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Cadillac Eldorado

Manufacturer	Cadillac
Parent company	General Motors
Production	1953–2002
Class	Full-size personal luxury car

The Eldorado model was part of the Cadillac line from 1953 to 2002. The Cadillac Eldorado was the longest running American personal luxury car as it was the only one sold after the 1999 model year. Its main competitors included the Lincoln Mark Series and the lower-priced Buick Riviera.^{[citation needed]}

Although cars bearing the name varied considerably in bodystyle and mechanical layout during this long period, the Eldorado models were always near the top of the Cadillac line. Nevertheless, and except for the Eldorado Brougham models of 1957–1960, the most expensive models were always the opulent, long wheel-based Series 75 sedans and limousines, not the Eldorado.

The name "Eldorado"

The name was proposed for a special show car built in 1952 to mark Cadillac's Golden Anniversary; it was the result of in-house competition won by Mary-Ann Marini (née Zukosky ), a secretary in the company's merchandising department. Another source, Palm Springs Life magazine, attributes the name to a resort destination in California's Coachella Valley that was a favorite of General Motors executives. However, the Eldorado Country Club in Indian Wells, California was not founded until 1957 - five years after Cadillac's naming competition. In any case, the name was adopted by the company for a new, limited-edition convertible that was added to the line in 1953.

The name Eldorado was derived from the Spanish words "el dorado", "the gilded one" or "the golden one"; the name was given originally to the legendary chief or "cacique" of a South American Indian tribe. Legend has it that his followers would sprinkle his body with gold dust on ceremonial occasions and he would wash it off again by diving into a lake. The name more frequently refers to a legendary city of fabulous riches, somewhere in South America, that inspired many European expeditions, including one to the Orinoco by England's Sir Walter Raleigh.

1953-54

First generation

Production	1953-1954
Assembly	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Body style(s)	2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Engine(s)	331 ci 210 hp (160 kW) V8
Wheelbase	126 in (3,200 mm)
Length	220.8 in (5,610 mm) (1953) 223.4 in (5,670 mm) (1954)

The 1953 Eldorado was a special-bodied, low-production convertible (532 units in total). It was the production version of the 1952 El Dorado "Golden Anniversary" concept car, and borrowed bumper bullets (or dagmars) from the 1951 GM Le Sabre show car.^[1] Available in four unique colors (Aztec Red, Alpine White, Azure Blue and Artisan Ochre — the latter is a yellow hue, although it was shown erroneously as black in the color folder issued on this rare model). Convertible tops were available in either black or white Orlon. There was no special badging on the car, other than the "Eldorado" nameplate, in "gold", in the center of the dash. A hard tonneau cover, flush with the rear deck, hid the top in the open car version. Although it was based on the regular Series 62 convertible and shared its engine, it was nearly twice as expensive at US$7,750. This car was 221 inches (5,600 mm) long and 79 inches (2,000 mm) wide.

This first Eldorado had a wraparound windshield and a cut-down beltline, the latter signifying a dip in the sheetmetal at the bottom of the side windows. These two touches were especially beloved by General Motors Styling Chief Harley Earl and subsequently were widely copied by other marques. In fact, throughout 1950s, Eldorado was General Motors' styling leader, and since GM led the industry, where the Eldorado went, everyone else would tend to follow.

In 1954, Eldorado lost its unique sheet metal, sharing its basic body shell with standard Cadillacs. Distinguished now mainly by trim pieces, this allowed GM to lower the price and see a substantial increase in sales.

1955-1958

Second generation

Production	1955-1958
Assembly	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 2-door convertible 4-door coupe
Layout	FR layout
Engine(s)	365 ci 310 hp (230 kW) V8 331 ci 270 hp (200 kW) V8
Wheelbase	126 in (3,200 mm) (SWB) 129.5 in (3,290 mm) (1957-58 LWB) 129 in (3,300 mm) (1955-56)
Length	223.4 in (5,670 mm) (1958 LWB) 216.3 in (5,490 mm) (1957-58 SWB) 222.1 in (5,640 mm) (1957 LWB) 222.2 in (5,640 mm) (1956) 223.2 in (5,670 mm) (1955)

For 1955, the Eldorado's body gained its own rear end styling with high, slender, pointed tailfins. These contrasted with the rather thick, bulbous fins which were common at the time and were an example of Eldorado once again pointing the way forward.

