1983 Cadillac Eldorado

The 1983 Cadillac Eldorado 2-door coupe with seating for six was priced at $19,335 and a total of 67,416 examples were produced. Power was from a 90-degree, overhead valve engine that displaced 4.1-liters and produced 135 horsepower. The standard transmission was the four-speed automatic with overdrive. No major changes were applied to the Eldorado for 1983; perhaps the biggest change was the recalibration of the automatic transmission and cruise control system to help boost performance. The interior was finished in cloth upholstery with Rocaille cloth inserts available in four colors. Buyers also had the option to select from ten leather choices. Optional equipment included a digital instrument cluster with readouts for speed, fuel range, and fuel level. Aluminum wheels and a premium sound system were also new options.

Although the Eldorado was only available as a coupe, as the convertible had not been offered for a while, buyers could select the optional full canvas top with roof bows and welted seams. In this guise, it gave the appearance of a convertible top.

The Eldorado could be purchased with two additional packages called the Touring Coupe and Biarritz. The Touring Coupes were given a touring suspension, large-diameter stabilizer bars, steel-belted radial tires, and a special cloisonne hood medallion. They were available in two body colors which included Sonora Saddle Firemist and Sable Black.

The Eldorado Biarritz had a brushed stainless steel roof cap, wire wheel covers, 'Biarritz' script on the sail panels, tufted pillow-style seats, and opera lamps. The seats and steering wheel came in Sierra Grain leather in six colors.

The 1983 Cadillac Eldorado was part of the Tenth Generation of styling introduced in 1979 and produced through 1985. It continued to share its E-body platform with the Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Toronado. The front-engine, front-wheel drive Eldorado rested on a 114-inch wheelbase platform and initially measured 204 inches in 1979, gaining a half an inch in 1982. For the first time, the Eldorado used an independent rear suspension. The total Tenth Generation Eldorado production was approximately 454,300 units. Included in this total were 5,500 convertibles built in 1984 and 1985 (combined). (The 1984 Eldorado Convertible was the first convertible in eight years, offered on the Biarritz range). An all-time Eldorado sales record was set in 1984 with 77,806 examples built (combined coupes and convertible).

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2015