Is the 1970 Cadillac Eldorado A Good Investment Or Sale Proof?
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- Опубликовано: 24 янв 2022
- The Cadillac Eldorado was one of the most powerful, luxurious and exclusive American nameplates for 50 years. The Eldorado was also one of the most bizarre! We reviewed this 1970 Cadillac Eldorado (8th Generation) and determine if it's a good investment or sale proof.
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For perspective, the 8.2L engine is higher displacement than the original Dodge Viper engine and matches it's horsepower 22 years before the Dodge Viper debuted
Umm.. a slight correction here. 22 years before the Viper’s debut in 1992 would have been 1970. While both cars were rated at 400 hp, the Cad’s 500 was still rated in gross HP. The horsepower rating system changed in ‘72 to net HP. The gross rating was often made with no accessories, belts, transmission, or other power robbers attached to the motor on a dyno run. Net HP was determined by testing the engine as it would be found in the vehicle, with all accessories installed and working, including things like A/C compressors. Net vs. gross numbers tend to yield up to a 30% difference in output. The Caddy 500 is a torque monster for sure. No question. If you compare the ‘70 500, against the ‘72 500, you’ll have a much more accurate idea of what’s going on here. In ‘70 the 500 made 400 HP, and 550 ft lbs (gross) while the ‘72 500 made 235 HP and 385 ft lbs (net). The ‘71 wasn’t listed in my book, or I’d use those figures against the ‘72. At any rate, it’s not fair to say that the wild power claims of any American manufacturer during the muscle car era pre ‘72 are anything to hold as a truth. Especially when the rocker arm setup in a 500 Cadillac was never designed to stay together above about 4000 rpm. The rockers were held in place laterally by a small amount of tension provided by a guide to keep them from walking off the ends of the shaft. I’d include a photo, but the RUclips comment experience dictates that you will have to image search “stock Cadillac 500 rocker stands” for yourself to understand what a terrible setup it was.
@@RichMander1 You are still comparing apples with pears, granted the 1970 was rated on gross horsepower, but all subsequent years had genuinely reduced horsepower as emission and smog equipment was loaded on and compression and carburation reduced. The 1970 was the most powerful 500 that Cadillac produced.
More Perspective yes that 400hp was Gross, with Net being more like 245-275, and the 0 to 60 being a Lackluster 7.5-8sec with a 17sec 1/4 mile....Slow for sure by today's Standards...
@@brianaugust1594 Anyone who has ever driven a proper running '70 will tell you, those 0 to
60 numbers are well over rated.
One of my absolute fave American car designs. So clean, crisp, and HUGE!
And this was one of the smaller and lighter-weight ones compared to the first seven generations!
Dubbed the "Razorback Cadillac."
Does it have a good AC system? To ride in a hot state like California do you think it’s a good choice?
My aunt had a 67 Eldorado when I was a kid. I thought it was the coolest, most beautiful thing I had ever seen and ridden in!
They are cool!
As an owner of a 1970 Eldorado, I find your comments on the steering and driving experience curious, and I can only assume that the one you test drove is tired. Mine drives wonderfully well with great precision in the steering and generally good handling. I am fortunate enough to own a few Land Yachts, including a couple of Mark III's and the Cadillac is much more of a driver's car than the Mark III's, but I have to debate with myself over which style I prefer. One of the Mark III's was produced in June 1968, and boy does that have some beans....
Will you someday sell your Cadillac eldorado
@@theincrediblehulk5797 It's in the UK.....are you?
@@simonoldroyd5037 aw man I’m not I’m in the us
The Eldo had a faster steering ratio than most GMs.
I agree. They were very good handling cars although the ride was not on par with lesser Cadillac models or other luxury cars of the era and that was due to the rear suspension and is a noted design deficiency, wasn't a bad ride but you can tell instantly the deVille has a smoother ride. The Toronado had the same issue.
Great car! This extra long hood. Finest Bill Mitchell style. The technical base is the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado.
Let's not forget the Buick Riviera
@@SaleProofCarReviews Yes, but the Riv joined the (downsized) Front-wheel-drive platform in 1979. The big boats (like the famous boat-tail 1971-1973) were rear-wheel-drive.
The ghosts of Sinatra, Sammy Davis & Dean Martin still haunt the Vegas strip driving a 67 Eldo, highball glasses & Marlboros in hand.
Trim pieces and interior are very difficult and expensive. A good steering wheel is $2000.00. The outside mirrors are zinc not chrome or stainless. They pit badly. I've seen NOS priced at $2000 a mirror. Mechanically the car is very sound. The Trans is considered indestructible NOS hubcaps are $400.00 each. I've been replacing light bulbs on mine. It has a lot of light bulbs. Recommended tire inflation is 20 PSI. Not great for snappy handling. Probably an attempt to tame the stiff ride. NOS bumpers, $2000.00 each. The 500 CI engines are not available in junkyards. Hot rodders took them all. The 1970 is the only high compression 500. They have been built to over 1000 HP. The trans was used in the 13,000 GVW GMC Motorhome. Its that strong. With slight mods the car can do 14 second quarter miles like most of the eras muscle cars.. I used to race moms all the time. Usually won. I saw one sell at $55,000 but it had a beautiful custom interior. Except for that $45,000 tops. And they can be had a lot cheaper.
