1978 CADILLAC ELDORADO CUSTOM BIARRITZ CLASSIC BEAUTIFUL SURVIVOR NO RESERVE !!!

1978 Cadillac Eldorado Additional Info:

NO RESERVE !!! Will be sold to the highest bidder. Please read the Terms and Conditions section below before bidding. Please bid ONLY if you have the funds available, and are willing and able to complete the transaction as outlined. Please ask any questions you may have BEFORE bidding, thank you.
The car has presence, you will not slip by unnoticed with this one. Up for auction is this gorgeous, rare 1978 Cadillac Eldorado Custom Biarritz Classic. In its day, this car was the ultimate statement in personal luxury. Still a bold statement to drive one today. This is a great car whether you love the iconic design and want one of the last full size Eldo's off the line, or you just want the girls to call you daddy, this could be just what the doctor ordered. As production was winding down on the last full size big block Eldorado, GM decided to do something special to commemorate it.Out of 46,816 Eldo's made that year, there were only 2000 Classics.This was a $2,466 option on a car that already had a base price of $11,921, making it one of the most expensive cars sold in 1978. The package consisted of a special Two-Tone Arizona Beige/Demitasse Brown paint job with hand painted stripes, Light Beige with Dark Saddle two-tone pillowed leather seats and leather wrapped steering wheel. This car also has AM-FM CB 8 track stereo with power antenna and passenger seat recliner.
This car was so well loved that the original owner and the second owner both owned it twice. The original owner sold it to the second owner with the caveat that if he ever wanted to sell it in the future, to contact him first. Eventually the second owner was in a bind and sold it back to the original owner, with the same caveat. Years later, the second owner finds out the car is for sale and buys it back from him again in 2007. Then I came along a couple of months ago and bought it from him. Mileage is 94,672 and believed to be original. This is one of the most comfortable and easy driving cars you will ever ride in, and is actually quite fun to drive. There is no car available today that rides anything like this, guaranteed. It will always turns heads and provoke positive comment wherever you go.
The body of the car is straight and solid with no evidence of any previous major body repairs. There are no rust issues that are apparent, other than minor surface rust in places where there are chips or scratches. The previous owner was fond of doing amateur lacquer touchups as needed over the years, so upon close inspection blends, mismatches and dull/dry areas can be seen. There is fading on the roof and hood as can be seen in the pictures. The padded vinyl top appears to have been professionally dyed and is in good condition. Has fiberglass rear fender extensions and bumper fillers so no more worries about cracking urethane. There is a dent in the driver's door that can be seen in the pictures. It's quite impressive looking as it is, and people always say "Nice Caddy!" when I'm stopped. But the paint does have plenty of flaws upon close inspection so if you want a show car, you will be painting it.
The interior is completely original and is simply fantastic for its age. The tufted leather seats are fit for a King and have very little wear. Words can't describe how comfortable it is to sit in this car. The dash is clean with no cracks or fading, those familiar with GM cars of this era know this is rare. The carpets and headliner are in good shape. The left upper door panel pad has had a poor repair done, can be recovered. A tiny crack on the right one. The armrest portion that is usually cracked on the lower panels, is pliable and in excellent shape. Still has the detachable carpeted refuse bin that goes on the right kick panel, these are almost always gone.
On a car this age, there is usually a ton of stuff not working. Not the case here! What is tested to work; power windows and locks, heater and ventilation system, stereo plays wonderfully and CB works, power CB antenna, wipers, all lighting, turn signal fiber optics, horn, cruise control, all power seat functions, tilt and telescope steering, outside door and trunk locks, remote trunk release and lid pulldown, load leveling system.What doesn't work: A/C (compressor not turning on, not frozen, have not tried to charge), windshield washer pumpThere's not a single missing piece of trim anywhere on the car that I can see, inside or out.
Mechanically, the car is in good condition. It has been well maintained over the years. Starts right up and runs pretty well, with no knocking or smoking. Transmission shifts smooth and solid, gear indicator is slightly misaligned. Drives nicely on the highway with a very quiet ride. Recent maintenance includes new spark plugs and carburetor rebuild. There is still a slight hesitation at very light throttle application.If you have a lead foot like me you won't really notice it much.Brakes and shocks are good. Has a hard to find matching set of Hankook whitewall tires with at least 80% tread remaining. They could be balanced better as they are smoother at 75 than at 60. Exhaust manfold gaskets leak a little, gets quieter as it warms up. I have the gaskets and was going to change them, but don't have time. Left outer CV boot has a tear, joint clicks slightly when turned hard.
I wouldn't hesitate to drive this car cross-country today. But that's me, I don't want to judge others' finesse in driving old cars long distances. One guy or gal might make it easily while another might not have the necessary skillset to make it out of the Bay area. Comes with the original owner's manual, 1977 factory service manual with 1978 supplement, two sets of keys, trunk mat, and the original front and rear carpeted floor mats. Original Space Saver spare, jack and wrench. Also included is a grocery bag full of 8 track tapes, all untested. And a new set of belts that I didn't put on because I adjusted the ones on there and they are fine.
In my opinion, this rare Eldo is only a paint job and some minor details away from being a solid #2 car. A #2 typically sells in the $15k range, a #3 goes in the $9-10K area. So at the opening bid there's ALOT of room left to restore it to your liking, or enjoy it exactly as it is. It's not perfect but has a high degree of functionality for a car this old, in my opinion. Please keep in mind that the car is almost 40 years old and I may have missed something important to you. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have BEFORE bidding.•Cruise control ($122)•Controlled-cycle wipers ($32)•Rear defogger, grid-type ($94)•Six-way Dual Comfort power passenger seat adjuster $118-$150)•Power 50/50 passenger seat recliner ($210-$262)•Tilt/telescope steering wheel ($121)•Automatic door locks ($114)•Illuminated entry system ($59)•Fuel monitor ($29) •Trunk lid release and power pull-down ($80)•Twilight Sentinel ($54) •Remote-control right mirror ($34) •Lighted vanity mirror, passenger ($50) •AM/FM stereo radio with digital display w/tape and CB ($427) •Leather seating area w/two-tone and 50/50 dual comfort front seats ($556)•Carpeted rubber front floor mats ($31-$34); rear ($15-$21)•Trunk mat ($12)
CA RESIDENTS NOTE: Registration valid until 12/22/2016. Passed smog 7/27/16. Although I see no reason it wouldn't pass again, I am selling AS-IS. Buyer will be responsible for smog.
It may be possible for me to drive the car to you for a reasonable fee. If you are interested in a quote, please contact me with your name, phone number and zip code before auction's end.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS, PLEASE READ
Bidders with less than 10 positive feedback rating, negative feedback or bid retraction history must contact me through ebay BEFORE bidding and supply their full name, address and phone number, or their bid may be subject to cancellation. Winning bidder must contact seller within 24 hours of auction's end to make arrangements for payment and pickup. Winning bidder must place a NON-REFUNDABLE deposit by Paypal within 24 hours of auction's end. Balance to be paid by cash in person, cashier's check from a National bank, direct bank transfer, USPS money orders. Full payment is to be made within 7 days of auction's end. All payments must clear seller's bank before vehicle or title is released to buyer. Vehicle must be picked up within 14 days unless arrangements are agreed upon before auction ends. Vehicle sold AS-IS with no warranty, expressed or implied.