Elite Dealer

1976 Cadillac Eldorado

$42,495

Vehicle Details

Make

Cadillac

Model

Eldorado

Year

1976

Mileage

49,397 miles

VIN

6L67S6Q139607

Body Type

Convertible

Transmission

Automatic

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Engine

8.2 liters (500 cu in)

Description

1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible For Sale
Black With Firethorn Red Leather * 49,397 Miles * 14-Year Ownership
This 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible is a striking example of Cadillac's full-size luxury convertible, finished in the dramatic combination of black with a Firethorn Red leather interior. Showing 49,397 miles, it has been with its current owner for approximately 14 years and has benefited from extensive cosmetic and mechanical care during that time. With its enormous proportions, acres of chrome, wide whitewall tires, red interior, and power-operated convertible top, this Eldorado delivers exactly the kind of presence that made 1970s Cadillacs so memorable.

Black Over Firethorn Red
The exterior is finished in deep black and presents beautifully, with a straight body and extensive brightwork. A distinctive hand-painted double pinstripe provides a subtle custom touch without taking away from the Cadillac's original character. Approximately six months ago, the exterior received a 5-year ceramic coating, helping protect the finish and making it easier to maintain.

The car also rides on a recent set of wide whitewall tires, installed approximately three months ago, completing the classic Cadillac appearance. Exterior Highlights:
* Black exterior
* Firethorn Red interior
* Hand-painted double pinstripe
* Ceramic coating applied approximately six months ago
* Recent wide whitewall tires
* Extensive chrome and brightwork
* Power antenna
* Hard parade boot included
New Convertible Top
The power convertible top is only a few months old, giving the car a fresh appearance whether the top is raised or lowered. Also included is the desirable hard parade boot, creating a clean, finished appearance behind the rear seat when enjoying the Eldorado with the top down.
$9,000 Red Leather Interior
The Firethorn Red cabin has received extensive attention, with the owner reporting approximately $9,000 invested in the interior.

The leather seating has been redone along with the seat backs, door panels, and other interior surfaces. New carpeting completes the presentation. The result is an inviting cabin with the unmistakable scale and comfort of a full-size Cadillac.

There is tremendous room for passengers in both rows, making this a genuine four-passenger-or even six-passenger-classic cruiser rather than a cramped convertible. Interior & Convenience Features:
* Firethorn Red leather interior
* Seats professionally redone
* Restored seat backs and interior trim
* New carpeting
* Power windows
* Power door locks
* Power seats
* Cruise control
* Tilt steering wheel
* Outside-temperature display
* Working power antenna
* Custom sound system
* Bluetooth capability
* Auxiliary audio input
* Hard parade boot
The custom audio system adds modern Bluetooth and auxiliary connectivity while allowing the cabin to retain its classic appearance. The odometer shows 49,397 miles, and the car's overall presentation reflects the considerable care it has received during the current owner's long-term ownership.

The Eldorado starts easily, settles into a remarkably quiet idle, and is described as an exceptionally smooth driver. The gauges and power accessories are reported to operate properly, including the power antenna. A fresh oil change was also recently completed.

Classic Cadillac Cruising
On the road, this Eldorado is all about effortless cruising. With the top lowered, the expansive hood stretching out ahead and the Firethorn Red interior surrounding its passengers, it delivers an experience that is unmistakably Cadillac. The car is reported to run quietly, ride smoothly, steer comfortably, and stop well.

It has been driven and enjoyed rather than simply displayed, while receiving the care necessary to keep it looking sharp. Additional Highlights:
* Approximately 14 years with current owner
* 49,397 miles showing
* Recently serviced
* Fresh oil change
* Recent convertible top
* Recent wide whitewall tires
* Ceramic-coated exterior
* Extensive interior restoration
* Custom Bluetooth audio
* Multiple sets of keys
* Cadillac gold key included
The personalized "FREAKOUT" plate also has a fun history with the owner. He originally used the same plate on a black-and-red Eldorado coupe decades ago, inspired by the music and culture of the period, and later reacquired the plate for this car.

