Eldorado Cadillac Moels & History 1981
Up front, Eldorado’s new grille had a tiny crosshatch pattern below the wide, brushed-chrome finished, peaked upper bar. Quad rectangular headlamps sat above amber-lensed quad parking/signal lamps. Horizontal-style clear/amber cornering lamps sat a short distance back on the fenders. Like Seville, Eldorado also added a front air dam below the bumper. Wheel covers showed big red medallions. Inside, Eldorados sported a new center console, woodgrain applique on door panels, and simulated teakwood dash trim. Standard equipment this year included
1980 Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Mark & Debbie Dearborn
- low rolling-resistance tires
- low-fuel warning
- a new underhood light
- new windshield washers.
Also standard:
- dual-spot map lamps/courtesy lights
- seat belt chimes
- lamp monitors
- electric trunk release and power pull-down,
- compact spare tire
- dual remote-control mirrors
- six-way power driver’s seat
- electronic-tuning signal-seeking stereo radio
- MPG Sentinel
- Twilight Sentinel
- accent stripes on bodysides and deck lid
- much more.
As before, Eldorados featured four-wheel independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and electronic level control. On the option list was a Touring Suspension that included larger tires. New Dual Comfort 45/45 front seats held driver and passenger. Leather upholstery in tufted seating areas came in 10 hues including new doeskin, light waxberry, and dark jadestone. New standard Heather and Dundee fabric came in four colors. Door handles were new too.
Standard engine was the new 368 cu. in. V8-6-4 with on-board computer diagnostics. Two options were offered: Buick’s 4.1-liter V-6 with three-speed automatic transmission (four-speed overdrive with the V8-6-4), or the Oldsmobile diesel V-8. Major body components now carried labels conforming to vehicle identification numbers, in an attempt to prevent thefts. Eldorado Biarritz included tufted pillow-style seating and steering wheel in Sierra Grain leather, in any of five colors; Tampico carpeting; front console; individual rear reading lamps; opera lamps; accent stripes; and Biarritz script insignia. A brushed stainless steel roof section extended from the flush-mount windshield back to an Elk Grain vinyl cabriolet roof. A wide chrome molding crossed the roof, turning a square corner and extending forward to the front fenders. Biarritz came in 21 colors. New standard wire wheel covers had red center sections with the Cadillac wreath-and-crest medallion. The opera lamps were optional on the Eldorados.
STYLE
Model Number | Style Number | Body Type | Seating | Factory Price | Shipping Weight | Production Total |
6E | L57 | 2-door Coupe | 5 | $17,385 / 17,550 | 3815 / 3822 lb | 60,643 |
Figures before the slash are for V-6 engine, after slash for variable-displacement gas V8-6-4. A diesel V-8 was also available on Eldorado. By late spring 1981, prices rose on all except Eldorado.
ENGINES
Feature | Standard 8-6-4 V8 | Option V-6 | Option V-8 diesel |
Type | 90-degree, overhead valve variable-displacement. Cast iron block and head | 90-degree, overhead valve V-6. Cast iron block and head | 90-degree, overhead valve V-8. Cast iron block and head |
Displacement | 368 cu. in. (6.0 liters) | 252 cu. in. (4.1 liters) | 350 cu. in. (5.7 liters) |
Bore & stroke | 3.80 x 4.06 in. | 3.965 x 3.40 in. | 4.057 x 3.385 in. |
Compression ratio | 8.2:1 | 8.0:1 | 22.5:1 |
Brake horsepower | 140 @ 3800 rpm | 125 @ 3800 rpm | 105 @ 3200 rpm |
Torque | 265 lbs.-ft. @ 1400 rpm | 210 lbs.-ft. @ 2000 rpm | 200 lbs.-ft. @ 1600 rpm |
Main bearings | Five | ||
Valve lifters | Hydraulic | ||
Fuel supply | Digital fuel injection | 4-bbl Carburetor | Fuel injection |
Made by | Cadillac | Buick | Oldsmobile |
VIN Code | 9 | 4 | N |
CHASSIS
Wheelbase | 114.0 in. |
Overall length | 204.5 in. |
Height | 54.3 in. |
Width | 71.5 in. |
Front Tread | 59.3 in. |
Rear Tread | 60.6 in. |
Standard Tires | P205/75R15 SBR wide WSW |
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission | Turbo Hydra-matic transmission, column shift. |
Gear ratio three-speed automatic | (1st) 2.74:1; (2nd) 1.57:1; (3rd) 1.00:1; (Rev) 2.07:1. |
Gear ratio four-speed automatic | (1st) 2.74:1; (2nd) 1.57:1; (3rd) 1.00:1: (4th) 0.667:1; (Rev) 2.07:1. |
Standard final drive ratio | 2.41:1 except w/V-6, 2.93:1 |
Steering | recirculating ball (power assisted). |
Front suspension | independent torsion bars, link-type stabilizer bar |
Rear suspension | independent trailing arm, coil springs, electronic level control |
Brakes | four-wheel disc. |
Fuel tank | 22.8 gal. w/diesel, 20.3 gal. w/V8-6-4, 21.1 gal. w/V-6 |