado's styling took a big step backwards for the 2nd gen FWD car. The 67 was AWESOME. This is just a big garish land yacht.

With all respect, I have to agree with this. I've always been crazy about the '67 - '70 Eldorados, especially the 1967 - one of my all time favorite Cadillacs. This generation of Eldorados was lean, sharp, lithe,rakish, and decidedly youthful looking.

When the new generation '71s were introduced, I literally could not believe my eyes - suddenly, it was 1950 all over again. They looked to me as if they weighed about 40,000 pounds apiece, and as if they had been designed for a target customer at least 100 years old. It was almost impossible to believe these were successive generations of the same car.

I would love to know what possessed the Cadillac styling staff to go off on such a totally different concept of design and feeling. I mentioned earlier that I thought the '71 ( in fact, the entire generation lasting through 1978 ) was too similar to the 1950 Cadillacs, and I dislike them for the same reasons I've never liked the '50 - '53 models: bloated, ponderous, inflated and swollen looking ( I know I'm in the minority on this - practically everyone else seems to love 'em ).

[skylark68]

While I prefer the original series to the 2nd generation, your car is definitely beautiful. Now you just need a '71 Toronado coupe to compliment it.

[71EldoRag]

Beautiful Eldo. I also have a '71 Eldo convertible that I purchased last summer. I chose this car for the same reasons you did. Except my parents did not own one.

There's nothing like being behind the wheel of one these cars

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by 71EldoRag

Beautiful Eldo. I also have a '71 Eldo convertible that I purchased last summer. I chose this car for the same reasons you did. Except my parents did not own one.

There's nothing like being behind the wheel of one these cars

Does it have the 8.2L in it??

[71EldoRag]

Yes it does have the 8.2.

[ClassyEldo]

Originally Posted by 71EldoRag

There's nothing like being behind the wheel of one these cars

71EldoRag: Yours is also a fine example of these luxurious vehicles! It appears to be Zodiac Blue, with Medium Blue Leather Interior and White Roof--a great and timeless combination! Good luck with yours, and thanks for posting the picture.

[71EldoRag]

Originally Posted by ClassyEldo

71EldoRag: Yours is also a fine example of these luxurious vehicles! It appears to be Zodiac Blue, with Medium Blue Leather Interior and White Roof--a great and timeless combination! Good luck with yours, and thanks for posting the picture.

Thanks ClassyEldo. Is Zodiac Blue the official name of the color? The top on the car is also Blue with a glass rear window.

The top has a couple of small rips in it. The car is in storage now for winter I will have a new top put on it in the spring. I'll be keeping it the same blue.

[ClassyEldo]

Originally Posted by 71EldoRag

Thanks ClassyEldo. Is Zodiac Blue the official name of the color? The top on the car is also Blue with a glass rear window.

The top has a couple of small rips in it. The car is in storage now for winter I will have a new top put on it in the spring. I'll be keeping it the same blue.

It looks like it is "Zodiac Blue" (from the 1971 Cadillac color chart) based on that one photo. Has it ever been re-painted, or is this the original "as built" combination? The Dark Blue Roof would be great looking--sometime post a picture of it with the top up. If you keep the car in the original factory combination, it is said that it will hold greater value with collectors.

[cawimmer430]

Lovely. I really dig those old Caddy's.