The 1990s were the last stand for the American Personal Luxury Coupe. At the beginning of the decade, there were luxo-coupes aplenty to choose from: Lincoln Mark VII (and the tasty LSC variant), Buick Riviera, Oldsmobile Toronado, Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar, and, of course, the Cadillac Eldorado. True, most of them were mere shadows of their Broughamy ’70s predecessors, but they were by and large still nice cars to drive and relax in. But first SUVs, and then crossovers (Note: “Crossover” is marketing-speak for “ugly wagon”) pushed them all off the cliff. The Cadillac Eldorado had the last gasp–or the last laugh, if you prefer to be optimistic.
The 1992 Eldorado was a more traditional two-door version of the beautiful “greyhound” 1992 Seville. It replaced the Mini-Me 1986-91 Eldorado, which started off bad in 1986-87 but became a pretty nice car with the 4.9 by 1991–its last year. The Biarritz was no more, factory carriage roofs and landau tops were gone, and the resulting new coupe was rather attractive, in a modern Cadillac kind of way.
It certainly had better proportions, but folks looking for button-tufted floating-pillow leather seats and electroluminescent opera lamps walked out of Caddy showrooms disappointed. Initial 1992 models were available only in standard Eldorado or sporty Eldorado Touring Coupe models. Eldorados received a bench seat, column shifter and stand-up wreath and crest; TCs got buckets, console and a grille-mounted wreath and crest. Both sported the reliable 4.9L V8.
That changed in 1993, when the Northstar became available. While certain models could still get the 4.9 through the 1995 model year, sporting Caddys like the Touring Coupe and Seville STS got the new engine. By the time this 2000 Eldo rolled off the line, you could have any engine you wanted, as long as it was the Northstar.
In 2000, Cadillac added the “ESC” logo to the standard Eldorado and the “ETC” logo for the Touring Coupe (for Eldorado Sport Coupe and Eldorado Touring Coupe, respectively). Now I can see why that might initially seem like a good idea, as abbreviations were running rampant by that time “Like my new TL? It has DSC, ABS, ACC and even DFGTREGTV!” Okay, I made that last one up. But you get the idea!
In 1997 both Eldos got a mild refresh, with new grilles, bumpers and some interior changes as well, mostly to the sew style of the upholstery and a redesigned center console. I believe the interior color of the featured ESC is “Oatmeal.” It was similar to the Cappucino Cream used in 1995-96, which was just a bit lighter than the classic butter-yellow leather that had been available in Cadillacs from the mid-’70s through 1991.
At the time these cars were new, I was working part-time at my dad’s office, microfilming closed claim files. Horst-Zimmerman Cadillac-Pontiac-Oldsmobile-Honda was right across the street, so many times I would wander around the showroom on my lunch hour, drooling over the Cadillacs. One in particular I really remember was an ESC in Bronzemist (a really pretty color, seldom seen at the time) with this Oatmeal leather interior. It was about $50K as I recall. A beautiful car. I would always linger over it, then grab an Eldorado brochure and wander back over to the office.
Upon their debut these Eldorados were relatively common around here, but starting in about, oh, let’s say 1998, their numbers started to dwindle. Now that I think about it, it was around the time the Navigator, then the Escalade debuted. Coupes were a throwback, and the big honkin’ SUV was the personal luxury coupe of the Oughts. Philistines.
One by one, the Big Three luxo-coupes dropped off the map. The Toronado went first, in 1992, followed by the Riv in 1993. The Thunderbird and Cougar both got the axe in 1997, followed by their flossier cousin, the Mark VIII, in 1998. Against all odds, a new Riviera suddenly appeared in ’95, and was a beautiful car, but after the first year, sales dropped off and 1999 was the last year. By 2000, the Eldorado was the last Brougham standing.
