Hell-Dorado webpage updated !

[Dave Smith]

Hello Gang!

    I just added a bunch of pics to the Helldorado webpage.   See page 2 for the newest pics.

    I have also update the Pimp Cadillac of the 70s and 80s pages too.   Enjoy!

http://community.webshots.com/album/147328844XdGtBD TARGET=_blank>http://community.webshots.com/album/147328844XdGtBD

David

[Steve Preston #16375]

I kind of like the color scheme of the "78 wanna be, interior".

[Dave Smith #17592]

Hi Steve!

   Me too.  I like the colors inside and out, but those rear skirts look out of place.    Youd think after all that work it would have been a cinch to recover the headrests to remove the old shoulderbelt hooks.    Some of those Hell-dorados are really nice.    The only reason I call them that is because the "Sellers" usually misrepresent them as "originals" or "Factory built" by Cadillac.  

    Another new scam is the fake dash plate.  "This car especially built for: Jackie Gleason".   or Richard Nixon.  That is a new scam.    Amazing how Ebay brings out so many of these "rare" cars.  

[Andrew 10642]

David,

Im a big fan of the first generation 67-70 FWD Eldo, so I really enjoy seeing your application of "merged" 71-78 Eldorados, usually occuring in convertible form.  I always like to learn about the next generation.  I like the 71-72 versions, primarily because of their bumper configuration (no filler plastic and cleaner design) and fake wind split. I was wondering whether you have ever considered doing a "plus vs minus" evaluation of the 71-78 generation.  I think all members dream of merging the best features of a particular generation.  With me, Id pick a 71-72 exterior with a 74-78 interior.  I have heard the structure was reinforced in 73, but Im really sure thats true.  I like fender skirts, round headlights.  The 73 grill is very mean, which I prefer.

Think Id paint it 74 lime green with a white interior, very fun!

What would your perfect 71-78 merged Eldo be?

[Dave MacGregor #18998]

I like the sharper and cleaner, yet sportier lines of the 75-78s with the open rear wheel well sloping rearwards, but I dont like the front or rear fender extensions being rubber.

I would also like to see the refined 77 grill with the similar hard front end of the early 70s Eldos with the cornering lights like they have, but somehow integrated to go better with the 75-78 body style and rectangular headlights.  I also like the clear turn signal lenses in the front bumper.

In the rear, I like the 77-78 bumper and tailights, but would also like to see the red tailights over the bumper like on the eariler models.  I like the round rear side marker lights with the Cadillac crest instead of the rectangular ones on the 77-78s.  I would like the rear fender extensions to be elimated.  I would settle with a pre-74, rear tailight/bumper if it had to be done to do that.

Inside I like the 74 on up interiors, but like the 74-76 steering wheel better than the 77-78s.

[Bill Kapoian]

79 to 85 Eldorado that restates the rocket shape of the 67-70 Eldorado.  Ideally, a 79 Eldorado with its utterly elegant understated grille that was meant as forgiveness for the superfluity of the 71-72 Eldorado, and then to a lesser extent the 74-78 Eldorado.

[Dave Smith #17592]

Hi Steve and Andrew!

    Good Question!     I do like all of them from 71 -78.  I like the 67-70s as well.   Damn, the 79-85s are of course very sharp looking.   But going back to your opinions of the 71-78s, here are my observations.

The 71s and 72s are just great.  I love the fake air scoops on the rear quarters.  The cathedral front turn signals and huge hood and grill.  Those tailights are nice too.  The only thing I dont care for is the dash design.    Except the clock!  You gotta love those huge clocks with the roman numerals!  

The 73s design is good too.  I love those round rear side markers!  Did you know that they have the same part number as the 68-70 Eldorados?     The only thing that I find odd on the 73 Eldo is the lack of a chrome header molding on the hood above the grill.      The 73 and 74s have the BEST bright red leather interiors!

The 74 & 76 tail lights are very good.  But you are correct in the fact all those plastic extensions should be remade in metal.  Todays bodyshop guys are pulling their hair out trying to fit the new reproduction ones.    The 77-78 rear is OK, but seems kinda plain in comparison.    But cosidering that they knew the car was going to be downsized soon, Im sure they didnt want to spend much money on a major restyle in 77.