Whether or not the plate accompanies the vehicle can be confirmed at the time of sale. With its black exterior, Firethorn Red leather interior, fresh convertible top, wide whitewalls, beautifully redone cabin, hard parade boot, extensive power equipment, ceramic coating, long-term ownership, and 49,397 indicated miles, this 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible is an impressive example of the extravagant American luxury convertible. It's big, comfortable, unmistakably 1970s, and built for exactly what a Cadillac convertible should do-put the top down and cruise.

For Sale By Owner Located In Holbrook, NY 11741
Take A L@@K At The Video On YouTube: 
Video of the New Top in Action: 
Follow This Link To Over 260 High Resolution Photos:  D4jR8

Trim: Convertible For Sale
Options: Premium Sound System, Leather Interior Surface

Classic Cadillac Eldorado Buyer's Guide

Full guide

Sarah Whitfield

Pre-War Classics

1953–2002

~5 min read

Updated Apr 2026

Definitive buyer's guide for classic Cadillac Eldorado 1953-2002. Generation breakdown, fin-era cars, front-wheel-drive variants, current market pricing for survivors and concours examples.

This guide covers

✓ 10-point inspection checklist

✓ Common issues & what to avoid

✓ In-person inspection guide

✓ Market pricing by year & condition

✓ 5 FAQs answered

✓ History & fun facts

Read the Full Eldorado Buyer's Guide

Cadillac Eldorado Market Overview

Based on 50 Cadillac Eldorado listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

Listed Now

$26,767

Avg. Asking Price

1957–1999

Year Range

Price Position on Our Site — Above Average

This car: $42,495

Low: $4,500 High: $158,995

Transmission Distribution

Automatic 84% ◄

Manual 2%

Condition Distribution

Excellent 10%

Good 6%

Fair 6%

Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 50 listings →

💰

What is this car worth?

Check sold prices for the 1976 Cadillac Eldorado

Valuation Tool →

Classic Cadillac Eldorado Buyer's Guide

The Cadillac Eldorado launched in 1953 as the marque's halo convertible — Cadillac's response to the new Chevrolet Corvette in concept, but positioned at the absolute top of the General Motors range. Across nearly fifty years of production, the Eldorado defined American luxury motoring through multiple distinct eras: the hand-built 1957-1958 Brougham (704 built across two model years: 400 in 1957 and 304 in 1958), the iconic 1959 Biarritz convertible with its dramatic tail fins, the front-wheel-drive 1967-1992 personal-luxury cars sharing platform with the Oldsmobile Toronado, and the final-generation 1992-2002 cars that closed the Eldorado nameplate. From a concours judging perspective, documented Eldorado examples consistently outperform the broader Cadillac market — the Eldorado was always the marque's flagship and the Cadillac Heritage records confirm it.

What to Check Before Buying

✓

Verify body style code on firewall dataplate — Eldorado was Cadillac's top trim across multiple body styles. Verify original equipment.

✓

Cross-reference VIN engine code with block casting — Cadillac 365 (1957-1958), 390 (1959-1962), 429 (1964-1967), 472 (1968-1974), 500 (1970-1976) each have specific casting numbers.

✓

Inspect frame at body mount points — Body mount bushings collapse over 60+ years. Frame rust here = $2,500-$5,500 minimum repair.

✓

Magnet test rear quarters and lower fenders — Body filler is non-magnetic. Driver-quality cars universally have filler.

✓

For 1957-1958 Brougham claims, demand specialist authentication — Hand-built Brougham (704 total across two model years: 400 in 1957, 304 in 1958) is the most desirable variant. Specialist verification mandatory.

✓

Check FWD drivetrain (1967-1992) — 1967+ Eldorados use front-wheel-drive. Test for chain noise, axle whine, smooth shifting.