But even it couldn’t last, and after a final special edition in 2002 (white with tan or red with black, recalling original 1953 Eldorado color combinations), the Eldorado finally left the scene. This very clean one was sitting on the same lot as the ’04 Mercury Monterey and the ’88 Chevy Celebrity CL, on the same day. Coupes may be a bit passé now, but they are coming back. I always thought the 2008-13 CTS Coupe should have been called Eldorado, and the new ’15 ATS coupe continues to offer two-door Cadillac Style for those who want it. But I really miss the Eldorado. They were special cars, and I’ll never forget that Bronzemist ESC sitting in the showroom of Horst-Zimmerman.
So the chrome on the license plate surround says “Eldorado” and then the car would have badges that said “ESC” or “ETC”. To me that meant that it was an Eldorado Eldorado Sport Coupe” and an “Eldorado Eldorado Touring Coupe.” 😉
I lusted hard after these as a teenager.
I always think “Eldorado Etcetera” and “Eldorado Escape”.
That could make a good Monty Python sketch. I am picturing John Cleese as the salesman.
“Hi, I’d like to see an Eldorado Eldorado Sport Coupe.”
“Ah, I’m sorry, we only have an Eldorado Eldorado Touring Coupe. Would you like to see the Eldorado Eldorado Touring Coupe?”
“Sorry, no, I am set on an Eldorado Eldorado Sport Coupe. I read a review of the Eldorado Eldorado Sport Coupe and I feel the Eldorado Eldorado Sport Coupe is a better choice for me than the Eldorado Eldorado Touring Coupe.”
“So sorry we don’t have one. Would you like me to telephone you when we receive an Eldorado Eldorado Sport Coupe in our inventory?”
“Yes, that would be very nice. Please do call me when you receive an Eldorado Eldorado Sport Coupe, and I will toddle on down directly to inspect the Eldorado Eldorado Sport Coupe and test-drive the Eldorado Eldorado Sport Coupe.”
“Very good sir. Good day.”
“Good day!”
Nice looker,GM imported a few to Britain but sales were dismal(after service wasn’t good either with poor workmanship and long waits for parts) and they pulled out for a few years.There were few takers for an expensive LHD V8 car and most UK testers hated it especially the” lumbar support” which Jeremy Clarkson described as like having a potato inside your shirt.
Another American car I know little about as Cadillacs aren’t really my cup of tea,at the time these were new I wanted a Mustang,Camaro or Firebird.
Sounds like the seat-building line misread the spec sheet, and put in lumber support instead!
” folks looking for button-tufted floating-pillow leather seats and electroluminescent opera lamps walked out of Caddy showrooms”
Slowly, and probably with a walker and some assistance.
Pretty car. I really really miss mine. I had a 98 in Shale with light Shale interior.
I was happy that it was one of the only years that didn’t have the electronic struts as standard equipment. I didn’t want to worry about replacing a set of $1000.00 struts if the time came.
Someday I’d like to add a 2001 or 2002 ETC to the fleet.
Something about this car keeps putting me in mind of the later Rover 800 Coupe, especially in side profile.
It could just be the kind of national bias that gets a lot of North Americans likening *any* two box hatch to a Yugo of course 😉 but there’s something about the stance, proportions and silhouette that feels very similar to me.
Another nearly but not quite car from Rover.If the build quality and reliability was better they’d have had a great car.
hm, not sure it would ever have qualified as “great”: Rovers were pretty much rebadged, less well built Hondas by that point after all. Not especially exciting. It’s just what the ESC put me in mind of, visually.
I was thinking that, and was going to post exactly you point!
They had a pretty decent interior, with some good materials, a step ahead of regular Rovers. But they were still Rover 800s……..
I borrowed a Rover 800 Coupe to drive to Cornwall and back when it was new (the car, not Cornwall), and it was far and away the most “American” European car I’ve ever driven, both in terms of the driving feel (a bit abstract) and the bordello interior. Memorable to have done it once, I guess.
I’ve always liked these Eldos, although I much prefer the 1992-1996 pre-facelift. I like the chrome-surround grille and body side trim better. The only styling feature that drives me crazy about this Eldorado is how the square rear window meets the obnoxiously large C-pillar.
