One of my first jobs as a lad was construction demolition. One day I was to shovel old bathroom tile out of a commercial building that was being refitted. I filled my big garbage can with tile and went down the elevator out to the parking lot, climbed the stairs to the dumpster with this extremely heavy industrial garbage can filled to the brim with 1 x 1-inch outdated bathroom tile. As I was shoveling the old tile into the dumpster I kept hearing this odd sound as the tile was landing in the dumpster. After about maybe 7 or 8 shovel fulls I decided to take a closer look. Well, much to my surprise most of what I was shoveling was landing on the very car that you are showing with the window sticker still on the glass. It belonged to the owner of "Hawk Industries" the owner of the construction firm. Well my heart landed in my stomach and I raced down the dumpster stairs to this brand new jet black Cadillac in an attempt to clean it off but the job was Herculean. I decided to do the "right thing" and get away from the car as fast as I could. There must have been 50 to 60 demo guys working that day, so anyone could have done it. Well, later that afternoon I heard this incredibly loud yelling and the "jerk boss" that owned the car found it with tile all over it. This guy was running around in a circle like his hair was one fire. So I remember this car extremely well. I have NEVER mentioned a word about this until now.
That is a funny story. I once was hanging sheetrock and we had to glue and screw it up. I was on a scaffolding with my partner when the foreman, with long hair, walked underneath us and I accidentally dripped a glob of liquid nails in his hair. I also did the right thing. The next day he showed up with short hair and a bad attitude.
I miss my 83 every day and I knew of 2 others in my town . The touring coupe emblem on the side costs more than I paid for the car. I paid $700 with 67k miles the emblem was stolen . It was $800
I was 20 driving through Southeast Detroit and going to concerts in this ride. After driving it I never wanted for a sports car. Nope. I fell in love with cruisers, nice women and a smooth ride. Just an awesome ride.
Unrelated comment but wasnt it common back then mom and women always gets smacked by or the man and or dad and him coming home drunk etc... and also bashing and beating up hes little ones kids etc... especially whyte ppl its the stereotype. Did that happen in your househod? Amd how common was it? Or..... is it just always depicted in movies 😄🤫🤔🤭🤣
My first boyfriend had one of these, an '84. I always loved that car, just gorgeous. I lost something precious in that car one night and it seemed like as good a place as any
I can only imagine,,,,,,, ahhhh,, a wonderful image races through my perverted mind (sorry) but as she said, ",, it seemed like as good a place as any.." In my mind it was BETTER than many but not as good as the story my brother shared when he climbed a ladder, sneaked thru her bedroom window of our high school principles daughters room to have her "something precious" in her bed and unfortunately for he AND SHE get caught as she could not hold back a screech that woke her Dad and Mom. Needless to say,, our parents and hers dished out appropriate to the early 1960's punishment,, being grounded for 6 months and he enduring the principle and teachers scorn as well the high fives and thumbs up's from his buddies.
In 1993, my dad just had to have this body style Eldorado. He wouldn’t touch the HT4100 powered ones. He found a 1979 with 35,000 miles and the Olds 350 V8. I’ve never seen him so excited when the retired Dr accepted his offer for it.
I'm the exact opposite. I loved my Biarritz, but absolutely hated the Olds 350 it had. It originally came with a diesel, and was converted to gas using the 350. Yes, it was a very reliable engine, but it didn't have quite the same beautiful sound as the HT-4100. I know I'm impractical, but I'm partial to the HT-4100.
James Caan drove one in 'Thief' to an excellent Tangerine dream soundtrack. I also owned one in high school when they were at their lowest desirability and out of the 40 cars I've owned it's still my favorite. Cig lighters for every passenger as nature intended. It's too bad the 4.1 was such a boat anchor, they all spin rod bearings eventually, but olds V8 swaps are easy and make these things reliable.
Truly enjoyed the video. I learned to drive in mom's '79 Eldorado, yellow on yellow, beautiful car, one of all-time favs. Dad wound up getting a triple black '80 Baritz model, nicer; but, he only kept it about 6 months. It was a hot car, literally.
Unrelated comment but wasnt it common back then mom gets smacked by dad and him coming home drunk etc... and also bashing and beating up hes little ones kids etc... especially whyte ppl its the stereotype. Did that happen in your househod? Amd how common was it? Or..... is it just always depicted in movies 😄🤫🤔🤭🤣
The same chassis was used on the second generation Seville. Last year of full frame cars. The later Eldorados were sadly a joke. The STS was my last favorite Cadillac.
@@keithbenson2627 They are gorgeous cars, but should not be bought by people who don't have the money to keep them in good shape. And never as a daily driver. It does cost a fair amount to keep them up, but worth it. I have an 83 Eldorado. Love it.
@@johnfranklin5277 I don’t know what you are implying ! I make more then enough money and own 2 other Cadillacs . These cars were GM’s nightmare ! Worded cars ever built. !
My Dad was the manager of a Bank of America for years. I have his 58 cadillac he bought in 1960. Still on the road, lifelong Southern California car. I also have his 83 Eldorado, it has these exact wheels, were on the car when he bought it new....still going strong.
Bill covers how your Canadians will fare in the back seat, location of toddler tie downs, and firearm and narcotics storage. Important specifications sometimes left out in the owners manual.
Oh man! I love this car ,this early 80s are really rare to find after almost 2 years I finally found a 82 biarritz with touring suspension , i driving it every weekend and its just pure pleasure , thanks for the video
In February of 1985 I purchased an ‘85 Eldorado. I waited 8 weeks for it to be built and leased it for the tidy sum at the time of $325 per month. I think it cost about $23,500 to buy. Mine was black with a tan cloth interior, no vinyl roof, wire wheel hubcaps and the touring suspension. I ordered a reclining seat option for the driver’s side but they put it on the passenger side by mistake thinking I might have ordered it that way in error. Boy, was I pissed but accepted the car anyway. I was considering the Touring Coupe but I thought it looked dumb with black walls and random body color trim so I went with the regular Eldo. You’re right Bill, that car was so under powered it couldn’t pull the socks off a dead man, but boy did I love being seen driving around Queens, NY, an 34 year old guy in a black Caddy. Life was good.
Unrelated comment but wasnt it common back then mom and women always gets smacked by or the man and or dad and him coming home drunk etc... and also bashing and beating up hes little ones kids etc... especially whyte ppl its the stereotype. Did that happen in your househod? Amd how common was it? Or..... is it just always depicted in movies 😄🤫🤔🤭🤣
@@eddie054 I loved those GM crotch coolers, most AC cars of the era had them, and some worked better than others. Part of the Bi-Level HVAC circuit. IDR if on MAX Recirc. AC you had air from there. On my Riv, I set it to "Auto" temp 70 degrees "Auto" fan speed, and it came out of all of the vents, defrost, side window defrost, feet, crotch as face vents. On a hot day, those R-12 AC systems worked like nothing I've ever seen since, as did heat and defrost on cold or wet days. Also, wind/road noise was minimal, and with the Moonroof shade closed, sun load was minimal. It was like driving your living room sofa, but it handled much better on the turns. Moonroof never leaked, the Turbo V-6 ran really well, the car was surefooted, handled for what it was, and was great on rain snow, ice and dry roads. Moderate oversteer, roll was admirable, but for the time, with reduced weight, the power was appreciable. Easily a 120 mph car on the open road, long 2.73 or 3:23 hi-way gears. The 700R 4 speed was better thand the 425 transaxle, though the 700R-4 did like to hunt ratios whenever you tipped in the throttle. Either jumped between 3-4 , or pop in then out of lockup. Fuel mileage was respectable at 25 on my Riv Turbo V-6, even with a Quadrajet. The little Red Green Yellow Turbo lights were sexy as hell, and the Bose stereo FM cassette sounded decent then as now. CB radio was among the options as well, though mine didn't have one. Wish I had one and the Stainless roof from the Eldorado Biarritz to add on with the Landau 1/4 top. I preferred the Landau top to plain painted roof, then Caddy added the Biarritz package and pushed it over the top. Damn fine looking cars, today as ever. Great expanses of perfectly sculpted sheet metal, nice sharp edges and lines to define it. Gorgeous, whether a Toro, Eldo, or Riv. The E-body is just begging for a later gen supercharged LS motor, or Gen 3 Hemi SC'd. Just think of it with modern all wheel drive added, independent 4 wheel rack and pinion suspension, supercharged, coil-over shock spring combo, big brakes, big tires and wheels, plus all the poise of a modern electronically controlled powertrain, dual exhaust with cutouts and Cadillac mufflers keeping it stock sounding. Plenty of room under the hood for anything, SC, Turbo's whatever you can dream of, and a full frame tying it all together!
