1978 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Classic Coupe

  • Final model year of the eighth-generation Eldorado; the last of the “big” Eldos
  • One of only 2,000 Biarritz Classics made in 1978
  • One of only 25 Biarritz Classics made with sunroofs at American Sunroof Corporation
  • 425 CID V-8 engine with front-wheel drive
  • Turbo-Hydramatic 425 three-speed automatic transmission and 2.73 gearing
  • Demitasse Brown Metallic (code 64) over Arizona Beige (code 62) exterior with Light Beige Elk Grain Cabriolet Padded Vinyl Roof (code T) and dark brown accent stripes
  • Light Beige and Dark Saddle Sierra Grain leather interior (code 644)
  • Automatic climate control, power steering, power four-wheel disc brakes, cruise control, six-way power 50/50 front seats, power windows, power mirrors, power locks and power trunk lid release
  • Twilight Sentinel, Soft-Ray glass, electronic level control, three-speed intermittent windshield wipers and tilt/telescope steering column, factory eight-track player and a 40-channel Citizens’ Band (CB) radio
  • Spare tire, jack and tire inflator • Documentation includes original owner’s manual and other, assorted records

At the height of the Disco Era and near the end of the Me Decade, Cadillac still made one traditional, luxury yacht – the Eldorado. It is one of only 2,000 Biarritz Classics made in 1978 and just one of only 25 Biarritz Classics with sunroofs from American Sunroof Corporation!

Dressed in a very period-distinctive Demitasse Brown Metallic (code 62) over Arizona Beige (code 64), the car’s paint and trim are in overall excellent condition, including the Light Beige Elk Grain Cabriolet padded vinyl roof (code T) and dark brown accent stripes.

This example was made during their third week of June 1978 (code 06C) in General Motors’ Detroit, Michigan factory (VIN code Q). Five hundred of these Eldorado Biarritz Classics were delivered to American Sunroof Corporation (ASC) in nearby Southgate, Michigan, for sunroof or Astroroof installations.

ASC took between four and six hours to do the conversions before shipping the car back to the factory, where it underwent finally assembly. While at ASC, workers also added the Demitasse Brown Metallic paint to the center portion of the hood, upper door sections and the forward part of the roof (ahead of the vinyl portion). Exterior moldings were then added followed by a dark brown accent stripe. The entire process took about five days.

The car’s body is straight, its engine bay is extremely tidy, and its chrome bumpers look great. The car’s trunk is similar extremely tidy condition with StowAway spare tire and cover, jack and factory front and rear floor mats.

This car rolls on American Classic wide whitewalls, size P235/75R15 at all four corners. The tires are mounted on steel wheels topped with Arizona Beige factory wheel covers. The tires are in very good shape while the wheel covers are all in good, original order.

Under the hood is a 425 CID V-8 engine. Backing this motor is a Turbo-Hydramatic 425 three-speed automatic transmission and a 2.73:1 rear end. Driver convenience features abound – automatic climate control, power steering, power four-wheel disc brakes, cruise control, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, power 50/50 front seats, three-speed intermittent wipers, illuminated external thermometer and power trunk lid release. Other gadgets include Soft-Ray glass, electronic level control, Twilight Sentinel, tilt/telescoping steering column and factory Citizens’ Band (CB) with AM/FM stereo. The air conditioning is complete but the compressor is not engaging.

Inside, the car is decorated as distinctively as its exterior. It has Dark Saddle Sierra Grain Leather seating surfaces framed by Light Beige vinyl and leather trim (code 644). These are tufted, pillow-style seats in a 50/50 split up front and look fantastic. Other interior features include a dark beige instrument panel, two-spoke steering wheel and column and leather jacketed steering wheel rim but the horn and wipers are inoperable. The tan headliner is in remarkably good order. The Dark Beige carpeting is in good, original order and highlights the Light Beige vinyl lower door panels and rear quarter panel trim, headliner, roof moldings, seat side bolsters and center panels. A column-mounted shifter and a factory AM/FM stereo with eight-track cassette deck and a 40-channel Citizens’ Band (CB) radio complete the interior.

Unlike the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham and De Ville, which both boasted the opulent d’Elegance luxury package, Eldorado did not offer a similar plush option. This was rectified late in the 1976 model year with the Biarritz (a name last used for the 1964 Eldorado convertible) package. The car featured unique exterior trim and the rear half of the cabriolet roof was covered with a heavily padded landau vinyl top accented with large “opera” lights. Body colored wheel covers were also featured. The 1977–1978 interior featured “pillowed” style, “tufted” leather seating. As with other Cadillac models, special order contrasting upholstery piping and exterior colors were available.

Two thousand Eldorado Custom Biarritz Classics were produced for 1978 only, in two-tone Arizona Beige/Demitasse Brown and consisted of 1,499 with no Astroroofs or sunroofs; 475 with Astroroofs; 25 with sunroofs and one was produced with a power sliding T-top. Only nine of the latter are known to have been retrofitted by the American Sunroof Company under Cadillac’s direction.

Coupe competition to this Cadillac in 1978 included Buick’s Riviera, BMW’s 633CSi, Chrysler’s New Yorker Brougham, Lincoln’s Continental Mark V, Mercedes-Benz’s 280CE, Mercury’s Marquis and Oldsmobile’s Toronado.

Documentation includes original owner’s manual and other, assorted records. If you seek a classic Cadillac with presence and one that offers a sheer, sumptuous ride and cocoons its occupants in luxury, this is your car. Stop by MotoeXotica Classic Cars today to check out this Eldorado Biarritz Classic Coupe.

VIN: 6L47S8Q289747

This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 15,168 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title.

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Price: Auction

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Location: Fenton, Missouri, United States