For 1956, a two-door hardtop coupe version appeared, called the Eldorado Seville.

1957

1958 Cadillac Eldorado Seville

1957 saw the Eldorado (in both Biarritz convertible and Seville hardtop bodystyles) with a revised rear-end design featuring a low, downswept fenderline capped by a pointed, in-board fin. The rear fenders were commonly referred to as "chipmunk cheeks". This concept was used for two years, but did not spawn any imitators.

1957 was chiefly notable for the introduction of one of GM's most memorable designs, the Eldorado Brougham. This four-door hardtop with rear-hinged rear doors was an ultra-luxury car that cost an astonishing $13,074 — more than the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud of the same year. It featured a stainless steel roof, air suspension, the first memory power seats, and every other comfort and convenience feature available at GM at the time.

1959-1966

Third generation

Production	1959-1966
Assembly	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Engine(s)	390 ci 340 hp (250 kW) V8
Wheelbase	129.5 in (3,290 mm) (1963-68) 130 in (3,300 mm) (1959-62)
Length	224.5 in (5,700 mm) (1966) 224 in (5,700 mm) (1965) 223.5 in (5,680 mm) (1964) 223 in (5,700 mm) (1963) 222 in (5,600 mm) (1961-62) 225 in (5,700 mm) (1959-60)

A different Eldorado Brougham was sold for 1959 and 1960. These cars were not quite so extravagantly styled but were very unusual pieces in themselves. Priced at $13,075, they cost $1 more, each, than their older siblings. The design was 100% Cadillac but the company contracted out the assembly to Pininfarina of Italy, with whom the division has had a long-running relationship, and these Eldorados were essentially hand-built in Italy. Discreet, narrow taillights - were integrated into modest tailfins, and a squared-off rear roof line allowed the Brougham to contrast sharply to the "rocketship" taillights, flamboyant fins, and rounded roof lines of the standard 1959 Cadillacs. However, the Brougham's styling cues would prove to indicate where Cadillac styling would head in the early-mid 1960s. Build quality was not nearly to the standard of the Detroit hand-built 1957–1958 models, and the 1959–1960 Broughams did not sell as well as their forebears. However, collector interest and values remain high.

The last Eldorado Seville was built in 1960. After that, the Eldorado convertible became essentially a more luxuriously trimmed version of the Cadillac Series 62 convertible (using trim pieces reserved only for the Fleetwood Sixty Special).

An Eldorado convertible would remain in the Cadillac line through 1966, but its differences from the rest of the line were generally modest. In 1964, probably the most distinctive year during this period, the main visual cue indicating an Eldorado was simply the lack of fender skirts.

1967-1970

Cadillac Eldorado

Fourth generation

Production	1967-1970
Assembly	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Body style(s)	2-door coupe
Layout	FF layout
Platform	E-body
Engine(s)	429 cu in (7.03 l) OHV V8 (1967 only)[2] 472 cu in (7.7 l) V8 (introduced 1968)[3][4] 500 cu in (8.2 l) V8 (introduced 1970)[5]
Transmission(s)	3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	120 in (3,000 mm)
Length	221 in (5,600 mm)
Related	Oldsmobile Toronado

The Eldorado was radically redesigned for 1967. Intended for the burgeoning personal luxury car market, it was a "personal" Cadillac sharing the E-body with the Oldsmobile Toronado, which had been introduced the previous year. Cadillac adopted the Toronado's Unified Powerplant Package and front-wheel drive. (Contrary to popular belief, the similar Buick Riviera did not use the front-wheel drive setup until 1979.) The Eldorado used a standard Cadillac 429 V8 with a modified Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission (THM425, based on the Turbo-Hydramatic 400) with the torque converter mounted next to the planetary gearbox, driving it through a metal chain.

Despite sharing underpinnings with the Toronado, the Eldorado's crisp styling, initiated by GM styling chief Bill Mitchell, was distinctive and unique, appearing more angluar than the rounded Toronado. Performance was 0–60 mph (0–96 km/h) in less than nine seconds and a top speed of 120 mph (192 km/h). Roadability and handling were highly praised by contemporary reviews, and its sales, 17,930 units,^[6] helped give Cadillac its best year ever.^[7] Disc brakes were optional in 1967 and became standard in 1968. The new Eldorado was a great departure from the previous generation, which had become little more than a dressed-up version of Cadillac's Series 62. Sales were excellent despite high list prices.