Hi Bill! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE how at 43:43 you passed an "El Dorado Heating & Cooling" truck! Planned or not...that is the sweetest few seconds of the whole video! Keep these coming Bill!
This car, and the 2003 CTS that was featured in The Matrix Reloaded, are the reasons why there are still Cadillac sedans being built today, but not Lincolns.
In the early-mid 90s an elderly couple in the neighborhood had these his and hers Eldorado's with the stainless tops. Both for sale, I wanted one so bad for my first car. I caddied at the golf course and was a bus boy, but still ended up with my folks Honda Accord sedan...
Unrelated comment but wasnt it common back then mom gets smacked by dad and him coming home drunk etc... and also bashing and beating up hes little ones kids etc... especially whyte ppl its the stereotype. Did that happen in your househod? Amd how common was it? Or..... is it just always depicted in movies 😄🤫🤔🤭🤣
@@Jason.cbr1000rr I've never known anyone of any color or creed to experience what you're describing. It likely is a movie falsehood used to tug at your heartstrings.
I had a ‘79, ice blue, without the vinyl top. Beautiful car! The switchgear was pretty crappy and the 350, even with EFI, couldn’t get out of it’s own way. I miss it!
These starts with the headlight flashes makes me remember Edward Woodward as The Equalizer as he stood in a foggy lane with his old Jaguar headlight on.
Funny thing is, the way he talks and that curmudgeon personality made me think he was older. But he said he was 14 in 1985. He's actually younger than ME! 😂
I tell you Bill has the BEST cars! I look forward to a few things in life, My morning Coke, Seeing a zero balance on my American Express card and any video by Bill!!! haha I had a friend in school circa 1986, his mom had a rare, Eldorado Biarritz Gucci Edition ..I had never seen one! It had the Gucci nomenclature all over and had sheepskin floormats..She had traded an Eldorado convert for it..Texas oil/horse money If I remember right..me and her son were best buds and a little more at times haha
So sad to see what has happened to Cadillac brand. Even now, instead of making big luxurious brands, they try to out sport BMW. For example, they had the bigger CT6 that I thought was getting them back to where they should be. Instead they stop making it now have a subcompact CT4 and compact CT5. Crazy. If not for Escalade, they cease to exist.
Oh I’m in for this! Love these things. The first Touring model which led to many more Touring Sedans and Coupes. Oooh, and a Bose car - optional and the system that took the car audio industry by storm. These seats are similar to Cimarron but not the same; they are specially made for the car.
Look up images of the seats in a '90 Olds Touring Sedan based off the Ninety Eight body. Those seats adjusted about 16 different ways with side bolsters etc. Loved that car. Tight as H too..
Right? I live in Central Kentucky and it has been below freezing for two weeks. We've had near 20" of snow just this month. And people in Florida complain about weather, lol. Also, used to live in Texas, and omg, never in my life heard people complain so much about "winter" weather, that was non-existent.
@@jeremiahallyn4603 It is different once you are here for a few years. If it gets below 50 I wear a jacket. In Ohio if it was 50 in January that was T-shirt weather!!!
I had a 1983 Sedan DeVille with the EFI 4100. It was severely underpowered. Once you got it onto the highway and set the cruise to 65 -70 MPH though, it was fine. The transmission changed frequently for the slightest hill. It was fair on gasoline.
@@R.J.1 yet amazingly in the 1930's they could go up hills fine. I saw footage from 1931, saw this Buick 1927 just glide up the hill at about 30 miles per hour, and the video was registered to a normal speed, In fact the original film had naturally non fixed speed.
Had a 1983 Fleetwood Brougham D'Elegance w/the HT 4100. Would break down all the time and didn't have the power to move a Fleetwood. Hook & Tow 4100 they were called on the streets.
A lot of people knock the HT4100. Yeah it's not a race engine but it seems to do okay in all 3 of my cars, '84 Seville. Eldo Biarritz, and Fleetwood Brougham. You just have to be more vigilant checking for any coolant in the oil. Yet I see some for sale with over 100K miles. I really like the ride in my Biarritz.
Agee with Tim W. HT4100 criticism is overblown. If we’ll maintained, the performed and lasted. My father had 82-83 black ETC and 85 convertible black with red interior absolutely gorgeous and we towed a 20 foot boat with it, plenty of torque to tow it. The car was not about street light 0-60 drag racing. Great soft steering, still floated like the 70s big caddy’s
24:20 a spare tire cozy! 37:50 I’ve seen more realistic “wood” on an 80s Sears stereo. And acres of it in here to boot. Overall it’s a fascinating vehicle. The toned-down exterior was nice. The design was a lot better than the ugly hoagie that replaced it.
The Lexus is as dull as dishwater. Maybe reliable but banal and blah. When you arrived in a Cadillac, that was something. Class, glitz, presense, a head turner. A Lexus? Yawn.
Even compared to the '85 BMW 635CSi shown in this video (the one from Moonlighting). The Cadillac looks obsolete brand new, both in styling and in performance. 135hp from a 4.1L V8? Yikes!
Good job Bill. Excellent video and great weather. If I could get blown up in front of Tony Romas it would be in this exact same car. Keep it up #OscarSenior
Pause the video @ 9:33 and read the Sammy Davis Jr ad, it’s hysterical! Sammy says that even with his only good eye he can see the “elegance of these Cavaliers or whatever the hell I’m being paid to advertise”. The ad goes on to tout the “authentic replica mohogany, optional power windows, and reversed engineered upholstery from dead raccoons”. The last selling point is the lockable gas cap which will stop “tweakers from stealing your gasoline from the Cracker Barrel parking lot In Jacksonville” Best ad for a car i’ve ever seen!
It's almost as if you planned to ride behind the El Dorado heating and cooling van. That's a beautiful car you and I are the same age and I remember when these were introduced as a kid and loved their shape. These Eldorados were aspirational cars to me, and the ETC was special.