I remember this was one of the playable cars in Midtown Madness, which for those of you who don’t know, was a computer game where the main objective was driving around.
I have never liked the C – pillar on these. The 95 Riviera was a much nicer design except that the interior was much cheaper.
+1 – I always thought these were rather awkward looking in profile. For some reason it looks like the roof was designed by one person/team, while another group was responsible for the remainder of the car. My PhotoShop skills aren’t good enough for me to show what I mean but I think these would have looked better if the C pillar were thinner and the rear side glass bigger. These are handsome cars but could have been better looking.
I think that they were trying for a retro first generation FWD Eldorado C-pillar. While the 67 Eldorado looks right, this one does not carry it off the same.
Just did this quick photoshop. It’s sloppy, but you get the idea.
They did make a couple of “open window” mock ups, but they looked too much like 2 door Sevilles and not enough like Eldorados, they felt that the thick C-pillar gave the Eldorado a family continuity.
Autos of Interest had an interview with designer Dick Ruzzin about the 1992 Eldorado. It’s a good read. Lots of concept photos.
http://autosofinterest.com/2013/08/09/design-notes-1992-cadillac-eldorado-part-1/4/
Thanks Carmine! I forgot about Autos of Interest. I’ve visited it before for several other pieces in the past.
I think that both the Riviera and Eldorado were a trifle too big for the time. Large two door coupes were just not quite the thing. Your photoshop looks better, but too much like the Seville. I think that the rear window could have been done with less slope perhaps.
That pillar is awkward, but better looking than GM’s efforts of the previous five-or-so years.
What I can’t come to terms with is that heavy-looking deep rear bumper – it looks like a wet diaper!
yes Midtown Madness! I wondered if anyone else would make that connection. i put lots of miles on virtual ETC’s racing around downtown Chicago as a teenager haha
They need to make a reboot of midtown madness. Though I guess GTA has filled the role somewhat.
+1 sorta. The rake of the C pillar itself isn’t the issue…like you said, the narrow rectangular quarter window looks craptastic with the rake of the rear window.
Im gonna pull a Zackman here and say that this car would’ve worked BEAUTIFULLY if it were reworked into a pillarless hardtop.
My first car was a 2000 etc. Still miss it. I’ve had other Cadillacs after but none have been as stylish.
These cars handled well for their size and were relaxing to drive. They were also one of the fastest cars on the road at the time. Never had any issues with mine.
I’ve seen a couple of these recently, both black and in remarkable condition. Whatever engineering issues these may have suffered, at least they were decent lookers. The styling isn’t perfect, but it still holds up. Much better than the final Lincoln Mark coupes, and it carries a recognizable Cadillac “look”.
There is a “buy here, pay here” lot on the other side of town that has 4 or 5 Eldorados and as many Sevilles of this vintage…a couple are advertised as having under 100K miles. Colors are mixed and if don’t see an Eldo or Seville in “your” color, this is one area to find it in someone’s driveway.
I’ll never understand why Cadillac went to an intials shorthand for it’s model names. Besides being a bit redundant as has already been pointed out, some of the “names” evoked the wrong idea. Example: De ville Touring Sedan…..DTS (something I associate with binge drinking and the subsequent hangover).
It’s funny how the Cadillac abbreviations had other meanings elsewhere….The Eldorado ESCape and ETCetera, there was a DeVille DHS too, even before the Dept. of Homeland Security was established, the Seville STS was also shared with the Space Shuttle missions, which were STS-and the mission number.
DeVille High School? Aiming at a younger demographic than the traditional Caddy buyer?
I think that the Seville Turing Sedan in the late 80’s was a winner, although probably the 92 design really established it as the high end Cadillac. Anyway I think that the STS became a wanted model name and then Cadillac started to come up with three letter names for the Eldorado’s too. They did not carry this idea into the Deville line until later. With the CTS’s introduction Cadillac floated an explanation of how the letters were supposed to work. The first letter was a class designation – the Cts was a lower end model than the Sts. One also assumes that the SRX and the STS were equivalent models, with the CTS a lower end. Then the CTS was upgraded in 2008(?) to the second generation and kind of replaced the STS, with the current 3rd generation upgraded to the STS class.
