VikingBlue

A relative is considering buying either a 69 Deville convertible and a 76 Eldorado convertible. Per several references the value of these is the same if condition is the same.

Both cars are in good operating condition. Everything works. Which one of the two would be expected to be more reliable, cheaper to fix and easier to obtain parts for if needed in the future ?

Rickman48

Having been a Cadillac partsman a while back, I prefer rear-drive, myself.
Both motors are basically the same, but the '69 should have 10 to 1 or better compression - can be changed with later heads, set up for unleaded.
The Eldo's already set for unleaded, but that Cat was very ineffient - get some duals, ['74 - bolts right on!] re-curve the distributor, and re-jet the carb = 15-17 mpg, as my '75 limo did!

rocketraider

I'd go for the 69 over the 76, but that's me.

There was a lot of hoopla over the 76 being the last American convertible and a lot of folks bought them at sticker expecting to cash in down the road. Didn't happen.

Plus the 71-76 were just a little too "Elvisy" to suit me. That and pimps loved them- think Superfly headlights and trunk straps. Those cars were over the top even for the 70s.

MDchanic

The '69 is a classic.

The '76 is an imitator.

- Eric

droldsmorland

Had a 71 Eldo vert Blue Blue White with the 500...Burn both front tires as far as you wanted. What a sweet car. Like riding your couch down the road. Car had every option offered. But the 69 is one cool ride too. I guess if I had to choose the two Id lean towards the 69. Im stuck in 68-69. The color would be a desider too Red 69 vs white 76 go red! Both about the same to fix as far as cost. Some of the Eldo front end parts are getting hard to find like lower ball joints etc...Cadi has standard front end. Count on the Eldo needing lower BJs or half shafts if the boots are gone.

VikingBlue

some good info. the 69 is white and there are actually 2 76s he's looking at...a red one and a black one.

The 76 500ci motor is rated at under 200hp...how slow is this yacht ?

droldsmorland

The only thing the 76 engine has going for it besides the fact it’s a 500 is torque. There is a few companies who specialize in Caddi hi-po parts. These things can be made into some big ground-pounders with some head, cam, headers and piston mods. You can ring 4-450HP out of a 500 with ease. Of course now you’re gonna be blowing the half shafts and chain drives at that HP. These companies have upgrades for these items as well if that’s the route you chose.

Destructor

I had a 72 Eldo as my first daily driver in the mid 90’s and a 71 Coupe Deville as my weekend pleasure vehicle. I loved both cars. By the mid 70’s the overall quality of Caddies went down. On both my Caddies there was almost no plastic on the exterior and the interiors held up very well, mid 70’s had lots of plastic. From my observations the mid 70’s Caddies interiors started to crack sooner than the early 70’s. Mechanically they are all similar but the 76 will have more pollution control.

Rickman48

Drive any Cadillac with 500 CI, and 200 hp [advertised] is a joke!
A 75 limo, with the rear air behind the seat, weighed around 6000 lbs, and with the converter 'drained', a dist. re-curve, and slightly bigger jets, was a top-end screamer!
Drove it over 100k without any problems.

Destructor

The rear end of the old Caddies look like they came out of a truck. I loved driving my Deville, my Eldo was fun too but the Deville had a rebuilt front and rear suspension, they actually are not all that "boaty" with all new suspension components, and yes they do haul.

Highwayman

Assuming I heard the announcement correctly, one of the Power Block shows on Spike is going to be doing a performance build on a 500ci Caddy next weekend. Sounds interesting.

Destructor

I'd go with the 69