I never tire of seeing these cars reviewed, and this was very nice one.
I must say your choice of filming location is a bit different :)
Thanks for taking time for going over all the years of the ELDORADO love most of them
lol, i have one of these sitting in the driveway that runs on propane. So crazy you just uploaded this video because I was looking for a smart guy's idea on it.
I'm glad you found what you were looking for!
I had the same car, same color... great car, I wish I kept it... it handled well
Really cool video!! That must have been intense driving that cruiser!!
Thank you! I'm pretty tense whenever I drive someone else's car, I don't want to break anything!
Besides the 1963 Buick Riviera, this is probably the most beautiful automobile ever styled at GM. It still looks modern almost 60 years after it debuted in 1967.
I had a gold 70 El Dorado, we named it The Golden Warrior .😊 Mine had a hood ornament, it looked sharp. The back windows were great they slide into the body . Like all the older cars it enjoys a little drink of lead additive . If you had opened it up the car flys . Nothing can beat it .
Thanks for posting. I’ve wondered why these cars with the biggest big block ever aren’t really worth much.
Demand is thin and supply is adequate.
I had a 1969 ,they had a much firmer ride than the devilles ,with torsion bar front suspension and leaf rear ,the leafs had 1 thick leaf.They where really good on back roads ,and very stable at faster highway speeds .
The backup light in no way was an afterthought. Even though it was a newer requirement , Cadillac had backup lights back into the 1950s
I know as far back as 1958 Cadillac had backup lights. Probably before that date. If any was backup lights were seemed to be an afterthought was the 71-78 . The backup lights was filler for the opening for the wider European licenses plates. They were basically a cost savings so the trunk worked in both markets.
You don't have to be a professional to know the 1967 to 1969 Cadillac Eldorado is hell of a car it's front wheel drive which is a TH400 automatic turned transversely and 472 cubic inch V8 moves these cars easily at great speed
What a great looking car, I had a 1969 Eldorado I bought in 1974.
Excellent video and what a beautiful Caddy! I had a 69 that I miss terribly (although the 68 is my favorite of that gen overall). You're right, if one wants the smoothest, quietest ride of the era, the RWDs are the way to go. My dad and grandfather were GM execs, and they said at the time the ride in the Eldos wasn't the best. Dad used to complain about the passenger accessibility of the 69/70 instrument panel and especially welcomed that aspect of the 71 redesigns. I never knew about the longer hood for 70 but makes sense. I notice the wheel discs on this model appear to be from the 67/68 model year.
The 1968 1/2 to 1971 Continental Mark III had the same rear windows rolled back into the rear roof pillar.
T-Bird had the 'roll- back" rear window in first in 1967. ( along with the 67 Eldorado)
Love them to bits
My Dad had a Cadillac fleetwood from 66' We called it the"Millenium Falcon" It was awesome I think that had the 472
That sounds about right! I'm assuming he owned the car for some time or bought it used as the first Star Wars movie came out in 77
@@SaleProofCarReviews I think He bought it in 72' and I think He sold it in 83' I loved that car!
If it was a '66 it was a 429cu
The 472 was introduced in 1968. Caddys from 1966 had 429s.
Amazing
The Lincoln mark iii also had side rear windows that slid back into the roof pillars like this gen Eldorado
I didn't know that! Thank you for sharing. I think it's one of the coolest details
As did the 72-75 Mark IV & 67-69 Thunderbirds.
One would think that the presenter would research his subject more thoroughly, and then be in a position to point out such things as the incorrect plug wires, and 1967-68 wheels on this 1970 car. He would also know that the vinyl roof and corresponding trim is referred to as the ‘halo roof’ and no, it wasn’t a separate panel. The lights next to the headlamps are not “corner lights” - they are parking lights, or running lights. An educated Eldorado aficionado will know that the is obvious blow-by in one of the silencers (mufflers in American) and that the variable-ratio power steering was quite vague in that era.
I noticed too. These cars are not that rare so at least it could be correct.
In the day it appeared very cutting-edge, which in some ways it was. That same crease in the rear-window you admire used to drive me crazy. I hated the distortion, especially at night. The other thing I did not care for was the suspension which did not mirror other Cadillac models. It was really a shock if you went from driving a Fleetwood Sixty-Special! Somehow I had expected better from the top-of-the-line. On the other hand, for whatever reason, the 1970 steering wheel pad was comfortable to the hands especially on a long drive.
You mention the exhaust note. I first noticed the change in 1969 and the 1970's and 1971's also had the same rumble. Even the Sixty-Specials during this period had that rumble! It certainly conveyed a feeling of raw power, however, it also seemed out of place, invasive. My biggest complaint with the one I owned was the lame stereo system. Sadly, good audio systems were not standard in this era of Cadillac (or anything else for that matter).
Thank you for your review. It refreshes many of my memories.
The Mark III, Thunderbird and Riviera had coil springs all the way around and rode better than the Eldorado and Toronado which had torsion bar front and leaf spring rear suspension which rode harder.