However, the XLR was a sports car and the current XTS replaces the Deville, and this makes no sense whatsoever. So there really is no standard for choosing the three letters as far as I can tell. The TS should stand for Turing Sedan, but the front wheel drives should really be considered Luxury Sedans, not sports sedans, which is what the touring should imply.
Cadillac revises their names at intervals. The prewar convention changed in 1936 with the introduction of the Series 60 (low end), with higher numbers for the Fleetwoods. After the war, the DeVille name sort of worked its way into the lineup. The Series number were dropped in 1965, although the Series 60 Special hung on.
Speaking of Personal Luxury Coupes with Front Wheel Drive and Unitized Body Construction, the 1992-2000 Cadillac Eldorado looked rather similar to the similar sized 1995-99 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
I was thinking the exact same thing, the two are much too similar. The Caddy has a nice interior but is far too bland and generic on the outside for a car costing that much. I like the looks of the Rover much more!
Here is the coupes 4 Door Sedan counterparts. 1995 Chevrolet Lumina 4 Door Sedan and the 1998 Cadillac Seville 4 Door Sedan.
While I wouldn’t go so far as to say they look nothing alike – I mean, they’re both 2 door coupes (the first pair) and 4 door sedans (the second), in similar sizes, and the Eldo and MC do have triangular C pillars – the Chevys have much rounder shapes, and I’d say much less refined looking. I’ve never really thought they looked similar at all, certainly not like the N cars and E coupes from the late ’80s.
Front Wheel Drive and Unitized Body Construction is frankly all I see in common between them, and that’s coming from someone who thinks most GMs look the same from this era.
I also wouldn’t call the W body Monte Carlo personal luxury. It was a 2 door Lumina, plain and simple(and I really mean PLAIN and SIMPLE), the personal luxury Monte Carlo died with the G body.
Also their Overall Length. The 1995-02 Cadillac Eldorado measured at 200.6″ while the 1995-99 Chevrolet Monte Carlo measured at 200.7″. Their wheelbase were almost nearly the same as well. 108.0″ for the Eldo and 107.5″ for the Monte. Height almost ditto 54.0″ for the Eldo and 53.8″ for the Monte. Only their width had a slightly wider differences since the Eldo was 75.5″ while the Monte was 72.5″ Source of Info: Wikipedia and the 1995-02 Cadillac Eldorado Sales Brochure along with the 1995-99 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Sales Brochure. But as you guys were mentioning, those were the similarities ends as well.
I really don’t see any resemblance between the two. One has crisp, straight lines, the other is very jelly bean shaped.
It would make you wonder whether they were sisters under the skin.
YES Cadillac had a conservative look while Chevrolet had a sportier look.
Oh my goodness ! Those rims, those horrible overhangs, what were they thinking ? Well, at least it doesn’t have a red whorehouse interior….
Just kidding. It’s my favorite US car from the nineties. I liked the Seville from that era too, but this looks more American. A fat C-pillar, vertical tail lights and large doors. Officially brought to us by GM, along with other contemporary models like the Buick Park Avenue and the Pontiac Firebird.
It was not unusual to read tests and reviews of US cars in the magazines and books in the nineties. I remember reading about the Seville and the Eldorado, the Mustang, the Thunderbird and the Lincoln Continental. The Seville stood out for its styling, handling and especially its Northstar.
Now I think of it, what a wide choice of European, Japanese and American D- and E-segment cars we had 20 years ago. All gone in less than two decades, just a few brands left.
It just took me a few seconds to find an Eldorado. Registered in the Netherlands in december 1997 as a brand new car. I like the color combination, dark green metallic with a tan interior. Just € 4,500.
I’d never heard of this generation Seville/STS being referred to as the “greyhound”, but I totally get that. While I liked the details that differentiated the Eldorado from the Seville, somehow the Seville’s proportions worked better in profile. While the FWD roots are evident, they don’t bother me at all on the Seville, but I think the Eldo suffers somewhat.
