My 1981 Cadillac Eldorado 5.7L Diesel
This is my rolling monument to GM stupidity... It is currently unrestored, but has had repairs from being stolen... it does have its original Burgundy Metallic paint on the doors, though the hood, trunk and fenders were repainted.
Even unmodded, it made AutoBlog's Reader Ride of the Day
And, the saga that goes with this car made it on Cadillac's site MyCadillacStory...
A listing of my big changes:
Exterior: None
Interior: None
Electronics: Wired for CB, Sony 3x10 rear deck, 4x6 front speakers w/OEM head unit (old speakers were stolen)
"Performance": Touring Package tires (225/70R15 tires), Performance Friction pads on stock 4-rotor brakes, K&N Air Filter.
And don't forget to drop me a line in the guestbook...
Oh, and for a distraction, here's a link to my other pages:
My '04 Pontiac GTO
The Family '02 TrailBlazer
As-delivered with the 5.7 L Diesel option; Cadillac only made 11,765 Eldos with the diesel (VIN Code N) option in 1981. This was purchased by my family as new in '81.
It is probably the only Diesel (yes,
Diesel) Cadillac in Western NY.
Not many of these engines remain because many owners converted to the 6.0L gas version shortly after buying the car. The engine was a diesel-specific design; but the engineers didn't specify upgraded head bolt hardware for the 22:1 compression of the motor. The end result: blown heads.
The engine makes a grand total of 105 HP, although it did fulfill its intended mission; it made upwards of 25 MPG on the highway. I use it more frequently these days, but mostly as a summer ride. It has little rust, and I want to keep it that way... ;)
The interior is stock; the seats are crushed velvet (with seat covers, presently). The original 8-track tape as delivered has been replaced with an OEM regular cassette unit.
A quick shot of my engine bay - and for those looking closely, yes, there are TWO batteries in the car - one in each corner. Turning over this engine requires serious juice!
As for the latest - the diesel fuel, after 14 years of slowly working its way through - finally ate up the rear bumper filler panel.
I'm now in the process of getting the car redone - as the last body shop that worked on the car only epoxied the Eldorado emblems on the sides of the roof - and they have since fallen off, taking paint with them (GRR!).
