Puttin’ On The Ritz! 1985 Cadillac Biarritz Convertible
Oh, baby, we’re in tall cotton now with this 1985 Cadillac Biarritz convertible. This was the state of Cadillac’s most prestigious two-door, front-wheel drive, personal luxury coupe in the mid-eighties. I’m going to go out on a limb with the assumption that this design could be considered polarizing – as in there are those who will love it and those who won’t. One consistent assertion that will likely remain a constant, however, is agreement on this Eldo’s condition – it’s 30K miles of new! Those who desire an ’80s-themed luxo coupe, with a drop-top no less, will find this Biarritz living in the lap of luxury in Chicago, Illinois where it’s available, here on craigslist for $30,000. T.J. gets the nod for this discovery!
This Eldorado is a member of the tenth generation (’79-’85) and represented a pretty serious downsizing from its predecessor. The most interesting aspect of this car, I find, is its convertible body style. The 1976 Eldorado had the distinction of being the last domestic convertible produced and it occurred at a time when interest in open-air motoring had significantly waned. Also, there was the belief that rollover standards would, from a regulatory perspective, eliminate the open-top possibility anyway, so convertibles were consigned to the dustbin of history – or so it was thought. Cadillac, with the assistance of American Sunroof Corp., brought the Eldorado convertible back for two model years, ’84 and ’85. Neither years were big sellers with less than 6K copies being produced in total.
Today’s find is the highfalutin “Biarritz” trim level which was most notable for its brushed stainless steel roof panel and padded landau top. Of course, all of that is circumvented with the convertible edition. Regardless, this one’s a standout with its deep red finish, white folding top, stainless rocker panel trim, wire wheel covers, vogue tires, and I guess its chrome-plated header – that one’s subjective.
The biggest detraction is this Eldorado’s 135 net HP, 4.1 liter V8 engine. Tomes have been written about it and it’s not exactly on the hit parade of GM’s engines. Instead of my blathering on about it, I suggest that you check out this link, it does more to tell the story of the HT-4100 (hook and tow?) than I could ever do. Make sure to invoke the YouTube video – it’s an eye-opener. I find it interesting that the seller does not comment on this car’s running and driving prowess.
As for the interior, it’s a mid-80s Caddy all the way – it looks more like a gentlemen’s smoking lounge than the inside of a car. The red leather upholstery is in perfect shape as is the entire environment – it appears to need no attention. The only drawback that I can conjure is the instrument panel, it’s cheap looking in a typical GM way of this era and not up to snuff for a car of this stature. Note the mobile phone, wonder if it can still connect to a modern 4 or 5G network?
There you go, this one’s a visual feast that’s for certain. I’m trying to determine the likely market for such a car and a collector is what I keep circling back to. How about that $30K price, what do you think, priced right or not quite?
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Comments
I’m assuming it’s front wheel drive?
Yep nup, not an option.
I was 20 in 1985, and there’s no way in hell I’d choose that interior.
Bottom line.
Yep it’s a caddy
Nup not interested.
🎶 Taco 🎤
Uhmmmm no pics with the top down? Does the top work? New but cheap tires? 30k asking price…….Nah I’ll Pass.
Love 85 Eldos except for the boat anchor GM called am engine. If you want a beautiful 79 to 85 Eldo get a 79 or 80 only. They have the 368 IRON Cad engine. 30 large for this? No thanks.
I had a ’79 Eldo Biarritz back in my very adventurous 20’s, moved to Florida fm WI. to pursue dreams, towing a Uhaul trailer. I put that poor car through hell, it never left me stranded, I think I had the 350 in it. It eventually died when I pulled it into a car lot in Tampa to trade it in for a ’82 280ZX.
Beautiful car and interior, yes front wheel drive, engine no power and not a very good engine.
Did they come with olds 307 and a 350 too, diesels were also no good.
4100 = junk. I was never crazy about these. The one to have is the Riviera. I bought one and still have, not a missile but quite adequate for a 4000 lb malaise car. Beautiful with the top down. After you have a 60 Eldorado, a 67, and then a bunch of 71 to 76s, I’m sorry, these are crap. I junked several of these convertibles over the years.
It’s funny how the 4.1 was a dog but my 91 Sedan DeVille with the 4.9 tranverse layout was pretty fast. It was a great for bombing through Manhattan cross town traffic.
had a 79 eldo.sold it in 87 with 303k on the clock for $900.00. had the olds motor. loved that car.. mine was black with red leather inside.only problem i had was nylon timing gear that failed at 210k.. i bought it in 80 for 3500 used it for business. even had an 8 track player. my eldo was fast as hell i miss it now and then.. but currently drive a 2020 sierra 3500 diesel….
