Okay guys,

I feel like I'm in enemy territory here...I'm a FWB guy, but I saw something pretty great today...

Out near I-68 in Morgantown where I live, I noticed a beige '76-'78 Eldo Biarritz by the side of the road. It has for sale signs on it; it didn't give a phone number or anything, but it's in front of a construction place so I'm going to go in tomorrow and check about it.

Here's the skinny (if it's possible to call that car that :lildevil: )

Body is for the most part pretty solid. It does have the astroroof...should I be worried about leakage? The headliner inside looked okay. There is slight (very slight) pain bubbling down on the rockers at the very corner behind the LF and LR wheelwells. The plastic (?) filler panels between the rear bumper and trunklid are shot to hell, but the bumper is in good shape, as is the trunk. etc. There is very slight bubbling at the point where the vinyl roof's chrome trim piece meets the fender on the driver's side. Didn't look bad, though. As I say, this is rust (though there's still paint on it and it's not anything you can poke a finger through) and the paint is good (original?)

Interior: it's got the nice two tone seats and all. However, door panels are cracked as are the front seat (read: they need to be replaced.) However, the back seat is great, dashboard isn't cracked, carpet looks okay (no floormats, though) and everything else in the interior looks alright.

As I say, I can't tell with the mechanicals. I'm going to try to take some pictures of it and post them; I don't know my Eldos at all.

My question is this: what is a reasonable price considering the condition of body and interior. This is assuming (uh-oh) that it runs fine. I can get my g/f's dad (an excellent mechanic) to check out that stuff with me if their price is not outrageous.

Thanks for your help, and sorry I can't be more complete right now!

Bruce

Okay guys, here are the pics...my interior ones didn't turn out.

Bruce

ideas????????????????

I've always thought that any good running car that wasn't wrecked was worth a coupla hundred bucks. If the A/C works, that adds some value to it, if power everything works, its a deal for a grand, to me anyways. Many won't agree with me, but I've spent a grand on many a car that people thought I was crazy for buying and with a little time and effort they turned out great and I usually sell them for what I payed or a little more. For that car, if it ran great and the A/C and windows worked, I'd just throw a decent quality wal-mart seat cover on it, the same with the floor mats and call it good. If you can get it for a grand, drive it for six months and find something you like better, then you sell it for five hundred, that's like paying a hundred bucks a month for a pretty cool car. Not a bad deal at all. :) My two cents, and remember, I'm 21 and have just bought my 25th car, everything from a 59 and a 66 Lincoln, to a 63 Mercury Monterey, a 73 Porsche, a 72 Caddy, a 94 Caddy, an 84 Honda and the most recent, the big bad 1978 Diesel powered Oldsmoturd. This most recent is just a $400 temp. until I get my 94 STS back on the road, but its got A/C and power everything, that works. I did the seat cover and floor mat trick like I mentioned, and am more than happy with it.

And, that is a very cool body on that car, the tires look to be in very good shape, and the back piece I would think you could find in a wrecking yard somewhere and match the paint up purty damn near what it is now. One more thing I forgot to mention that makes a cheap car worthwhile, if the glass is all good. Cheapo cars with bad glass get pricey real quick. Good luck!

Spyder,

Thanks for the help. I agree; I'd pay the $1000-1200 he wants right now if I had it, especially if the power accessories work (A/C is a pain to fix, and even guidematic parts run upwards of $200 new now.) Some things that look junky on it are just spots where some loser didn't clean up all the wax he was using!

It's cool that you've had that many cars. My general feeling with this is (unless I really get to hate it) if I can get it, I'm going to keep it until I get it fixed up (and that will take a while!) It's just such a cool car and the sunroof and Biarritz makes it desirable (not to mention that it's the last year of the big big big Eldo.) Also, since you've had so many cars, is that a problem with insurance or registration or anything??? Just seems like that might be a bother!

Thanks again,
Bruce

PS-The glass is great, as far as I can tell... :)

Wow...didn't even notice the sunroof. Yea, if you can get it for a grand, I'd definately go for it. Insurance is no problem with lots of cars, as long as they get your money, they'll switch it around for ya...registration is different...but I don't always bother to register some of what I get...not really the "right" thing to do, but if I'm not going to keep a car for more than a month or two, I'll just insure it and drive it, and never register it to my name, as long as the tags are still good...just let your buyer transfer it from the person you bought it from...probably shouldn't tell people that, but oh well...common practice out here where I'm at. That is a very cool car, the big eldo is great. It looks to be in great shape for a driver from that era too...mileage will probably be crap, remember that, but it will be worth it. :)

Hi

I have the same car with the same options (Sunroof, etc.).

I made a lot of things, and still he is complete. In total I had costs of about $ 18'000,--.

