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
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.
Photo courtesy of Mark & Debbie Dearborn
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.
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
FACTORY PRICE AND WEIGHT
NOTE
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
Power passenger seat recliner w/six-way power seat: ($302).
Leather-trimmed steering wheel ($79).
Tilt/telescope steering wheel ($147).
Theft deterrent system ($157).
Guidematic headlamp control ($78).
Opera lamps: ($72).
Trumpet horn ($28).
Thermometer on left mirror ($35).
Twin lighted vanity mirrors ($116).
Electronic-tuning seek/scan AM/FM stereo radio with 8-track tape player ($195); with 8-track and CB
($480); w/cassette ($281); w/cassette and CB ($547).
Two-tone paint: ($293); partial Firemist. ($394).
Firemist paint ($208).
Door edge guards ($16-$24).
License frames, each ($11).
Front console: ($151).
Leather seating area ($439-$595).
Carpeted rubber floor mats: front ($35-$38); rear ($20).
Photo courtesy of Mark & Debbie Dearborn
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