1978 Cadillac Eldorado Custom Biarritz

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

The 1978 model year marked the swansong for the gigantic 1971-78 Cadillac Eldorado and the dawn of the dubious diesel option, but it was also the second-best sales year ever for Cadillac. There were seven models in the lineup, including several simulated convertibles with canvas landau tops.  

Four different levels of Eldorado were available for 1978. The base coupe could be upgraded with a Special Cabriolet edition, or buyers could choose the Eldorado Custom Biarritz. There was also an over-the-top version of that, the Eldorado Custom Biarritz Classic, which had bright two-tone paint and special interior appointments. 

The 1978 Eldorado was available with optional leather interiors and came with a bench front seat with folding center armrest or an optional 50/50 Dual Comfort front seat with dual armrests. Automatic climate control was standard, along with power door locks, a six-way power adjustable seat, AM/FM stereo radio, and steel-belted radial tires. 

Popular options included electronic fuel injection, airbag, power sunroof, tilt/telescopic steering column, cruise control, intermittent wipers, remote trunk release, rear window defogger, tinted glass, heated front seats, and automatic headlight dimer. 

Highlights 

• This 1978 Cadillac Eldorado Custom Biarritz is from the final model year of the ninth-generation Eldorado 

• Finished in Blue Firemist Metallic paint over light blue leather interior 

• Powered by a 425 cu-in OHV V8 big-block engine rated at 180 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque 

• Three-speed turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission 

• 15 inch wheels with original color-coordinated Cadillac wheel covers 

• Exterior thermometer built into driver’s side rearview mirror 

• The chassis number (6L47S8Q207637) decodes as: 

  • 6 – Cadillac 

  • L – Eldorado 

  • 47 – Two-door coupe 

  • S – 425 cu-in V8 4V 180 hp L33 

  • 8 – 1978 model year 

  • Q – Detroit assembly plant 

  • 207637 – Sequential production number 

Features 

• Front-wheel-drive, two-door luxury coupe 

• Quad rectangular headlights 

• Power disc brakes 

• Six-way power seats  

• Variable-ratio power steering 

• Power door locks 

• Power windows  

• Cruise control  

• Air conditioning/automatic climate control 

• Wood-trimmed, tilt/telescopic steering wheel 

• Multi-speed wipers 

• Rear window defroster 

• Blaupunkt Daytona CR42 AM/FM/Cassette stereo 

• Automatic power antenna  

• 85 mph speedometer/odometer and fuel gauge above steering column 

• Digital clock 

• Courtesy lights on doors 

• Center armrests 

• Shoulder seatbelts 

• Sun visors with illuminated passenger vanity mirror 

• Passenger floor trash receptacle 

• Soft Ray glass 

• Rear window defroster/defogger 

• Door edge guards 

• Toyo 800 Ultra Premium Touring P235/75R15 white wall tires 

• Wheelbase: 126.3 inches 

• Length: 224 inches 

• Width: 79.8 inches 

• Height: 54.2 inches 

• Shipping weight: 4,900 pounds 

• Original MSRP: $15,464 (about $74,782 today) 

Known Imperfections 

• Paint chips up front 

• Scratch on front bumper 

• Paint is worn at lower corner of landau roof on driver’s side 

• Small dent on trunk lid 

• Imperfections in landau roof 

• Interior driver’s side door arm rest is worn 

• Stain on rear seat 

Included 

• Donut spare tire with cover 

• Jack and tire iron 

• Original window sticker and bill of sale 

• 1978 Cadillac brochure 

• 1978 Cadillac Service Manual 

• 1976 Fisher Body Service Manual 

• Large, meticulously kept book of records and receipts 

Ownership History 

The owner of this 1978 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz purchased it in 2023 from the family that bought it new in 1978 and owned it for 45 years. The Cadillac was purchased new by a very meticulous airline pilot, who kept the car in an aircraft hangar and kept notes on every maintenance item. In 2022, he sold the car to his niece, who shipped it from Washington State to Michigan, where it was kept in a storage facility. The niece soon decided that she didn't need the car, so she sold it to the consignor a year later. He restored the power seats and installed new carpet and a few interior items.