My car has about 20'000 Miles and he looks great. But be award, if you wan'a have in great condition, it costs you a lot of money....

I don't now if you will be cheaper in the U.S.

All the best from Switzerland

pwe,

It's a beautiful example. I think maybe I like your "white" color a little better; one neat option that the one I'm looking at has is the two-tone leather interior. The non-seating parts of the seats (?) are the body color, while the cushions are a darker brown. Kinda a cool effect. Yes, I am sure it would take a bunch to restore; I know the interior is going to need some, too. This is why I'm pretty insistent with the seller that I need a price under $1000 US...I can drop $10,000 (which I don't have!) easily into this car, and probably not everything will be up to spec. I don't plan on using it as a daily driver or anything if I get it, but I would like to drive it fairly often (2-3 times a week?) I like the style of the Eldo a lot; it's a lot better for day-to-day use than the Fleetwood Brougham I have now...not sure why I think that, but that's my take on things.

luddyludwick

the 2-tone was only for the year 1978. So that is a very rar model.

I drive my Eldo only 4 -5 times per month. Otherwise I am driving a BMW 7-Series and on good weather my BMW Z8.

But the best of all my cars is the Cadillac.... :) :) in Europe we are talking "the way of american dreaming and driving".. :bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy:

all the best from Switzerland

Pascal

If time I will put also pics from the interiour part from my car...

27-04 11:29 AM
luddyludwick


here we go!! Some pics of the interior of my baby..everything is know restaurated....

PWE - that is one of the most perfect Eldo's I've seen! Nice job! It's a real eye popper in the US, you must get a lot of looks in Switzerland! How long have you owned it?

FatDaddyCaddy

I purchased in Nov 2003 from and old men with only 18'000 miles, he was the first owner and he drived only on summer. I'am very happy, because it is very difficult to find in Europe... I had made some restauration work, but.....now everything is great....

all the best from Switzerland

PS: More pictures of my car you will find on the cadillac pictures gallery subdirectory eldorado.... :) :)

Pwe,

Beautiful interior! You really made it come alive. It's nice to see that people in Europe have Caddys, too; over here, we seem to think a lot that no one likes American cars over there. I'm sure the Eldo attracts a lot of (good!) attention!

What about operating cost? It must be more expensive to run than either of your BMWs, mostly because of the high price of "petrol" in Europe. I'm interested to know how well the "Cadillac ride" suits European roads, too!

Bruce

Hi Bruce

high price of petrol in Europe!! :lildevil: :lildevil:
Your right!! But still I'am driving a BMW 7-Series with Diesel-Enging, so I drive about 750 Miles with 22 Gallons... so that is quit good... :)

with the Cadillac it is very expensive, also with the BMW Z8 because they need a little more gasoline.... :)

But this are cars, I drive only on weekends or if I go to meetings from BMW or from the Cadillac Club of Switzerland....so it is not so hard


To ride with my Cadillac in Europe...?? It depense where you are going...if you are going to the mountains, it's very strong and the breaks make some problems.... :rolleyes2

..and also it is a problem to find some "big" parking zone so you have to think where you are going. :)
on highways be award.. a lot of traffic and they drive sometimes a little crazy... :bonkers:

All the best from Switzerland :D

Pascal

What about driving in the States?? Do you have a lot of cars from the 70ies on the streets??

My Eldo is the only one in Switzerland (immatriculated)..
..I saw one other in very bad condition :crybaby: :crybaby:

The 78 Eldo you are looking at is known as the Eldorado Biarritz custom classic which had only about 1500 total produced and only 200 had the optional astro roof. Rare car that has been known to bring good money when fully restored. True you would have more in it than the "good money" would bring. I have one of the few 77 Eldorado Biarritz convertible conversions and love driving the car even with the 9 mpg fuel economy (pics in the photos section of the website). You don't buy these cars for the fuel mileage just for the pure enjoyment of the ride. I just bought a Jennifer blue 78 Eldorado Biarritz from Colorado that should be arriving this weekend. Supposed to be in restorable condition with no rust and a perfect interior. Only 42k miles. We will see when it arrives. I could always use it for a parts car or sell the parts on eBay.

Guys,

I wasn't sure that it was a Custom classic...I thought that meant it had a two-tone exterior, too...maybe you're right, though. I knew that only 200 were built with the sunroof...but I thought that was just regular Biarritzes with the sunroof. How much was that Colorado Biarritz? just wondering...I wouldn't think it would only get 9 mpg...it is the 425 rather than the 500ci...I thought that would pay a little mileage dividend :)

Pascal, believe me, parking spaces are a problem here in the US, too. Now everything is midsize-Japanese-car-size-spaces here. Gas is US $1.89 here; I understand how an Eldo is not that maneuverable...people drive like crazies here, too. Not many 70's cars on the road here...if they are, they are usually "junkers" that someone drives because they don't care. Most of the "classic" 70's cars you see you only see at auto shows or cruise-ins.

