1967 Cadillac Eldorado Hardtop Coupe

The Eldorado badge was mostly a subdivision of other models until 1967 (with the exception of a brief run of Eldorado Broughams during the late 1950s). After 1967, the car was redesigned into a new stand-alone model and was based on the concurrent platform of the Oldsmobile Toronado. The 1967 Eldorado was the first car to have front-wheel drive, variable-ratio power steering, and automatic level control.

This new automobile had elegant styling, dominated by a sharply angular front fascia that would become a hallmark of the premium Cadillac for many years to come. Inside, there was a Strato-bench seat and a selection of 18 different kinds of upholstery. Power was from a 429 cubic-inch overhead valve V8 engine fitted with Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel downdraft carburetion and produced 340 horsepower. They had a three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

This example is a low-mileage vehicle that has been cared for by three West Coast owners since new. It was sold new in Santa Barbara, California, and owned by that individual for 38 years. The second owner took possession of the car in 2005 and treated it to a high-quality repaint in 2006. The car was painted in Capri Aqua. The current owner acquired the car in 2008.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, AZ. It was estimated to sell for $40,000 - $50,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had sold for the sum of $26,400 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2012