Final Year

1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible

- Final Year
- 500ci V8
- Automatic Transmission
- White Over Red Interior
- White Convertible Top

The 1976 Cadillac Eldorado was going to be the last convertible ever built from Detroit, in fact Cadillac even made mention of it in their ads eluding that it could only appreciate in value. "It is the only convertible now built in America. And it will be our last. The very last." Concerns with imminent federal rollover legislation and what Cadillac believed was changing consumer preferences decided to make the convertible go away forever after the 1976 model year. Even with a staggering sticker price of $11,049 plus destination charge, Cadillac could not build enough to satisfy demand. A limited supply of convertible top frames and other components held production to 14,000, the last 200 of which were designated as "Bicentennial Edition" cars, identical down to their triple-white color schemes and exhaustive list of options. Opportunists smelled money with newspapers reporting about sky-high asking prices. Some owners drove their cars directly into garages and covered them up with tarps, to be lovingly preserved until they could be sold for a profit sometime in the future.

As it turned out, the convertible, much like Lazarus, rose from the dead. In just a few short years later in 1979, coachbuilder Hess & Eisenhardt began converting Coupe DeVilles into soft-top "Le Cabriolets," which were--quietly--offered for sale through Cadillac dealerships at $25,977 apiece. Chrysler jumped back into the pool in 1982, with the convertible Le Baron, and Ford followed in 1983 with an open-air Mustang. By 1984, Cadillac was eating its words. So, while it didn't turn out to be the end of an era, the 1976 Eldorado remains as one of the last and best examples of a full-size GM convertibles of the mid-to-late 1970s, and as reported by the Hagerty Valuation Guide carries a significant premium over comparable Oldsmobiles, Buicks and Pontiacs.

Featured here is a well-preserved example of these iconic cars of the 70's. This car is simply stunning with white exterior or red interior. The paint presents well with a nice luster. Bumper chrome is original and well maintained and shows with a deep shine. Related stainless and trim is all present and equally well preserved. The white top is an older replacement and is still in very good condition and features the glass rear window with rear electric defogger. The rear tonneau cover is present and presents as original.
The red interior is rich and luxurious and possesses some typical signs of past driver enjoyment, but overall continues to show exceptionally well with no rips or tears. The seat cushions support passengers very well, and the leathers remains exceptionally soft with some light wrinkles. Overall, the interior is all original other than new carpet. Options include power seats, tilt steering, power windows and locks, air conditioning, cruise control, sentinel lighting, power top, power antenna, Delco AM/FM stereo and power trunk release.

Under the hood is the massive 500cid V8 and the engine compartment has been lightly detailed. It presents as well maintained with a recent tune-up and fresh coolant hoses and valve cover gaskets. Underneath the chassis and underbody are unrestored. The frame and floorboards are clean and free of any rust through with no indications of any accident or rust repair. The power steering and power four-wheel disc brakes and automatic transmission make driving this luxury cruiser effortless. The gas tank has been replaced and new front shocks and the driver's side drive axle has been installed. The big V8 purrs through a fresh dual exhaust and this cruiser rolls on Suntrac Power Touring whitewall radial tires.

This Cadillac is a fantastic car to drive. The ride is amazing for a nearly 50 year old car and it possess plenty of power to cruise the boulevards, highway or backroads. Please call if interested or e-mail with specific questions. Thanks for looking.