Last of the "Mastodon" Cadillacs: The 1978 Eldorado & Its Strange Features, Quirks & Idiosyncrasies

My Uncle Bill, dad’s brother, always had Eldorados. In passing my dad said to him once, “hey if you find a clean one let me know.” Several years later, circa 1986, Bill who lived in Georgia and we had just moved to Massachusetts called and said he bought dad a 78 bronze Eldorado. Naturally mom was less than thrilled, especially because with dad’s work schedule she had to fly down to Atlanta and drive it back herself. Lol. I always loved the fiber optics you mentioned, they were a nice touch. My older sister eventually drove the car in high school, she could fit a lot of her friends in that car. Last story, it was snowing like hell one time and dad had taken it to work. They were shutting Route 9 down and dad pulls up to the cop and says “my house is a mile up the road, I’ll make it.” The cop was skeptical but let him go, and that Eldorado trudge up the Rt 9 like nothing. Oh and seeing the tread on those tires really opened up the memories. Great old dinosaurs

Started my long and hard life as a Dealership Tech in 1973 19 year old kid. At Heritage Cadillac ,Atlanta Georgia. I started as a porter. Imagine 22 or 23 year old delivering brand new ELDOS to customers in and around Miami from the ATL. with a return airline ticket. Leave ATL Friday afternoon. Be in Miami to see the sunrise Saturday morning. Probably made the trip at least 10 times. Taking girls with me. Calling in sick on Monday from south Florida. Had a great understanding boss. And lots of people looking at a long haired hippie in brand new Cadillacs. What a great start to a long and hard career turning wrenches.

My first new car was a 1978 Eldorado Biarritz - All Red with a white roof and rose-tinted astroroof. The car was perfection. Nobody could believe a factory stereo (much less 8-track) could sound that good. Even the factory-installed CB Radio was adorned with a Cadillac crest. Very tasteful and understated. Nothing was visible except the microphone and coiled cord that clipped on the dash, below the radio. As one comment notes, the car was unbelievable in the snow. 1978 was a banner snow year in Indiana. I got on I-65 just as it was being closed due to snow and drifting. I drove at the speed limit all the way to West Lafayette, without incident. And the presence! No modern cars come close to the presence that car had short of a Bentley or Rolls-Royce at 6-50 X the price, AFTER you adjust for inflation.

For decades all i drove was gm land yachts with at least 6' long front ends ! Those were the days my friend !

That closeup of the faux woodgrained dash gave me flashbacks to the 70's, when even then I thought it looked plastic-y and cheap. Thanks for another great article.

I'm a proud owner of an all white 1978 Eldorado Biarritz. It was my first car back in 1984. Just got its twin back in June of 2023. Absolutely love it. These are land yachts. They're very, very rare!!

My mother had a 1978 Eldorado Biarritz triple white, this exact car as far as I remember. A 5500lb 2 door and the largest front wheel drive 2 door at the time and probably still. I used it for the prom great memories. The fiber optics were great, you always knew you had brake lights and turn signals without getting out of the car or using a spotter. The auto dim headlights never worked for shit, I remember people always flashing me to turn them down before the sensor kicked in. The cornering lamps were great, really light up the shoulder when you turned the turn signal on. The seats were great too, like sitting on a sofa. I don't remember the wiper controls ever being an issue. The auto leveling worked great, it would even kick in on crowned roads. This car was really advanced for it's time.

We owned a 78 Eldorado in these exact colors - only difference was that ours had the sunroof. Nice car.

I love this channel - just putting that out to the universe.

As an owner of a 1978 ElDorado, it is nice to see these cars finally getting some recognition. I have owned mine for 22 years and can attest to the fact that these cars are a pleasure to drive and easy to maintain, I have had very few major repairs over the years. Finding good storage for these vehicles can be a challenge due to their length.

The best thing about the Biarritz is the seats. Most comfortable seats ever made by a factory. Owned over 40 of these, mostly 78's with the moon roof, another great option. Growing up in Minnesota, the FWD was another great thing in the winter. Extremely hard to get stuck. I have also put a 78 Biarritz onto a 76 Deville frame. Nothing better than seeing a RWD 78 Eldo smoking the rear tires! Love the channel

The sheer size of the trunk on these is mind-boggling…. These Caddies have bigger trunks than many cars do hoods.

As a teenager in the late 70's I remember thinking of these as the "bizarrist" Cadillac. Remember the similar Tornado Trofeo with the squared off rear window?

The 1978 Eldorado and Toronado may have been extreme opulence but that was the era. When the 1979 models came out there was an absolute rush for them.

​I grew up with my uncles owning these, mostly Tornados. My Dad always wanted one but he was the youngest of 6 brothers and missed out at the time. Stunning cars! I remember drooling over the Tornados.... front wheel drive was new and crazy but made sense in Canada as we have winter 5 months of the year.

"Back in the day" a buddy of mine had one of these for a few months (he was "flipping" it). Sort of a cinnamon color. I drove it to experience it. A true "barge". Glad I got to, though!

Every vehicle needs to have auto dimming headlights. Many people these days don't seem to understand how blinding oncoming traffic is dangerous.

I used to just discount the 77 and 78 eldos, with their smaller 425 vs the earlier 500... But frankly I quite like some of the changes made for these model years, especially those vertical taillights! Who doesn't love those big pillowy button tufted seats.

As a Cadillac dealer parts counterman straight out of high school, I sold hundreds of hood-mounted (spring) wreath & crest emblems. They were popular to steal much to the frustration of the owners. Great video!

You are in good company with your reference to the "PRNDL" - Eva Gabor referred to the shift quadrant in the exact same way on an episode of Green Acres.