1983 Eldorado Roadster HT4100

[steve punzo]

  Hi everyone, new to the forum.  I'm looking at a 1983 Eldorado Roadster with 19K miles on it. I've read the horror stories of the HT4100. Is this car a guaranteed lemon? Were ANY good 4100's made, or should I stay away from this at all costs?  I look forward to your opinions on this
Thanks

[76eldo]

It's a bit of a gamble. I'd say that the 85's had some improvements over the 82-83 cars.

The low mileage may or may not be a help. If the car sat for many years with the same coolant in it, that's not good.  On the other hand, 19,000 miles means it hasn't been subjected to as many heat cycles of the engine being run for say 100,000 miles.

Just figure that whatever you are thinking of paying for the car, if the engine fails you will be looking at a $5000 expense to have someone replace the engine with a rebuilt unit at some point.

Brian

[TJ Hopland]

I with Brian, the 19K could be a bad thing.   That is a lot of sitting or very short trips over 30 some years.    Like the diesels a lot of the 'bad' 4100's kinda weeded themselves out by now but with that low of mileage who knows, maybe its an original that could be subject to some of the original common failures.

Like Brian says if you like the car otherwise and decided to get and do have an engine issue at some point the $5000 number to have someone replace one is probably a safe number.   It could be done for less in some areas but I would think that would cover you in most areas.     

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Price?

[steve punzo]

Thanks for the quick replies fellas...  I am looking at 2 83 Eldo's,

1) Roadster with 19K miles, a few paint chips and a rust spot near the top where it attaches to the trunk lid. Interior, top and chrome pristine.  Asking $12500

2) Biarritz with 23K miles. Showroom condition  asking price $9500

AC and all toys allegedly work on both cars

[76eldo]

Both are too high.

Here's a car I sold last summer for $11,000:

http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=125285.msg235914#msg235914

They are out there, and a mint 79 or 80 will not have ANY HT4100 issues.

Brian

[35-709]

"Both are too high".

Brian is being too kind in my opinion.

[steve punzo]

Thanks guys..... Brian, you emailed me yesterday re: 02 ECS.  Still looking for one of those, but would also be interested in something like that yellow Eldo , in that condition in that price range. If you come across anything, please don't hesitate to email me  pnz1113@yahoo.com.

[76eldo]

Steve,

If you can wait about a month, I have two Eldorado convertibles that I am finishing up some cosmetics on that will be really rare and unusual offerings as far as 79-85 Eldorado's go.

I have a 1981 Hess & Eisenhardt convertible with a new top, very nice paint and chrome, new tires, and a beautiful white interior.  I did a little paint work on the hood and trunk which had typical lacquer checking and had the top done. 

Nice car for $12,500, see photos below
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I also have a super rare car, a 1985 Eldorado Touring Coupe (about 550 made) that was made into a convertible by Hess & Eisenhardt.  NEW top, total bare metal respray on a no-rust car, mint interior.  This may be the ONLY authentic and correct Touring Coupe convertible in existence, $20,000.

Pics below are the BEFORE photos!  Paint is amazing now.  The before photos do not show that the paint on the rear of the car was cracking because is was too thick.  Hess used to respray the cars from the doors back when they did the conversions and this one had too much lacquer on it and it cracked.

After photos coming soon.  Have window sticker and full documentation from Hess.

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