For 1968, the Eldorado gained slight exterior changes to comply with new federal safety and emissions legislation, and as with the rest of the Cadillac lineup, a new 472 cu in (7.7 l) V8 rated at 375 hp (280 kW) (SAE gross). In 1969 it lost its hidden headlamps and picked up as options a halo vinyl roof and later in the model year a power sunroof option. For the 1970 model year, the Eldorado introduced the new 500 cu in (8.2 l) V8 engine, the largest-ever production V8, rated SAE gross 400 hp (298 kW) and 550 ft·lbf (746 N·m) in 1970, that would be an Eldorado exclusive until it became standard on all full size Cadillacs in the 1975 model year.

1971-1978

Fifth generation

Production	1971-1978
Assembly	Linden, New Jersey, United States Detroit, Michigan, United States
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 2-door convertible
Layout	FF layout
Platform	E-body
Engine(s)	500 in³ V8 (1971-76) 425 in³ V8 (1977-78)
Transmission(s)	3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	126.3 in (3,210 mm)
Length	224 in (5,700 mm) (1977-78) 224.1 in (5,690 mm) (1974-76) 223 in (5,700 mm) (1971-73)
Width	79.8 in (2,030 mm)
Height	54.2 in (1,380 mm)
Related	Oldsmobile Toronado Buick Riviera

When GM's full-size cars were redesigned for 1971, the Eldorado regained both a convertible model and its fender skirts. The 126.3-inch (3,210 mm) wheelbase version of the Eldorado would run through 1978, receiving facelifts in 1973 and 1975. As before, the Eldorado and Toronado shared the front-wheel drive E-body chassis, while the Riviera (which would temporarily switch to the "B" platform for 1977) remained rear-wheel drive.

The Cadillac Eldorado was chosen as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 1973. All in all, Cadillac produced 566 of these special pace car convertibles. 33 were used at the track during the race week and the remaining 513 cars were distributed to the U.S. Cadillac dealers (one for each dealership), which were then sold to the general public.

A redesigned instrument cluster was phased in during the 1974 model year (known as the 'space age' instrument panel from Cadillac literature), also shared with Calais, DeVilles and Fleetwoods.

For 1977, the Eldorado received a new grille with a finer crosshatch pattern. The convertible was canceled (although Custom Coach of Lima, Ohio took a few brand-new 1977 and 1978 Eldorados into their coachbuilder facilities and converted into convertibles using salvaged parts from 1971-76 Eldorados; Cadillac did not produce convertibles after 1976). The 8.2L V8 of 1970-76 gave way to a new 7L V8 with 180 bhp (134 kW). Minor changes followed in 1978.

This generation of Eldorados produced between 1971 and 1978 were sometimes customized (as stereotyped "pimpmobiles") (bro cars) and seen in blaxploitation films like Dolemite, Superfly, The Mack, Willie Dynamite, (the pimped-out Eldorado seen in Willie Dynamite is similar to the one seen in Magnum Force) and even the James Bond film Live and Let Die. An Eldorado was also used in Rob Zombie's second film, The Devil's Rejects as the car that the character Charlie, also a pimp, drove. Customizers such as Les Dunham Coachworks have modified brand-new Eldorados with headlight covers (commonly known as Superfly headlights), grille caps, a 1941 goddess hood ornament, lake pipes, and thick-padded vinyl tops, usually with circular porthole windows.

Eldorado convertible for 1976

In 1976, when all other domestic convertibles had vanished, GM heavily promoted the American industry's only remaining convertible as "the last American convertible". 14,000 would be sold, many purchased as investments. The final 200 convertibles produced were designated as "Bicentennial Edition" commemorating America's 200th birthday. These cars were white with a dual-color red/blue pinstripe along the upper bodyside. In 1983, when GM reintroduced convertibles, 1976 Eldorado owners, who felt they had been deceived, launched an unsuccessful class action lawsuit.