I dont know how this is on the East coast but car clubs out West have very few members with cars from the 1980’s……especially GM. And cars of this era when listed for sale in club newsletters go unsold for a long time, if at all.
The pillow-top seats on the Eldorado is called the Biarritz option, and on the Fleetwood, Brougham and Deville, it’s called d’Elegance. I love the interior and ride of these cars, but their poorly made engines and transmissions that were pitifully underpowered makes this a NO for me, especially at that price. It’s nice to look at, and with a much better drivetrain I’d love it. The Toronado and the Riviera came with similar optional interiors, and a better engine, like the Olds 307 4bbl.
I like the looks. Would prefer a Toronado or Riviera, but this is a nice example. Meh on the engine. If it’s in as good shape as it appears, $30k is high nonetheless. $25k is more reasonable. I’d definitely check it out with my mechanic first.
The cars engine combo will never be sought after – anemic by all accounts – better to toss it entirely LS swap all day long put some guts into that Biarritz 👍🏾
Car screams for hydraulics it’d make a great low rider all.car clubbed out.
He’s way out of line. ASC conversions—NO PARTS AVAILABLE—and that was in 1994.
Had to have a roof latch fabricated on my 83 Riviera ASC conversion. Wasn’t cheap.
The 4100 is a deal breaker. Considering all that CAN go wrong, he needs to come down to 15K if he expects to sell it—-to anyone with common sense, anyway.
Stupid-looking fake RR grille, no pics of the top down, no pics of the bumpers, wimpy 4.1 V8. The 2 worthwhile things on this car are the interior condition and the fact that this is a convertible. Pass.
The chrome plated all steel grille outdoes the OEM plastic any day. I have one on my Fleetwood Brougham. Announces my arrival.
Boy. After reading all the comments about this Eldorado, I’m glad that we sold my late father- in-law’s ‘85 Cadillac convertible. His was the
“Classic Cadillac” badged version with white on white. I only was allowed to drive it once to work and back, which was quite enjoyable. My only dislike about the car was she had no guts when I stepped on the gas. The looks the car generated were there but as a daily driver…..
When hubby and I went Eldorado shopping, this guy had a 1975 convertible in baby blue and a 1985 convertible in white. Both were covered in years of dust. They’ve both been sitting in this barn for decades.
It was a real dilemma for me, as I absolutely love the ’75 Eldorado with its wide stance and enormous length. The ’85 was in much better condition, but I’ve never cared for the downsized Eldos of the late 70s mid 80s. They were so narrow.
As I recall both were priced about the same, so after much deliberation, I decided on the ’75.
Backed it out of the barn waiting for the two men to wash the windshield so I could see where I was going, slapped a set of plates on it and drove it the 10 miles homes.
Once washed and cleaned up it wasn’t in very bad shape. Loved that car, still kicking myself for getting rid of it. But in my humble opinion, any Eldorado after 1978 was junk. That’s just me.
I have always loved these and have owned two. One had that HT 4100 engine. It cost $7500 to replace it 25 years ago.
As much as I love the look of these. I will never buy another HT 4100.
I have had my ‘84 triple white Biarritz ragtop since ‘02… was my 40th birthday gift from my bride. Had 46,000 miles on it then and 52,000 on it now. Change the oil once a year and the coolant every 5. Have had no issues with it all …. Cannot wait for the warm weather again.
Wow it’s way overpriced. Yes, it’s a head turner. Also a head ache with that dog of an engine.
Well, the good news is the engine compartment looks like 30m unlike the ’76 Cutlass Salon we saw on here.
Same area for the bad news, the engine, as has been alludes to. Give me the Olds 350 or even the 307, then you’ve got something.
I’ll never be a rag top fan, but love the Biarritz interior. These 80s dashes tended to crack in 4 places, along with other GM full size like Chev. & Pontiac. Camaros & Firebirds, too. I know, I was an interior repair vendor with car dealers in the 80s; fixed lots of those. Overpriced but the collector market is crazy.
I had an 84 sedan DeVille with the 4100 and it was a fabulous car. I recall a “sundial” breaking in the tranny once but I bought it with 90,000 on it took it to 200,000 and loved every mile.
The engine is a deal breaker here ! 4100 were absolute garbage ! $ 30 grand ? Not from me !
I had one for 3 years loved the car, rode great . Got a lot of comments where ever I went . Had 90000 on it drove to 8000 miles . Change oil every 2000 miles and used high mileage regular oil in it . Also flushed cooling system when bought it , used the tablets gm suggested in cooling system . Drove from ill to North Carolina 4 times . Always used premium fuel in it .