My Grandfather had a 1985 Eldorado, not the Touring Coupe or Biarritz but still well equipped. I was 8 in ‘85 and remember when he bought it. It was The first time I’d seen digital gauges - that was like a space shuttle to me!!! His was black with grey interior, had the digital gauges and power seats, no auto dimming rear view mirror but everything else this has. The slot between the sun visors was intended for you to put your garage door opener in it then press the button below the slot on the outside of the case which would press the actual button of your garage door opener transmitter. A very primitive version of what we now call Homelink in most cars where you program your opener to one of 3 built in buttons. So, on Easter Sunday of 1990 when I was 13 I was at my Grandparents and we were leaving the house to go to Easter Sunday Mass. As we’re walking to the garage my Grandfather turns and hands me the keys and tells me to back her out of the driveway and tells my Grandmother to go down to the end at the sidewalk! At 13 I’m backing out this big black Caddy that I could just barely see over the steering wheel - JUST like the scene in Goodfellas!! Over the next few years my Grandfather would let me drive it around the block on side streets to the point when I started drivers ed a month before my 16th birthday I’d already logged quite a bit of road time lol. Then in July of 1993 my Grandparents were doing their Saturday morning grocery shopping that Eldorado was stolen and never found. I was as sad or even sadder than my Grandfather was. I loved that car. It was the car I’d learned to drive on. I’m 44 and can still remember my Grandfather turning around and and handing me the keys when I was 13. So after his insurance declared it a total loss, he knew how much I loved that car so he gave me the title, owners manual, and never used complete set of Gold Keys. All of which I still have. That was a special car to me. My Grandfather passed in 2007, Grandmother in 2009. There’s no doubt if that 1985 Eldorado was never stolen it would be in my garage right now. My Grandfather bought a Sedan deVille in ‘93 and that would be his last car, but it was not special or sentimental to me at all. My Mom and Uncle asked me if I wanted it and I said no, go ahead and sell it. I’ve tried putting the VIN into CarFax but nothing shows up on it. Does anyone know any other way to try to trace the VIN of a car that was stolen 29 years ago? I’m kind of joking of course, but if anyone does have an idea I’d be interested…… who knows, maybe the car is somewhere out there and can be recovered with modern technology So thanks for reviewing this one Bill. Anytime I see a ‘79-85 Eldorado, especially an ‘85, I always think of my Grandfather. Michael B. WWII vet, US Army Private 1st Class 158th Infantry, Bushmasters
Hey Bill, I'm glad that the weather is cooperating with you & that the animals are under control!!! Watch out for the Canadians though, they may try to take over the back seat of this lovely Cadillac. I'm going to take an extra dose of the coronavirus whiskey just to be safe!!! By the way, I think that Lovee Howell is hot 🔥
I remember prepping these Special Edition Touring Coupes as a Cadillac Master Craftsman when they were new. Each dealer got a couple of these and we got a few added to our allocation. Not terribly rare but this was the end of the run of ETCs in this particular body style. Great car I had one for a few years. Sorry to have sold it.
The 1986 replacement was an absolute turd.. It wasn't much bigger than the N bodies, such as Buick Somerset and Grand Am from Pontiac. Just a sad chapter for Cadillac, which has been plagued with many sad chapters over the last 50 years. The Cadillac name still has juice though.. GM can fix Cadillac anytime they're committed to doing so. They've made several half-ass attempts, but all have mostly fallen short of the mark. Instead of chasing after the likes of Benz and BMW, Cadillac should be gunning after Rolls Royce & Bentley.
When you could get a blue interior. We had a black '79 Grand Prix with a blue interior. Later I ordered my first brand new car .....an '84 Cutlass.....black with a blue interior.
This was Cadillacs weak attempt to try and compete with the large European sports coupes. However it wasn't as much of a disaster as the Cimmaron which was also available at the same time. Like Bill mentioned, the sister car to this, the Buick Riviera T Type had more power and sportier styling.
I know that the Cimarron was just a prettied-up Cavalier, but I wanted one!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just could not afford $12,000 for one. They are very, very rare today. The V-6s were daaaaaaaaaamned hard to work on, though . . .
@@bradjohnston8193 thanks, how did engine Works go!? Which Engine, & what year Cimmaron?. I always kind of wanted Cimmaron( got,a,Buick, FW D..1985, Six Cyl..and
@@opera93 Look at this video in Tofer's Car Tales - it'll give you the whole story. th-cam.com/video/gmQaKKWgMxM/w-d-xo.html The engine compartment was so cramped that to change the back 3 spark plugs, you had to put the car up on a lift and unbolt the supporting triangular engine brace to reach them. It was generally a pain in the ass to get at anything on that engine.
Beautiful car! I remember that we actually loved in Europe the American cars in 70's - 80's and 90's they were just far more expensive than European. Right now it does not matter much anymore as all cars are very much unified in their look and feel. (With exception to French - but only a person who ever owned Renault Laguna knows what does it take to drive a French car :-)))) French are European version of Canadians ;-) ) BTW. You're getting better and better with your videos. I don't know anybody else on internet who would talk about the cars with such a knowledge and honest passion like you do! BTW2. Greetings from the Netherlands where everything is metric and I actually love it this way ;-))))
The Vega engine probably had better head gaskets and leaked less oil. I remember doing water pumps on these pieces a shit 4100s. Oil everywhere. Had to pull the PS pump pulley, maybe even the harmonic balancer? The worst part was the absolute lack of power. The low tech Olds 307, which was all iron, probably made as much HP, it actually made more torque and probably delivered similar or better MPG.
Hi Bill, This Eldo brings back memories. My Mom had a black one with simulated white convertible top. She really enjoyed that car. Thanks for helping kindle a memory.
@@keithbenson2627 it would be fine for a Sunday cruiser, but you sure wouldn't want it to be your only mode of transportation. There'd be a lot of walking in your future lol.
Remember this beauty from 1980, in a Brussel's show room, a friend of my got his Mercedes 450 SEL stolen and was thinking about an alternative...than the Police found his car, so..I must say, this Cadillac had more electrically moved stuff than that full spec Mercedes, but the driving experience...!
Great video of the Eldorado, love that style of pedals. For the trunk try double tapping the button or holding it down around 5 seconds. It was not real common though i had an aftermarket where you had to hold down the trunk button to use it. I had it for like a year before accidently holding it down and finding out it had that capability.
Thank you Bill for the 46 minutes of eye candy and entertaining information, I almost bought an Eldorado at one point but the Coupe de Ville was already consuming enough real estate.
My dad had a ‘79, purchased new, but in a much less sporty but still attractive ‘beige’. He even let me drive it occasionally - I was still in HS. Brings back some great memories; thanks Bill
I Liked how GM said And the Sammy Davis Junior promotional ad that they’ll be helpful from stopping tweakers from stealing your gasoline in the cracker barrel parking lot in Jacksonville. Like they already fucking knew the future ahead of time God damn wow
That overhead "garage door opener" slot, was for a oem caddy garage door opener that you can program for your garage door. Came with the vehicle. My 03 sedan de ville had that....pretty cool. I lost it eventually and did hide some weed in there. Lol. Nice eldo...very rare to find a nice example.
American cars were beautiful up through the 90s. They weren't the best cars, but you forgave a lot because they made you smile when you walked up to them. The 79-85 Riv, Toro and Eldorado were among the top ten most handsome cars ever made! If only GM had kept the 79 original engine for all the years, it would have sold even better.
I had a 1986 2.8 litre 6 cylinder Cimarron. I got for $550.00 in 2000 and drove it 7 years ( had it 13 years ). I Loved that car. I'd Love to have this Eldo here from this video!! I Love all the videos here!
I drove one of these, it was quiet, comfortable, had a little power. But I had also driven a MB 450SL. No competition, the MBZ was way more exciting and the comfort you lost, was made up for by the precision driving characteristics of the MBZ. The owners, as you looked around, were never younger, always blue hairs and guys who think Leisure Suits are ok. Plus, they needed and used the ashtrays.
I remember seeing a full on black w/ gold trim one of these a few years back. Super old dude driving it and it was SWEET. Always liked the looks of these ever since driving a '76 Eldo in my early 20's. The only 2 door you could fit 6+ people in w/ comfort. Thing drove like a comfy couch, loved it.
@@thethomasj1795 I drove a 96 Town Car and it was pretty lacking, but several years later I owned a 96 DeVille which was much quicker then the 96 Lincoln I drove
@@califdad4 I believe that was the first year Lincoln had the Ford Modular V8. While it moved it down the road okay, the car was too heavy for it. It really needed the good old tried and true Ford 351. The Ford 302, and Ford 351 were two of the best motors ever made. Simple, reliable, quiet, and powerful. The Deville was front-wheel drive and had a Northstar which made it feel a bit quicker.
@@thethomasj1795 it was quicker, in the Lincoln I was driving some drunk space engineers from a party at my in-laws, had to stop along the freeway late at night because one thought he was getting sick, taking back off from a stop and flooring it, the engine sounded like a sewing machine engine, my Cadillac with the almost 300 HP took off quite well. I loved that car but wore it out and had to replace it in 2010
@@califdad4 I never drove a town car. But I owned the Eldo, the LSC, and the Deville. THE Devile was a concurs model that had 300 HP. It moved along just fine. The LSC is still a top 5 car. I loved it!