Eldorado Biarritz

Unlike the Fleetwood and de Ville models, Eldorado didn't have a unique luxury package to provide it with a title change (such as the "d'Elegance" package). This was rectified in mid-year 1976 with the Biarritz package. The most unique feature of Biarritz, a name that hadn't been used since 1963,(the Fleetwood designation was used for all Eldorados produced from 1964 through late 1976) was a brushed aluminum roof covering the front passenger compartment for model years 1979-1985. This was a styling cue reminiscent of the 1957/58 Eldorado Brougham. The rear half of the roof was covered with a heavily padded landau vinyl top accented with large "opera" lights. The interior featured "pillowed"-style [traditionally known as "tufted"] velour or leather seating, with contrasting piping, along with an array of other options available.

For example, the 1978 Biarritz option packages consisted of the Eldorado Custom Biarritz ($1,865.00); w/Astroroof ($2,946.00); w/Sunroof ($2,746.00)) and Eldorado Custom Biarritz Classic ($2,466.00); w/Astroroof ($3,547.00); w/Sunroof ($3,347.00).

For the 1978 Eldorado model year only, there were 2,000 Eldorado Custom Biarritz Classics produced in Two-Tone Arizona Beige/Demitasse Brown consisting of 1,499 with no Astroroofs or no Sunroofs; 475 with Astroroofs; 25 with Sunroofs and only One (1) was produced with Power Sliding T-Tops. [1]

The Biarritz option stayed with the Eldorado through the 1991 model year. Some of the original styling cues vanished after the 1985 model year, such as the brushed aluminum roofing and the interior seating designs, but Biarritz remained unique just the same.

1971 Eldorado Convertible

1973 Eldorado Convertible

1974 Eldorado Convertible

1976 Eldorado Biarritz

1976 Eldorado convertible

1978 Cadillac Eldorado with Power Sliding T-Tops

The 1978 Cadillac Eldorado was the only American (emphasis added) luxury car in its class (or any car class) to be offered with Power Sliding T-Tops that folded neatly inside the center-front roof. In this regard, only Seven (7) 1978 Cadillac Eldorados were known to have been produced with Power Sliding T-Tops customized and manufactured by American Sunroof Company under the direction of General Motor’s Cadillac Motor Division. Following are the Seven KNOWN and DOCUMENTED (emphasis added)1978 Cadillac Eldorados with Power Sliding T-Tops remaining 33 years after the September 29, 1977 introduction of the 1978 Cadillac Eldorado: One (1) Black Eldorado Cabriolet; One (1) Carmine Red Eldorado Cabriolet; One (1) Cotillion White Eldorado Cabriolet; One (1) Colonial Yellow Eldorado Custom Biarritz; Two (2) Cotillion White Eldorado Custom Biarritz and One (1) Two-Tone Arizona Beige/Demitasse Brown Eldorado Custom Biarritz Classic. Updated and submitted by SRT-71 B5 Bluebird 2010-JAN-13

1979-1985

Sixth generation

Production	1979-1985
Assembly	Linden, New Jersey, United States Detroit, Michigan, United States
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 2-door convertible
Layout	FF layout
Platform	E-body
Engine(s)	4.1 L V8 4.5 L V8 5.7 L V8 6.0 L V8
Transmission(s)	3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	114 in (2,900 mm)
Length	204.5 in (5,190 mm) (1982-85) 204 in (5,200 mm) (1979-1981)
Width	71.4 in (1,810 mm) (1979-1981) 71.5 in (1,820 mm) (1982-83) 70.6 in (1,790 mm) (1984-85)
Height	54.3 in (1,380 mm) (1982-85) 54.2 in (1,380 mm) (1979-1981)
Related	Buick Riviera Oldsmobile Toronado

1983 Cadillac Eldorado.

For 1979, a new, trimmer Eldorado was introduced, and for the first time the car shared its chassis with the Buick Riviera as well as the Toronado. Smaller 350 and 368 in³ (5.7 and 6.0 L) V8's replaced the 500 and 425 in³ (8.2 and 7.0 L) of the preceding model, giving better fuel efficiency. For 1979, it was offered only with the Oldsmobile 350 as standard, with the diesel 350 available as an option. In 1980, the gas 350 was replaced with the Cadillac 368 except in California, where the Olds 350 was retained for that year. In both the 1980 Seville and Eldorado (which shared their frames), the 368s in 1980 came with DEFI, whereas for the larger RWD Cadillacs, the 368 only came with a 4-barrel Quadrjet carburetor. Independent rear suspension was adopted, helping retain rear-seat and trunk room in the smaller body. The most notable styling touch was an extreme notchback roofline, making the rear window almost vertical. The Eldorado Biarritz model resurrected the stainless-steel roof concept from the first Brougham. Although downsized, these Eldorados were still substantial-sized cars with good room and power.

