1977 Cadillac Eldorado

The Eldorado nameplate was a staple of the Cadillac marque for fifty years, beginning in 1952 and ending in 2002. It received twelve major styling revisions during that time, was consistently at (or near) the top of the Cadillac line, and often ranked among the most expensive models in the marketplace.

The ninth generation of styling was bestowed upon the Eldorado for 1971 and would continue through 1978. Compared to the previous generation, the ninth generation Eldorado grew by two inches in length and six in wheelbase. It was now 224 inches in length with a 126.3-inch wheelbase, a width of 79.8 inches, and a height of 54.2 inches. Its engine continued to be a 500 cubic-inch V8 engine which was exclusive to the Eldorado.

The two-door coupe was joined by a convertible in 1971; the last Eldorado convertible had been built in 1966. The convertible body style was offered through 1976, which General Motors advertised as 'the last American convertible'. The final 200 convertibles were designated as 'Bicentennial Edition' commemorating America's 200th birthday. Cadillac would re-introduce the Eldorado convertible for the 1984 model year.

In 1973, the Cadillac Eldorado was chosen as the official pace car for the Indianapolis 500. In celebration, Cadillac produced 566 of these special pace car convertibles with thirty-three of them used at the track during the race week. The remainder was distributed to U.S. Cadillac dealers, one per dealership.

1977 Cadillac Eldorado
The Cadillac Eldorado offered the performance of a front-wheel-drive platform with four-wheel disc brakes and the first year for the smaller and more efficient 425 cubic-inch V-8 engine.

The full-size 1977 Cadillac Eldorado had a brushed chrome molding across the horizontal-style grille and headlamps. The grille pattern had more thin vertical bars than in past years and stood on a line with the headlamp tops. Above the grille and on the hood front were 'Eldorado' block letters. Rear fenders had new rectangular side marker lamps and there were new vertical taillamps that formed into the bumper tips.

In 1976, Cadillac introduced the Biarritz option; for 1977 the option listed for $1,760. This package included a fully-padded Elk Grain cabriolet roof, formal quarter and rear windows with French seams, and opera lamps. A matching vinyl insert accented the aluminum crossover roof molding. There were stripes on the front fenders, doors and rear quarter panels. Black-accented moldings could be found on the hood front to the back and around the roof.

Price and Production
In 1977, Cadillac produced 47,344 examples of the Eldorado with a factory base price of $11,185.

Mechanical Specification
The Cadillac Eldorado was powered by a 425 cubic-inch V8 engine with overhead valves, a cast-iron block, 8.2:1 compression, five main bearings, and hydraulic valve lifters, and was rated at 180 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. An optional 425 V8 was available with electronic fuel injection and 8.2:1 compression and produced 195 horsepower at 3,800 RPM and 320 lb-ft of torque at 2,400 RPM.

The transmission was a Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic, and disc brakes could be found at all four corners behind the GR78x15B tires.

The wheelbase measured 126.3 inches, the length at 224 inches, the width at 79.8 inches, and the height at 54.2 inches.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2014