How can you tell if it is a "real" 1966 convertible fleetwood eldorado?

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

So to regroup, allow me to ask, is the reason for the high demand, due to the fantastic styling of cars of the past, which attracts many people today?

Whether RWD Eldorados had unique sheetmetal or not, they fact remains they were more richly appointed, had unique exterior trim, cost a hefty premium when new and are far rarer as a result. In a nutshell, the model represented the last word in personal luxury motoring, Cadillac style. (Coupe or Convertible). Hence the strong collectibility today.

However, many feel that the Eldorado lost much of its distinctiveness post 1960, but in all fairness, the same could be said for most of the offerings of the American car industry during the same period.

The last 1966 Eldorado I remember seeing for sale was this one offered by Matt Garrett. The asking price had been $85,000. I don't know the actual selling price was, but were it a DeVille Convertible, I suspect it would have sold for considerably less.

http://www.mcsmk8.com/66-ELDO/66-ELDO.HTM

[cadillacmike68]

I think that 75-90% of the additional demand (and hence pricing) for these 1960s Eldorados is because they are convertibles.

Of course I'm basing that on 100% Wild a$$ guessing. 

But seriously;

Fleetwoods (60 Sp & Brougham) of the day had special exterior trim, POWER vent windows, and all the nice interior levels, plus reading lights, footrests, tray tables, etc, that even Eldorados did not have. Plus the interior room!

But they were not convertibles...

Look at our annual directory. For most of the 1950s, 60s and thru 1976, the convertibles outnumber everything else put together. 

As I've noted elsewhere, my two favorite body styles of this era are Fleetwood Broughams and Convertibles.

[Louis Smith]

Whether RWD Eldorados had unique sheetmetal or not, they fact remains they were more richly appointed, had unique exterior trim, cost a hefty premium when new and are far rarer as a result. In a nutshell, the model represented the last word in personal luxury motoring, Cadillac style. (Coupe or Convertible). Hence the strong desirability today.

However, many feel that the Eldorado lost much of its distinctiveness post 1960, but in all fairness, the same could be said for most of the offerings of the American car industry during the same period.

The last 1966 Eldorado I remember seeing for sale was this one offered by Matt Garrett. The asking price had been $85,000. I don't know the actual selling price was, but were it a DeVille Convertible, I'm sure it would have sold for considerably less.

http://www.mcsmk8.com/66-ELDO/66-ELDO.HTM

Great looking '66 Eldo.  A true museum piece.  I have to take exception with your statement that post 60 Eldos lost their distinctiveness.  Like the '53 Eldo, and the late 50's eldos, I think the introduction of the '67 Eldo presented a whole new look of distinction for Cadillac.  No it wasn't the first in that era, to have distinctive styling, to be offered by GM.  It started with the 1963 Riviera, continued with the FWD 1966 Toronado, one of my all time favorite models, and culminated with the introduction of the 1967 Cadillac Eldorado.  Along with having the advantage of the Cadillac name and mystique, it had styling that was both radical and magnificent. Yes, both the Riviera's and Tornado's had very distinctive, and beautiful styling, but I guess I am prejudiced toward the Eldorados.  Its my guess that the success of the Rivs, Toronado and Eldo's let to the introduction of the Gran Prix and Monte Carlo's 

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Although I don't necessarily agree, but many felt that way about the post 60 RWD Eldorado. Then again, base price dropped around $1,000  (from 1960 to 1961) so it's all relative I suppose...

[Louis Smith]

Although I don't necessarily agree, but many felt that way about the post 60 RWD Eldorado. Then again, base price dropped around $1,000  (from 1960 to 1961) so it's all relative I suppose...

Just spit balling here.  I am thinking possibly that starting with the 1959 models, the Eldorado's might have lost some of their panache, since they really weren't that much different from the basic convertibles.  Sure they had more luxurious appointments and added chrome, but possibly it wasn't impressive enough for people to put out the extra money.

[Walter Youshock]

The entire Fleetwood series was intentionally a lower production which built cachet and exclusivity that was shared by the DeVille and Calais/62 series.  The Fleetwood "family" with the 60 Special and later Brougham; Series 75 sedans and limousines and the Eldorado were the "Cadillacs of Cadillacs" and not everyone could acquire them.  So, the market wasn't flooded with them.  These were the "halo" cars that instilled desire--"My next Cadillac is going to be a Fleetwood."  A lot of people who bought DeVille convertibles wanted an Eldorado but simply couldn't afford them.  As used cars, they still held that special something--and still do.  Unfortunately, this didn't hold true for the 75 series since it wasn't a practical used car to begin with.

There were 24,000 Sixty Specials built in 1957.  There were 12,000 for 1958.  Today, I bet there are twice as many '58 60 Specials out there than '57's. Rarity?  All that chrome?  Harley's last hurrah at the helm?  All factors to consider.  Yet look at the survival rate of Eldorados and Eldorado Broughams.  Obviously, these cars will always be desired.  Why buy a loaf of bread when you can have the grocery store?

