1970 Cadillac Eldorado 500

Summary:

Ultimate American luxury coupe

Faults:

Suspension was replaced immediately after purchase.

Transmission was rebuilt in '08.

Other than routine maintenance, nothing else.

General Comments:

The Eldorado of this period is the ultimate luxury coupe. It's all about comfort for the driver and passenger. Big, cushy bench seats and leg room galore makes for a comfortable cross-country trek. The Eldo rides like a dream: ultra-smooth ride. Power steering is typical of vehicles of the day, gushy, and almost overpowered.

Rear passengers have a smaller seat and less leg room.

Front end pops up when accelerating, and dives when braking.

It's fun to drive, and very comfortable, but I'd take a sedan over a coupe if I was forced to choose. I own a '71 Fleetwood as well, and the rear doors are handier than you might think. It's also a much more comfortable ride for the passengers.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th April, 2017

12th Apr 2017, 20:22

Does your Eldorado handle much better than your Fleetwood? Is the Eldorado ride more firm? Which one is more quiet in terms of road and wind noise?

In reply to 12th Apr 2017, 20:22

12th Apr 2017, 22:25

I had a absolute mint 70 Fleetwood Limousine. Fantastic ride and quiet. Also quite quick for its size and weight. Terrible driving position for a driver as you sat straight up. No way to adjust it. Buy it was never built for driver comfort. The back seat passengers had all the legroom, a divider window and stereo override. Also had a bar set and jump seats. The Fleetwood was a very sharp model. I am not the original reviewer and this wasn't a standard Fleetwood, but I threw it in for a fun read. I had a lot of fun with mine. I bought it when I was 30 for another cool car to play around with. I flipped it in the 80s and bought a couple muscle cars. Wish I kept them. That was a really great time to buy used early 70s cars before they boomed.

In reply to 12th Apr 2017, 22:25

14th Apr 2017, 04:04

At least the driver's seat was enclosed as part of the cabin. Traditional Brougham luxury demands the menial work be done outside the masters chamber.

In reply to 14th Apr 2017, 04:04

14th Apr 2017, 11:44

The only bad thing was I drove a car I owned yet didn't get into the comfortable limo passenger area. My friends and I actually took it to a ski resort. Ate a lot of fuel getting there. A fun time. My next door neighbor saw my newest buy in the drive and asked if a drug dealer, pimp or bookie had stopped by. Not too many people buy a limo in a typical residential neighborhood. It was pretty cool though.

1970 Cadillac Eldorado 8.2L 500 V8

Summary:

Old school at its best!

Faults:

I purchased this vehicle for the sake of restoration. It was clear to me that the car had sat for some time. Many of the repairs are typical of a vehicle that has sat for some time.

I replaced the brakes all around including master cylinder, new tires, brand new dual exhaust, new battery, new upper radiator hose, new fuel line, plus a few quirky electrical problems including the clock not working.

There is some surface rust, which means the car will eventually need to be painted. I also will soon need a starter motor. But really all these things are typical for an older vehicle.

General Comments:

I love this car. Period. It drives down the highway like a brand new car! The ride is great; it feels like you are on a cloud.

I was lucky with this one; the vinyl top is in great condition as is the interior. The front bench seat is very comfortable and supports you well as you navigate this colossal beast through town.

What a head turner. This car will stop traffic, and that’s with needing a paint job!

This Eldorado is a very special last year body style. It features the largest production V8 ever put into an automobile, an 8.2L or 500 cubic inch V8, pushing 400hp and 550lbs of torque. That’s more horsepower and torque than many of the muscle cars from this era and it sounds mean. This was built when Detroit could produce a great machine and when Cadillac was “Standard of the world”. The way this car runs and drives is proof that America is capable of leading the world in automobile technology. I can’t wait until I finish this project and am capable of enjoying it at its full luster!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd August, 2009