Details
1976 CADILLAC ELDORADO BICENTENNIAL CONVERTIBLE
Serial No. 6L67S6Q263142
White with red and blue "Bicentenial Stripes" and white interior.
Engine: V8, overhead valve, 500ci, 190bhp at 4,400rpm; Gearbox: Turbo Hydra-matic; Brakes: front, disc, rear, drum; Suspension: front, independent, rear, longitudinal semi-elliptic leaf springs. Left hand drive.
The 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible was a collector's item the moment it rolled off the assembly line. It was the only American convertible passenger car in production; American Motors built its last convertible in 1963, Chrysler in 1971, and Ford in 1973. Increasing passenger safety concerns and a new federal rollover standard caused the Detroit automakers to discontinue production of their convertible lines. After sales of the 1975 Cadillac convertibles were down GM decided to follow suit, and announced that the next year's production would be "the last of the convertibles."
The executives at GM understood the potential marketing and commercial opportunities of promoting this "end of era." No other car produced at that time better symbolized American ideals than the Eldorado convertible: it was big, powerful, comfortable, stylish, and of course open, giving the passengers a sense of freedom. Following their announcement, however, GM was besieged with requests from everyone for the opportunity to purchase the very last convertible that left the production line. Every request was followed by a lengthy explanation as to why they should be the chosen customer or dealer to receive the honor.
As a result, GM decided to produce a very limited edition series and the last 200 cars would be identical-all white, including the top and wheel covers, a white leather interior with red piping, dash board and carpeting, and red and blue striping. A dash plaque confirmed that each one of the cars was one of the 200. American patriotism was at its height with the country celebrating its Bicentennial anniversary, and the Cadillac final 200 "Bicenntenial Convertibles" were big news.
Cadillac retained the very last car, and out of the countless requests, only 199 carefully selected customers were given the honor of purchasing one of the cars.
The current owner purchased this car with only 5 miles from new in 1980 from a dealer where it had been stored since its production. During the past 16 years the vehicle has been carefully used and the odometer reads just over 65,000 miles. Unfortunately the dashboard has a crack from age. More recently the Cadillac has benefitted from a complete respray.
WITHOUT RESERVE
Serial No. 6L67S6Q263142
White with red and blue "Bicentenial Stripes" and white interior.
Engine: V8, overhead valve, 500ci, 190bhp at 4,400rpm; Gearbox: Turbo Hydra-matic; Brakes: front, disc, rear, drum; Suspension: front, independent, rear, longitudinal semi-elliptic leaf springs. Left hand drive.
The 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible was a collector's item the moment it rolled off the assembly line. It was the only American convertible passenger car in production; American Motors built its last convertible in 1963, Chrysler in 1971, and Ford in 1973. Increasing passenger safety concerns and a new federal rollover standard caused the Detroit automakers to discontinue production of their convertible lines. After sales of the 1975 Cadillac convertibles were down GM decided to follow suit, and announced that the next year's production would be "the last of the convertibles."
The executives at GM understood the potential marketing and commercial opportunities of promoting this "end of era." No other car produced at that time better symbolized American ideals than the Eldorado convertible: it was big, powerful, comfortable, stylish, and of course open, giving the passengers a sense of freedom. Following their announcement, however, GM was besieged with requests from everyone for the opportunity to purchase the very last convertible that left the production line. Every request was followed by a lengthy explanation as to why they should be the chosen customer or dealer to receive the honor.
As a result, GM decided to produce a very limited edition series and the last 200 cars would be identical-all white, including the top and wheel covers, a white leather interior with red piping, dash board and carpeting, and red and blue striping. A dash plaque confirmed that each one of the cars was one of the 200. American patriotism was at its height with the country celebrating its Bicentennial anniversary, and the Cadillac final 200 "Bicenntenial Convertibles" were big news.
Cadillac retained the very last car, and out of the countless requests, only 199 carefully selected customers were given the honor of purchasing one of the cars.
The current owner purchased this car with only 5 miles from new in 1980 from a dealer where it had been stored since its production. During the past 16 years the vehicle has been carefully used and the odometer reads just over 65,000 miles. Unfortunately the dashboard has a crack from age. More recently the Cadillac has benefitted from a complete respray.
WITHOUT RESERVE