UPP Powered: 1968 Cadillac Eldorado 52K Survivor – SOLD!

April 15, 2021 Update – while the seller just deleted this “Classifind” ad earlier this week, given the seller’s past history we suspect may not actually be sold yet.  For now, we’re labeling this ride “Sold?” However, we will keep an eye out for an updated listing. In the interim, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

March 22, 2021 Update – After a two-week lull letting their last Craigslist ad expire, we came across a new listing for this ’68 Eldorado that is yet another duplicate of the past several months, right down to the $18,500 asking price.

February 14 Update – We just came across a fresh listing and the current caretaker, who may in fact be the original owner.  This latest ad is a duplicate of the prior months and this time the price remains at $18,500.

January 23, 2021 Update – We just came across a fresh listing and the current caretaker, who may in fact be the original owner, just lowered their asking price again to $18,500 which is nine large less than the original ask.

December 10th Update – This latest Craigslist ad confirms the private seller is still looking for the next caretaker of their gold ’68 Cadillac Eldorado.  A $4,400 price reduction from $27,900 to $23,500 in this latest listing should get the attention of more buyers.

September 28th Update – Sometimes we get a bit ahead of the seller’s intentions.  In the case of this ’68 Eldorado, the private seller needed more time to write and post an updated Craigslist ad for his Caddy with the asking price still at $27,900 despite no takers during the original month-long ad.

September 17th Update – While preparing for our latest Free For All Friday feature, we confirmed the original Craigslist ad for the ’68 Cadillac Eldorado expired earlier this week. With no other fresh listing found, we’re assuming this classic Caddy sold.

One year after Oldsmobile stunned the automotive world with its innovative front-wheel-drive Toronado personal luxury hardtop in 1966, Cadillac followed suit by offering an all-new stylish Eldorado built on the same Unified Powerplant Package (“UPP”) platform. Arguably one of the most original examples of this generation of Eldorado might be this 1968 survivor-quality Eldorado first listed on Craigslist in the Fall of 2020 in Montclair, New Jersey with only 52K original miles and a revised asking price of $18,500, which is $9,000 less than their original ask of $27,900.   Comparing this price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller has his Eldorado is now priced between the #2 “Excellent” estimate of $22,300 and #3 “Good” appraisal of $12,200.

Hagerty Insurance provides a great summary of these late-sixties, front-wheel-drive, Cadillac personal luxury hardtops:

“The second year front-wheel-drive 1968 Cadillac Eldorado changed little on the outside but received some serious mechanical updates. Chief among these was a new 375 brake horsepower 472 cubic inch V-8 engine which was necessary, the company said because so many cars were ordered with numerous accessories. Sales took a 36 percent jump to 24,528 units, which was particularly gratifying when Oldsmobile’s Toronado stayed flat at 22,497. Lincoln’s new Continental Mk III was launched in April as an early 1969 model, hoping for a longer sales period.

Externally, the Eldorado’s already long hood was extended another 4.5 inches to make room for concealed wipers, and turn signals were moved to the forward edge of the front fenders, instead of in the front bumper. Side marker lights were added, and the rear ones cunningly hid within Cadillac wreaths.

The Eldorado offered variable-ratio power steering and automatic rear leveling as standard equipment. Suspension was by torsion bars in front and leaf springs at the rear, which was softened for a smoother ride. The wheelbase remained 120 inches, and weight was a hefty 4580 lbs.

As before, the 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission was effectively split. The torque converter and 3-speed automatic transmission were beside the engine and connected by a chain drive.

Internally, the new engine received thicker castings, improved crankshaft stiffness, redesigned piston rings, larger bearing areas and longer piston skirts, all aimed at longer engine life. The distributor was moved to the front of the block and oil filter and pump were now mounted on the engine as a separate unit. Magazine road tests showed the Eldorado was slightly faster than in 1967, with 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds and a quarter-mile in 16.8 seconds at 84 mph.

The Eldorado was again available with leather bucket seats as an option or a bench seat with folding center armrest. Options included air conditioning, tilt steering column, remote trunk release, AM/FM radio, vinyl roof, power seat, power door locks, front disc brakes, cruise control, tinted glass, heated front seats, and automatic headlight dimmer.

Cadillac sales increased for the fourth straight year in 1968, selling five times as many cars as Lincoln.”

Based on the pictures provided, this Eldorado appears to be a nice time capsule of late-sixties Cadillac personal luxury.  Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“One Owner
Only 52k Miles
Garage Kept
No Paint or Body Work
All Original Interior
472 cu. in. V8 Motor
Front Wheel Drive“

Do you have an Eldorado story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!