✓

Examine convertible top mechanism — Hydraulic and electric top systems on convertible Eldorados commonly fail. $1,500-$3,500 to repair properly.

✓

Verify all power options — Power windows, power seats, climate control, AM/FM. Heavily-optioned Eldorados require expensive specialist repair when systems fail.

✓

Check vacuum-actuated headlight covers (1967-1973) — Vacuum lines crack at 50+ years. Hidden headlights drop at speed when vacuum fails.

✓

Compression test all eight cylinders — Should read 145-180 PSI uniformly across V8s. 472 and 500 big-blocks run slightly higher.

Common Issues

Eldorado rust patterns vary dramatically by generation. The 1953-1966 body-on-frame cars rust at the lower rear quarters, the rocker panels, the floor pans, the trunk pan, the lower fenders, and the cowl seam. The 1967-1992 front-wheel-drive cars use unibody construction and rust at the rocker panels, the floor pans, the front strut towers, and the rear quarter panels. Convertibles add structural concerns at the rear corners where the top mechanism mounts. Mechanically, Cadillac V8 engines are exceptionally durable when maintained. The 365 (1957-1958), 390 (1959-1962), 429 (1964-1967), 472 (1968-1974), and 500 (1970-1976) V8s commonly exceed 200,000 miles with proper service. Common issues include leaky valve covers and oil pan gaskets, worn timing chain on tired engines, and tired Quadrajet carburetors. The 472 and 500 big-blocks are exceptionally torquey but heavy — broken motor mounts are a known issue on hard-launched cars. The 1967-1992 front-wheel-drive drivetrain is the major concern unique to this Eldorado generation. Cadillac developed a unique Turbo Hydra-Matic 425 transmission with a chain-drive transfer case routing power to the front differential. The chain wears and stretches over time, and replacement requires significant labor. Worn chain symptoms include noise on light acceleration, harsh shifting under load, and eventual transmission failure if not addressed. Electrical issues are extensive on heavily-optioned Eldorados. Power windows, power seats, climate control, and AM/FM stereo were standard equipment. Failed systems on heavily-optioned cars require expensive specialist repair — budget $2,000-$5,000 for proper electrical refresh on any neglected Eldorado. Vacuum-actuated headlight covers (1967-1973) commonly fail when vacuum lines crack with age.

What to Look For

Cadillac Heritage records are the gold-standard verification for any Eldorado priced over $40,000. The Cadillac Heritage Center maintains original production records and can verify chassis number, engine number, original paint code, original interior code, options, and delivery destination. For 1957-1958 Brougham claims, the Eldorado Brougham registry maintains additional authentication standards. Without proper documentation, treat all Brougham claims as unverified until proven through Cadillac Heritage and the marque registry. For body-on-frame Eldorados (1953-1966), inspect the perimeter frame at the body mount points and the front kick-up. Body mount bushings collapse over 60+ years and water pools above them, rotting the frame from inside the boxed sections. Replacement is $2,500-$5,500 per side if needed. For front-wheel-drive Eldorados (1967-1992), inspect the unibody at the rocker panels, floor pans, and cowl seam. Test the chain-drive transfer case for noise on light acceleration. Worn chain replacement is a major drivetrain job — $4,000-$8,000 in parts and labor depending on year and configuration. Body style verification is essential. The 1957-1958 Brougham (hand-built four-door hardtop with stainless-steel roof) is dramatically different from the standard Eldorado convertible of the same era. Verify the body style code on the firewall dataplate. Specialty body styles command significant premium pricing — particularly the Brougham, the 1959 Biarritz convertible, and the 1976 final-year convertible. Convertible top inspection is the second non-negotiable for convertible Eldorados. The hydraulic and electric top systems are complex and commonly fail. Test the top operation through full open and close cycle. Failed top systems require $1,500-$3,500 in specialist repair. Document the car. Photograph every panel, every chassis number stamping, every interior detail. The unrestored survivor in original livery is consistently preferable to the freshly-restored car of unknown provenance from a concours judging perspective.