I’m sure the fat, triangular C pillar was meant to recall the ’67 Eldo, but with a larger rear side window. I liked it, but overall, the Seville just worked better in my eyes.
One of the main characters in the movie “The Drop” drives one of these. Good movie, just opened this weekend, go see it!
Yes, the Seville was “the greyhound” and the Eldorado was “the needle”!
The Seville’s wheelbase was increased to 111″ in ’92, but the Eldorado remained at 108″, a mistake IMO, even if the A pillar had stay close to the wheel for structural reasons.
Saw one last week in traffic wondered what it was now I know I tried to follow it but it accelerated away before I could get any decent shots my Hillman makes a lousy chase car for things like this.
I didn’t like these at all when they first came out…odd as I did really like the Seville. Something about the triangular C-pillar just put me off it. As time has gone on, though, I’ve warmed up to the design. And it had quite a long lifespan for a modern car–11 years with only a mild refresh? That’s almost Panther-class longevity.
I still like the Mark VIII better. I owned one and loved it, and hope to own another at some point. And I think it’s no comparison on the interior (at least once they realized that real wood was needed to complete the VIII, which came in for ’94 or ’95). Nothing wrong with the Eldo but it looks very sedate compared to the dramatic Lincoln design. But nonetheless I now have a respect for these Eldorados, and might be inclined to take one home at some point if the situation was right. This is a nice-looking featured example; red was really their best color in my opinion.
+1 on the Lincoln Mk VIII,not as nice as a Mk VII but still an attractive car.
These Eldorados were pretty good looking, if they had the guts of a Lincoln Mark VIII(chassis, engine, interior) I’d probably seek one out for myself. Speaking of Marks, anyone else think these look like a slightly more modern take on the Lincoln Mark VII + a few Cadillac signature touches?
I think I’ve seen one with the hood ornament, but lots of the ones with the grill mounted emblem.
One with a 4.9 would be neat to have and I’ve thought about getting one of the newer ones, but I always worry about the Northstar blowing up and I pass.
The RWD northstar is a much better choice, but requires either an SRX or STS.
I remember a younger but fairly well-off businessman in my hometown had one of these in that 90s dark green (a little pine-ier than the 70s dark green shade).
He would tear around in it. While I have an enduring love for the wedding cake Eldo convertible, these last models probably came closest to the original FWD ’67-’70 in combining personal luxury and speed without incorporating touches (e.g. button-tufting) that were better suited to the big sedans. Full circle, in some ways.
Like the ’93-’96 Fleetwood and ’94-’99 DeVilles, they also carried on the old Cadillac touches while presaging the A&S to come. I didn’t like them at the time as much as the old Cadillac look, but now consider them much better looking than what came afterward; they would still look fairly modern today.
@ Brendan Saur, you actually had made a very interesting photoshop since now it could either pass for a FWD H-Body 1986-90 Buick LeSabre or Oldsmobile Delta 88.
I remember these, and I still like them. I’ve always wondered why they didn’t do a coupe version of the Oldsmobile Aurora. Again, like the Sevilles (and STS), I consider the pre-facelift cars to be better looking. I think that holds true for most modern cars; I like the first Mark VIII rather than the facelift, but the FoMo coupes break that trend for me. I like the last years of the MN12 ThunderCougar the best. At least they don’t look as dated. 😕
I like this Eldorado (and Seville!) quite a bit, although the meeting of the rear fender and the rear deck lid has always bothered me.
In the initial Car & Driver review, Jean Lindamood observed that while the rear fender was slightly raised from the deck lid as an homage to tail fins of previous decades, it is raised so slightly, a quarter-inch or so, that it more accurately evokes the bad panel fit of previous decades. I could never get that appraisal out of my head.
Still probably my favorite Cadillac design of that decade and one of my favorite Cadillac designs in general. Driving one of these at least once is definitely a bucket list thing for me.