1978 Cadillac Eldorado

Convertible Convertible

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

6L47S80263025

Gasoline

1978 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible "31,767 Actual Miles" Gorgeous loaded "Triple Black" Eldo Ragtop "RARE" Exterior: Black Interior: Black Leather Convertible Top: Black Mileage: 31,767 (Actual Miles) Serial Number: 6L47S80263025 In 1976 Cadillac built 14,000 Eldorado Convertible At the end of the production in 1976, a total of 200 White BiCentennial Convertibles were built with White leather, a white top and red & blue pin stripes. Custom Coach in Lima, Ohio built just a handful of custom Eldorado Convertibles like the one you see on Ebay! This is the first one I have ever seen in person. These are wonderful hand-crafted Cadillac Eldorado Convertibles with a fully electric power top and glass rear window. The AC blows ice cold (climate control) and all the power windows and power seat works fine. These were very expensive cars...I was told that the convertible conversion costs ran approx. $20,000...plus the cost of the car was another $20,000. These cars were available through a very few select Cadillac dealers who sold these cars for $45,000-$50,000...a ton of bucks in 1978! The top works great and seals tight. This is a very low actual mileage car that has only been driven an average of 1000 miles a year! The original radio with 8 track has been left in the dash but a great sounding AM/FM/Stereo/CD player has been neatly and conveniently installed inside the glove box complete with a remote control. Included with the sale are the 4 original Cadillac Eldorado wheel covers. I took the spare tire out for the photos but it will be placed back inside the trunk and included with the car. I drove this car 70mph on the interstate and the ride is incredible! These were the great luxurious Cadillacs that made you feel like you were sitting in the most comfortable chair in your living room. Ever since the beginning of the automobile, people have admired the big cars with lots of shiny chrome outside and luxury touches inside. By the fifties, owning a Cadillac was a universally accepted symbol of success and stature. If that Cadillac happened to be an Eldorado, that put one in a class separate and above that of even other Cadillac owners. Over the years, the Eldorado changed. It started out as an exclusive convertible in 1953, and by 1957 had expanded to three models—the Biarritz Convertible, Seville Hardtop Coupe, and Eldorado Brougham, a four door hardtop with stainless steel roof. These cars were among the most expensive on the road, anywhere. By 1961, the Eldorado was back down to just one model—the convertible. At times in the early sixties, it was hard to differentiate an Eldorado convertible from a standard Cadillac convertible. By 1967, convertibles were on their way out and two door personal luxury coupes were the thing. The new Fleetwood Eldorado Coupe had front wheel drive, variable-ratio power steering, automatic level control, and styling that can only be described as a masterpiece. For 1971, the Eldorado line had grown again to include a convertible model. An Eldorado Convertible paced the Indy 500 Race in 1973, and went out with fireworks blazing in 1976, as 200 identical "last" convertibles celebrated the Bicentennial and commemorated the last Cadillac convertible built, which was also the last convertible built by an American manufacturer. When 1977 came around, the public knew large cars had a limited life span. And devoted to big cars as they always had been, people were buying them at a brisk pace. 1978 was the Eldorado's final year as a traditionally-sized luxury car. It was the lone hold out in the Cadillac line, as all the others had down sized in 1977. Customers bought almost as many Eldorados in 1978 as they did in 1977, which is significant because the basic styling was now in its eighth year, ancient by personal luxury car standards. Some of the Eldorados that would follow would be quite impressive automobiles, and others would not. Some would still stir something within those who saw one, and others would inspire a stunned shock as people realized they were, indeed, looking at a Cadillac! And an Eldorado, no less. But none would ever be able to compare based on sheer size. The impressive exterior dimensions of the 1978 Eldorado would never again be considered, as they were too extravagant for any time period other than the one for which they were built. So, just as the huge tail fins of 1959, which are adored by many, and despised