Bruce

Hi Bruce

It is very bad that also a lot of thing's had changed in US...last I was in 1991 in the U.S. so a long time ago..., I hope I will make a travel next year to CA or FL :).

Here in Switzerland the most driven cars are japanese-cars. Not bad cars, but not so brillant then an european or american car (I saw that you are also driving a korean-car, I suppose that you are driving daily with this one, Cadillac only on Sunday :yup: )

American cars you have also to look for it or search Cadillac they are selling about 100 pcs per year all over Switzerland. The new CTS is going well.. and we are waiting to the new STS (it will coming on spring 2005 to Switzerland). So let us wait for it. :bouncy:

PS: If you are driving a Cadillac in Switzerland, they think you are crazy....but I think they have no idea, what kind of good cars that are.....

All the best

Pascal

PS: What kind of place are you living, so problems with parking zones?? :hmm:

I do like my Hyundai pretty well. It was way cheaper than a comparable Honda or Toyota, and you see a lot fewer of them...I just needed reliable transportation for my job (which is about 35 minutes away). It has all the options (leather, sunroof, etc.) except security system, so it is pretty nice...very quiet, but it handles like a Cadillac!!! I wish it was tighter feeling, maybe like an Accord or something.

Actually, the '85 Brougham that's my avatar isn't running now. I'm going to fix it up (it was my grandfather's) if I don't buy this '78 Eldo. However, it does need $3000-4000 of repairs to make it really nice (transmission, brake lines, new power antenna, HVAC work, etc.), and that's not including appearance stuff. You can see pictures of it in the "cadillac pictures" section on this site...it is very nice, with all the options except for driver's recliner, leather, and a moonroof, but it does have the HT4100 V8, so it's REALLY short on power.

Bruce

Hi Bruce

your grandfather's car is very nice!! :yup:

...I very surprised, your workingplace is very near...(for US-Standards??) I have to made more then 40 mls for one way!!! So I prefer to go with my BMW 7-Series. He is from 2003 and has all options. As A/C, Navigation, Leather, Xenon, 6-Speed automatic Transmission, Dolby Digital 5.1 System, Sportpackage, and a lot more.. It is very good car, very quiet, and very smooth. and also very cheap in kind of gasoline, I make about 29.75 mls per gallon!!! So that is very good.

Pascal

Pascal,

I am in love with your Eldorado! It is one of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen. It looks like it just jumped right out of the factory! What a pleasure it must be to drive. One question, is the sunroof from the factory or an aftermarket roof? I know prior to 78, the sunroof control was shared with the antenna and rear defog controls but I'm not sure about the 78. Again, beautiful car.

Max

Max,

Pascal might be better qualified to answer, but...

On the '78 Biarritz I am looking at, the sunroof control is on the headliner between the visors (it is a factory roof.) I was a little surprised, because on the earlier cars I know it is next to the power antenna.

Bruce

Hi Max, Hi Bruce

first of all thanks for the compliments to my car.

The Sunroof is an original factory build and original it is called "astroroof" the other one was called sunroof and was without the glass.

It is very difficult to find some parts for that, because they made only 400 cars (in 77 an 78) with this option. It was called "Option package Biarritz with astroroof" and costs about $ 2'500,-- in 1977!! So very expensive....

be award Bruce, if you buy the car, watch if the astroroof works....(my one works, but I had some problems, that means I had to change the weather-strips and I put from BMW an original one...crazy...but know it is perfect..(no chance to find from Cadillac..but my BMW-Dealer helped me...)

Bruce,

your right, the switch control for the astroroof is between the visors. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Pascal,

Thanks for the astroroof tips (I knew the right name, but I'm lazy...so I gave it the steel-panel name!)

I'm not very concerned if the astroroof works...I mean, I hope it does because I really do like astroroofs (it's a "must have" option when I buy a new car)...however, I just want to be sure that it seals properly and that the sunshade can close. I know I can't afford repairs on an astroroof now, but if the weatherstripping is okay, then I'm happy.

Bruce

PS-I was looking at the car again on Sunday, and found out that the driver's side seat is the only one that has any blemishes...it has a good-sized rip in the bottom cushion, but the other cushions in the car seem to be nearly without blemish.

Also, look at this...a '78 Biarritz in really nice shape on Hemmings (http://www.hemmings.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/dealers.detail/hmn_vehicle_id/209974) Steep price, but nice car. I'm not crazy about the exterior two-tone, though...

Bruce

I just had a look on hemmings page. This Eldo looks great. The price of 16'000,-- is high...

..but I think if you will buy this one, you will not have any problems with...