For 1981, Cadillac began offering the V8-6-4 variable displacement variant of the 368 engine, which was designed to deactivate some cylinders when full power was not needed, helping meet GM's obligations under the government fuel economy ("CAFE") standards. Unfortunately, it did not work as planned, and sometimes did not work at all. It was a reduced bore version of the 1968 model-year 472, sharing that engine's stroke and also that of the model-year 1977–1979 425. The engine itself was extremely rugged and durable, but its complex electronics were the source of customer complaints.

Another problem with the 1981 model year was an unexplained balancing problem that affected the vehicle's overall handling. GM corrected this issue by installing a large, heavy steel plate under the driver's seat, a fact made popular by 1995's film Casino. The film's leading man Robert De Niro survives a bomb explosion, where the explosive had been attached to his 1981 Eldorado's undercarriage, on the driver's side, with that steel plate effectively shielding his driver seat from the blast beneath; the steel plate is credited with saving his life. The film, including the Eldorado explosion incident, is based upon Frank Rosenthal's life story.

Another problematic engine was introduced for 1982. The 4.1 L HT-4100 was an in-house design that mated cast-iron heads to an aluminum block. HT-4100s failed in large numbers and many were replaced under warranty.^{[citation needed]}

Nevertheless, the Eldorado's reputation was not permanently hurt, and sales rose to unprecedented heights, nearly 100,000 units by 1984, an astonishing volume for one of the most expensive models available.^{[citation needed]}

In 1984, Cadillac also introduced a convertible version of Eldorado Biarritz. It was 200 pounds (91 kg) heavier, but featured the same interior as other Biarritz versions. The model year of 1985 was the last year for the AMC, Inc., aftermarket conversion Eldorado convertible. Because of its limited edition (around 3000 total), the convertible models are now highly sought after by numerous collectors.

Prior to the 'official' 1984 and 1985 Eldorado convertibles marketed by Cadillac, some 1979-83 Eldorados were made into convertibles by independent coachbuilders e.g. American Sunroof Corporation, Custom Coach (Lima, Ohio - this coachbuilder turned a few 1977 and 1978 Eldorados into convertibles), Hess & Eisenhardt. The same coachbuilders also converted the Oldsmobile Toronado and Buick Riviera into a ragtop.

1986-1991

Seventh generation

Production	1986-1991
Assembly	Hamtramck, Michigan, United States
Body style(s)	2-door coupe
Layout	FF layout
Platform	E-body
Engine(s)	4.1 L V8 1986-1987 4.5 L V8 1988-1990 4.9 L V8 1991
Transmission(s)	4-speed THM440-T4 automatic
Wheelbase	108 in (2,700 mm)
Length	191.4 in (4,860 mm) (1989-1991) 191.2 in (4,860 mm) (1986-88)
Width	72.4 in (1,840 mm) (1989-1991) 71.7 in (1,820 mm) (1986-88)
Height	53.2 in (1,350 mm) (1989-1991) 53.7 in (1,360 mm) (1986-88)
Related	Buick Riviera Oldsmobile Toronado

For 1986, yet another downsizing occurred, and it was fairly extreme. Eldorado lost about 16" in length, and some 350 pounds in weight. Convertible models were gone. As was the case in previous years, 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. The $24,251 Eldorado was now the same size that GM's own compact cars had been only a few years earlier, and considerably smaller than Lincoln's competing Mark VII. Its styling seemed stubby, and in a final unfortunate flourish, for the first time the Eldorado abandoned its "hardtop" heritage and featured framed door glass. News reports later indicated that GM had been led astray by a consultant's prediction that gasoline would be at $3 per gallon in the U.S. by 1986, and that small luxury cars would be in demand. In fact, gasoline prices were less than half that. With a sales drop of 60%, seldom has any model experienced a more precipitous fall. Production was only about a fifth of what it had been just two years earlier.

