1976 Cadillac Eldorado

When Cadillac advertised its Fleetwood Eldorado Convertible for 1976, they described it as 'The Last Convertible.' This would be the last year of the convertible for Cadillac as their sporty coupes were becoming more and more popular. Another reason to cancel the drop-top was the modern roadways and improved stereo system. Highways were becoming popular and vehicles were traveling much faster. There was a declining interest in the drop-tops on the turnpikes and other major arteries. Stereo systems were improving, and the windy air hindered its appeal. As a result, the drop-tops were a declining commodity in Cadillac's eye.

The Fleetwood Eldorado Convertible for 1976 was the only convertible produced by the big-three in Detroit. The cost of creating these vehicles in such low quantities was creating a financial drain on Cadillac.

For 1976, Cadillac offered nearly every available option as standard on the Eldorado Convertible. This was the vehicle's sixth year in this design and a re-design was on the horizon. The car had seating for four in its massive 224.1-inch length frame. The car was large, luxurious, and very heavy, weighing over 2.5 tons. The engine, too, was large, displacing 500 cubic inches and powering the front wheels. It had overhead valves, a cast-iron block, hydraulic valve lifters, a Rochester four-barrel carburetor, five main bearings, and 8.5:1 compression. It produced 190 horsepower at 3,600 RPM and 360 ft-lbs of torque at 2,000 RPM.

The 1976 Cadillac Eldorado had a 126.3-inch wheelbase, a width of 79.8 inches, stood 54.1 inches tall, and rode on LR78x15B tires.

The base price for the convertible was $11,049, and the Last Convertible Replica Decor Package was a mere $85. Two hundred of the Eldorado Bicentennial Convertible were built and of those only 199 were sold to the public. General Motors kept the very last one for itself and got a Michigan vanity plate that simply said LAST to license it. Production of the replica cars began late in the model run after all of the 'standard' convertibles had been built.

A formal press release announced the unique 1976 Bicentennial Cadillac on April 21, 1976, and part of the statement stated that Cadillac had aggressively purchased all the remaining parts inventory from its second-tier supplier two years prior to making the construction possible. They were all identically equipped, powered by a 500 cubic-inch V8 engine, and finished in triple-white with the Cotillion White exterior, a white power top, and a white leather interior.

The Bicentennial Edition cars are based on regular production models and differ only in a few details. Any all-white convertible could easily be made to look like one of the last replica cars. The Cotillion White color was one that Cadillac had used for many years, and the convertible top is also white as is the Sierra Grain Leather interior. The Dark Firethorn carpeting, instrument panel, steering wheel, steering column, and seat belts are typical of interior trim code 072. They had exclusive wheel covers with white centers, replacing the black versions found on all other releases. A thin blue and red pinstripe adorned the hood and red pinstriping traversed each side. The finishing touch for all of them was a gold dash plaque that declared 'This 1976 Fleetwood Eldorado is one of the last 200 identical U.S. production convertibles.'

When Cadillac followed Chrysler and Ford back into the convertible market in the 1980s, a group of bicentennial buyers attempted unsuccessfully to sue the company.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2019