Price Guide

1953-1958 first-era Eldorados are the most desirable. Driver-quality 1953-1956 convertibles run $45,000-$85,000. Documented 1957-1958 Brougham four-door hardtops: $200,000-$500,000+ depending on condition and originality. The 1958 Brougham (with the rare gold-anodized exterior trim option) approaches $700,000+ for documented examples. 1959-1966 fin-era Eldorados: driver-quality 1959 Biarritz convertibles run $55,000-$120,000. The 1959-1960 cars (with the largest fins) command 15-25% premium over equivalent 1961-1966 cars. Documented original-paint, low-mileage 1959 Biarritz cars: $130,000-$220,000+. 1967-1970 first-generation FWD Eldorados: driver-quality cars run $22,000-$45,000. The 1967-1968 cars are the most desirable years of this generation. Documented original-paint cars: $40,000-$70,000. 1971-1978 large FWD Eldorados: driver-quality cars run $14,000-$28,000. The 1976 Eldorado convertible (marketed as "the last American convertible") commands premium — driver-quality 1976 convertibles: $25,000-$45,000, documented original-paint examples: $35,000-$75,000+. 1979-1985 downsized Eldorados: driver-quality cars run $8,000-$18,000. The 1984-1985 Eldorado Biarritz convertibles (the rare convertible-revival cars) command $12,000-$25,000. 1986-2002 modern-era Eldorados: driver-quality cars run $5,000-$15,000. These represent the bargain entry into Eldorado ownership. Project Eldorados start around $5,000-$15,000 across most generations. Brougham project cars are the exception — even rough Broughams command $50,000+ due to their rarity. Restoration costs are higher than equivalent Chevrolet restoration due to specialty Cadillac parts and trim.

Did You Know?

The 1953 Eldorado was launched as Cadillac's halo convertible at the same New York Motorama auto show that introduced the Chevrolet Corvette. Cadillac positioned the Eldorado at the absolute top of the General Motors range — sticker price was $7,750 in 1953, more than twice the price of the standard Cadillac convertible. Only 532 1953 Eldorados were built, making them among the rarest production Cadillacs of the era. The 1957-1958 Eldorado Brougham was Cadillac's response to the European luxury market — particularly the post-war Mercedes-Benz 300 series and Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. Built by hand at Cadillac's Detroit plant, the Brougham featured features unique in 1957-1958 American production: quad headlights (Cadillac's first), brushed-stainless-steel roof, individual memory front seats, and self-leveling air suspension. The Brougham's air suspension proved unreliable in service and was dropped from production after 1958. The 1976 Eldorado convertible was marketed as "the last American convertible" — Cadillac's response to expected federal rollover safety regulations that were widely predicted to ban open-roof passenger cars. The regulations never materialized, but the marketing campaign drove dramatic price speculation: some 1976 Eldorado convertibles sold for $20,000+ over MSRP, and surviving examples in original condition continue to appreciate. Convertible American passenger cars eventually returned for the 1982 Chrysler LeBaron and 1984 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz.

How Does It Compare?

Head-to-head matchups for the Cadillac Eldorado:

Cadillac Eldorado vs Lincoln Continental Buick Riviera vs Cadillac Eldorado

Browse all comparisons →

Elite Dealer

$42,495

1976 Cadillac Eldorado

Contact Seller

Listed by dealer

WeBe Autos

ⓘ

Nationwide consignment dealer

WeBe Autos lists vehicles from sellers across multiple states. The vehicle may not be at the dealer's address shown. Contact the dealer to confirm the vehicle's actual location before traveling.

⚠

Buying safely?

Read our scam-avoidance tips before paying →

Listing Actions

Browse by Era

1970s Classics for Sale

All 1976 Classics

Browse all 1976 Cars for Sale

Model History

How the Cadillac Eldorado evolved (1953–1978) — 4 generations.

📈 View Full Evolution