You ought to be a great teacher, Mr. Bill! The way you explain things about gorgious cars like this but also your vieuw upon historical and comtemporary issues make me feel at home, thank you very much!
Took my driver's test in an 84 Olds Toro and love these E-bodys. Great example!! Now to my real reason for commenting. If you mention Tawney Kitaen you show a picture Tawney Kitaen. I'm pretty sure I have seen one here before and you made me look at The Golden Girls and that birth mark. Seriously!
I met a great old guy while fixing the AC at his girlfriend's house, he was about 70 then, he was quite famous in the wine industry owning the rights to many wines, his name was Gino Barca and he said he was related to Hannibal and Barcelona was named after his family, he was wealthy and very fun he had two of these cars a red one and a white one both garaged and perfect, I miss you Gino RIP.
I remember seeing a “customized” ETC for sale in a dealer showroom in Norwalk, CT. Here’s the rub…it was a brand new 1985 Eldorado Convertible (factory, NOT Hess&Eisenhardt) that somehow got through the assembly line with the FULL ETC package right down to the blackout trim, ETC wheels and emblems, and a custom dark Plum color throughout, even the trim, interior and the top material. Same color as this car, I believer code 98 Dark Crimson Maple or code 99 Black Cherry. It was stunning. ETCs were only coupes, in either Black or Sierra Firemist.
Thanks for sharing this car with us. I remember reading about this model Eldorado but never saw one. This is an excellent example. Beautiful interior. 👍🏻Love it.
Love the Caddy Bill even though anemic engine, it was the thought that count with GM during this era and they made a pretty good car. As always Bill you NEVER disappoint. !!!
Had an 84 Olds. Loved that car. Lost a lot of these to cash for clunkers unfortunately. Had to add sand to the trunk to handle horrible understeer during snow.
"We were a little bit more tough on crime." Understatement of the video. Love it Bill! Love this car too. I had the sister Riviera T-Type. I actually also had a 79 Riv Type S - precursor to T-Type.
As soon as I saw your comment, without even watching the video, I knew that he must’ve referenced MOVE. I wish the Philly police would do the same to most neighborhoods there today
I never laughed so hard, thanks,! Well presented, everything is in the delivery, and you aced it 👍 I had one of these beauties, but being in the precious metal business , great times, thanks again for sharing
"Good Morning. I can't complain..." Okay, I'm setting the timer. Thanks ,Bill. I'm old enough to remember these and they were always high on my desirable list.
The biggest event I remember from 1985 was graduating from high school. I certainly thought that Cadillac was a car for old farts. I didn't personally know anyone who owned a Cadillac until the 21st Century. I'll credit Cadillac for evolving into a pretty darn good vehicle. I may be getting into Caddy's demographic but I still wouldn't want to own one as I always preferred Lincolns.
@@grandam you guys mean cars for older ppl and possibly old as rich men. Just like how in the uk jaguar is a old mans car and so as bentley! Im not from there im assuming And just like Mercedes-Benz USED to be old rich ppl cars back then. Now its for any age range for rich status and flex that youre living good 😄😎
Unrelated comment but wasnt it common back then mom gets smacked by dad and him coming home drunk etc... and also bashing and beating up hes little ones kids etc... especially whyte ppl its the stereotype. Did that happen in your househod? Amd how common was it? Or..... is it just always depicted in movies 😄🤫🤔🤭🤣
Bill is the Cadillac of car review channels, he makes Doug DeMuro, look like a 1980s Yugo.
😻😹😹😻
Bill should give Doug a "Doug Score" !
@@B3burner damn right. He seems more honest than DD
Demuro annoys me
Doug is much too feminine
One of my first jobs as a lad was construction demolition. One day I was to shovel old bathroom tile out of a commercial building that was being refitted. I filled my big garbage can with tile and went down the elevator out to the parking lot, climbed the stairs to the dumpster with this extremely heavy industrial garbage can filled to the brim with 1 x 1-inch outdated bathroom tile. As I was shoveling the old tile into the dumpster I kept hearing this odd sound as the tile was landing in the dumpster. After about maybe 7 or 8 shovel fulls I decided to take a closer look. Well, much to my surprise most of what I was shoveling was landing on the very car that you are showing with the window sticker still on the glass. It belonged to the owner of "Hawk Industries" the owner of the construction firm. Well my heart landed in my stomach and I raced down the dumpster stairs to this brand new jet black Cadillac in an attempt to clean it off but the job was Herculean. I decided to do the "right thing" and get away from the car as fast as I could. There must have been 50 to 60 demo guys working that day, so anyone could have done it. Well, later that afternoon I heard this incredibly loud yelling and the "jerk boss" that owned the car found it with tile all over it. This guy was running around in a circle like his hair was one fire. So I remember this car extremely well. I have NEVER mentioned a word about this until now.
Lolll!! Awesome story...I’m literally laughing out loud...thnx
What was the bosses brand new Cadillac doing in the dumpster in the first place?
Lmao Chad
Karma.
That is a funny story. I once was hanging sheetrock and we had to glue and screw it up. I was on a scaffolding with my partner when the foreman, with long hair, walked underneath us and I accidentally dripped a glob of liquid nails in his hair. I also did the right thing. The next day he showed up with short hair and a bad attitude.
I love this car Bill. These are so few and far in between that you almost never see such well kept examples like this.
I miss my 83 every day and I knew of 2 others in my town . The touring coupe emblem on the side costs more than I paid for the car. I paid $700 with 67k miles the emblem was stolen . It was $800
I was 20 driving through Southeast Detroit and going to concerts in this ride. After driving it I never wanted for a sports car. Nope. I fell in love with cruisers, nice women and a smooth ride. Just an awesome ride.
Unrelated comment but wasnt it common back then mom and women always gets smacked by or the man and or dad and him coming home drunk etc... and also bashing and beating up hes little ones kids etc... especially whyte ppl its the stereotype. Did that happen in your househod? Amd how common was it?
Or..... is it just always depicted in movies 😄🤫🤔🤭🤣
Me too I Took my Father's He Ending up Having 3 we would go to Atlanta Georgia the first thing we would do is put a sunroof in the 83 model
This is a real review. I just bought a 82 eldorado sitting for 20 years in airplane hangar , no rust no dents perfect interior ... I plan to keep it !
My first boyfriend had one of these, an '84. I always loved that car, just gorgeous. I lost something precious in that car one night and it seemed like as good a place as any
I REMEMBER That like it was YESTERDAY. I Drove A 83,84 was it Silver Or Black In The Mountains NC
You naughty girl❤❤❤
I can only imagine,,,,,,, ahhhh,, a wonderful image races through my perverted mind (sorry) but as she said, ",, it seemed like as good a place as any.." In my mind it was BETTER than many but not as good as the story my brother shared when he climbed a ladder, sneaked thru her bedroom window of our high school principles daughters room to have her "something precious" in her bed and unfortunately for he AND SHE get caught as she could not hold back a screech that woke her Dad and Mom. Needless to say,, our parents and hers dished out appropriate to the early 1960's punishment,, being grounded for 6 months and he enduring the principle and teachers scorn as well the high fives and thumbs up's from his buddies.
They had a saying among Cadillac salesman: "When we lose a customer, he goes one of three places: Heaven, Hell or a Lincoln-Mercury Dealer!"
That ad with Sammy Davis Jr. 9:32 is hilarious! "Plenty of features to catch your EYE!"😉 "It's not your maids Cavalier." Oh my!
There is a steel plate under your driver seat to protect you from car bombings when you leave the Casino Bill Rothstein oh that was Sam Rothstein
In 1993, my dad just had to have this body style Eldorado. He wouldn’t touch the HT4100 powered ones. He found a 1979 with 35,000 miles and the Olds 350 V8. I’ve never seen him so excited when the retired Dr accepted his offer for it.