by some, became an icon of the fifties, the big 1978 Eldorado has come to represent an icon of the seventies. Some call them wasteful, pointing out their poor fuel economy and limited interior space and trunk room in contrast to their huge size. Others will say they are representative of the American way of life, when bigger was better and Americans could do anything they wanted to do, if they put their minds to it. Perhaps that sense of pride and accomplishment is gone today. Or could it be there's just a lack of imagination? In a world of four door sedans that all look alike, available in various shades of grays and beiges, with a red, blue, and black thrown in for variety, it's nice to see something different for a change. Many miss the distinctive styling traits cars used to have, as well as the interaction that was required of those who drove them. Today, electronics control the choke and the accelerator, and a computer decides on the best fuel mixture for the current conditions. All humans need to do is have minimal understanding of how to start the vehicle, and point it where you want it to go. And all of that's great until the computer acts up (or the floor mat makes the gas pedal get stuck, as we have seen recently.) There was a time when you could identify the new models based on the things they carried over from one year to the next, regardless of other styling changes. Cadillac had its fins, and when the time came to do away with them, there was still just enough of a hint of them left to immediately identify the car as a Cadillac. Buick had its Ventiports, and you could tell at a glance if it was a top of the line model or not, by the number of holes (the more the better). And people had to know how to operate a car, and as such were more aware of what was going on when they were driving. There are some good things about today's smaller cars. Washing and waxing one of the big Eldorados by yourself can be a real workout. Finding a parking space big enough (or a garage for that matter) can be a challenge. These late seventies Eldorados are well built, with most mechanical parts readily available as they were used on other GM makes, and for quite a few years. Things to look out for when buying one are the same as with earlier Eldo models. Check for corrosion around the vinyl roof moldings, at the bottom of the front fenders, doors, and around the edges of the hood and deck lid. Performance is leisurely, but adequate for most, and some have reported good results from "tweaking" the engine. These cars ride and handle very well, and are easy to drive, even if you aren't accustomed to large cars. They are quite nimble, and are pretty responsive to driver input, given their size. And there is something about driving or riding in one of these cars that's missing from today's cars. We can't really put our finger on it. Is it creativity? Imagination? Inspiration? Whatever it is, these cars have it and most new cars don't. Is it wasteful to drive such a large car given today's interest in economizing and saving the environment? We'll answer that with another question: Is it wasteful to go to sports events? Concerts? Drive to the golf course? All use fuel, and none are necessary activities. Having a classic car is a hobby, and like all hobbies they take time, cost money, and may be a bit wasteful. But with a classic car, you can bring it home, put it in your garage and admire it every time you go into the garage. Golf clubs may be great, but really, do you enjoy looking at them? Large personal luxury cars like the Eldorado were a snapshot of a time in America when being creative, or extravagant, or a bit daring was OK. They represent a time when a new automobile was truly a work of art to be admired by all. They were individual, unique. We may never see a time like that again, but thank goodness cars like the 1978 Eldorado still exist to prove that there was once a time when owning a grand car was possible. A time when sporty didn't mean tiny. When flashy didn't mean huge chrome rims and skinny little tires. There was a time when we had cars that could truly inspire one's imagination. When getting there and back home again was a big part of the fun. The 1978 Cadillac Eldorado has always been such a car. You park it in the driveway, and you glance back at it before you go in the house. You are proud to own it, even if it may seem outdated and wasteful to those who don't take the time to understand. It reflects a different time in America, when men and women created rolling works of art every year, and people