1967 Cadillac Eldorado

           

    

I've long had a weakness for sharp-edged cars--smooth curves may romance the wind, but the boldness of strong creases romances my heart.

This partially explains why I think the 1967 Cadillac Eldorado is one of the prettiest American cars of its era, with its sharp prow, snazzy hidden headlights, and lean, long, and stylish flanks. The effect is athletic and modern, but extremely classy--like Michael Jordan in Armani.

Unlike most of the Cadillacs that followed in the 1970s and 1980s, the Eldorado had the mechanical wherewithal to back up the look. This was back when Cadillac's "Standard of the World" motto still had some clout--well before the Chevy Cavalier-based Cimarron made the tagline grimly ironic.

The Eldorado did not sport Cadillac's legendary stump-puller 500-cubic-inch V-8; instead of that torquey lump, it incorporated a 429-cubic-inch V-8 with 340 horsepower that qualified as a fairly exotic engine at the time. Even more exotic was the front-wheel-drive drivetrain based off the stablemate Oldsmobile Toronado. The interior was comfortable, refined, and classy--in sharp contrast to the stuffed-pillow boudoir ambiance of later Cadillacs.

As a symbol of classy luxury with elements of sport and youthful style thrown in, the Eldorado was like a Lear Jet or cigarette boat for the roads, a status symbol that also managed to be a very nice piece of transportation.

Thanks to www.desoto58.com and www.seriouswheels.com for the photos.

--Chris H.

Comments

[Jason Carpp on December 01, 2008 at 08:26 AM]

This has got to be the ugliest Cadillac I have ever seen! Sure it's front-wheel drive, but that doesn't make it nicer looking. The Olds Toronado is better looking than this.

[Gunni on January 28, 2009 at 01:59 PM]

I agree, the 1967 Eldo is absolutely hideous, especially the rear end. One of Cadillac's worst ever design. The Toronado is better looking and techically more interesting

[Jed on February 11, 2009 at 06:32 AM]

I have to make a positive comment about this car to combat these previous posters and set the record straight. The 67 Eldorado was a groundbreaking design that influenced the look of personal luxury cars that came after. It was a clean design and put Cadillac styling ahead of Lincoln for the first time in the 60's. It was a capable car for the time, handling far better than most of its competition. Its engineering was better than today's FWD cars. With it's longitudinally mounted engine, torque steer was eliminated. And that was from 485 ft-lbs. Car and Driver said that the build quality rivaled Rolls-Royce.

Then again, don't buy one, its a bad car. Go on believing that and it will leave more for me.

[eldorado 4 sale on March 20, 2009 at 12:25 PM]

If anybody is looking for one, I'm your Huckleberry...

Not great shape, but shes got potential

[Gunni on April 04, 2009 at 06:54 AM]

"Car and Driver said that the build quality rivaled Rolls-Royce".

Lol, wow that's insulting to Rolls Royce!
Whoever wrote that in C&D must have been out of his mind!

[Aleks Ristic, Toronto on December 20, 2009 at 02:24 PM]

Nope, don't like it.

There were still some on the streets my first time oaround in North America in the late 70's.

I thought that fornt end styling was all wrong back then, and it looks even more worng in retrospect.

The tail styling isn't too bad - as long@ss trailing tail cars go. Actually I can see in the basic angle of the DTS's rear pannel the echo of this ancestor.

[Lacman on August 18, 2010 at 01:29 PM]

Wow, Congratulations "Jason Carpp" and "Gunni" you officially have no taste at all in style. You guys prolly drive pontiac aztecs.

[Bigdaddy on September 10, 2010 at 06:03 PM]

1967-68 Cadillac Eldorado is one fantastic looking ride and way ahead of the other's in the 60's i have owned cadillacs from the early 60's to the 80's eldorados and coupes i think 67-70 are my favorites so far

[Captainkaos on September 30, 2010 at 03:34 PM]

I agree that the 67 thru 70 Eldos were one of the best designed and well built cars ever to emerge from Detroit

[gunther on October 14, 2010 at 05:24 PM]

i ame from belgium, i got one myself, and i dont known, how you guys see this,, but those cars are verry old you know,, and here we make them shine, and try to keep them alive, becauce its a part of history.. just like the mustang II is a part of mustang history.. and about the bad comments,, its what i call taste,, on loves blond ladies, other love brunette. all about taste you know.. just like music, and it keeps going and going,,. so those bad comments are nothing more then personall taste...

[Sheard on October 29, 2010 at 07:14 AM]

I personally love it, it's a beautiful design that obviously had some thought and hard work put into it. But as Gunther said, its all a matter of the individuals taste, "To Each's Own." I would personally love this car in my garage, or to take downtown to show it off, with no shame :)

[william sanders on February 13, 2011 at 07:13 PM]

There is no excess of good taste left that is for sure . That car was one of the most stylish and beautiful cars ever designed , right up there with the XKE as far as I am concerned . I had Both the 66 Toro and the Eldo ,like them both . Toro more of a sport sedan , the Eldo had more class . I want another one some day .

[les wade on March 03, 2011 at 01:26 PM]

can anyone tell me where the power window relay is located on my 67 eldo

[les wade on March 03, 2011 at 01:28 PM]

can anyone tell me where the power window relay is located on my 67 eldo