Vehicle Description
Cadillac redesigned their front-wheel-drive flagship in 1971,
chopped off the roof, and gave us the last of the great American
convertibles. This handsome white 1971 Eldorado is one of only 6800
built, making it the rarest of the full-sized Cadillac ragtops, and
with a potent 500 cubic inch V8, it might also be the fastest of
the drop-top Eldos.
Longer, lower, and wider than the chiseled first-generation FWD
model, this convertible shows extremely well. The color is correct
code 11 Cotillion White, which is a traditional Eldorado color
dating back to the very first one in 1953. The long fenders are in
excellent shape, the doors fit well despite their massive size, and
the hood occupies more real estate than a New York City apartment.
The simulated air vents at the leading edge of the rear quarter
panel are a tribute to that original 1953 Eldorado and help to
break up all that sheetmetal with interesting details. The
redesigned car also incorporated fender skirts, which only
emphasize the car's length, and there's no sign of rust or rot in
this trouble-prone area. The paint has been touched up and shows
some age, but on an Eldorado like this, a few character marks
aren't really a demerit. Nice chrome bumpers, the traditional egg
crate grille, and neatly integrated taillights result in an
attractive design that has aged rather well.
The front-wheel-drive architecture allowed the Eldorado to be a
true 6-passenger machine with expansive room inside. You'll note
there's no transmission tunnel, and with wide bench seats, everyone
has first-class accommodations. The white leather upholstery is
original and in good shape, although a good deep cleaning would
really pay dividends here. Matching door panels, along with red
carpet and dash pad tie it together with handsome good looks. The
console-like instrument panel clusters all the controls around the
driver, as if it's shielding them from the passenger, and someone
has added a trio of auxiliary gauges under the dash. You'll find
the automatic climate control on your left and the AM/FM/8-track
stereo radio on your right, along with a tilt/telescopic wheel,
power locks and power windows. A power convertible top folds easily
and includes a glass rear window, which is a genuine rarity among
convertibles, as well as a matching vinyl boot.
Cadillac's 500 cubic inch V8 was the biggest V8 you could buy in
1971, and since these were pre-emissions days, delivered sparkling
performance despite the Eldorado's considerable curb weight. Linked
to a freshly rebuilt TH425 3-speed automatic transmission and 2.73
gears in the front transaxle, freshly tuned 500 delivers seamless
performance and is considerably quicker than you'd expect. After a
rebuild in 2011, the engine bay is tidy, with Cadillac Blue paint
on the engine itself and there are plenty of signs of regular
maintenance. The A/C system has been converted to R134a
refrigerant, and you'll be pleased to learn that power brakes and
steering are part of the deal, so you can navigate this land yacht
with just your fingertips. Underneath, it's extremely clean, with
no rusty floors and a single exhaust system that's suitably hushed
for convertible duty. Air shocks have been installed out back to
help level the ride when you've got the homecoming queen in the
back seat, and the unique Eldorado wheels wear 235/75/15 whitewall
radials and stock hubcaps.
Arguably the most collectable of all the '70s Eldorados, the '71
remains a relative bargain to the later models, despite its
superior performance. With lots of documentation and receipts, you
can buy this one with confidence. Call today!