History of the 1976 Eldorado Convertible.
31 years ago,
Cadillac believed it ended a glorious era with the announcement that it would
forever stop building convertibles. Other than Jeep,
which apparently didn't count, Cadillac was, at that time, the last American
ragtop manufacturer. The division's 1975 convertible sales were only 8,950
units. The low volume was attributed to an increase in safety awareness along
with a rise in hardtop popularity and air conditioner use. So Cadillac ordered
up 14,000 convertible top mechanisms, and billed its massive 224.1-inch long,
2.5-ton '76 Eldorado as the "Last of a magnificent
breed." Proclaimed Cadillac general manager Edward C. Kennard, "Like the running
board and the rumble seat, the convertible is an item which history has passed
by."
Cadillac was prepared
to exit in a big way. Everything about the 126.3-inch wheelbase car was
enormous. Under a huge expanse of hood lurked an 8.2-liter, 500-cid V-8.
Emission de-tuning limited the engine to "just" 190 horsepower with a Rochester
4-barrel carb. Torque was a more-than-adequate 400 lb.-ft. at just 2,000 rpm. A
3-speed Hydra-matic spread the power on the pavement, and 4-wheel discs (only on
Eldorados) brought it all to a halt.
Independent front suspension, a live rear axle, coil springs all around and rear
load levelers were on a par with American expectations for that era.
Predictably, the Fleetwood Eldorado, America's biggest front-wheel-drive car,
wallowed, rolled, pitched and dove under cornering and braking. On smooth
pavement, the ride could be likened to a mattress. Motor Trend reported,
"maneuvering the Eldorado in traffic was like docking the Enterprise in a
30-foot slip." That was probably just fine with most Cadillac loyalists. These
cars were usually ordered with every available option: front shoulder belts,
signal-seeking AM/FM stereo, theft deterrent, twilight sentinel, tilt/telescope
wheel, a hard 'Parade' top boot, and more. Eldorados were not available with
Cadillac's Air Cushion Restraint system (an early airbag effort) or Trackmaster
traction control.
