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Cadillac’s bold moves during an economic slump in 1975 improved sales over 1974. The chief achievement was the new Seville, a Nova-sized sedan notable for its luxury fittings and hefty $12,479 price tag. The Eldorado, meanwhile, continued to be successful with 44,752 sold in 1975. The vast majority were coupes, and Cadillac announced that 1976 would be the last year for the vast soft top Eldorado convertible. The 1975 Eldorado lost its rear fender skirts, the grille became a bold egg-crate design, and the rear quarter windows were enlarged and extended down to the rear fender line. Parking and turn signals were relocated to the front bumper.
Despite the high-energy ignition and optional fuel injection instead of a 4-barrel carburetor, the 500 cid V8 was quoted as a dismal 190 net horsepower for 1975. The Eldorado’s Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission still featured a side-by-side setup with the engine, and a unique internal chain drive. Front suspension was by torsion bar with rear coil springs and a self-leveling option.
The Custom Cabriolet package continued for the Eldorado Coupe, with a “halo” half vinyl roof that featured a chrome bar across the top. Behind it was padded vinyl and ahead of it was a sunroof, set in the painted roof.
The 1975 Eldorado was available with an optional leather interior (standard on the convertible) and a bench front seat with folding center armrest. Automatic climate control was now standard, along with power door locks, a 6-way power adjustable seat, an AM/FM stereo radio, and steel-belted radial tires.
Popular options included automatic leveling, padded vinyl roof, power sunroof, tilt/telescopic steering column, remote trunk release, rear window defogger, AM/FM stereo with 8-track, cruise control, tinted glass, heated front seats, and automatic headlight dimmer.
Cadillac climbed to 9th place in the U.S. market, ahead of Chrysler, AMC, Lincoln, and Imperial. Chrysler finally gave up on Imperial this year, canceling a marque that dated back to 1927.

1974 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Convertible Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.

This generation of Cadillac Eldorado is differentiated further from its E-body Oldsmobile Toronado sibling by the fact that it was available through 1976 as a convertible as well as two-door hardtop. The car grew in size and weight, but the 500 Cad motor lost horsepower every year due to ever tightening emission standards and crude emissions equipment. Performance was dulled but not ruined, though fuel economy sank to new lows.
Interestingly, the 1973 Cadillac Eldorado convertible was chosen as the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car for 1973. 566 of these pace cars were built, 33 of which were used on the track with the remaining cars sold to the public (one for each dealership). The final 200 1976 Eldorado convertibles were designated as Bicentennial Specials, colored in white with red and blue pinstripes. In 1976, the Biarritz name once again surfaced as an options package, including a brushed stainless roof appliqué which mirrored that of the original four-door 1957-1958 Eldorado Broughams.