You can tell quite a bit about how well cared-for a vehicle is by the type of photos a seller puts out there. When you see an image of a flawless reflection off the hood, chances are that it’s a car that’s been treated with love. Such is the case with the Pick of the Day, a 1997 Cadillac Eldorado listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Stratford, Connecticut.
The car’s Crimson Red paint looks fresh, especially for being 29 years old. “Collector/detailer-owned, pristine and extremely well cared-for,” the listing says. “Always garage-kept and superb-riding luxurious automobile that was impeccably maintained since new.”
Credit for the Eldorado’s appearance goes to Dick Ruzzin, now retired, who had his hand in General Motors designs dating back to the 1960s. Among his other projects were the Oldsmobile Toronado, Chevrolet Corvair, and Cadillac Seville. The 12th-generation Eldorado, launching in 1992, grew by nearly a foot in length compared to the outgoing model. If the seller hadn’t told us otherwise, we never would have guessed that this car has 124,177 miles on the odometer. Exterior features include an eggcrate-style grille, frameless door glass, body side moldings, chrome trim, quad exhaust outlets, and 16-inch wheels.
The “Eldo” was praised for its personal luxury skillset: In marketing materials, Cadillac tried to make an emotional connection with prospective Eldorado buyers by using the promotional tagline, “Let your heart take the wheel.” One advertisement said, “Your heart is telling you something. To unleash your spirit. To get behind the wheel of an Eldorado Touring Coupe with the Northstar System.” With opulence in mind, the cabin is upholstered in tan leather and comes with power-adjustable seats, woodgrain trim, automatic climate control, AM/FM cassette radio, and cruise control.
Under the hood is a 4.6-liter DOHC Northstar V-8 mated to a 4T80E four-speed automatic transaxle. Cadillac rated the engine at 275 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. Service history highlights in recent years, according to the listing, include the brake fluid, transmission fluid, air conditioning compressor and drier, fuel filter, brakes, and Firestone tires. The oil is changed with Mobil 1 (with a Lucas additive) every spring. Sounds to us like the car runs as well as it looks.
“If you love Cadillacs, buy from a true Cadillac enthusiast,” the listing concludes. I wish the seller could give me some detailing tips because I’d love a hood reflection like that.
The asking price is $14,500.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