I'm the exact opposite. I loved my Biarritz, but absolutely hated the Olds 350 it had. It originally came with a diesel, and was converted to gas using the 350. Yes, it was a very reliable engine, but it didn't have quite the same beautiful sound as the HT-4100. I know I'm impractical, but I'm partial to the HT-4100.
James Caan drove one in 'Thief' to an excellent Tangerine dream soundtrack. I also owned one in high school when they were at their lowest desirability and out of the 40 cars I've owned it's still my favorite. Cig lighters for every passenger as nature intended. It's too bad the 4.1 was such a boat anchor, they all spin rod bearings eventually, but olds V8 swaps are easy and make these things reliable.
I've heard that the 8-6-4 V8 was great once you removed the cylinder deactivation junk.
Blasphemy, but the LS1 or a built 350 would do the trick.
Yes it was a 368 which was a good engine in its basic form. Cadillac used it with fuel injection in the first year ‘79 Eldorado and it’s rock solid.
What a movie that is - I recommend it every chance I get
No he most certainly did NOT. It was a luxury Eldorado, not a touring.
Truly enjoyed the video. I learned to drive in mom's '79 Eldorado, yellow on yellow, beautiful car, one of all-time favs. Dad wound up getting a triple black '80 Baritz model, nicer; but, he only kept it about 6 months. It was a hot car, literally.
Great color combos. My buddies dad had a 78 Coupe DeVille in mint green with white leather. This was 1990, but it was stunning.
Unrelated comment but wasnt it common back then mom gets smacked by dad and him coming home drunk etc... and also bashing and beating up hes little ones kids etc... especially whyte ppl its the stereotype. Did that happen in your househod? Amd how common was it?
Or..... is it just always depicted in movies 😄🤫🤔🤭🤣
The same chassis was used on the second generation Seville. Last year of full frame cars. The later Eldorados were sadly a joke. The STS was my last favorite Cadillac.
Who gets rid of a brand new Cadillac after only 6 months?
And 1980 was one of the best engines ever put in a Cadillac. It was bulletproof!
Love the styling of these 1979 to 1985 GM E bodies
Save your money ! I bought one of these Eldorado and had nothing but problems !
@@keithbenson2627 They are gorgeous cars, but should not be bought by people who don't have the money to keep them in good shape. And never as a daily driver. It does cost a fair amount to keep them up, but worth it. I have an 83 Eldorado. Love it.
@@johnfranklin5277 I don’t know what you are implying ! I make more then enough money and own 2 other Cadillacs . These cars were GM’s nightmare ! Worded cars ever built. !
I've always liked this body style of the Eldorado.
My Dad was the manager of a Bank of America for years. I have his 58 cadillac he bought in 1960. Still on the road, lifelong Southern California car. I also have his 83 Eldorado, it has these exact wheels, were on the car when he bought it new....still going strong.
Bill covers how your Canadians will fare in the back seat, location of toddler tie downs, and firearm and narcotics storage. Important specifications sometimes left out in the owners manual.
Best channel on TH-cam for pristine examples of some of the strangest but wonderful automobiles of years past. Can't get enough!
Oh man! I love this car ,this early 80s are really rare to find after almost 2 years I finally found a 82 biarritz with touring suspension , i driving it every weekend and its just pure pleasure , thanks for the video
The 82 Biarritz is my favorite. You are blessed! 😇
@@TVHouseHistorian thanks man i was looking for that about 2 years it's a Piece of Gem
In February of 1985 I purchased an ‘85 Eldorado. I waited 8 weeks for it to be built and leased it for the tidy sum at the time of $325 per month. I think it cost about $23,500 to buy. Mine was black with a tan cloth interior, no vinyl roof, wire wheel hubcaps and the touring suspension. I ordered a reclining seat option for the driver’s side but they put it on the passenger side by mistake thinking I might have ordered it that way in error. Boy, was I pissed but accepted the car anyway. I was considering the Touring Coupe but I thought it looked dumb with black walls and random body color trim so I went with the regular Eldo. You’re right Bill, that car was so under powered it couldn’t pull the socks off a dead man, but boy did I love being seen driving around Queens, NY, an 34 year old guy in a black Caddy. Life was good.
Unrelated comment but wasnt it common back then mom and women always gets smacked by or the man and or dad and him coming home drunk etc... and also bashing and beating up hes little ones kids etc... especially whyte ppl its the stereotype. Did that happen in your househod? Amd how common was it?
Or..... is it just always depicted in movies 😄🤫🤔🤭🤣
Bill: Another great, informative video. Always enjoy the period “time capsule” you do for the year the car you’re reviewing was produced.
This brings back memories. When I was a kid my Grandmother had the Oldsmobile (Tornado) version which was nearly identical.
My grandparents had one as well, it that crappy 80''s brown, but still a nice car. The missing transmission hump was fascinating to me in..
Built on the same assembly line at the Linden, NJ plant. I installed the A/C vent under the steering column that was referred to as the crotch cooler.
@@eddie054 I loved those GM crotch coolers, most AC cars of the era had them, and some worked better than others. Part of the Bi-Level HVAC circuit. IDR if on MAX Recirc. AC you had air from there. On my Riv, I set it to "Auto" temp 70 degrees "Auto" fan speed, and it came out of all of the vents, defrost, side window defrost, feet, crotch as face vents. On a hot day, those R-12 AC systems worked like nothing I've ever seen since, as did heat and defrost on cold or wet days.
Also, wind/road noise was minimal, and with the Moonroof shade closed, sun load was minimal. It was like driving your living room sofa, but it handled much better on the turns. Moonroof never leaked, the Turbo V-6 ran really well, the car was surefooted, handled for what it was, and was great on rain snow, ice and dry roads. Moderate oversteer, roll was admirable, but for the time, with reduced weight, the power was appreciable. Easily a 120 mph car on the open road, long 2.73 or 3:23 hi-way gears.
The 700R 4 speed was better thand the 425 transaxle, though the 700R-4 did like to hunt ratios whenever you tipped in the throttle. Either jumped between 3-4 , or pop in then out of lockup. Fuel mileage was respectable at 25 on my Riv Turbo V-6, even with a Quadrajet.
The little Red Green Yellow Turbo lights were sexy as hell, and the Bose stereo FM cassette sounded decent then as now. CB radio was among the options as well, though mine didn't have one. Wish I had one and the Stainless roof from the Eldorado Biarritz to add on with the Landau 1/4 top. I preferred the Landau top to plain painted roof, then Caddy added the Biarritz package and pushed it over the top.
Damn fine looking cars, today as ever. Great expanses of perfectly sculpted sheet metal, nice sharp edges and lines to define it. Gorgeous, whether a Toro, Eldo, or Riv. The E-body is just begging for a later gen supercharged LS motor, or Gen 3 Hemi SC'd.
Just think of it with modern all wheel drive added, independent 4 wheel rack and pinion suspension, supercharged, coil-over shock spring combo, big brakes, big tires and wheels, plus all the poise of a modern electronically controlled powertrain, dual exhaust with cutouts and Cadillac mufflers keeping it stock sounding. Plenty of room under the hood for anything, SC, Turbo's whatever you can dream of, and a full frame tying it all together!
Stunning example of that generation Eldo..... thanks for the memories !
I just got an 02 Eldorado this week and ended up here somehow. So glad to have the last of these beauties.
Hi Bill! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE how at 43:43 you passed an "El Dorado Heating & Cooling" truck! Planned or not...that is the sweetest few seconds of the whole video! Keep these coming Bill!
Ha ha...
This car, and the 2003 CTS that was featured in The Matrix Reloaded, are the reasons why there are still Cadillac sedans being built today, but not Lincolns.
Ctsv?
In the early-mid 90s an elderly couple in the neighborhood had these his and hers Eldorado's with the stainless tops. Both for sale, I wanted one so bad for my first car. I caddied at the golf course and was a bus boy, but still ended up with my folks Honda Accord sedan...