[Louis Smith]

The entire Fleetwood series was intentionally a lower production which built cachet and exclusivity that was shared by the DeVille and Calais/62 series.  The Fleetwood "family" with the 60 Special and later Brougham; Series 75 sedans and limousines and the Eldorado were the "Cadillacs of Cadillacs" and not everyone could acquire them.  So, the market wasn't flooded with them.  These were the "halo" cars that instilled desire--"My next Cadillac is going to be a Fleetwood."  A lot of people who bought DeVille convertibles wanted an Eldorado but simply couldn't afford them.  As used cars, they still held that special something--and still do.  Unfortunately, this didn't hold true for the 75 series since it wasn't a practical used car to begin with.

There were 24,000 Sixty Specials built in 1957.  There were 12,000 for 1958.  Today, I bet there are twice as many '58 60 Specials out there than '57's. Rarity?  All that chrome?  Harley's last hurrah at the helm?  All factors to consider.  Yet look at the survival rate of Eldorados and Eldorado Broughams.  Obviously, these cars will always be desired.  Why buy a loaf of bread when you can have the grocery store?

Good post.  You state, that market wasn't "flooded" with Fleetwoods.  Do you mean because there wasn't that much of demand for them or are you implying that Cadillac intentionally limited their production? 

[Walter Youshock]

Both.  Keeping the price high and the production low meant that fewer people would be in the position to own one.  Once in that category, Fleetwood buyers tended to remain Fleetwood buyers.  You couldn't have people think you had hit a rough patch by trading in your Eldorado for a DeVille!

The DeVille line was really where dealers wanted to sell.  A coupe, sedan and convertible all in the line with a huge color palate, interior choices and options.  A fully loaded up DeVille convertible could actually run more than a stock Eldorado.

[cadillacmike68]

...A fully loaded up DeVille convertible could actually run more than a stock Eldorado.

Difficult to do. I'll explain when i get out of this next briefing I'm being dragged into...

in 1966, the lasyt yead both a deVille convertible and Eldorado convertible were offered, they cost as follows:

DeVille Convertible:     $5,555
Eldorado Convertible: $6,631

Difference $1,076

Now if one was to have completely optioned out (I have excluded things like brougham package, power windows for a 4 door, etc) a DVC the cost of all available options would be $1,637, however, some of those  options would have very little popularity on a convertible, so i selected a "likely" set of options as follows:

Air conditioner   $495    except Fleetwood 75
Bucket seats with console   $188    F J B (leather upholstery reqd)
Cruise control   $97    all
Door guards   $4    two-door models
Soft Ray tinted glass   $52    all
License plate frame   $6    all
Left-hand four-way power bucket seat   $54    F J B
Power door locks   $46    G F J E
AM/FM radio   $191    all
Adjustable steering wheel   $91    except Fleetwood 75
Remote control trunk lock   $53    except Fleetwood 75
Twilight Sentinel   $57    except E R S

It totals $1,334, still more than the difference, but adding just five likey , practcally indespensable options easily makes the eldorado more expensive than a full out optioned DVC as follows:

Air conditioner   $495    except Fleetwood 75
Soft Ray tinted glass   $52    all
Left-hand four-way power bucket seat   $54    F J B
AM/FM radio   $191    all
Adjustable steering wheel   $91    except Fleetwood 75

These total $883

So even a full out DVC would cost $7,192
A likely optioned DVC  would cost $6,889
While a minimally optioned Eldo would cost $7,514

Even a bare bones Eldo with only climate control, tinted glass and the radio would cost some $7,369, still more than a full up DeVille Convertible.

I cannot imagine an Eldorado leaving Clark Street without at least those 3 options.

That said, I'd rather have my 1968 DVC than a full out optioned 1966 Eldorado. 

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Since the Eldo came standard with a number of options that would be extra cost on other models, technically these items should be added to the base DeVille conv to make a fair price comparison between the two.

At any rate, a DVC with every box checked would ring up at more than a Brougham or Eldo with none.

I have seen a few 65/66 ELCs without air but they're probably in the minority.

[cadillacmike68]

Since the Eldo came standard with a number of options that would be extra cost on other models, technically these items should be added to the base DeVille conv to make a fair price comparison between the two.

At any rate, a DVC with every box checked would ring up at more than a Brougham or Eldo with none.

I have seen a few 65/66 ELCs without air but they're probably in the minority.

Eric, I showed how a fully optioned out Deville would cost more than a zero option Eldorado, no disagreement there at all. 

However, on the 1966 Eldorado; Radio wasn't standard, Climate Control wasn't standard, Tllt & Telescope wasn't standard, tinted glass wasn't standard. I just can't imagine an Eldorado leaving the factory without these options. You say you have seen a couple, so evidently there were some, but that has to be quite rare - in an undesirable sort of fashion...

Climate Control by 1966 was in 93% of all Cadillacs leaving the factory. The vast majority of that 7% without it was probably Calais models, which did not have power windows as standard equipment either. I can see a convertible without it, but only just barely.  Ditto for the radio.

We all need to remember that a large number of items we take for granted now, and even in older Cadillacs were not standard equipment, but were, in fact, optional. 

About the only two things I can see from the 66 brochure that Eldorados had that DeVilles did not, was Auto level control and whitewall tires. ALC was approx $100, and WWs were 56 in 1970 (somehow missing from the 1966 price list).