@@trucking604 True!
The Eldo was really a sport model. Way faster than the other Cads and the magazines of the time said it handled pretty well. Not your grandmas Cad.
@trucking604 and they used a single rear leaf spring. Instead of multi-leaf.. so yes they rode very hard which was a disappointment. Manyi El Dorado owners switch back to the regular Cadillac models for a better ride.
Great Content.. looking for info on 1976 Cadillac Eldo Convertible. runs decent, all parts in place.. been stored for 20 years in garage. need cosmetic, and engine overhaul I'm sure.. any suggestions??? thank U
My friend's dad bought one of these brand new.
Just a eautiful car!
On long trips he used to set the cruise control, and put his right foot up on the dashboard!...
...AND he was an emergency room doctor!! A surgeon!!🤣
It has the wrong hubcaps on it, Those are off the 67 or 68.
They do look better though.
I've been watching your videos for some time and recently I just got a 1977 Cadillac Eldorado and I wanted to ask you do you think it's an investment or is it just a waste of money either way I'm still happy with this car I just wanted to know what's your opinion on it
1967-69 Thunderbirds & 1969-71 Mark IIIs & 1972-75 Mark IVs also have horizontally-retracting rear quarter glass.
You're in the Seattle area? Do you sell cars on any online platform?
Yes I am, and I do not sell cars regularly on any online platform
How many different models of the 70 Eldorado? I have 2 and the interior in both seems to be a bit different. Of so what are the differences?
Great question. It looks like there were bucket seats available as an option as well as bench seats like in the car filmed. There were various other trim options to differentiate cars. I found this resource online which was pretty detailed and helpful
automotivemileposts.com/eldo1970optionalequipment.html
Base had cloth seats, optional leather bench or optional bucket seats. I think very, very early 70's might of had some carry over from the 69. The steering wheel and wood was different, gas gauge was different, the dash had an Eldorado badge on the 70, the 69 just had a Cadillac badge, other than that they were identical to the 69.
Whatever it's worth, the wheel covers on this car in the video are from a '67 or '68 Eldorado. The 1970 wheel covers had a different style
If you had chosen the almost identical but more elegant '68 model, you could have reviewed details such as the more elaborately designed taillights and the hideaway headlights.
70 is more mechanically sound and the one with the 500 engine. Probably better interior although I am not that familiar with the 68. The 67 was not good.
The land boat
Sounds about right
Love your videos, BTW, You are so handsome !!!!!!!
I got one. Unfortunately parts are not cheap and readily available whatsoever. Unless it's basic maintenance items.
I got a 1972 eldo coupe……it has 235 hp SAE Net
My favourite Eldorado. You have a beaut, sir.
@@johanbrand8601 thank you so much
The 1972 has 8:5 to 1 compression. The 1970 has 10:1 compression which nets it at approximately 270 bhp.
They had been neutered in '71 and later years to meet CAFE standards.
I had a 1973.
Notorious for front wheel problems
Not in my experience. They are built like a tank.
These cars were the absolute best you could buy, they were extremely well engineered cars and I've never heard of any issues related to the front wheels. Different story if you mash it all the time, you could easily burn the front tires off.
1967 eldo hubcaps…….
Good catch
Your test drive was lackluster.
The hub caps are not correct. They are from an earlier year. Not as good.
I recommend a vid on the 1991 Nissan Figaro and the 1996 Mitsouka Galue.
I'd love to film both!
Despite the lack of fuel economy the fact that this car can be maintained by someone with only basic mechanical skills with a basic set of hand tools and the registration and insurance is a fraction of the cost compared to most modern cars and not to mention the parts are by far way cheaper you will never have the thing go into limp mode on the highway and risk getting into an accident because of it or have to pay a shop a ton of money just to hook it to the scanner and tell you it just needs a software update as they send you on your mary way and to only have it happen again and now they tell you you need a transmission control module 2000 dollars later. I'm sorry but these new car's have really gotten out of hand so in my opinion these old car's are well worth the investment. As the saying goes more is less and less is more.
I will say 16 mpg freeway. Better than a lot of new trucks. The 429s will get an honest 18-19 mpg.
The mileage wasn't great by any stretch of the imagination but it wasn't alarmingly horrible either, not for what it offered. I've had newer trucks that got worse mileage.
The flat floor is king pin on long trips to stretch your legs.
Man I felt my legs stretching just reading that
I prefer the 67 and 68 over the 70.
Small engines, bad brakes old lady interior, too many doo dads on the outside, unreliable hidden headlites. No thanks.
So here we are a month or so later 3/13/2022
and gas is about $5.00 (and rising) USD or more depending on the U.S. state. I think the answer to both your questions is a resounding NO. Maybe you can cut it up and use it as furniture or art work in some kind of a retro theme setting.... but then that model year was kinda blah. How about as a raised garden bed? Just some suggestions.
It's a good history lesson, 5,000+lbs of gas guzzling junk and a total disregard for the environment in the 3rd quarter of the 20th century. Fill 'er up! 🤣
Compared to new trucks its an economy car.