Full-Sized Cruiser: 1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible
In 1965, Bob Dylan “went electric” at the Newport Folk Festival. Shocking. Nearly 60 years later, the second owner of this super-clean 1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible is selling this beauty because, like Dylan, he’s “gone electric and making space in my garage.” The ’75 Eldorado was one of the best cruising, full-sized convertibles Detroit ever produced, and this fine example can be enjoyed – top up or down – from day one by the next owner. It’s currently in River Vale, New Jersey, and is for sale here on craigslist for an asking price of $18,750. Another shout out to Mitchell G. for sending this exquisite Eldorado our way.
I’m not spotting any issues with the exterior of this elegant Eldorado. The Roxena Red paint is very presentable as is all the shiny stuff and trim. The owner says the hood and trunk were repainted and the rear fillers repaired in 2018. The white convertible top was also redone in 2018 and adjusted this year and is said to work great. And, it’s four white-wall tires were added last year. Although it was still based on the 1971 model year, the Eldorado got a bit of an exterior makeover which included new rectangular sealed beam headlamps (which were ultra modern-looking back then), an ornate front grille, and the elimination of rear fender skirts. It is the epitome of a full-sized (224.1”) long hood, short deck luxury convertible cruiser from the ’70’s.
The spacious interior of this Eldorado screams luxury, comfort – and the 1970’s. The owner says the interior was redone in 2018 in “BMW White” and the like-new looking steering wheel was redone in 2024. It can seat six adults easily, and the flat floor (thanks to front-wheel drive) adds to the roominess. Plus, Cadillacs ingenious inward-folding top provides full-width seating for its rear passengers. The only thing that’s not working properly is the AC that’s not blowing cold air. Everything else – the power windows, driver’s seats, locks, antenna, etc.- is working like it should.
There’s not a great photo of the engine, but this Caddy is housing what was, at the time, the largest displacement V8 ever to be offered in a production car: a 500-cubic-inch V8. It’s mated to a Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission and the owner lists the mileage at 45,000. The engine received a new water pump and radiator in 2023 and the battery was just replaced. Cadillac produced only 8,950 Eldorado convertibles for the 1975 model year. And with a price tag breaking the $10,000 price barrier (when the average car cost $5,000), the select few who could afford Caddy’s Creme de la Creme, pampered these garage queens and rightfully so. This is one of the nicest ’75 Eldorado Convertibles we’ve listed here on Barn Finds. I envy the lucky 3rd owner!
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Comments
Now THAT’S a CADILLAC! I love it, and wish I could buy it! Most of these are either kept really nice by collectors, or they rotted away and got junked years ago. He just might sell it if it’s as good as it looks in the pictures. I hope it finds a good home.
Back when Cadillac WAS The Standard of the WORLD. What a beautiful monument to a time when bigger was better! 🏆 The price is truly a Bon Marche. Unfortunately out of my reach. 😔. My only issue is BMW 🤮 white name for upholstery! IMO, BMW has always lacked EVERYTHING that made Cadillac THE Epitome of motoring class, luxury and elegance. ELECTRIC?👎
Had 76 in Firethorn for 8 years. Felt as if I were King of the world driving it. That is, until it needed 26 gallons of Premium to fill it quite frequently at 11 mpg, at best As speed needle went up, gas gauge went down. Sold it when it took 1/2 day to get it smogged here in California. Still miss that experience.
It’s HUGE! It guzzles gas! It pollutes the air! It scares the birds! Other cars part like the Red Sea to get out of the way! I LOVE it! 👍. 🏆 😄 😁 🤣
The exterior dimensions say “full-sized,” but the Eldorado was classified as a mid-sized car, probably the largest ever made.
In those glorious days of Body by Fisher, this was by comparison a mid size. Now only glorified trucks come close to this size! 🤮. Those WERE the days!
One of my favorite color combinations on any Cadillac, but especially a drop top Eldorado. I really like how they paid attention to the details with the interior, even going so far as to restore the steering wheel. The dash pad looks amazing too. And no broken plastic filler panels, at least none i can see. This is gorgeous and i just hope whoever buys it takes really good care of it. Id wager that a lot of money and hours of work went into this beauty.
I’d love to buy this, but I can’t, timing is no good, looking to retire to Florida, didn’t go yet, probably not going to have a garage, but this is what I want down there, I’d put the factory radio back in w the 8 track, and switch tires to 1.5 inch whitewalls, fix the A/C and cruise with a nice Barry White tape on
OMG!!! What’s that round button on the floor below the E-brake???
Askin’ fir a friend.
Not sure, but it may be a plug for where a CB was connected. CB radios were fairly common at the time. Anyone else have an opinion? Once had a 78 Town Coupe with CB. Seems like that is about where it was connected.
The Eldorado has a transmission hump???
It’s the high beam button! or are you just kidding me?🤔
See my previous post. Although the high beam switch may still be on the floor, it would be smaller, far to the left and out of sight . I STILL believe the larger circle on the transmission hump is likely a cap for where a CD radio was previously removed! That’s MY story, and I’m stickin to it! 👍
OK! This was front wheel drive, but that circle is still too far to the right, do be a dimmer. WOW! So much debate over a HUMP! 😮 😉
The round button on the floor is for the high beams.
With all due respect, There is a large black circular shape on the driver side of the transmission hump. I know what you mean, but think high beam switch had been moved to lever on column by that time.
I agree with you D’stile…..it looks very much like the old ‘dip-switch’ button to me.
I had a 76 convertible. It’s about 19.5 feet long so I don’t know how they got mid-size out of that. I doubt anything out there was any bigger that year. They cruise great and look good from a bit of a distance but up close there’s so much plastic it looks cheap.
I am reading these comments and amazed at how little young people know about old cars.
The button on the floor is to switch from low beam headlights to the highbeams. Push it again and they go back to just lowbeam. Moving that function to the directional signal stalk didn’t happen until the 80s.
If you’ll also notice, the radio was replaced with a cassett player stereo and there’s something next to the stereo, not sure what it is. Any guesses? Also looks like there might be a car phone there.
When I was shopping for one of these back in the early 2000s I had an opportunity to purchase one with the same color combination. It was so tempting as he was only asking $200. Yeah, it was in really bad shape, but it did run and drive. If I didn’t buy it he was going to junk it the next day. Still kicking myself for not buying it if for nothing else to save it.
Ended up buying a baby blue with baby blue interior, white convertible top. That was $1200, much better condition as it was a true barn find. Replaced the front bumper cushions with OEM parts, replaced back ones with junkyard finds. It pretty much spent the winter months in New Jersey in the garage at the repair shop. But that Spring and Summer was cruise heaven.
Looking to eventually get another but as pretty as this one is and quite a terrific price, I think it’s a pass. Something about this one doesn’t sit right with me . Can’t put my finger on it, but this one is a no.
Isn’t it amazing how back then (late 90s) they were trying to give them away and now, nothing compares with the sheer style of these beauties. Back then you knew immediately what this car was a block away. Now you can’t find your car in the parking lot cause they all look the same. How times have changed.
My Dad had one of these new. Same color combo same rag top. When we were cruising with the top down down Main Street in Mason City Iowa there was nothing better. Oh the memories. I miss the car but I miss my Dad more.