I am new to posting on your Forum. I have read a lot of info pro :) and con :( about what I am after. I am going to Mecum next week with the intent of buying a 1976 Eldo convertible. 8) I go back and forth whether to go after an FI car or carb car. Both are there. The FI car has less than 3,500 miles on it, but we can all do the math, it is at least 40 years old. I have been in the automotive industry for 40 years and it has been good to me. Racing too. I am as good as the next guy at working on cars..........I just don't enjoy it or want to anymore. If I buy a '76, FI or carb, can I get the car to be reliable enough to at least trust it for a weekend outing and drive it say 500 miles with a reasonable amount of confidence?? Option 2 would be to skip the Eldo and buy an XLR that probably would be more reliable and easier to get parts?? Thanks in advance. ...............Dirty
I'd say unless the 76 fi car has been sorted and the common trouble areas brought up to speed, I would pass on that one.
Thanks for your reply. I am aware of your concerns about this car. I am in north Florida. I certainly would not want to take the car to California, but a day or two trip to get the car to some one experienced at bringing this car up to snuff is not out of the question. If I can't find someone like that to fix the car, I am leaning on your advise. .........................Dirty
I concur with the above- best dependability with least upkeep would be the carb version.
Can't answer between XLR and a mid 70s Eldorado convertible which are miles apart. My opinion the '76 will be more satisfying overall unless performance is important criteria in which case there is no contest.
No reason a '76 should have reliability issues provided the car had been carefully driven and maintained regularly. To that end, only the very finest and top grade examples should be considered- all but the most negligible repair/restoration costs can quickly spiral out of control relative to value on these cars, and you'll be upside down before you can say, "What was I thinking?" :o
Also I would avoid mega-low mileage examples that were mothballed since new as "investments" which a lot of people did back in '76. Several hundred miles on the clock is no match for the ravages of 4 decades' worth of disuse!
Good luck.
I own both a 1976 Eldorado and an XLR. I can tell you that it is absolutely, positively A LOT easier finding parts for the Eldorado than it is for the XLR. Seriously.
Thanks to both of you. I have enough laps on the track to NOT need to scare myself going fast on the highway so performance is NOT the issue. Nice reliable ride. Have plenty of new cars, would like a fun car, but a car that breaks down more than runs is not fun. As the 3,500 miles on the clock indicates on the FI car, it has sat most of its life. I just turned 64 and can afford a nice car to go get ice cream in. Caddyjack just threw a wrench in the XLR back up idea.
Price, Price, PRICE! if you can get it cheap. buy it.
Quote from: Dirty on January 05, 2018, 01:26:34 PM
Nice reliable ride... would like a fun car, but a car that breaks down more than runs. 3,500 miles on the clock indicates on the FI car, it has sat most of its life.
In that case, this is not the car you want, IMHO and primitive 1976 FI is a serious handicap to reliability right from the start. Chances are it will not be cheap especially it looks the part of a 3,500 mile car.
Find one with 30K - 60K on the clock in the best condition you can find. Should not be a problem for $13K - $20K depending on colors, mileage, condition...and of course, luck.
All of this input is much appreciated. I was kinda hoping somebody ( like Bruce ) would post up "don't worry, we can fix it no matter what" but that doesn't seem to be the case and you guys have made me think to stay away from this car...................BUT it is a "no reserve" car that runs late Tuesday night when no one will be there. Fishing for another opinion: if I could land this thing for $5 to $10K, ( and that is possible ), still walk away???
If you have any interest in looking at what I am interested in, this car is on Mecum.com. Kissimmee . Tuesday lots, page 7 lot G236.
Quote from: Dirty on January 05, 2018, 03:12:28 PM
All of this input is much appreciated. I was kinda hoping somebody ( like Bruce ) would post up "don't worry, we can fix it no matter what" but that doesn't seem to be the case and you guys have made me think to stay away from this car...................BUT it is a "no reserve" car that runs late Tuesday night when no one will be there. Fishing for another opinion: if I could land this thing for $5 to $10K, ( and that is possible ), still walk away???
If you have any interest in looking at what I am interested in, this car is on Mecum.com. Kissimmee . Tuesday lots, page 7 lot G236.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0118-321438/1976-cadillac-eldorado-convertible/
Auction estimate is $40,000 - $50,000. The janitor would pay $5K - $10K. Not a prayer.
There are 7 other '76 ELCs at this sale. Not interested in any of those?
Speaking for myself, I'd be all over the black/red '59 conv. ;)
Auction estimate is smoke and mirrors, they work on percentage of sale price so they "fluff" prices. Sales history at other auctions puts that car under 20. I was willing to go 20 to 25 thinking the FI was worth more but I have been talked out of that. I've been to many of these auctions, right place...........right time............no reserve, anything is possible. Yes, I am interested in the others now that the FI car has to be stolen to be a good deal. As far as your '59................come on. I have extra tickets to get in and I will bid it for you. ............Dirty
PS Thanks for everybody's help. When I started the day today, my mindset was to chase the car up to the mid 20's. No way now.
