Cadillac's personal-luxury coupe had lost its rear
skirts in a major 1975 restyle.
This year brought no drastic
changes, but some styling refinements.
The "Cadillac" script
signature was now on the hood (driver's side) rather than the
grille itself.
Though similar to the 1975 version, this year's
crosshatch grille was dominated by vertical bars.
peaked forward
at the center.
It at so reached a bit higher than the quad
rectangular headlamps.
New amber-lensed parking lamps rested down
in the bumper; horizontal amber-lensed cornering lamps sat back
on front fenders.
Massive vertical extensions of the outboard
bumper protrusions stood at front fender tips.
Eldorado script
was on rear fenders and decklid.
Wide, simple new taillamps were
continuous red slots within wide bezel frames, below the decklid
and above the bumper.
Backup lights were on each side of the
license plate.
Additional red lenses, facing both side and rear,
sat in the massive vertical chrome fender extensions.
Distinctively-shaped opera windows sloped down and forward at
the base, following the dip in the quarter panel.
Other styling
highlights included dual accent stripes next to upper and lower
crease lines of the hood's beveled edges.
Upper stripes enderi at
the hood's rear edge; lower stripes extended all the way to rear
edge of door.
The big 500 cu. in. V-8 powered Eldos once again,
but in weakened, detuned state compared to prior years as a
result of more rigorous emissions standards. Bendix electronic
fuel injection, which had become optional in 1975, was available
again; but the basic engine held a four-barrel carb.
New wheel
covers had a black center hub area with bright metal raised
wreath-and-crest. Eldorado's simulated wood dash insert displayed
a carved gunstock pattern. Four-wheel power disc brakes were
standard, as was a padded vinyl "half" roof. A sunroof was
optional. So was the Astroroof that debuted in 1975, with tinted
panel for power sunroof, along with sunshade and metal slider.
The front-drive Eldo's rear suspension included upper and lower
control arms, helical-coil springs, and automatic level control.
Up front were torsion bars. A chain drive connected the torque
converter section to the gear portion of the automatic
transmission. Interiors could be Mansion Knit fabric in any of
four colors; Merlin Plaid in two; or 11 Sierra Grain leather
possibilities. The Custom Cabriolet option had first appeared in
1972. That roof this year featured padded Elk Grain vinyl in
choice of eleven colors with bright chrome molding, plus
wreath/crest ornamentation on sail panels.
A Custom Biarritz
option arrived late in the model year. That one included thick
padding on back roof area, a limousine-style backlight, opera
lamps. chrome molding along fenderline, and Sierra Grain
pillow-soft leather seats. The package came with or without an
Astroroof or sunroof. Eldo held the dubious record of being the
world's biggest car with front-wheel drive--delivering gas
mileage to prove it. Back in '76, though, the coupe got far less
attention than the convertible, simply because this was the final
year for any GM ragtop. Though hardly rare with 14,000 copies
rolling off the line, they gained considerable media coverage and
the covetous attention of speculators hoping to profit mightily
from the last of a long line of open- topped Caddies. Except for
the final 200 all-white examples, Eldorado's convertible top came
in white, black, dark blue, firethorn, dark blue-green, buckskin,
or ivory color.
Series Number
Body/Style
Body
Type
Seating
Factory Price
Shipping
weight
Production total
6E
L47
2-door
Coupe
5
$10,586
5085
35,184
6E
L67
2-door
Convertible
5
$11,049
5153
14,000
ENGINE
Feature
Carburetor engine
Fuel Injected engine
Type
V-8 90-degree, overhead valve V-8.
Cast iron block and head.
Displacement
500 cu. in. (8.2
liters)
Bore & stroke
4.300 x 4.304
in.
Compression ratio
8.5:1
Brake horsepower
190 @ 3600 R.P.M.
215 @
3600 R.P.M.
Torque
360 lb.-ft. @ 2000 R.P.M.
400 lb.-ft. @
2000 R.P.M.
Main bearings
Five
Valve lifters
Hydraulic valve
lifters
Fuel distribution
4 Bbl. Rochester M4ME
Fuel
Injection
CHASSIS DATA
Wheelbase: 126.3 in.
Overall length: 224.1 in.
Height: 54.2 in.
Width: 79.8 in.
Front Tread: 63.7 in.
Rear Tread: 63.6 in.
Standard tires: LR78-15
TECHNICAL
Transmission: Three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic
Gear ratios:
1st = 2.48:1
2nd = 1.48:1
3rd = 1.00:1
Rev = 2.07:1 or 2.09:1.
Standard axle (final drive) ratio: 2.73:1.
Optional final drive: 3.07:1
Hypoid rear axle
Steering: variable ratio power assisted.
Front suspension: upper/lower control arms, torsion bars
Rear suspension: four-link drive, coil springs
automatic level control
Body construction: separate body and perimeter frame.
Wheel size: 15 x 6 JK.
Brakes: four-wheel disc
power booster on all.
HEI electronic ignition
Fuel tank: 27.5 US gal.
DRIVETRAIN OPTIONS
Fuel-injected V-8 engine ($647)
Heavy-duty cooling system ($40)
80-amp alternator ($45)
California emission equipment ($50)
Limited slip differential N/A on Eldorado.
Trailering pkg. ($85)
OPTION PACKAGES
Eldorado Cabriolet ($432)
w/Astroroof ($1391)
w/sunroof ($1207)
CONVENIENCE/APPEARANCE
OPTIONS
Astroroof for full vinyl roof ($885)
Astroroof (painted): ($985)
Sunroof for full vinyl roof ($701)
Sunroof for painted roof ($800)
Cruise control ($104)
Controlled-cycle wipers ($28)
Rear defogger, grid-type ($77)
Six-way dual comfort power passenger seat: ($131)
Power passenger 50/50 seat w/recliner: ($221)
Manual driver's 50/50 seatback recliner ($65)
Tilt/telescope steering wheel ($102)
Automatic door locks $100)
Illuminated entry system ($52)
Fuel monitor ($26)
Theft deterrent system ($114)
Remote trunk lock ($68)
Twilight Sentinel ($47)
Guidematic headiamp control ($54)
Trumpet horn ($19)
Remote-control right mirror ($30)
Thermometer on left mirror ($18)
Lighted vanity mirror, passenger ($44 - $60)
AM/FM stereo radio w/tape player: ($93)
Signal-seeking AM/FM stereo radio ($147)
Signal-seeking AM/FM stereo radio w/weather band: ($61)
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