The 74-78 Dash is a big improvement.   I agree that the steering wheel horn pad on the 77-78 is too big.   I like the Eldorado name in block letters across the hood on the 77-78s.    The open rear wheelwells of the 75-78s look much cleaner.   I hate seeing 75-78s with fender skirts.  They just dont flatter the cleaner styling.   It also reminds me of the 64 Eldorado too  (skirtless).  

As far as best year(s)?   Id say 71 and 75.  Leaning more to the 75.   Remember, when they stylist and execs review the new model prototypes, they look at several different variations.  so they pick the Best design obviously.   The next year or two after are all just revisions to make the previous model obsolete so you run out and get a new one.   So the 71s styling is exactly how they wanted it.    Also, when they did the only major restyle in 75, they also decided that it was the cleanest and best design.  The 76s are clearly minor cosmetics.  Are those black centered wheelcovers on the 76s better?  I dont think so.  Was that tiny strip of chrome on the trunk lid of the 76 above the tailights needed?  Not really.   Amber turn signals?   Nope, just another way to make that new 76 on the lot look different that the 75 you bought last year.   Then the 77 had clear lenses again.  Then the 78s back to Amber!  Doh!  

   Colors!   Ah! the best part of the seventies!   The 74s and 75s had great colors!    Persian Lime Greens, Cranberrys,  Ambers,  Terracotta,  Mandarin Orange,    Apollo Yellow, Bombay Yellow and so many more!  76 was really a conservative year for colors, but they had some winners too.  Like Florentine Gold. Firethorn.

   speaking of colors, who picked the colors for the 78 Custom Biarritz classic?    Yikes!  Great tu-tone, but that beige is terrible!   Now come on folks, wouldnt that car be STUNNING in black and silver???   Yeah baby!

  If I could pick my favorites....

A 71 Eldo convertible in Pewter.
A 73 Eldo convertible in White with red leather.
A 73 Eldo hardtop in Saturn Bronze firemist.
A 74 Eldo convertible in Persian Lime Green.
A 75 Eldo convertible in Mandarin Orange.
A 76 Eldo convertible in Amberlite firemist.
A 77 Eldo Biarritz in Frost Orange Firemist.
A 78 Eldo Biarritz Silver w/Black tu-tone.

For the record.  I own a 1975 Eldorado convertible in Bomay Yellow with a Jasper Green interior.  It has a yellow top and custom bucket seats with yellow piping.  

See link for photos.
http://community.webshots.com/album/56306520pVZmvq TARGET=_blank>http://community.webshots.com/album/56306520pVZmvq

David

[Andrew 10642]

Dave,

Great photos of your Eldo.  Love the seat modifications, very well done.  The 75 definitely looks sportier than the earlier years.  Also love the 71 pewter and 75 mandarin orange choices in your list.

I also didnt know the rear seat of the coupe is the same for the convertible.  I hope my brain remembers that again if it needs to!

[Dave Smith #17592]

Hi Andrew!

        It is very odd that Cadillac didnt put a rear center armrest in the 71-76 Eldorados.   The DeVilles had them.   It just seemed logical that you could interchange them.   After all, GM bragged that its sizzors top allowed for a full-width rear seat.  

       Thanks for the compliment on my Caddy.   I had the top up at a show last year and plenty of people asked me where I found yellow top material!     Those non-Cadillac guys were shocked to hear it was one of 8 factory top colors that year!

David

[Andrew 10642]

As a 68 Deville Convertible owner, I do envy the 70s choices.  Are they all the colors still available?  Does the 71-76 Eldo top also fit the 71-75 Impala, LeSabre, Delta 88 and Grandville?

[Dave Smith #17592]

Andrew,

    Yes,  the tops are the same on the Impala/Caprice , Delta 88 , Grandville , LeSabre with the sizzors top mechanism.  

    Id bet only the primary colors are available though.  White, Black, Dk.Blue , Dark Red and maybe Tan..   Some of the Cadillac top colors were one year only colors, Mandarin orange for example.

[Dave Smith #17592]

<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/413000-413999/413468_12.jpg">

[Jeff Hansen, #4225]

Hey Dave,

How about if we post the link with additional text to go along with it:

<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/413000-413999/413468_12.jpg">

Like that.

[Dave Smith #17592]

Hello all!

     Jeff now realizes that the pics are not showing up on this "General Forum".   He will be working on fixing it when he gets back from the GN.   The pics are however working in the "Buy/Sell"  Forum.    So to learn how to post pics, look at his instructions in the "Suggestions" Forum.  

Happy Motor!
David