And now for something completely different, 1978 Eldorado with a WWII connection

[xs29j8]

My first Cadillac Forum post... be nice, this is a rare departure for me from the Pentastar Pavilion. 

While my Mopar fleet has been greatly reduced from its peak in the late 1990s, my dozen or so Mopars are having to make room (and a LOT of it) for the 87,817 mile Cadillac Eldorado Cabriolet Coupe (I hope I got it's formal name correct)...

I obtained the Eldorado from a long time friend who had inherited from an uncle who had passed away in 2008.  For the last four years my friend had tried to find a buyer for the car, by taking it to various events including the annual Spring Pate Swap Meet.  There were a few interested folks, but the line was usually "nobody wants those underpowered behemoths from the 1970s".   My friend was trying to get the car into a real enthusiast's hand, not someone would part it out or run  it over the scales of the nearby scrap metal yard.

The reason?... He thought the Eldorado should be preserved, if for no other reason than it was bought new and owned by his uncle until just prior to his death in November of 2008...  When it was given to my friend Jerry because his uncle knew of his motorhead ways and large collection of Musclecars... yep, Mopars too.

His uncle, Thomas E. Maloney, brother of Jerry's mother Margaret had fought in WWII, flying a P-38 Lightning for the 27th Fighter Squadron,  1st Fighter Group.   He was good, REALLY GOOD, downing his first Bf-109 on March 28, 1944 (with a second "probable" kill also).  In the following month his confirmed kills were two Me-110s,  a Do-217, and becoming an "Ace" by downing another Bf-109.  His 6th/7th/8th kills were a FW-190, and a pair of Bf-109s giving him a confirmed record of 8 enemy aircraft by August 15, 1944.  His record for the 27th Fighter Squadron has never been surpassed...  A few days later First Lieutenant Maloney found himself on the ground behind enemy lines, having crashed landed his damaged P-38 aircraft.  What happened in the following days secured Tom Maloney's place in the History of the 27th FS...

"Google" Thomas Maloney, or his aircraft "Maloney's Pony" if you are interested in his story...

Here is his all-time favorite car:

[LenInLA1976]

What a great story!

[Rich S]

Welcome and thanks for sharing the story and the pictures of the car! He obviously had "fine taste" in automobiles--the Western Saddle Firemist exterior with matching Cabriolet Vinyl Roof and Saddle Leather would have been most eye-catching when it was new. I've always liked the '78 Eldorados since they represent the final "traditionally full-sized" offerings from GM, and they have great design. Good luck with your '78 Eldo!

[xs29j8]

Thanks for the  welcome, here is more information on the car:

[xs29j8]

And Thomas Maloney:

[76eldo]

Great post especially of Memorial Day

Keep the car, enjoy it, I promise the ride will grow on you

The bumper fillers are an easy fix and are available and will enhance your enjoyment of the car.

Welcome and ask any questions, we will help you.

Brian

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Not wanting to me seen as a downer, but I don't see anything about this story having a WWII connection.

If it was a Cadillac earlier than 1939, and later than 1947, it still wouldn't have any connection.

Bruce.

[76eldo]

The original owner of the car was a WWII vet with distinguished service.

That's the connection.

We in the US owe a big debt to the combat veterans of our wars.

Brian

[J. Bice CLC #24805]

Not wanting to me seen as a downer, but I don't see anything about this story having a WWII connection.

If it was a Cadillac earlier than 1939, and later than 1947, it still wouldn't have any connection.

Bruce.

Pish-posh, without this monster Caddy we wouldn't have known about this ace. Very much a connection!

[xs29j8]

Not wanting to me seen as a downer, but I don't see anything about this story having a WWII connection.

If it was a Cadillac earlier than 1939, and later than 1947, it still wouldn't have any connection.

Bruce.

Slow day at the Admin desk, Eh?

New Michelin tires & strong battery so far...  looking fora few items... hood emblem, wheelcover(s),  bumper fillers, etc....  putting together a list and a few questions to ask in an upcoming post.

BTW, I was talked into the "SUV" type of Michelin tires... thoughts on that selection?

[jwjohnson86]

I would opt for period-correct whitewall radials myself.  Beautiful car and a fascinating story.  Thanks for sharing and welcome.

[xs29j8]

 A few questions to start with:
1)  Steering Wheel - Is the design unique to El Dorado?   How difficult is it to find a nice used one?   If found, what is a fair price?
2) Wheel Covers -  Are the brown color-keyed wheelcovers correct for this car?   Where are there also optional wheelcovers?
3) Missing  Hood emblem -   What years and models of Cadillacs have the correct emblem for this '78 Eldorado?
4) Vinyl Top - Are these unique tops available anywhere, and the approximate cost?

More questions soon...