Ebay is not the place for such comparisons, as pictures NEVER tell the full description of anything.Jack knows from experience when he purchased his own '75 Eldo Convertible and it turned out to be a bucket of rust.Bruce.
Hi Jack,Below are two links to antique car appraisal sites that may give you a ballpark. I cut and pasted the info but you may wish to visit the sites yourself. At the first one, click on the heading below the value chart that says "Condition Guide". This will help you more accurately determine the current condition of the car.In my opinion, the second site, Manheim Gold, frequently overstates the value of many cars. Using both of these and others as guides, you should be able to come up with a good estimate of the car's true value. Regardless of what you eventually determine the value to be, in reality the only figure that matters is the price that someone is willing to pay.Based on your description, My opinion is pretty much in line with Dave's, above. $25K should by a nearly flawless example. If your mom can get that for it, I think you should take it.Having gone through all of this, I will give you some unsolicited advice. Instead of keeping the car and paying the other two for it, I would sell it and split the money and forget about it.Some friends I know inherited a vacation home from their parents. It was extremely run down and a day's drive from all the brothers and sisters. None of them except my friend wanted anything to do with the place and wanted to sell it. They had it appraised and my friend paid his brothers and sisters for their share of the property based on that appraisal.My friend and his family spent many long hours and a decent amount of money renovating the house and grounds. The house is now worth a lot more and is a desirable place to stay.Suddenly, the other siblings who wanted nothing to do with it and who were paid to walk away from it insist that it's really the "family retreat" and that mom and dad would want the families to share it. They've even insisted they be given keys to the place.My friend has stood his ground but it has caused a lot of tension in his family.Since you have already suggested that this car could become a point of contention, imagine what will be the result when you turn the car into a show piece and your siblings think you swindled them while they were in the throes of sorrow after your father's death.Good luck with whatever you decide.http://www.collectorcarmarket.com/menus/ccmprcs/76caeldo.htmCollector Car Market Review Value Report1976 CADILLAC ELDORADO 500-190hp (8cyl-4V) AT #5 #4 #3 #2 #12dr Conv 1050 3150 6725 11550 194752dr Hdtp 600 1425 3875 7425 11125Add:500-215hp (8cyl-FI) 10%Sunroof-power 10%http://www.manheimgold.com/car_lo.htmlCADILLAC ELDORADO (fwd) Dsp/HP Eng Fair Good Exc Show Loan2D COUPE 1971-76 500/200 V8 4,000 6,500 11,000 16,000 6,0002D CONVERTIBLE 1971-76 500/210 V8 8,500 16,000 29,000 54,100 14,000Add: '76 Bicentennial $1k
Jack,Sorry to hear of your father.I am not an expert on 1976 Eldorados, but have followed the market for some time as I have thought of purchasing one some day. The color combination you describe is a desirable one. However, the condition you describe would concern any potential buyer. As you might expect, condition is the most important factor in determining whether you get high or low market value. Without inspecting the car, you will have trouble getting anything more than a very "ballpark" estimate on the value. Considering the potential problems that might be encountered in restoring this car I personally would not offer more than about $3,000 for it, if that, based on your description.The car very well may require improvements to almost every system. The car might need an engine rebuild, maybe even transmission rebuild once you have gone that far. Probably needs a new interior. You don't mention the cosmetic or functional condition of the top, but I would assume the worse. Based on the storage conditions, it probably needs a new paint job and some minor body work. This is probably just the start of a list of improvements probably needed.If your mother can get $25,000 for the car, that might be an offer to accept. If I paid $25,000 for this year and model I would expect to turn the key, drive away, and do very little else other than maintenance.Some of the real '76 Eldorado experts may very well chime in.Dave
These cars in this economy are sitting and not selling except for very low prices. I follow and buy classic cars and the only cars that are really moving are cars that will do better for a person's money than the stock market. Even Packard's slowed down, the muscle car market took a beating.Please let me know if you think that I am right on with my thoughts. I don't want my mom or my siblings to think that I am trying to get one over. That's not my nature.