Vehicle Description
Don't laugh, because this 1985 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz is now 31
years old, the same age the legendary 1959 Eldorado Biarritz was in
1990, and nobody questioned its collectability. OK, so it's not as
flashy, but these handsome coupes have a strong following and they
really are some of the best-riding cars of the era. If you like
pure American luxury, this is the car that defined it in the
1980s.
The chiseled shape was all-new in 1979 and it never seems to age,
looking iconic even today. Admit it, the sucker looks good. The
long hood, short deck profile accentuates its American V8 heritage
and the Biarritz models added the glamourous stainless steel roof
and sweeping trim that extends from the front fenders all the way
back to the quarter windows. The gold paint is mostly original with
a few touch-ups here and there, as you'd expect on a car that's
been around for a while, but there's nothing that should cause
concern. It has obviously been well-maintained all its life, which
tends to be the case with expensive Cadillacs, and whenever it
needed something, it got it. There's a new windshield and trim, new
headlights and marker lights, and even the padded vinyl portion of
the top has been freshened at some point. The chrome is original
and in good shape, and the continental kit out back isn't
functional, of course, but it does give the car a dose of vintage
flair that works rather well.
The tan leather interior was the height of luxury in 1985, using
pillow-tufted seats and every comfort and convenience feature GM
could invent. The seats remain in very good condition with only
light wrinkles on the seating surfaces and the colors and textures
are more upscale than you'd expect for 1985. The door panels, the
carpets, and the headliner are likewise in good original shape,
although the steering wheel shows a few minor cracks, which is
pretty common for these cars. All the gauges, lights, and power
accessories are fully functional, including the automatic climate
control and trip computer, and a newer Kenwood AM/FM/CD stereo head
unit replaces the original and clumsy Delco system. The faux
woodgrain throughout the car is in good shape and you'll really
love the spacious feeling you get in a car that doesn't have a
transmission tunnel; the floor is totally flat! There's also a big
trunk that's fully finished in the same tan carpets, complete with
a spare tire with matching cover.
Cadillac's 4.1 liter V8 wasn't a tire-smoker, but it is reliable,
smooth, and torquey enough to make the front-wheel-drive Eldo feel
quick off the line and able to cruise effortlessly at any speed.
It's been well-maintained, as you can see from how clean the engine
bay is, and nothing has been deleted or modified, so it remains as
the factory intended. The A/C has been converted to R134a
refrigerant for easier service, but even the original cold air
intake tube is still in place. The lightweight aluminum V8 has a
nice growl that disappears on the highway thanks to an
original-spec single exhaust system and the all-independent
suspension squashes bumps like a magic carpet ride. The 4-speed
automatic overdrive transmission ensures that the engine never has
to work very hard and surprisingly, there's a vented disc brake at
all four corners, making this car feel competent. Handsome aluminum
wheels were an expensive option in 1985 and they're coupled with
fat 225/70/15 whitewall radials.
A handsome old-school luxury car the likes of which we'll never see
again. Its age and its prestige ensure that it's welcome at
Cadillac-LaSalle Club and AACA events, so call today!