You dodged a bullet
Honda quality
GM garbage
@@harryt988 You are 100% correct. My DD is a 2008 Honda Civic Si. I still keep a 83 Cadillac Coupe DeVille and a 66 Olds Ninety Eight for nostalgia.
Unrelated comment but wasnt it common back then mom gets smacked by dad and him coming home drunk etc... and also bashing and beating up hes little ones kids etc... especially whyte ppl its the stereotype. Did that happen in your househod? Amd how common was it?
Or..... is it just always depicted in movies 😄🤫🤔🤭🤣
@@Jason.cbr1000rr I've never known anyone of any color or creed to experience what you're describing. It likely is a movie falsehood used to tug at your heartstrings.
I can't wait to see a test of a 1st generation Seville. Imo, it is the nicest styled caddy of the post fuel shortage era.
Absolutely
I had a ‘79, ice blue, without the vinyl top. Beautiful car! The switchgear was pretty crappy and the 350, even with EFI, couldn’t get out of it’s own way. I miss it!
I agree. Then they destroyed it in '82.
Mmm...first generation Seville was in the 1950's.
@@jameseldogger7410 you are correct!
Doug: Quirks and Features
Bill: Smirks and Creatures
These starts with the headlight flashes makes me remember Edward Woodward as The Equalizer as he stood in a foggy lane with his old Jaguar headlight on.
Love this car. I think the cooler weather has made Bill more mellow. I miss the curmudgeon.
He'll return. Shortly.
Funny thing is, the way he talks and that curmudgeon personality made me think he was older. But he said he was 14 in 1985. He's actually younger than ME! 😂
I tell you Bill has the BEST cars! I look forward to a few things in life, My morning Coke, Seeing a zero balance on my American Express card and any video by Bill!!! haha I had a friend in school circa 1986, his mom had a rare, Eldorado Biarritz Gucci Edition ..I had never seen one! It had the Gucci nomenclature all over and had sheepskin floormats..She had traded an Eldorado convert for it..Texas oil/horse money If I remember right..me and her son were best buds and a little more at times haha
I want Bill to begin a new TH-cam series with just his observations about life.
I’m not kidding.
So sad to see what has happened to Cadillac brand. Even now, instead of making big luxurious brands, they try to out sport BMW. For example, they had the bigger CT6 that I thought was getting them back to where they should be. Instead they stop making it now have a subcompact CT4 and compact CT5. Crazy. If not for Escalade, they cease to exist.
Oh I’m in for this! Love these things. The first Touring model which led to many more Touring Sedans and Coupes.
Oooh, and a Bose car - optional and the system that took the car audio industry by storm. These seats are similar to Cimarron but not the same; they are specially made for the car.
Look up images of the seats in a '90 Olds Touring Sedan based off the Ninety Eight body. Those seats adjusted about 16 different ways with side bolsters etc. Loved that car. Tight as H too..
I’ll take this weather in Naples over where I used to live in Ohio any day.
Right? I live in Central Kentucky and it has been below freezing for two weeks. We've had near 20" of snow just this month. And people in Florida complain about weather, lol. Also, used to live in Texas, and omg, never in my life heard people complain so much about "winter" weather, that was non-existent.
@@jeremiahallyn4603
It is different once you are here for a few years. If it gets below 50 I wear a jacket. In Ohio if it was 50 in January that was T-shirt weather!!!
I think I might be gay
Its the worst storm in 20 years coming 2morrow. I'm here im Cleveland Ohio.
@@anthonywilson9403
I heard that. Wish you guys the best.
I have only seen Touring Coupes in black. I have never seen one in this beautiful Cabernet red. Stunning!
Sam Ace Rothstein drove that car kiddo!!!! He was a casino boss at the Tangiers in Vegas!! Good review!!!!!!
I had a 1983 Sedan DeVille with the EFI 4100. It was severely underpowered. Once you got it onto the highway and set the cruise to 65 -70 MPH though, it was fine. The transmission changed frequently for the slightest hill. It was fair on gasoline.
Correct. For those cars it was common to put in an Olds 350 when the 4.1 failed.
@@R.J.1 yet amazingly in the 1930's they could go up hills fine. I saw footage from 1931, saw this Buick 1927 just glide up the hill at about 30 miles per hour, and the video was registered to a normal speed, In fact the original film had naturally non fixed speed.
Had a 1983 Fleetwood Brougham D'Elegance w/the HT 4100. Would break down all the time and didn't have the power to move a Fleetwood. Hook & Tow 4100 they were called on the streets.
Best used car video ever. Natural stand-up comic. Loved every minute. Thanks
Bill - now that you’ve done one of these what would be really cool is a Mark VII LSC…
A lot of people knock the HT4100. Yeah it's not a race engine but it seems to do okay in all 3 of my cars, '84 Seville. Eldo Biarritz, and Fleetwood Brougham. You just have to be more vigilant checking for any coolant in the oil. Yet I see some for sale with over 100K miles. I really like the ride in my Biarritz.
You like living on the edge!
Agee with Tim W. HT4100 criticism is overblown. If we’ll maintained, the performed and lasted. My father had 82-83 black ETC and 85 convertible black with red interior absolutely gorgeous and we towed a 20 foot boat with it, plenty of torque to tow it. The car was not about street light 0-60 drag racing. Great soft steering, still floated like the 70s big caddy’s
I'm speechless Bill. That sunroof would win every Sunroof Race in the history of sunroofs racing each other. Fastest sunroof ever made.
24:20 a spare tire cozy!
37:50 I’ve seen more realistic “wood” on an 80s Sears stereo. And acres of it in here to boot.
Overall it’s a fascinating vehicle. The toned-down exterior was nice. The design was a lot better than the ugly hoagie that replaced it.
This car was only 4 years removed from the first Lexus...the difference could not be more stark.
You’re right! Wow!
The Lexus is as dull as dishwater. Maybe reliable but banal and blah. When you arrived in a Cadillac, that was something. Class, glitz, presense, a head turner. A Lexus? Yawn.
Even compared to the '85 BMW 635CSi shown in this video (the one from Moonlighting). The Cadillac looks obsolete brand new, both in styling and in performance. 135hp from a 4.1L V8? Yikes!
@@burningblue1254 Class and glitz? Maybe for a "Sopranos" type in Atlantic City or a retiree in The Villages in Florida.
@@romanpaladino the Cadillac has the style and the presence and the class and panache. You can have your European stuff.
Good job Bill. Excellent video and great weather. If I could get blown up in front of Tony Romas it would be in this exact same car. Keep it up #OscarSenior
Pause the video @ 9:33 and read the Sammy Davis Jr ad, it’s hysterical! Sammy says that even with his only good eye he can see the “elegance of these Cavaliers or whatever the hell I’m being paid to advertise”. The ad goes on to tout the “authentic replica mohogany, optional power windows, and reversed engineered upholstery from dead raccoons”. The last selling point is the lockable gas cap which will stop “tweakers from stealing your gasoline from the Cracker Barrel parking lot In Jacksonville”
Best ad for a car i’ve ever seen!
Bill, those wheels were an option, not exclusive to the ETC. I had them on my 1981 Biarritz but with a large center, covering the lug nuts.
Also seen on the Riviera T-Types, dating to 1979. I know, I owned one ! Nice cars.
It's almost as if you planned to ride behind the El Dorado heating and cooling van.
That's a beautiful car you and I are the same age and I remember when these were introduced as a kid and loved their shape. These Eldorados were aspirational cars to me, and the ETC was special.
Good evening Bill from Ron in a cold Manchester, glad your weather is to your liking and the animals and birds are not causing you stress
everyday with these gems from Bill is a happy one :D
My Grandfather had a 1985 Eldorado, not the Touring Coupe or Biarritz but still well equipped. I was 8 in ‘85 and remember when he bought it. It was The first time I’d seen digital gauges - that was like a space shuttle to me!!!
