1967-1979

Cadilac entered the personal luxury car fray with the new Eldoraro for 1967. Promoted as the ‘personal Cadillac’, it shared the E-body with the second-generation Buick Riviera, and first gen Olds Toronado introduced the previous year. To ensure Eldorado was distinctive even from other Cadillacs, it adopted the Toronado's front-wheel drive setup referred to by General Motors as the Unified Powerplant Package. Equipped with Cadillac’s standard 429 V8 coupled to a GM THM425 Turbo-Hydramatic, the transmission placed the torque converter next to the gearbox - driving it through a motorcycle-style roller chain.

Performance was 0–60 mph in less than nine seconds and a top speed of 120 mph. Roadability and handling were highly praised in road test reviews, and sales were excellent despite high list prices. Its sales of 17,930 units helped give Cadillac its best year yet.

In 1968, the Eldorado received Cadillac's new 375 hp 472 cubic inch (7.7 liter) V8. Sales set another record at 24,528 Eldorados sold.

Read our article Cadillac - Standard of the World

For 1969 hidden headlamps were eliminated while in 1970 Cadillac introduced a 500 cubic inch (8.2 liter) V8. Cadillac's largest-ever production V8, and the largest ever in a mass produced car, rated at 400 hp (298 kW). The Eldorado wore ‘8.2litre’ badges on each flank to display to all the world that only one car possessed an engine larger than eight liters. The 500 cube V8 would remain an Eldorado exclusive until it became standard on all full size Cadillacs for the 1975 model year.

From 1976 Eldorado downsized to a 425 cubic inch V8, as did all other full sized Cadillacs. It continued with the front-drive platform and managed to sell in respectable numbers despite consumers moving away from big gas guzzlers. 1976 was the last year for the magnificent Eldorado convertible - making it an instant collectors item.

Tunnel Ram has curated a gallery of the best vintage print advertising images for the stunning Eldorado over the first decade or so of production. Take a look back at these images of the amazing front-wheel drive Eldorado that were the pinnacle of Cadillac style and prestige.