If you make the calculation, what you have all to do to make the other one like "new"..then - I think - you will go be cheaper with this from hemmings.

Just for information:

I payed approx. $ 3'800,-- for my Eldo....and then

about $ 14'000,-- for all the things I had to make

attached some pics before it was like now...

Pascal

Pascal,

Yeah, I think the price is a bit high on the '78 on Hemmings. It is very nice, though. The problem is that I'm a college student, so I don't have $1600 to spend, much less $16,000! I'm going after this Eldo in Morgantown because the owner wants $1200 at most (I'm not going to pay that much, at least not now) and it will be a project car...I kind of like the idea of fixing it up as a weekend driver in a year or two when I'm out of school. It might cost some money, but then I don't plan on spending too much. Most repairs it seems to need are bodywork (the same small corrosion that your white Biarritz had) and the interior (door panels are cracked, driver's seat bottom cushion. It's a bit of a beater now, but if it can hang in there for two more years, I'm "in like Flynn"!

Actually, all the really "mint" '78 Biarritzes that I have seen lately in magazines have been running from $15,000 to $20,000. I just don't think it's old enough or rare enough for that yet. Maybe if it had fuel injection and all the options it would be worth that, but they're just not classics like a '59, '64, or even '70.........yet :) I'm assuming that by the time I would get this one fixed up, they might be!

Also, any performance mods on your 425? Just wondering; I was thinking maybe an Edelbrock manifold and a slightly more free (but just as quiet) exhaust is about all you can do without getting into a bunch of fuss...

Bruce

Hi Bruce

sorry, it's a lot of money for a student ;) I understand your decision. But let me say, If you want to buy a '59 or something else, you have to pay more then $ 50'000,-- in Switzerland for it (in the US??) :bouncy:

A friend own's a Fleetwood Brougham 1957 (they make 400 pcs in total) and he tells me that it is very expensive (maintenance, etc.).

Here in Europe it's also very classic to drive a 197....Cadillac so I'am very glad to own a Biarritz from 1977..

About your question:

Our law are very strong and it is inpossible to make any changes (performance, etc.), and I personal, prefer, to hav'it in an original way. (you have to show your car every 2 years on the State Departement for cars, and if something is not on good condition, the will not give you the license to drive with your car :devil: )


Have a nice day

Pascal

Well,

I went to look at the '78 Eldorado Biarritz that I have been interested in today. I got to drive it around in a big parking lot for a few minutes (there is no insurance on it now!) It drives very well...everything "sounds" good (transmission, cv joints, engine, etc.) There are just a lot of little things on it that are wrong, though. Leather on the front seats is ripped (drivers' side)/discolored (all over front); back seat is like new. The door panels are cracked and need to be replaced. A/C isn't working (fan is fine, but must need some recharging of R-12), and the wipers are not working properly (only intermittent and low speed...medium and high seem to be dead.) Also, the power antenna is broken, as is the CB (or at least as far as I can tell.) The driver's seat-back lock seems to be broken, because the backrest seems to move on its own. Also, some weird problem with the headlights...low beams are fine; when you "dip", the high beams come on fine, but one of the low beams goes off...

Other than that, the hood hinges need to be greased, as do the door hinges. Not much rust at all; the rear plastic filler panels under the trunklid do need to be replaced, though. Vinyl roof is okay for now. It seems the air pipe from the intake to the exhaust manifold (PCV?) is missing, but with no ill effects...

I sincerely wish I could fix it up, but I dunno. He wants $700 for it, and even though it runs well, it looks like a less than $500 car to me right now (even though it has two-tone interior, all options, and the sunroof.) What's the call, guys?

Bruce Ludwick, Jr.

PS-If this sounds like a good deal to you, give Kenny a call at 304.594.2009. He doesn't want to keep it through this winter, so I have a feeling if you make him a good offer, he'll go for it. I mean, come on, even the power trunk pull-down still works :)

Low Retail $3,125

Average Retail $6,000

High Retail $9,150

Those are the values from NADA, which are the experts on used car values...

With all due respect,

I think NADA is smoking the crack pipe...that's really high for a late '70's car. On the other hand, maybe "low retail" means everything works, but it's just a little rough around the edges. In that case, it's probably an "almost" fair price...I still think it's a bit high, though.

Bruce

Is a 78 Eldo front wheel drive? CV Joints? I can't seem to remember which years of the monster engines were fwd... :(

Any Eldo after '67 is FWD. The '67 used 429, '68-69 was a 472, '70-'76 was the 500, and '77-'78 is the 425. From what little I drove, the 425 still has a WHOLE lot of power!

Yes, there are CV joints, but the drivetrain in general is very solid. It formed the powertrain for the '70s GMC motorhomes!!