Cadillac History Eldorado (1971-78 )

Cadillac Eldorado Models & History (1971-78 )

While waiting one more year for an all-new downsized body, Eldorado received no major change other than a revised crosshatch grille dominated by heavier horizontal bars. Also noteworthy on the outside was the padded Elk grain vinyl top. The four-row peaked checkerboard grille was flanked by quad rectangular headlamps. Amber parking lamps sat low on the bumper. The grille pattern was repeated between license plate and bumper guards, below the protruding protective strip. Massive chrome vertical bumper ends extended upward to form housings for auxiliary lamps, forming a huge bright extension of fender tips. Eldorado block letters stood above the upper grille bar, which tapered outward above the headlamps.

Standard engine was the 425 cu. in. (7.0-liter) V-8, available with carburetor or fuel injection. Eldorados had

four-wheel disc brakes
front-wheel drive
electronic level control
automatic climate control
power windows and door locks
cornering lights
six-way power seat
three-speed wipers
Freedom battery
lamp monitors.

What else? How about

a trip odometer
wide-whitewall steel-belted radial tires
Soft-Ray tinted glass
accent striping
remote control left-hand mirror
color-keyed litter container
vanity mirror
lighters
bumper impact strips
a stowaway spare tire.

Interiors might be Halifax knit in four colors, Random velour in choice of three, or a dozen Sierra Grain leather combinations. Dramatic two-tones were also available on Dual Comfort front seats, in three color combinations. Option included

a 40-channel CB
8-track tape player
Astroroof
sun roof.

Eldorado Biarritz, which first appeared during the 1976 model year, now sported a convertible-like padded vinyl top, unique scripts, accent stripes, and distinctive chrome body moldings. Inside the Custom Biarritz were Sierra Grain leather contoured pillow-style seats in antique medium saddle, white, dark carmine, antique yellow, or antique light blue. The Cabriolet roof accented Eldo’s distinctively-shaped quarter windows that tapered downward at the front, with a vinyl-insert molding across the fully padded Elk Grain vinyl top. Black-accented brushed stainless steel belt moldings stretched from rear to hood, terminating in a spearlike design at the front. Special stripes accented front fenders, doors, and rear quarter panels. Biarritz came in five colors: Mediterranean Blue Firemist, Cotillion White, Carmine Red, Colonial Yellow, and Ruidoso Saddle. All had opera lamps, remote-control passenger-side mirror, and color-coordinated wheel discs. Customers also had the choice of a Custom Biarritz Classic, with two-tone paint scheme that not everyone found attractive.

Model Number	Style Number	Body Type	Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
6E	L47	2-door Coupe	6	$11,921	4906	46,816

ENGINES

Feature	Base engine	Optional fuel injected engine	Optional diesel engine
Type	90-degree, overhead valve V-8. Cast iron block and head
Displacement	425 cu. in. (7.0 liters)		350 cu. in. (5.7 liters)
Bore & stroke	4.082x 4.06 in.		4.057 x 3.385 in.
Compression ratio	8.2:1		22.5:1
Brake horsepower	180 @ 4000 rpm	195 @ 3800 rpm	120 @ 3600 rpm
Torque	320 lbs.-ft. @ 2000 rpm	320 @ 2400 rpm	220 lbs.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
Main bearings	Five
Valve lifters	Hydraulic
Fuel supply	4 Bbl. carburetor	electronic fuel injection	Electronic fuel injection
VIN Code	S	T	N

CHASSIS DATA

Wheelbase: 126.3″
Overall length: 224.0″
Height: 54.2″
Width: 79.8″
Front Tread: 63.7″
Rear Tread: 63.6″
Standard Tires: LR78 x 15-B

TECHNICAL

Transmission: Turbo Hydra-matic transmission standard on all models; column shift.
Gear ratios: (1st) 2.48:1: (2nd) 1.48:1; (3rd) 1.00:1; (Rev) 2.07:1.
Standard axle ratio: 2.73:1 except high-alt. 3.07:1.
Spiral bevel rear axle
Steering: variable-ratio, power assisted
Front suspension: upper/lower control arms, torsion bars
Rear suspension: four-link drive, coil springs
Brakes: four-wheel disc.
HEI electronic ignition.
Fuel tank: 27 gal.

DRIVETRAIN OPTIONS

Heavy-duty cooling system ($41)
80-amp alternator ($51)
Engine block heater ($20)
California emission equipment ($75)
High altitude pkg. ($33)

OPTION PACKAGES

Eldorado Cabriolet ($484)
Eldorado Cabriolet w/Astroroof ($1565)
Eldorado Cabriolet w/sunroof ($1365)
Eldorado Custom Biarritz ($1865); w/Astroroof ($2946); w/sunroof ($2746)
Eldorado Custom Biarritz Classic ($2466); w/Astroroof ($3547); w/sunroof ($3347)