His was black with grey interior, had the digital gauges and power seats, no auto dimming rear view mirror but everything else this has. The slot between the sun visors was intended for you to put your garage door opener in it then press the button below the slot on the outside of the case which would press the actual button of your garage door opener transmitter. A very primitive version of what we now call Homelink in most cars where you program your opener to one of 3 built in buttons.
So, on Easter Sunday of 1990 when I was 13 I was at my Grandparents and we were leaving the house to go to Easter Sunday Mass. As we’re walking to the garage my Grandfather turns and hands me the keys and tells me to back her out of the driveway and tells my Grandmother to go down to the end at the sidewalk! At 13 I’m backing out this big black Caddy that I could just barely see over the steering wheel - JUST like the scene in Goodfellas!!
Over the next few years my Grandfather would let me drive it around the block on side streets to the point when I started drivers ed a month before my 16th birthday I’d already logged quite a bit of road time lol.
Then in July of 1993 my Grandparents were doing their Saturday morning grocery shopping that Eldorado was stolen and never found. I was as sad or even sadder than my Grandfather was. I loved that car. It was the car I’d learned to drive on. I’m 44 and can still remember my Grandfather turning around and and handing me the keys when I was 13.
So after his insurance declared it a total loss, he knew how much I loved that car so he gave me the title, owners manual, and never used complete set of Gold Keys. All of which I still have.
That was a special car to me. My Grandfather passed in 2007, Grandmother in 2009. There’s no doubt if that 1985 Eldorado was never stolen it would be in my garage right now. My Grandfather bought a Sedan deVille in ‘93 and that would be his last car, but it was not special or sentimental to me at all. My Mom and Uncle asked me if I wanted it and I said no, go ahead and sell it.
I’ve tried putting the VIN into CarFax but nothing shows up on it. Does anyone know any other way to try to trace the VIN of a car that was stolen 29 years ago? I’m kind of joking of course, but if anyone does have an idea I’d be interested…… who knows, maybe the car is somewhere out there and can be recovered with modern technology
So thanks for reviewing this one Bill. Anytime I see a ‘79-85 Eldorado, especially an ‘85, I always think of my Grandfather. Michael B. WWII vet, US Army Private 1st Class 158th Infantry, Bushmasters
Hey Bill, I'm glad that the weather is cooperating with you & that the animals are under control!!! Watch out for the Canadians though, they may try to take over the back seat of this lovely Cadillac. I'm going to take an extra dose of the coronavirus whiskey just to be safe!!!
By the way, I think that Lovee Howell is hot 🔥
Being a 2 door coupe you can only get a couple of Canadians back there🐶
I remember prepping these Special Edition Touring Coupes as a Cadillac Master Craftsman when they were new. Each dealer got a couple of these and we got a few added to our allocation. Not terribly rare but this was the end of the run of ETCs in this particular body style. Great car I had one for a few years. Sorry to have sold it.
The 1986 replacement was an absolute turd.. It wasn't much bigger than the N bodies, such as Buick Somerset and Grand Am from Pontiac. Just a sad chapter for Cadillac, which has been plagued with many sad chapters over the last 50 years. The Cadillac name still has juice though.. GM can fix Cadillac anytime they're committed to doing so. They've made several half-ass attempts, but all have mostly fallen short of the mark. Instead of chasing after the likes of Benz and BMW, Cadillac should be gunning after Rolls Royce & Bentley.
Great video Bill!! My favorite was the 85 Eldorado biarritz in white with the stainless roof and blue interior.
When you could get a blue interior. We had a black '79 Grand Prix with a blue interior. Later I ordered my first brand new car .....an '84 Cutlass.....black with a blue interior.
My family had a Sapphir Blue 85 Eldorado when I was a kid. Was a great car and very nice to look at. Thanks for bringing back some good memory’s!
This was Cadillacs weak attempt to try and compete with the large European sports coupes. However it wasn't as much of a disaster as the Cimmaron which was also available at the same time. Like Bill mentioned, the sister car to this, the Buick Riviera T Type had more power and sportier styling.
I know that the Cimarron was just a prettied-up Cavalier, but I wanted one!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just could not afford $12,000 for one. They are very, very rare today. The V-6s were daaaaaaaaaamned hard to work on, though . . .
@@bradjohnston8193 thanks, how did engine Works go!? Which Engine, & what year Cimmaron?. I always kind of wanted Cimmaron( got,a,Buick, FW D..1985, Six Cyl..and
Friend of mine had a Cimarron. Last Caddy he ever bought
@@opera93 Look at this video in Tofer's Car Tales - it'll give you the whole story. th-cam.com/video/gmQaKKWgMxM/w-d-xo.html
The engine compartment was so cramped that to change the back 3 spark plugs, you had to put the car up on a lift and unbolt the supporting triangular engine brace to reach them. It was generally a pain in the ass to get at anything on that engine.
A cavellier with hood ornament, leather and power windows..
Beautiful car! I remember that we actually loved in Europe the American cars in 70's - 80's and 90's they were just far more expensive than European. Right now it does not matter much anymore as all cars are very much unified in their look and feel. (With exception to French - but only a person who ever owned Renault Laguna knows what does it take to drive a French car :-)))) French are European version of Canadians ;-) )
BTW. You're getting better and better with your videos. I don't know anybody else on internet who would talk about the cars with such a knowledge and honest passion like you do!
BTW2. Greetings from the Netherlands where everything is metric and I actually love it this way ;-))))
Hatred for foot-pounds from Spain here
The 4100HT was actually two Vega engine blocks cast together. Known for bad head gaskets and oil leaks.
The Vega engine probably had better head gaskets and leaked less oil. I remember doing water pumps on these pieces a shit 4100s. Oil everywhere. Had to pull the PS pump pulley, maybe even the harmonic balancer? The worst part was the absolute lack of power. The low tech Olds 307, which was all iron, probably made as much HP, it actually made more torque and probably delivered similar or better MPG.
And poor longevity.
I love your channel and cars! My dad had a Cadillac Seville slant back with a gold package. He used to say he was the cat’s ass in reverse 🐈
Hi Bill, This Eldo brings back memories. My Mom had a black one with simulated white convertible top. She really enjoyed that car. Thanks for helping kindle a memory.
This is a rare car. I was surprised to hear that there were only 545 car made that year. I only seen three in my lifetime.
And the touring eldo convertible is basically priceless now
@@AndrewGorny I did not know Cadillac made a convertible!
Now THAT is a beautiful car!
Yes they are beautiful but don’t ever buy one. ! They are known for overheating and are seriously underpowered !
@@keithbenson2627 it would be fine for a Sunday cruiser, but you sure wouldn't want it to be your only mode of transportation. There'd be a lot of walking in your future lol.
Remember this beauty from 1980, in a Brussel's show room, a friend of my got his Mercedes 450 SEL stolen and was thinking about an alternative...than the Police found his car, so..I must say, this Cadillac had more electrically moved stuff than that full spec Mercedes, but the driving experience...!
Great video of the Eldorado, love that style of pedals. For the trunk try double tapping the button or holding it down around 5 seconds. It was not real common though i had an aftermarket where you had to hold down the trunk button to use it. I had it for like a year before accidently holding it down and finding out it had that capability.
Your presentation is so good
Thank you Bill for the 46 minutes of eye candy and entertaining information, I almost bought an Eldorado at one point but the Coupe de Ville was already consuming enough real estate.
You show the dash at night. Can we appreciate that NOBODY FRIGGIN' DOES THAT- AT ALL - whisky or no - a true LEGEND BIll is... viewed real time...
Love this car and Bill.My mom had an 85 humpback Seville.Same color,dash etc.This was a beautiful color. The camera 📷 doesn't do it justice.