Aside from a longer, 5 year/50,000 mile warranty, Eldorado received very few changes for 1987. A price drop, to $23,740, did not raise sales any, as only 17,775 were made this year (21,342 for 1986). The standard suspension, with new taller 75 series (previously 70) tires and hydro-elastic engine mounts, was slightly retuned for a softer ride, while the optional ($155) Touring Suspension, with deflected-disc strut valves and 15" alloy wheels, remained for those desiring a firmer ride. As part of a federal requirement to discourage "chop-shop" thieves, major body panels were etched with the VIN. Also new, a combination cashmere cloth with leather upholstery, and locking inertia seat belt reels for rear seat passengers, which allowed for child-seat installation in the outboard seating positions in back. The formal cabriolet roof was added this year. Available for $495 on the base Eldorado, it featured a padded covering over the rear half of the roof, and turned the rear side glass into smaller opera windows. One of Eldorado's most expensive singluar options was the Motorola cellular telephone mounted inside the locking center arm rest. Priced at $2,850, it had been reworked this year for easier operation, and featured a hidden microphone mounted between the sun visors for hands-free operation. Additionally, the telephone featured a clever radio mute control: activated when the telephone and radio were in use at the same time, it automatically decreased the rear speaker's audio volume, and over-rode the front music speakers to be used for the hands-free telephone. On an interesting note, the square marker lamp, located on the bumper extension molding just behind the rear wheel well on 1986 and '87 Eldorado models, would suddenly re-appear on the 1990 & '91 Seville (base models only).

1988 was met with an extensive restyle, and sales nearly doubled from the previous year, up to 33,210. While the wheelbase, doors, roof, and glass remained relatively unchanged, new body panels gave the 1988 model a more identifiable "Eldorado" appearance. Now available in just 17 exterior colors (previously 19), the new Eldorado was 3" longer than last year. Underneath the restyled hood was Cadillac's new 155 horsepower 4.5 liter V8. A comprehensive anti-lock braking system, developed by Teves, was newly available. Longer front fenders held "bladed" tips, and a new grill above the revamped front bumper. In back, new three-sided tail lamps - reminiscent of the 1987 Deville - appeared along with a new bumper and trunk lid. 15" wheels were made standard. The interior held wider front seat headrests and swing-away door pull handles (replacing the former door pull straps). New upholstery patterns appeared for both base and Biarritz models, with the latter bringing back the tufted-button design - last seen in the 1985 Eldorado Biarritz. A new vinyl roof option, covering the full roof top, featured a band of body color above the side door and windows - similar to the style used from 1967 to 1970. This replaced the "cabriolet roof" option, which covered the rear half of the roof, introduced just a year earlier. With the Biarritz option package, the padded vinyl roof covered just the rear quarter of the roof top, behind the rear side windows. Biarritz also included slender vertical opera lamps, as in 1986 and '87, but now added a spear molding (similar to the style used on the 1976 - 1985 Eldorado Biarritz) that ran from the base of the roof top, continuing horizontally along the door, and down to the front fender tip. The standard power antenna was moved from the front passenger fender to the rear passenger fender. Pricing went up this year - to $24,891. This 1988 restyle would be the last, until the model was replaced by an all-new Eldorado for 1992.

With such big changes for Eldorado just a year earlier, 1989 saw little that was new. The optional automatic rearview mirror went from a electrically-operated mechanical tilting mechanism to the new electrochromic style, using a clear fluid filled between the mirror and a thin sheet of glass, which tints upon activation. A new exterior color, White Diamond, brought the color choices up to 18, while the "snowflake" style 15" aluminum wheel for base Eldorado was introduced. A compact disc player, available only with the Delco Bose Gold Series music system, was a new option this year, as was reversible floor mats, and gold-plated ornamentation ("Cadillac" grille and trunk scripts, sail panel ornaments, deck lid engine plaque, trunk lock cover, tail lamp emblems, and available wire wheel cover wreath and crest). New standard items include an express-down module for the driver's window, electronic oil-life indicator, a more powerful Delco Freedom II battery, a revised factory warranty, and GM's PASS (Passive Automotive Security System) KEY theft-deterrent system, which activated the fuel system based upon a coded pellet within the ignition key. Previously optional items that were now added as standard equipment included a cassette player with graphic equalizer, remote fuel filler door release, lower bodyside accent molding, and a front license plate mounting. High-gloss Birdseye Maple trim on the instrument panel and console was standard on Eldorado Biarritz, and available (for $245) on the base Eldorado. Pricing rose again this year, now at $26,738. Production slipped slightly, down to 27,807 (including 7,174 Biarritz models). The dip in sales was partly due to competition from GM's own Buick Riviera, which grew 11" this year in a dramatic restyle, and had a production increase from 8,625 units in 1988 to 21,189 in 1989.

