I am looking at an Eldorado 1978 Biarritz with what looks like cast aluminum wheels, they look like a factory option. Does anyone have any information on these? were they available in 78? thanks Martin
Martin,
There were no factory aluminum wheels available on the Eldorado in 1978, but there were at least two different aftermarket aluminum wheels available. One had a turbine apperance, and the other had a lace or snowflake type design. I am unsure what company made either.
Were they something like this?
Bruce. >:D
I am with the others in that I have never seen any evidence that there was ever anything other than a steel wheel on a 66/67-78 Eldo or Toro from the factory but like the others have said there were at least 2 aftermarket styles that were somewhat popular as a dealer installed option. Bruce pictured one of the styles and the other has more of a straight fin look. There have also been some sightings of a true spoke wheel but no evidence yet that they were available back when the cars were new, they may have been a more recent option. There is a company that I believe currently makes them but they are not cheap.
This pic is off a 79-85 but I believe the earlier ones looked similar.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi148.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs35%2F73eldo%2FDiesel%2FEwheel.jpg&hash=c13c6721ebb061b5c31189ecbbc6f23bf1bb83cd) (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/73eldo/media/Diesel/Ewheel.jpg.html)
Also there never was a wire wheel cover option. Cads always got a full 'tin' cover. Toro's the first few years had a chromed wheel with trim ring and a center cap.
There were popular dealer add on's in the basket weave and turbine style but no factory optional wheels. Cadillac always went after the aftermarket companies for using the Cadillac emblem without permission. They were aluminum wheels and tough to find in nice shape today be size they oxidized easily. All the Eldos left the factory with regular hubcaps. 78's were color keyed to the body paint color.
Brian
this is the car and the wheels,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cadillac-Eldorado-Biarritz-1978-Cadillac-Eldorado-Biarritz-/191113672324?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2c7f433684&item=191113672324&pt=US_Cars_Trucks
Nice car but if you look down the sides it has some small waves and buffing problems in the paint, also the top of the drivers side rear fender looks like it has been repaired in the past and not really well JMO. Nice car beautiful interior.
Now, that is a beautiful car, in a beautiful color - in and out.
Have fun,
Steve B.
These are aluminum wheels made by Rocket Wheels, Appliance also had Fwd Eldorado wheels as well as Western wheels which resemble Turbine wheels