My dad had a ‘79, purchased new, but in a much less sporty but still attractive ‘beige’. He even let me drive it occasionally - I was still in HS. Brings back some great memories; thanks Bill
Yes! More GM from Papa Bill
Do you watch Anthony Gozz Specialty Motors, the Cadillacs and Lincolns he finds are amazing.
@@paulie-Gualtieri. I don’t… I will look into this
I Liked how GM said And the Sammy Davis Junior promotional ad that they’ll be helpful from stopping tweakers from stealing your gasoline in the cracker barrel parking lot in Jacksonville. Like they already fucking knew the future ahead of time God damn wow
That overhead "garage door opener" slot, was for a oem caddy garage door opener that you can program for your garage door. Came with the vehicle. My 03 sedan de ville had that....pretty cool. I lost it eventually and did hide some weed in there. Lol. Nice eldo...very rare to find a nice example.
You could get a 5.0 or even a 3.8 liter turbo v6 in the Riv, 307 in the Olds. Caddy made due with the 4100HT. GM is nuts
I would love to see this Eldorado and that Rambler you featured in a drag race. My money is on the rambler.
This was the best and most entertaining car review I've ever watched. You're hilarious. Thank you.
American cars were beautiful up through the 90s. They weren't the best cars, but you forgave a lot because they made you smile when you walked up to them. The 79-85 Riv, Toro and Eldorado were among the top ten most handsome cars ever made! If only GM had kept the 79 original engine for all the years, it would have sold even better.
I had a 1986 2.8 litre 6 cylinder Cimarron. I got for $550.00 in 2000 and drove it 7 years ( had it 13 years ). I Loved that car. I'd Love to have this Eldo here from this video!! I Love all the videos here!
I had a 83 Toronado and it was very cool. got it in 92 for $350. prices have gone up on used cars
I drove one of these, it was quiet, comfortable, had a little power. But I had also driven a MB 450SL. No competition, the MBZ was way more exciting and the comfort you lost, was made up for by the precision driving characteristics of the MBZ. The owners, as you looked around, were never younger, always blue hairs and guys who think Leisure Suits are ok. Plus, they needed and used the ashtrays.
Leisure Suits are gonna make a comeback!
I always liked this Eldorado TC, thanks for the great video of an American Classic.
I remember seeing a full on black w/ gold trim one of these a few years back. Super old dude driving it and it was SWEET. Always liked the looks of these ever since driving a '76 Eldo in my early 20's.
The only 2 door you could fit 6+ people in w/ comfort. Thing drove like a comfy couch, loved it.
Beautiful car! I've always loved that generation of Eldo....
But push comes to shove, I'd probably go for a Mark VII LSC quicker.
I had both cars and the LSC blew the doors off of the Cadillac.
@@thethomasj1795 I drove a 96 Town Car and it was pretty lacking, but several years later I owned a 96 DeVille which was much quicker then the 96 Lincoln I drove
@@califdad4 I believe that was the first year Lincoln had the Ford Modular V8. While it moved it down the road okay, the car was too heavy for it. It really needed the good old tried and true Ford 351. The Ford 302, and Ford 351 were two of the best motors ever made. Simple, reliable, quiet, and powerful. The Deville was front-wheel drive and had a Northstar which made it feel a bit quicker.
@@thethomasj1795 it was quicker, in the Lincoln I was driving some drunk space engineers from a party at my in-laws, had to stop along the freeway late at night because one thought he was getting sick, taking back off from a stop and flooring it, the engine sounded like a sewing machine engine, my Cadillac with the almost 300 HP took off quite well. I loved that car but wore it out and had to replace it in 2010
@@califdad4 I never drove a town car. But I owned the Eldo, the LSC, and the Deville. THE Devile was a concurs model that had 300 HP. It moved along just fine. The LSC is still a top 5 car. I loved it!
You ought to be a great teacher, Mr. Bill! The way you explain things about gorgious cars like this but also your vieuw upon historical and comtemporary issues make me feel at home, thank you very much!
Took my driver's test in an 84 Olds Toro and love these E-bodys. Great example!!
Now to my real reason for commenting. If you mention Tawney Kitaen you show a picture Tawney Kitaen. I'm pretty sure I have seen one here before and you made me look at The Golden Girls and that birth mark.
Seriously!
I met a great old guy while fixing the AC at his girlfriend's house, he was about 70 then, he was quite famous in the wine industry owning the rights to many wines, his name was Gino Barca and he said he was related to Hannibal and Barcelona was named after his family, he was wealthy and very fun he had two of these cars a red one and a white one both garaged and perfect, I miss you Gino RIP.
Great review. I remember seeing a black 84 Touring coupe in the GM head office building in New York.
I remember seeing a “customized” ETC for sale in a dealer showroom in Norwalk, CT. Here’s the rub…it was a brand new 1985 Eldorado Convertible (factory, NOT Hess&Eisenhardt) that somehow got through the assembly line with the FULL ETC package right down to the blackout trim, ETC wheels and emblems, and a custom dark Plum color throughout, even the trim, interior and the top material. Same color as this car, I believer code 98 Dark Crimson Maple or code 99 Black Cherry. It was stunning. ETCs were only coupes, in either Black or Sierra Firemist.
Thanks for sharing this car with us. I remember reading about this model Eldorado but never saw one. This is an excellent example. Beautiful interior. 👍🏻Love it.
The Cimmaron now though, a well-equipped one, all the power options, tends to be a desirable car for some. They are a rare sight.
A rebadged Cavalier
@@johnjobber2219 Yes, I am completely aware of that.
It is a good looking car. We used to use the term "Cadallicing" when our machines at work were running good.
Love the Caddy Bill even though anemic engine, it was the thought that count with GM during this era and they made a pretty good car. As always Bill you NEVER disappoint. !!!
Had an 84 Olds. Loved that car. Lost a lot of these to cash for clunkers unfortunately. Had to add sand to the trunk to handle horrible understeer during snow.
"We were a little bit more tough on crime." Understatement of the video. Love it Bill! Love this car too. I had the sister Riviera T-Type. I actually also had a 79 Riv Type S - precursor to T-Type.
As soon as I saw your comment, without even watching the video, I knew that he must’ve referenced MOVE. I wish the Philly police would do the same to most neighborhoods there today
No apologies Bill! Your a pleasure to listen to! Entertaining!
Make sure to pause on the Cimarron ad...comedy gold!
It was 25 degrees at night, where I am, the day this was filmed. Thanks for not complaining about a high of 80. Judge Smails car!
I never laughed so hard, thanks,!
Well presented, everything is in the delivery, and you aced it 👍
I had one of these beauties, but being in the precious metal business , great times, thanks again for sharing
my grandfather had the 81 Eldorado use to love driving that classic
"Good Morning. I can't complain..."
Okay, I'm setting the timer.
Thanks ,Bill. I'm old enough to remember these and they were always high on my desirable list.
The biggest event I remember from 1985 was graduating from high school. I certainly thought that Cadillac was a car for old farts. I didn't personally know anyone who owned a Cadillac until the 21st Century. I'll credit Cadillac for evolving into a pretty darn good vehicle. I may be getting into Caddy's demographic but I still wouldn't want to own one as I always preferred Lincolns.
Lincolns were "old farts" vehicles too. Lol
@@grandam you guys mean cars for older ppl and possibly old as rich men.
Just like how in the uk jaguar is a old mans car and so as bentley! Im not from there im assuming
And just like Mercedes-Benz USED to be old rich ppl cars back then. Now its for any age range for rich status and flex that youre living good 😄😎
Unrelated comment but wasnt it common back then mom gets smacked by dad and him coming home drunk etc... and also bashing and beating up hes little ones kids etc... especially whyte ppl its the stereotype. Did that happen in your househod? Amd how common was it?
Or..... is it just always depicted in movies 😄🤫🤔🤭🤣
@@Jason.cbr1000rr Yeah Lincolns are the " I'm retired and ain't doing shit else" status symbols. Lol
I noticed Pete had the lawn mowed and the hedge trimmed!