bought them and drove them without giving it much thought. Even today, some are just now beginning to see what we've lost along the way. The Cadillac Eldorado has always been the world's finest personal luxury car. And it's doubtful that anything being made today will ever challenge that title. We have include tons of photos but this car looks even better in person! This is by far the nicest 1978 full size convertible that was available anywhere in 1978. The car starts up immediately with out touching the accelerator pedal. It idles so smooth it is hard to hear the Cadillac V-8 engine running. Driving this car on the highway at a steady 70mph-75mph is a pure driving joy....especially with the top down. It is a shame Cadillac stopped building full sized convertibles in 1976. Their marketing department was wrong when they guessed the U.S. drivers no longer wanted a full sized convertible. The engine compartment is immaculate. This is a good indication of the type of highways and climate this car was driven . ENGINE CODE ENGINE DETAILS S T (Optional) Displacement: 425 CID V-8, 7.0 Litres Bore and Stroke: 4.082 x 4.06 Compression Ratio: 8.2 to 1 Brake Horsepower: 180 @ 4000 rpm Torque: 320 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm Carburetor: 4V Optional: Same as above except as below: Horsepower: 195 @ 3800 rpm Torque: 320 lb-ft. @ 2400 rpm Electronic Fuel Injection, speed-density type, port injection; time delivery with 2-phase, 4 cylinders each phase TRANSMISSION CODE TRANSMISSION DESCRIPTION -- "425 Series" Turbo Hydra-Matic REAR AXLE CODE FINAL DRIVE RATIO N/A (Front wheel drive) 2.73 to 1 Optional: 3.07 to 1 (standard in altitude areas) TIRE SIZE BRAKES LR 78 15B Steel-belted radial tires, wide white stripe Wheels: 15 x 6JK Power Hydro-Boost with self-adjusting feature Front: Disc Rear: Disc Total Swept Area: 459 in. WHEELBASE DIMENSIONS 126.3 inches Front Tread: 63.7" Rear Tread: 63.6" Length: 224.1" Width: 79.8" Height: 54.1" Trunk: 13.6 cubic feet STEERING CAPACITIES Variable-ratio power steering Overall ratio: 20.0 to 17.7 Fuel Tank: 27 gallons Cooling System: 21¾ Qts. (23¾ Qts. with Air Conditioning) Washer Fluid Reservoir: 2½ Qts. Engine Oil: 6 Qts. with Filter Change Transmission: 5½ Qts. with Filter Change SPECIAL NOTES The 1978 Fleetwood Eldorado represented the final traditionally-sized luxury car built by Cadillac. All of Cadillac's other models had been down sized in 1977. 1978 was the first year for: - Electronic Level Control (standard) - Limited edition Custom Biarritz Classic trim option (1978 only) - Optional AM/FM stereo/tape player/CB radio (late '77 introduction) 1978 CADILLAC VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER A 13-digit number appears on top of the dash on the driver's side of the car, and can be viewed through the windshield. A second number appears on a tag on the rear upper portion of the cylinder block behind the intake manifold. The digits resemble: 6L47S8Q100001 These digits decode as: Digit #1 = GM Division (6 designates Cadillac) Digit #2 = Series (L - Eldorado) Digits #3-4 = Body Style (47 - 2-Door Hardtop Coupe) Digit #5 = Engine (S - 425 V-8 or T - 425 V-8 Fuel Injection) Digit #6 = Year (8 -1978) Digit #7 = Assembly Plant (Q - Detroit, MI; E - Linden, NJ) Digits #8-13 = Unit Production Number BODY NUMBER PLATE Complete vehicle identification is determined by the Body Number Plate, which is located under the hood on the cowl, near the top. If you need help in selecting a top notch Enclosed or open carrier that is bonded, licensed and fully insured, we would be happy to direct you to a great source who can handle the pick up and delivery to your front door...whether your in Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Canada , Saudia Arabia or Australia...we can help you make the shipping process easy. I suggest you call me ASAP if interested...954-873-6495 or ...In order to see and inspect the car, we need a 1-2 day advance notice. The Museum is NOT open to the public...it is only open a few days a years to host special charity events. INSPECTIONS ON A SATURDAY OR SUNDAY ONLY BY SPECIAL APPOINTMENT-CALL 954-873-6495 3-4 DAYS IN ADVANCE PLEASE. PLEASE DO NOT e-mail me and ask for the reserve as you will NOT get a response. Just call me at my 954-873-6495 numbers and I will be happy to discuss the reserve with you. E-mail me at luvdg@aol.com with any questions. Call me at 954-873-6495 and I will give instantly the lowest possible price!!! I am easy to reach....9:00am until 8:00pm...7 days a week. Eastern Standard time. Please Ask