And it's white with red leather! now I want it.
Yeah I know!! I really like the red leather. :D The other ones with white seats and colored dash don't do anything for me. There is a green with green leather and a carburetor. I think that is my target now. No mileage listed so hard to guess the value. Right place.........right time. You never know.
I was just trolling, but I liked the bronze one, or one of the dark green ones. Strictly by color preference. Everybody and their dog has a white one. (No offence meant to all those that do). If you wanted an Aztec Red one, the "regular" 1953 Cadillac convertible looked nice. You could actually drive it and have fun with it and it looks ALMOST like a '53 Eldo if you squint a little. You wouldn't feel like killing yourself if it got scratched or an ice cream cone dropped in the back seat. You might even save about 75K doing without the door drop and hard boot. Best of luck and HAVE FUN.
P.S. Remember that '82-'85 Eldos can self-destruct without warning, no matter what the auctioneer says...
My dad always had a Cadillac in the driveway. That's all he drove. Through the 80's I was in charge of finding and buying cars for him. Left him in 76 Sedan Devilles as long as I could find decent used ones. Had to switch him to Lincoln Town cars through the 4100 dark days of Cadillac. Went back when they started putting the 305 Olds motors in them even if they couldn't hold 70 MPH up a mountain. When you could get the 350's in them things were better...................Dirty
I have had several of the cadillac Bosch EFI versions, to include Mercedes that pre dated them. The advantages of the EFI are immediately obvious upon comparison to carb versions. Incredible smoothness with performance. No hesitation here with the EFI. The condition and miles would prioritize.
The EFI system is sensitive to any vacuum leak...and the sensors tend to fail. The car is running at the sale right? Theres 95% right there, listen to it, exhaust note should be 100% smooth...
Smell the gas cap for history of varnish fuel...with hope they are not running with it! Exhaust would have that Odor then too.
This copper one appears a decent car at $13,750.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0118-320382/1976-cadillac-eldorado-convertible/
$13.750? Or
plus (10%? $1,375) fees & taxes (10%? $1,375) documentation $350?
$16,850 as is / where is
It might be 6% at Mecum but cannot ascertain. BJ is usually 10%.
Thanks V63. I will do the sniff test. The copper car hammered for $12,500. I watched it go through on YouTube. The 13,750 is with the 10% 1,250 buyer fee. Thanks for the input. I have not ruled out the FI car, but it can't be at a premium price. Worst I have to do is put a carb on it....................Dirty
I am not there today. I go Tuesday for the rest of the week. I got tickets, anybody wanna go. ...................Dirty
Nice Claret one coming up w/ 19,000 miles.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0118-310967/1976-cadillac-eldorado-convertible/
Yeah, I know. I live in the woods so I have limited data to stream. I can't leave it on all the time. I plan on flipping back on for lot 139. I hope you guys like this. I can sit there all day long and watch cars go through. My wife says it's like sitting on a lawn chair on the side of the interstate. To each his own....................Dirty
$28K for the Claret car.
Hard to tell, not being there but it looked like a nice car. I am only there to steal one.............so I wouldn't have gotten that one anyway. My kid is stationed in Qatar. He is watching live too. First year in a while he can't go with me. :'( :'(
'78 Eldorado Custom Biarritz w/350 miles sold $30K.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0118-311001/1978-cadillac-eldorado-custom-biarritz-classic/
Anyone see what the '63 Biarritz did? It was a no-sale.
Quote from: V63 on January 06, 2018, 01:26:59 PM
$13.750? Or plus (10%? $1,375) fees & taxes (10%? $1,375) documentation $350?
$16,850 as is / where is
No wonder I don't buy at auctions.
Bruce. >:D
Quote from: Dirty on January 06, 2018, 03:05:08 PM
Hard to tell, not being there but it looked like a nice car. I am only there to steal one.............so I wouldn't have gotten that one anyway. My kid is stationed in Qatar. He is watching live too. First year in a while he can't go with me. :'( :'(
Steal.... I honestly think you rarely steal one unless it is no reserve. Even then I think its not likely.
If you mean the Red 63 Convertible, it got to 37,000 and the guy didn't sell it. ...................Dirty
You are correct. The steals happen on the no reserve cars. I have witnessed a lot of theft at Mecum. Right place..........right time...................Dirty
Hold out for a 1934 or 1935. Better car, more fun. :)
I wouldn't be too sure about no reserve paving the way for a steal- or at least that has never been my experience in many years of auction dealing -especially not at a well-publicized, well-attended auction venue as the case is here.
On the contrary, "no reserve" tends to generate more spirited bidding than otherwise because it means the sale is absolute. This is all the more likely for the most desirable and best condition cars.