1990-1991 Eldorado Touring Coupe

Although a touring suspension option had been available on Eldorado since 1980, there was an Eldorado Touring Coupe model introduced in mid-1982, and continued through 1985. In 1990, the Eldorado Touring Coupe (ETC), the 2-door version of the Seville Touring Sedan (STS), re-appeared. The car had a special handling and suspension package, quicker steering than the standard Eldorado, and a higher final drive ratio of 3.33:1 in contrast to the base model's 2.97:1. Badging was restricted to ETC badges on both C pillars, a Cadillac crest on the grille along with the Cadillac script logo and a special "Cadillac Motor Car Company" badge on the trunk, which it shared with the STS. By 1991 it was available in black, navy, white, polo green, silver and bright red, all with a special beechwood interior and some exterior reveal trim done in black. The model also featured body-colored door handles, wider side rocker panels and dual rectangular exhausts. The split rear taillights were amber above red.

Total Eldorado production in 1991 was 16,212 including 2,249 touring coupes.^{[citation needed]}

1992-2002

Eighth generation

Production	1992-2002
Assembly	Hamtramck, Michigan, United States Lansing, Michigan, United States
Body style(s)	2-door coupe
Layout	FF layout
Platform	E-body
Engine(s)	4.9 L L26 V8 (1992-1993) 4.6 L Northstar V8 (1993-2002)
Transmission(s)	4-speed 4T60-E automatic 4-speed 4T80-E automatic
Wheelbase	108 in (2,700 mm)
Length	202.2 in (5,140 mm) (1992-94) 200.6 in (5,100 mm) (1995-2002)
Width	75.5 in (1,920 mm)
Height	54.0 in (1,370 mm)
Related	Buick Park Avenue Buick Riviera Cadillac Seville Oldsmobile Aurora

For 1992, a new Eldorado appeared. It was in fact only slightly bigger than its predecessor, but it was so much more adroitly styled that it seemed greatly so. Window glass was once again frameless, and shortly after introduction Cadillac's new Northstar V8 became available in both 270 and 295 hp variants, replacing the 200 hp 4.9 L. The combination of sleek styling and increased power seemed more like the great Eldorados of the past, and reviews were generally good. Sales were up, though never again at record heights. Buyers were seemingly turning against two-door bodies, as illustrated by the fact that the Eldorado's very similar four-door relative, the Cadillac Seville, consistently outsold it.

The Eldorado continued for the rest of the decade with incremental changes and gradually tapering sales. A passenger side airbag was added as standard equipment in 1993. Fresh exterior styling - in the form of updated bumpers front and rear, side cladding, and a new grille - arrived for '95. 1996 featured a slightly revamped interior with a new upholstery sew style, larger analog gauge cluster, relocated climate control system, and updated stereo faces. In the wake of declining sales, circulating reports that the Eldorado would get a redesign for 1999 — similar to that which its Seville platform mate underwent for 1998 — would prove false as the car soldiered on largely unchanged into the new millennium.

The car was also sold under the badge Cadillac ETC (Eldorado Touring Coupe) and ESC (Eldorado Sport Coupe).^[8]

2002 Cadillac Eldorado ETC

Having lost its only remaining 2-door platform mate, the Buick Riviera, after the 1999 model year, rumors of the Eldorado's imminent demise began to circulate. GM showed a lowered, customized Eldorado-based concept at the 2000 North American International Auto Show, which was called EldoRODo, to little media or public interest.

Not long after, GM announced that the Eldorado's 50th model year, 2002, would be its last. To mark the end of the historic name, a limited production run 1,596 of cars in red or white - the colors available on the original 1953 convertible - were produced in three batches of 532, signifying the Eldorado's first year of production. The last cars had exhausts that were specially tuned to imitate the note of their illustrious forerunners from a half-century earlier and dash-mounted plaques indicating each car's sequence in production. Production ended on April 22, 2002^[9], with the Lansing Craft Centre retooled to build the Chevrolet SSR.

References

External links

Product information on:

• 2002,
• 2001 and
• 2000 models.