Eldorado Cadillac Models & History 1978
While waiting one more year for an all-new downsized body, Eldorado received no major change other than a revised crosshatch grille dominated by heavier horizontal bars. Also noteworthy on the outside was the padded Elk grain vinyl top. The four-row peaked checkerboard grille was flanked by quad rectangular headlamps. Amber parking lamps sat low on the bumper. The grille pattern was repeated between license plate and bumper guards, below the protruding protective strip. Massive chrome vertical bumper ends extended upward to form housings for auxiliary lamps, forming a huge bright extension of fender tips. Eldorado block letters stood above the upper grille bar, which tapered outward above the headlamps.
Standard engine was the 425 cu. in. (7.0-liter) V-8, available with carburetor or fuel injection. Eldorados had
- four-wheel disc brakes
- front-wheel drive
- electronic level control
- automatic climate control
- power windows and door locks
- cornering lights
- six-way power seat
- three-speed wipers
- Freedom battery
- lamp monitors
- a trip odometer
- wide-whitewall steel-belted radial tires
- Soft-Ray tinted glass
- accent striping
- remote control left-hand mirror
- color-keyed litter container
- vanity mirror
- lighters
- bumper impact strips
- a stowaway spare tire
Interiors might be Halifax knit in four colors, Random velour in choice of three, or a dozen Sierra Grain leather combinations. Dramatic two-tones were also available on Dual Comfort front seats, in three color combinations. Option included
- a 40-channel CB
- 8-track tape player
- Astroroof
- sun roof
Eldorado Biarritz, which first appeared during the 1976 model year, now sported a convertible-like padded vinyl top, unique scripts, accent stripes, and distinctive chrome body moldings. Inside the Custom Biarritz were Sierra Grain leather contoured pillow-style seats in antique medium saddle, white, dark carmine, antique yellow, or antique light blue. The Cabriolet roof accented Eldo’s distinctively-shaped quarter windows that tapered downward at the front, with a vinyl-insert molding across the fully padded Elk Grain vinyl top. Black-accented brushed stainless steel belt moldings stretched from rear to hood, terminating in a spearlike design at the front. Special stripes accented front fenders, doors, and rear quarter panels. Biarritz came in five colors: Mediterranean Blue Firemist, Cotillion White, Carmine Red, Colonial Yellow, and Ruidoso Saddle. All had opera lamps, remote-control passenger-side mirror, and color-coordinated wheel discs. Customers also had the choice of a Custom Biarritz Classic, with two-tone paint scheme that not everyone found attractive.
STYLE
| Model No. | Style Number | Body Type | Seating | Factory Price | Shipping Weight | Production Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6E | L47 | 2-door Coupe | 6 | $11,921 | 4906 | 46,816 |
ENGINE
| Feature | Base engine | Optional fuel injected engine | Optional diesel engine |
| Type | 90-degree, overhead valve V-8. Cast iron block and head | ||
| Displacement | 425 cu. in. (7.0 liters) | 350 cu. in. (5.7 liters) | |
| Bore & stroke | 4.082 x 4.06 in. | 4.057 x 3.385 in. | |
| Compression ratio | 8.2:1 | 22.5:1 | |
| Brake horsepower | 180 @ 4000 rpm | 195 @ 3800 rpm | 120 @ 3600 rpm |
| Torque | 320 lbs.-ft. @ 2000 rpm | 320 @ 2400 rpm | 220 lbs.-ft. @ 1600 rpm |
| Main bearings | Five | ||
| Valve lifters | Hydraulic | ||
| Fuel supply | 4 Bbl. carburetor | electronic fuel injection | Electronic fuel injection |
| VIN Code | S | T | N |
CHASSIS
| Wheelbase | 126.3″ |
| Overall length | 224.0″ |
| Height | 54.2″ |
| Width | 79.8″ |
| Front Tread | 63.7″ |
| Rear Tread | 63.6″ |
| Standard Tires | LR78 x 15-B |
DRIVETRAIN
| Transmission | Turbo Hydra-matic transmission standard on all models; column shift. |
| Gear ratios | (1st) 2.48:1: (2nd) 1.48:1; (3rd) 1.00:1; (Rev) 2.07:1. |
| Standard axle ratio | 2.73:1 except high-alt. 3.07:1. |
| Rear Axle | Spiral bevel rear axle |
| Steering | variable-ratio, power assisted |
| Front suspension | upper/lower control arms, torsion bars |
| Rear suspension | four-link drive, coil springs |
| Brakes | four-wheel disc. |
| Ignition | HEI electronic ignition. |
| Fuel tank | 27 gal. |
DRIVETRAIN OPTIONS
| Heavy-duty cooling system | $41 |
| 80-amp alternator | $51 |
| Engine block heater | $20 |
| California emission equipment | $75 |
| High altitude pkg. | $33 |
OPTION PACKAGES
| Eldorado Cabriolet | $484 |
| Eldorado Cabriolet w/Astroroof | $1565 |
| Eldorado Cabriolet w/sunroof | $1365 |
| Eldorado Custom Biarritz | $1865 |
| Eldorado Custom Biarritz w/Astroroof | $2946 |
| Eldorado Custom Biarritz w/Sunroof | $2746 |
| Eldorado Custom Biarritz Classic | $2466 |
| Eldorado Custom Biarritz Classic w/Astroroof | $3547 |
| Eldorado Custom Biarritz Classic w/Sunroof | $3347 |
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS
| Astroroof w/full vinyl roof | $995 |
| Astroroof (painted | $1106 |
| Sunroof w/full vinyl roof | $795 |
| Sunroof (painted roof | $906 |
| Cruise control | $122 |
| Controlled-cycle wipers | $32 |
| Rear defogger, grid-type | $94 |
| Six-way Dual Comfort power passenger seat adjuster | $118-$150 |
| Power 50/50 seat recliner | $116 |
| Power 50/50 passenger seat recliner | $210-$262 |
| Tilt/telescope steering wheel | $121 |
| Automatic door locks | $114 |
| Illuminated entry system | $59 |
| Fuel monitor | $29 |
| Theft deterrent system | $130 |
| Trunk lid release and power pull-down | $80 |
| Twilight Sentinel | $54 |
| Guidematic headlamp control | $62 |
| Trumpet horn | $21 |
| Remote-control right mirror | $34 |
| Lighted thermometer on left mirror | $27 |
| Lighted vanity mirror, passenger | $50 |
| AM/FM stereo radio with digital display; | $106 |
| AM/FM stereo radio with digital display w/tape player | $106 |
| AM/FM stereo radio with digital display w/CB | $281 |
| AM/FM stereo radio with digital display w/tape and CB | $427 |
| Firemist paint | $163 |
| Door edge guards | $11-$18 |
| License frame (each) | $9 |
| Dual Comfort 50/50 front seats | $198 |
| Leather seating area w/two-tone and 50/50 dual comfort front seats | $556 |
| Carpeted rubber front floor mats | $31-$34 |
| Carpeted rubber rear floor mats | $15-$21 |
| Trunk mat | $12 |
| Locking wire wheels | $541-$595 |
| Locking wire wheel covers | $179-$233 |
Keyword: Eldorado Cadillac History1978