This year marks the 20th anniversary of the discontinuation of one of America’s most iconic automotive nameplates: the Eldorado.
The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 2002 Cadillac Eldorado ETC listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Longview, Washington. (Click the link to view the listing)
“Immaculate car, shows and drives as new,” the listing states. “All original and same family owned. Kept in heated garage and still has that new car scent.” Showing just 28,285 miles on the odometer, this Eldorado does indeed look showroom-fresh, right down to the gray leather interior and gloss woodgrain accent trim.
The Eldorado was classified as a personal luxury car and lived for about 50 years and 12 generations between 1953 and 2002. It was positioned at the top of the model lineup and was a proud showpiece for Cadillac innovation, luxury, and style.
This final-year example comes from the 12th generation which drew exterior styling from a late-1980s show car called the Solitaire. It rides on the General Motors E-body platform, sharing chassis architecture with the Buick Riviera and the Oldsmobile Toronado (although they were discontinued before the Eldorado was).
Powering the Eldorado is a robust 4.6-liter LD8 Northstar V8 sending power to the front wheels through a four-speed 4T60-E automatic transmission. Technology for this car was advanced for its time, since the Eldorado used a microprocessor-controlled Integrated Chassis Control System that was connected to the stability control, steering, and road-sensing suspension systems. Standard appointments were generous and included automatic climate control and daytime running lights. On top of that, this ETC (Touring) model came with quad exhausts, rain-sensing swipers, and perforated leather upholstery.
For the Eldorado’s final year in 2002, only 1,596 units were produced, and they were all painted red or white. This was Cadillac’s way of paying homage to the original 1953 Eldorado which was only offered in those colors.
The Eldorado was succeeded by the CTS coupe beginning in 2003, so this 28,000-mile example could very well represent one of the best-kept remaining examples from the final model year.
“It has been driven mainly on weekend cruises and meticulously maintained,” the listing concludes.
The seller is asking $15,000. To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
“The Eldorado was succeeded by the CTS coupe beginning in 2003, so this 28,000-mile example could very well represent one of the best-kept remaining examples from the final model year.”
I struggle with the correlation of the highlighted statement.
I have a 1997 Cadillac Eldorado ETC with less than 79,000 original miles … there are scratches on the black paint, but interior is great, everything works on the car except for one thing … an electrician pin pointed the problem, a short in the Heater/A/C Module, it still works, but that needs to be replaced, and then the car is great, and with new paint, perfect … this car would be a great car for parts for another Eldorado ETC, or vise-versa … right now this, car when not in use, needs to stay on a charger, that is plugged into electricity, and then the car will start, otherwise, the car will not start, unless it is jumped. I was wondering who would be interested in buying such a car, and possibly find new Heater/ A/C Module and replace the old one, then car would be great!!! One thing, that was done around 68,000 miles, the engine valves were ground, and it was like an over-hauled engine, that can go 200,000 mileages without any engine problems … this was my Mom’s car, now, mine, it was my Dad’s decision to spend $8,600.00 on engine, because he wanted the car to live on for a longer time than he would … I am a Lincoln man, so this beautiful car is not what I would like, I have only driven it maybe 5,000 miles, because I do not travel very much in the last 16 years … My Mom would like me to fix the car, but finding the part as mentioned above, is not easy for me to do … I take care of her, and she will soon be a vile ant 92 year young Wonderful Mom … And, I would like to find and owner who would love this car, and be able to fix this car for future use!!! Do, you know of anyone who would be interest in this 1997 Cadillac Eldorado ETC, Black on Black Beauty!!! Please email me at: cclarkbbgmail.com … thank you!!!
C Clark this is not a site for you to use to try & sell your car. Put it on Auto Trader.
I like the Coupe without the vinyl top. Not a fan of white. It’s a comfortable car for an old lady but lacks handling and response from the Northstar power. It’s great for going slow and straight.
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