Cadillac Eldorado History Moels & History 1989


The Eldorado continued to be available as the Eldorado coupe and as the Eldorado Biarritz, which was ordered as Option Code YP3. A new white diamond color was introduced, allowing a choice of 18 colors for the Eldorado buyer. The black metallic roof of 1988 was replaced with a sable black version. The Biarritz roof was revised via the elimination of the bright bead adjacent to the roof molding. New options consisted of the electrochromic mirror, Delco/Bose Symphony sound System and digital disc player. New standard features consisted of an accent molding, remote fuel door release, front license plate mounting, the AM/FM stereo radio used on the Sixty Special and aluminum alloy wheels with a snowflake finish.

The 1989 Eldo boasted more standard equipment with no significant price increase, while the ’90 gained 35 bhp with no loss in mileage by switching from throttle-body injection to the more efficient multi-port type. A driver’s airbag became standard that year, and the Touring Coupe returned as a nine-second 0-60 sprinter with 215/60 performance tires, 16 x 7-inch forged-alloy wheels, 10-way power sport seats, and a deftly dechromed exterior. Performance improved further for 1991 via a newly stroked 4.9 V-8 delivering 200 bhp and 0-60 in 8.2 seconds. Even better, ABS became standard, as did a velvety-shifting new chip-controlled automatic transaxle. Also standard now was Computer Command Ride, the speed-dependent variable-rate damping system pioneered for 1989 on Cadillac’s singular two-seat Allanté.

Interior changes for 1989 were headlined by a high-gloss bird’s-eye maple wood trim for the instrument panel, front console and door panels that were installed on the Eldorado Biarritz and standard on Eldorados with the B20 Appliques option. The Eldorado’s floor mats were of the new design used on other 1989 Cadillacs. A passive vehicle anti-theft system (VATS) that disengaged the starter, fuel pump and ECM we standard. Also found on all Eldorados was a driver side express-down window with a three-second activation and a tap up/down deactivation. The heater/defroster and bi-level air modes were revised to provide a more gradual and comfortable transition from warm to cool air, as well as an increased bi-level airflow.

I. D. DATA

The 1989 Cadillac had a 17-symbol vehicle identification number (VIN) stamped on a metal tag attached to the upper left surface of the cowl visible through the windshield. The code was as follows:

First digit “1” represented the manufacturing country (United States)
Second digit “G” represented General Motors
Third digit “6” represented Cadillac
Fourth digit “E” Eldorado car line
Fifth symbol “L” Eldorado series identification
Digits six and seven “57” Eldorado coupe
eighth digit “7” 273 cu. in. V-8. engine
Ninth digit “?” a check digit
Tenth digit “K” represents the model year, 1989
Eleventh digit represents the assembly plant
Digits 12-17 the production sequence: 600000 and up

 

Model Series Number Body/Style Number Body Type Factory Price Shipping Weight Production Total
Eldorado 6E L57 2-dr Coupe $26,915 3422 lb 20,633
Eldorado Biarritz 6E L57 2-dr Coupe $- – lb 7,174

 

ENGINE DATA

 

Type 90-degree, overhead valve, V-8, aluminum block and cast iron cylinder liners, cast iron cylinder heads
Displacement 273 cu. in. (4.5 liters)
Bore & Stroke 3.62 in. x 3.31 in.
Compression ratio 9.0:1
Brake horsepower 155 @ 4000 rpm
Torque 240 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm
Main bearings Five
Valve lifters Roller hydraulic valve lifters
Fuel supply Digital electronic fuel injection

 

Model Wheelbase Overall length Height Width Front Tread Rear Tread Standard Tires
Eldorado 108.0 in. 190.8 in 53.7 in. 70.9 in. 59.9 in. 59.9 in. Michelin P205/70R15

 

Model Transmission Steering Ratios Front Suspension Rear Suspension Brakes Body construction Fuel Tank
Eldorado THM 440-T4 automatic four-speed (includes overdrive and viscous converter clutch) Power-assisted rack and pinion 16.5:1 independent MacPherson strut with coil springs, strut-type shock absorbers and stabilizer bar fully independent with coil springs. Automatic level control and strut-type superlift shock absorbers Power-assisted front disc/rear drum with Teves anti-lock braking system Integral body-frame 18.8 US Gal.

 

DRIVETRAIN OPTIONS

 

  • Anti-lock braking, $749.25
  • Seville touring sedan option YP6, $5,754 (includes a touring suspension also available as option FE2, $155, for both the Seville and Eldorado consisting of stiffer front springs, larger diameter front stabilizer bar, a rear stabilizer bar and faster steering. The STS also had a 3.33:1 final drive ratio)
  • engine block heater, $45
CONVENIENCE/APPEARNACE OPTIONS

 

  • Accent striping, $75
  • Anti-lock braking system. $925
  • Bird’s-eye maple appliques [incl. in Eldorado Biarritz], $2435
  • Astroroof, $1355.
  • Biarritz-Eldorado leather, $3325
  • Biarritz-Eldorado cloth, $2875
  • California emissions and testing, $100
  • Cellular mobile telephone, $1975
  • Cellular mobile telephone provision, $395
  • Rear window defogger, $195
  • Automatic door locks, $185
  • Remote release fuel filler door, $65
  • Gold ornamentation package, $395
  • Leather seating area, $450
  • Automatic day/night mirror, $80
  • Firemist paint [not avail. with two-tone paint on Eldorado Coupe], $240
  • Primary firemist paint, $190
  • Secondary firemist paint, $50
  • White diamond paint, $240
  • Monotone lower accent color, no charge
  • Delco-Bose with compact disc system, $872
  • Power passenger seat recliner, $95-$410
  • Full padded vinyl roof [n/a with STS], $1095
  • Full cabriolet roof [n/a with STS or full padded vinyl roof], $1095
  • Leather-trimmed steering wheel, n/c
  • Theft deterrent system, $225
  • Whitewall P215/65R15 tires, $76
  • Touring suspension, $115
  • Wire locking wheel discs [incl. with Eldorado Biarritz, n/a with STS], $235