Biarritz vs. Base

pthorne24 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-25-09, 01:04 AM

I am the recently proud owner of my late grand father's '94 Eldorado. I have been doing a moderate amount of research on the car, the style, history or cadillac, etc. And I was searching through the photos portion of the site and not once through the 30 some pages I went through did I see a body style like mine. So, I researched. Come to find out it could be a Biarritz inspired model. It is a 1994 and when I google the combination of the two nothing comes up. So, my question is, did cadillac make a model in the early 90's inspired by the Biarritz model, and if so, why cant I find more like it. I am going to try and post pictures of it in the next few days so that whomever is interested can see. BTW, the differences that I have noticed between the base model and mine is extra chrome trim and a rag, cloth, 1/2 roof. I call it the mullet of the car.

I love the style!! Anyway, let me know if you have any comments! Go Tarheels!

77CDV · #2 (**permalink**) 10-25-09, 01:22 AM

1994 Eldorados come in three flavors: base, sport coupe (ESC), and touring coupe(ETC). It sounds like you have an aftermarket appearance package added by the selling dealer. They were quite popular, and I've seen many of them rolling around here in SoCal.

The Biarritz name originally applied to the convertible Eldorado when it had a companion coupe, called Seville. Then, the coupe went away in 1961, but the convertible was still called the Eldorado Biarritz until 1964, when it became the Fleetwood Eldorado. The convertible vanished with the FWD switch in 1967, so there was only the coupe, also just called Eldorado. The convertible reappeared in 1971, but it was just called the Eldorado convertible, and the coupe was called the Eldorado coupe (creative, yeah, I know). With the demise yet again of the convertible in 1977, Cadillac resurrected the Biarritz name for a higher trim level of the Eldorado, mostly featuring extra brightwork, a thickly padded cabriolet vinyl roof, two-tone paint (the Biarritz Classic), and cushy throw pillow style seats. The base/Biarritz duo carried on like that until the Biarritz name was again retired with the 1992 redesign.

pthorne24 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-25-09, 12:10 PM

Thanks for the info. I new from my research that they weren't technically calling any eldos the Biarritz like they did earlier on, but i wasnt sure if it was, like you said, an after market add on or something else. I guess Grand-dad liked the bling...lol. I plan on getting some updated chrome Cadillac rims to help bring out the trim. Thanks again!

Kick94sts · #4 (**permalink**) 10-25-09, 07:52 PM

I wanna see some pics of this beast.

Aron9000 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-25-09, 08:02 PM

There is a guy at work who has a mid 90's Eldorado "Biarritz" I think his is an ETC, but I'm not sure. Its black on black with gold trim, vogue chrome wheels, vogue tires, and a big thick chrome spear running down the side. There is a 1/4 black vinyl roof with a big gold Biarritz script emblem on the sail panel. Its a really sharp car.

creeker · #6 (**permalink**) 10-25-09, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pthorne24

Thanks for the info. I new from my research that they weren't technically calling any eldos the Biarritz like they did earlier on, but i wasnt sure if it was, like you said, an after market add on or something else. I guess Grand-dad liked the bling...lol. I plan on getting some updated chrome Cadillac rims to help bring out the trim. Thanks again!

Try "cardomain.com" there's a chance you will see some like yours,

pthorne24 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-25-09, 11:33 PM

10-4, i will check out "cardomain" and i will try and take some pics of it tomorrow.

pthorne24 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-26-09, 10:50 AM

Well i guess i havent been a part of this site for long enough. it wouldnt let me post the link to the pictures i posted. anyway, they are up. The album title is just 1994 eldorado. take a look if youd like

creeker · #9 (**permalink**) 10-27-09, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77CDV

1994 Eldorados come in three flavors: base, sport coupe (ESC), and touring coupe(ETC). It sounds like you have an aftermarket appearance package added by the selling dealer. They were quite popular, and I've seen many of them rolling around here in SoCal.

The Biarritz name originally applied to the convertible Eldorado when it had a companion coupe, called Seville. Then, the coupe went away in 1961, but the convertible was still called the Eldorado Biarritz until 1964, when it became the Fleetwood Eldorado. The convertible vanished with the FWD switch in 1967, so there was only the coupe, also just called Eldorado. The convertible reappeared in 1971, but it was just called the Eldorado convertible, and the coupe was called the Eldorado coupe (creative, yeah, I know). With the demise yet again of the convertible in 1977, Cadillac resurrected the Biarritz name for a higher trim level of the Eldorado, mostly featuring extra brightwork, a thickly padded cabriolet vinyl roof, two-tone paint (the Biarritz Classic), and cushy throw pillow style seats. The base/Biarritz duo carried on like that until the Biarritz name was again retired with the 1992 redesign.

Actually in 94 the sport model was dropped, leaving only the base coupe and etc.