for Marv! Hours by appointment only are Monday thru Friday from 10:00am until 5:00pm. The Museum is NOT open on the weekend or Holidays . The Museums are in N. Palm Beach,FL and 9 miles North in Jupiter, Florida. They are a 20-30 minute drive from the Palm Beach International Airport. We are urging you to PLEASE come and inspect the car in person, drive it or to hire an expert inspector to do this for you. Please do not ask us to recommend anyone....we want you to select & hire your own inspector. If you wish to schedule an appointment to see this car, please call me at 954-873-6495 ...I need at least a one day notice. All cars are owned free and clear and we have the title on hand. After you speak with us on the phone, it is possible to have a scanned or faxed copy sent directly to you. The car is owned free & clear and a copy of the title can be e-mailed or faxed to you upon a telephone request....call 954-873-6495 to attain a copy. Please don't buy a car like this unless you have a garage to store it inside. This car has ever been left outside. We don't "play games" We love when a car is inspected prior to meeting the reserve. We have no secrets and are proud of our 100% feedback. Please...do not e-mail us and ask "What is your reserve" just call us and we can discuss money...the car...a trade...or whatever is on your mind. Instead call me direct at 954-873-6495 or even if your calling from Australia,Europe or Japan. We will not e-mail you the reserve but will discuss it with you on the phone! We are all car guys that are very easy to speak with...no Prima Donnas at this end...just car lovers that do this for the fun and passion of loving our hobby...for the past 50 years! We really do love the cars...a lot more than the $. Once you speak with us...you'll agree...we are sincere and dedicated to this eternal love affair with the automobile The reserve is set at a VERY fair number, far less than you could buy and restore a car like this to the level of quality as this one...if you wish to discuss the amount...please don't write and ask "What is the reserve price" Instead...please call us at 954-873-6495 .Anytime between 9:00 am EST and 8:00pm Eastern Standard Time. Monday thru Sunday As with all of our fine cars...we invite your and urge your personal inspection. If you have a trade...please e-mail us a complete photos....details and a phone number. E-mail photos & details to luvdg@aol.com We accept most anything in trade but please, NO Motorcycles, Kit Cars, No Street Rods, No Hot Rods, No Rest-o-mods, No Boats,Airplanes, Jewelry, Motor homes, Real Estate,etc. We will consider any nice vintage or antique car or late model Luxury car or sports car with a clean carfax report. Please call us first and discuss this with us..and if we have an interest, we would then have you e-mail a complete set of photos and details. Thanks and best of luck! eBay recommended services · History Report - get a vehicle history report and protect yourself from hidden problems · Shipping - get free shipping quotes and information on options to pick up this vehicle · Financing - learn about lending choices · Buyer Checklist - review steps to take to make a safe, successful purchase AS IS - NO WARRANTY This vehicle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgement solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle. There is no such thing as a "PERFECT" car...especially when dealing with vintage cars that are 25,35 and even 50 years old. However..this car is still brand new! Arranging for an independent third-party inspection is a great way to validate a seller's claims about a vehicle's condition. There are many companies and individuals who offer such a service. Of course your personal inspection and scrutiny are suggested and most welcomed. The seller has made a diligent effort to accurately describe this vehicle but does not expressly or implicitly guarantee the accuracy of the above description. Bidders and prospective purchasers are urged and cautioned to conduct their own due diligence, including a physical inspection in person or through a qualified third party inspector or appraiser, before contemplating a purchase or making a bid on this vehicle.In fact, we would welcome and encourage such an inspection, and will make every effort to make the above described vehicle available at a time convenient to the perspective purchaser or their agents We charge NO fees of any type. NONE! On May-15-11 at 18:20:15 PDT, seller added the following information: Sellers: Get your own map today. Click here now. Simple."