1985 Cadillac Eldorado

The long-lived Eldorado nameplate was part of the Cadillac marque for half-a-century, from 1952 to 2002, with much of its existence representing the top-of-the-line Cadillac. It would receive twelve major redesigns, with the tenth generation of styling introduced in 1979 and continuing through 1985.

The downsized tenth-generation Eldorado shrunk from a length of 224 inches in 1978 down to 204 inches in 1979. The wheelbase went from 126.3 inches in 1978 to 114 inches in 1979, and the width from 79.8 inches to 71.4 inches. It continued to share its E-body platform with the Oldsmobile Toronado and Buick Riviera, with the longitudinally-mounted engine powering the front wheels. Body styles included a coupe, with a two-door convertible offered in 1984 and 1985.

New Features
New features on this generation of the Eldorado included an independent rear suspension, a Buick-sourced V6 engine (offered in 1981, it was the first time in the company's history), the return of the Eldorado Convertible (in 1984 after an eight-year absence), and a Trip Computer (not included with the 1980 Eldorado) which provided electronic digital (LED) readouts for the speedometer, radio, clock, and fuel.

Eldorado Convertible
The RPO YP8 optional convertible Eldorado Biarritz was introduced in 1984 and would cease production the very next year. Although they were sold new at dealerships as a factory GM/Cadillac model, ASC McLaren had been contracted to convert coupes that were special ordered at the dealers. In total, only 3,300 examples of the top-of-the-line model were ordered. The Eldorado Biarritz Convertible was the most expensive model in the GM lineup, even surpassing the Corvette.

ASC Mclaren substantially reinforced the chassis with an additional subframe and extensive bracing, resulting in a very stout chassis with a near 50/50 weight distribution. An uprated 3:15 rear axle, a transmission cooler and oil cooler, and a heavy-duty touring suspension were added.

Before the 'official' Eldorado convertibles, a few 1979 to 1983 Eldorados were transformed into convertibles by independent coachbuilders including ASC McLaren, Hess & Eisenhardt, and Custom Coach.

Reception
The annual production totals for the tenth generation Eldorado were more successful than the previous and successive (ninth and eleventh) generations, with the Eldorado setting an all-time sales record in 1984 of 77,806 combined coupes & convertibles. Approximately 52,000 examples were sold in 1980 and 1982, around 67,400 examples in 1979 and 1983, 60,643 examples in 1981, and 76,301 (combined) in 1985.

The 1985 Cadillac Eldorado
The 1985 Cadillac Eldorado was offered as a coupe priced at $21,355 and a convertible at $3,100. A total of 74,101 examples of the coupe and 2,300 of the convertible were built.

In the final year of the 'tenth generation' design language, the Eldorado remained mostly unchanged. The standard engine continued to be the 4.1 liter (249 cubic inch) V8 unit with overhead valves, a cast iron block and head, an 8.5:1 compression ratio, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a throttle-body fuel injection system and delivered 135 horsepower at 4,400 RPM and 200 lb-ft of torque at 2,200 RPM. An Oldsmobile-built diesel V8 engine was optional, with a 5.7 liter (350 cubic-inch) displacement, overhead valves, 22.7:1 compression, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and delivered 105 horsepower at 3,200 RPM and 200 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 RPM. The transmission was a four-speed overdrive automatic.

The Biarritz convertible could now be purchased with an optional electric defogger for its glass rear window. The Biarritz coupe had a cabriolet vinyl roof with a brushed steel cap, opera lamps, and accent moldings.

The options list for the Eldorado grew slightly larger with the addition of new spoke aluminum alloy wheels.

The Eldorado Touring Coupe package, offered from 1982 through 1985, received a heavier-duty 'touring' suspension, blackout and body-color trim, body-colored headlamp and taillamp bezels, a cloisonné hood ornament, and aluminum alloy wheels wrapped with larger blackwall white-letter tires.

1986 and Beyond
The all-new styling introduced in 1986 would continue through 1991, and with fears of escalating fuel prices, the Eldorado was substantially downsized, shedding around 350 pounds in weight and shrinking by 16 inches in length. Despite its smaller footprint, the 1986 Eldorado was nearly sixteen percent higher than the 1985 model. Buyers did not agree with the higher prices and the smaller size, reflected in the decline of sales by 72% (1986 compared to 1985). The highest annual sales during the 11 Generation production was in 1988 with 33,210 units sold.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2023