10th Oct 2005, 14:50

The early front drive Eldorados were wonderful cars. I bought a 75 Coupe with 33,000 miles in 1986. I drove it until it was hit head on (at low speed) in 1993. I almost cried when I saw the damage (totalled).

In 2000, I happened across a 78 Eldorado with 32,000 miles, almost showroom condition. I haven't driven it much in the five years I've owned it. However, it looks and drives like a new car. I feel very fortunate to have owned 2 great cars like this.

My 93 and 02 Devilles, although more powerful and less thirsty, are no match for the old seventies cars.

DPC.

22nd Oct 2006, 12:33

Remember that a gallon of gas down under has 5 quarts instead of 4. This is why he gets more miles per gallon.

TED.

28th Sep 2007, 13:20

I have owned a 1969 Eldorado for about 7 years. I started restoration about 6 years ago, redid the engine, transmission, went over the electrical, new exhaust & the like. Sadly, I ran out of money & had to postpone the restoration for about 5 years now. The car is sitting in my shop, moved only once in 5 years or so. It breaks my heart.

I always said that if I won the lottery, the first thing I would do is finish that car & drive it everyday. I love that car.

When I bought it, it was love at first site. Seven years later, it's still love.

Keith.

5th Oct 2007, 15:43

Ah, yes...Eldorados! I remember them fondly, having fallen madly in love with a green 1973 hardtop. I still find myself wishing that I'd bought that car, but at the time it was very pricey at over $5000 in 1976 US dollars! I just didn't see how I could make those steep $140 car payments monthly for the following three years!

6th Dec 2012, 16:17

Mr. Aussie, your car must take a backseat to the one featured in the first review.

It has the 500 cu. in. engine making 400 hp.

As for the gas economy, I got about 12 MPG in the city with mine.

It would keep up with a Corvette once rolling, and I amazed more than a few who didn't expect that kind of power.

I owned this and a 1972 Mark IV as well. The Mark had some nice things going for it, but the Eldo won for style and power.

20th Oct 2014, 02:59

My feelings about the 67-70 Eldorados, and particularly the 70 Eldorado, are the same as others have posted. I wanted a 70 Eldorado for over 20 years before I bought mine, and I love it. The 500 is amazingly smooth and effortless, and it feels faster than my 2008 STI in 90% of all driving situations because the engine makes so much power just off idle, while the STI has to rev to at least 4,000 RPM to make appreciable power. The 500 is very smooth and quiet under all conditions except full throttle, when it makes a very quiet hum. It rarely breaks 11 MPG, but I didn't buy it for efficiency.

The build quality of the body is among the best of any Cadillac. Panel fit and finish as well as material selection declined rapidly beginning in 1971, and the aluminum grille, all metal chrome, tight body gaps and sharp creases in the fenders and rear window are stunning to look at. 1967 has the best body build quality of this series of Eldorado, but 1970 models were still very well built compared to following model years, and the 472 (68-69)/500 (70) is a better engine overall than the 1967 429, although the 429 is still a good engine.

Ride is not as smooth as full size RWD Cadillacs through 1976, but handling is better. Although this car is front wheel drive, it has absolutely no torque steer, but the front will understeer if you push it. Braking is not good for anything other than sedate driving. In hilly areas, the brakes will fade after several longer applications. If a person were to invest in enhancing one aspect of performance in these cars, I feel braking would be the most noticeable and beneficial. No other aspect of this car's performance is lacking compared to modern cars.

Things to beware of on these cars include rust anywhere, especially in the base of the A-pillars. Extensive rust under the vinyl roof is common, but small areas of rust are repairable. The rear sub frame rusts at the arch forward of the rear wheels on salt-belt cars, and the hood, roof and trunk show severe corrosion on cars kept along the east or west coast. Always look for the correct grain vinyl on cars with vinyl tops; top replacement is often done because of rust, and incorrect vinyl is an indicator the car may have had rust damage. Ask the seller for evidence of a quality repair, because some people will bondo the rusty areas, which means the rust will return sooner than later. Also, CV joints go bad on these cars, although they last a long time if the boots are replaced. The right drive axle had a rubber damper that deteriorates and clunks. The sound is alarming, but a replacement axle without the damper can be bought for less than $100, and I replaced mine myself. If you replace front axles yourself, be sure to have a big breaker bar (I made one about 6 feet long) or a good chisel to remove the hub bolt.

Other common areas needing attention are timing chain and gears (the factory nylon lining on the cam gear breaks off and increases chain slop), A/C issues (this system is difficult for those unfamiliar with it to troubleshoot; adjust your offer for A/C issues accordingly), radio problems, and cracked steering wheel trim. Figure $600 for a good steering wheel replacement or repair, $500 for a radio rebuild, and $500+ for a correct, twin-groove A/C compressor replacement. All 1970 Eldorados had automatic level control, but very few still have the system in operating condition. This is a common problem that is usually remedied with regular air shocks. If you want to restore the system to operation, look for a car with ALC components intact. Many cars had the compressor removed and discarded when the system failed, and as of 2014, no one offers rebuilt compressors or rebuild kits, although some people on Cadillac forums can give tips for restoring their operation. An inoperative ALC system is the one thing I probably wouldn't deduct for if the components are still intact, and I might add to my offer for a car with a working system, although not much.

Overall, the 1970 Cadillac Eldorado is a great car that is still very undervalued compared to the beauty and driving experience it offers. Many have been scrapped to pull the 500 for installation in other vehicles, which is making these cars harder to find with the correct 1970 500. Get one before the inevitable price increase happens.

15th Apr 2015, 04:54

Thank you for sharing your information, very helpful as I commence restoration.

I drove my 70 Eldorado for five years (1985-1990) and stored it since, for 25 years! I'm now having car fully restored for regular driving enjoyment, not as a show car.

Will you share with me how one can determine if the engine is the original 500?

Paul Newell

Co-author of Empty Mansions, a recent best seller in U.S. and licensed for publication abroad in Commonwealth countries, plus Italy, Brazil, and China.