Bottom line, the odds of stealing a pristine 350 mile Cadillac at THIS sale are zero as can be inferred the sale results of the 2 other Eldorados above.
*Thanks for the the '63 info.
Here's what went down with the FI car I was interested in. 3500 miles, looked new out of the box except for some discoloration on the rear bumper fillers. This car had a Michigan quick lube sticker on the windshield. Some where in its 3500 miles it got into snow and salt. Underneath, behind the rear wheels back to the bumper all rusted up. Bad enough that you would have to torch the bolts off the bumper shock absorbers. Oh, yeah............thanks to you guys, I was sniffing. You couldn't get within ten feet of this car without being over powered with the terrible smell of old gas. They tried and tried to get this car running. Nope. Pushed it all around and to the block. Somebody bid it on its looks. Hammered for 31K. I got a couple more tricks up my sleeve before I strike out. Stay tuned. ..........................Dirty
Can only imagine what it would have done if it was a real one.
For the same money I'd sooner have the Claret car 10x over, plus the fact that white '76 ELCs are extremely common as Barry points out. (No offense to white '76 ELC owners).
Final results for me. I put in three bids on two different cars. Bailed out at the point when it would be cheaper to buy out side the auction. :( For me, no right place, right time, steals. ??? Had a lot of fun though. Mecum is an experience to its self. Thanks to all who helped me :)...................Dirty
Congratulations on not getting caught in the hype that goes with these Auctions.
You WILL find your car, and when you do, with all the money saved from not buying at auction, you will have sufficient, and change to go and collect it, wherever it resides.
Bruce. >:D
Kevin,
I have never owned an XLR but from what I hear parts are not very plentiful and are very expensive when you find them.
I have owned several 76 Eldorado convertibles and as you can see on my profile I own a variety of Cadillacs.
The 76 Eldorado convertible is a favorite of mine. I love the ride, the look, the size and pretty much everything about it. There are many of these available all the time on ebay including some very low mileage ones. If you are willing to travel or willing to have someone that knows these cars check one out for you that may be a better way to go.
The problem with the fuel injected ones is that the seals on the fuel rail will leak unless they have been replaced. Bruce Roe is a great resource for repairing the primitive ECU in that car but i'd suggest going with a carb car instead. I had a fuel injected 76 Fleetwood and an injected 77 Eldo and did not have any problems with either one but if you are going to do some driving with it the carb would be a better choice.
A super low mileage one will probably need a radiator recore and a new heater core once you start driving and using the car. Neither are a huge deal but it's common for them to corrode after sitting many years with the old original coolant in there.
Good luck with the hunt. Buy the best one you can find in the color you want. There are a lot of them out there for sale at any given moment.
Brian
I was able to get in an XLR at Mecum. I barely fit even with the seat all the way back and down. Then there was the climbing up to get out over the sill. Back when I owned a Sunbeam Tiger, these issues were NOT an issue, but at 64 I don't bend like I used to. XLR is not in consideration now. I THOUGHT I might like the Eldo, but with all of the help from you guys and looking them over close at the sale...........it is what I want for sure. Nice easy ride..........I don't need to go fast anymore. I also learned like you said, there are a lot of these cars out there. I am not in a hurry and I'm sure I will find the one I want at the price I want. I have plenty of money for it, but I've never been one to over pay for something just because I want it. Maybe that's why I have plenty of money now. I like this Forum and will keep you posted on my search.........................Dirty
Does anyone know what the '61 Cadillac convertible mounted on a stretched 2008 CTS chassis brought at the Mecum auction? The builder called it the "61-08". Believe it went through mid to late Saturday afternoon toward the end of the auction.
Quote from: 35-709 on January 15, 2018, 10:16:26 PM
Does anyone know what the '61 Cadillac convertible mounted on a stretched 2008 CTS chassis brought at the Mecum auction? The builder called it the "61-08". Believe it went through mid to late Saturday afternoon toward the end of the auction.
$60,500.
Not bad. Thank you.
The builder of that car also restored for a customer the pink '56 convertible that was purportedly an Elvis car.
I looked at the 61-08. It was done really well. Nice car. .......................Dirty
The guy that built 61-08 (Dale Warrington) is well known around here (he's in Ft. Pierce, FL), he also restored a famous (back in the day) George Barris '58? Chevy that I can't remember the name of right now.
Edit: Ah! The internet --- it was a '55 Chevy called "The Aztec".
It's a small world except for me I guess. I lived in Ft. Pierce for 25 years until recently. I have an automotive, and racing career. I've never heard or the guy :o Where is his shop. ....................Dirty
Custom Paint and Body is the name of Dale's shop. West of US 1 and east of Oleander Ave. down near White City.
705 S Market Ave, Fort Pierce, FL 34982
You can Google Custom Paint and Body, Ft. Pierce, FL and it should come up.
Ahh, I know exactly where that is AND I did notice some nice stuff there. My business was less than a mile from him and I never met him...........My loss....................Dirty