This was the last large GM convertible actually built at a GM plant...the later '80's convertibles were hardtops shipped off and converted by American Sunroof (ASC). As such, for economy of scale at the plants, all the structure above the beltline - the cowl, windshield frame, Dutchman panel, all the glass, and the top, were shared by all the '71 and up big GM convertibles...I have a '75 Grand Ville whose top is partially from a wrecked Eldo, used when I rehabbed the top. Also, since these were 'scissor' tops where the top rails folded beside each other behind the seat instead of alongside it, the side rails hinge inwards at different points so the top looks broken when being retracted...fun to watch. This a beautiful Eldo...great colors

I was lucky enough to have driven one of these a few times in high school. A beautiful car.

I knew a guy that had a 71 ElDorado. That thing was like having a steering wheel built in to your sofa. I remember folks flocking to buy these when the message was made for no more ragtops. Tons of fun - literally....

Now you're talking!!! Back in the seventies my boss had a beautiful Cadillac Eldorado convertible & it was fun to drive & got tons of attention. The hood was huge & the hood ornament seemed like it was a mile away!!! Yes, that lever behind the steering wheel controls the telescopic wheel!!!! Thanks for sharing another exciting video!!! 👍👍

Variable ratio steering refers to the spacing on the teeth of the steering rack (the ratio) It makes the steering respond more at either end of the steering lock and less in the center. It makes the steering sharper in parking maneuvers when you’re turning the wheel more but less so on center to prevent too much steering input on the highway. As others have pointed out that slider on the wheel is for the telescope function. If you have it in the unlocked position it might make the steering feel different. It also isn’t a great idea. Airbags (meant to be worn instead of seatbelts) were available from ‘73 to ‘76 on the big GM models but weren’t ordered often and discontinued. But crash tests on KZfaq shows that GM at least tested them on smaller models, they just never sold them.

Back when these were rolling off the assembly line in 1976, people were buying the convertible thinking because this is the last convertible, it would be a good investment. GM resumed convertible production in 1983 and those Cadillac owners became apoplectic at the loss of value in their investment.

Hi Jay, I worked at a Cadillac Dealer in the past and have both worked on 1976 El Dorados there as well in an independent repair facility. I have also own a 1981 "D" body Cadillac now which I got for my parents back then and have inherited it now. I have never seen a Cadillac where you could adjust the steering feel at the steering column. GM had used the same basic steering column from 1969 to 1989. That adjustments behind the steering wheel is for the telescoping feature. I know because I have had to deal with them too many times to remember. I've had steering columns apart on 1976 El Dorados many times. In fact, I worked on a couple of the last convertibles, which were white in color. Forget about paying sticker price, the paid alot more. Next time you drive this car, move that lever to the left and see that you can now move the steering column away and towards you. I have a special tool I used to lock the steering columns so I could use a puller on the steering wheel. Infact, you have to remove the adjusting flange just to get the steering wheel nut off. Remove all doubt, check the owner's manual to see what it says that lever. If you look under the hood, you will notice that the engine is offset to the passenger side. The torque converter is in the normal place at the rear of the engine. There is a multi-link chain under that tin cover which connects the torque converter to the transmission directly in front of the driver's feet. The differential is bolted to the other end of the transmission. This makes it really offset. The drive axle on the driver's side is short, but on the passenger side there is a long extension, supported by a bearing in carrier and the passenger side axle attaches to it. Most front wheel drive cars have an axle arrangement like this. You didn't feel much torque steer on the Toranado and El Dorado because the cars are so darn heavy. If you want to feel real torque steer, find yourself an early to mid-70's Audi 100 or Fox. Also same as the Fow is the VW Dasher. These have equal length drive axles and these cars define torque steer. Oh, don't always believe everything you hear. Cadillacs had dual drive gear quadrants until 1981. I heard a guy tell another guy that if you shift it to the left drive position, that shifts it into overdrive. B.S. Cadillac and GM got it's first overdrive automatic(the 200R4) in 1981. With Cadillacs, you could only get it in a RWD car with a 4.1L V6. In Olds, you could get it with their 307 V8. Below, I have included the standard equipment and optional equipment lists for the 1976 El Dorado: automotivemileposts.com/eldorado/eldo1976optionalequipment.html automotivemileposts.com/eldorado/eldo1976standardequipment.html

Telescope steering...with tilt ...great options on a CADILLAC....Also had BOTH options on my 1982 Buick riveria convertible...(owned it for 16 years)..not available with the optional sport steering wheel ....Also With power pull-down trunk ....on a BUICK

yes please for the comparison of the Eldo vs Mark V

When I was a teenager in the mid 1970's a wealthy family I knew had 2 matching Caddy convertibles that were red, white, & blue bicentennial editions. At the time I thought they were the lamest cars ever. Now I wish I had one.

Restoring 1976 Eldorado. Everything I need is available and reasonable. I'm about 85% done and so far under $20,000. Still to go front end work and I have all the parts for about $500. Next is brand new landou half top for $650 including installation. One pin size rust below right side window that I'm gonna live with--darn!

Does not have a transaxle. It has the trans & diff which sits in from of the engine. The trans sits on the left side under the left manifold. That lever is to move the steering wheel closer to the diver or further away. Tilt & telescopic. The venerable steering changes with the speed.

The indicators on the front fender tops are fiber optics so that you can actually see if the bulbs are working.

My car first I ever bought was a 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado brouham coupe. My first year out of high-school hired by Fisher Body Lansing MI.. mine was the color of any five dollar bill in your pocket.

One of my favorite cars from the 70s. 1. is that the biggest ever displacement engine in an American car? 2. Is this the largest car from the era?

I'm late to the party but, you should know the variable steering was a design feature built into the steering gear box. The slide lock located behind the wheel on the column was used to lock the wheel at a comfortable distance from the driver. Driving your Cadillac or any car with telescoping steering left unlocked is an accident waiting to happen. That's even stated in the owners manual 😂

Did anyone notice the gentleman holding the helmet in the dark blue Lincoln Collectors Series Mark V add is a before Magnum PI Tom Selleck? Also the E body front drive train (OLDs) was robust enough to be used as the prime mover in the mid 70's GMC motor homes. The variable power steering is controlled by engine and vehicle speed, NOT the telescoping lever on the colum. And the first GM vehicle to get an air bag was the 1974 Olds Toronado, it also was the first model (1971-76) to get high mounted stop lamps. That hard cover for the stowed convertible is called a tonneau cover. I was lucky to be around when ALL the cars you mentioned were new. Thanks

I have seen older convertibles with coat hooks in the back on the side rails. Also seen some 50’s convertibles with a courtesy “dome” light built into the rear top rail…the rail going from side to side…so it was up and behind the back of people’s heads. I especially liked that feature as it was a great way to illuminate the backseat…better than those little lights down near the floor when you step inside.

It is a massive, beautiful vehicle! I think Cadillacs have such strong and beautiful presence, I think there's something I really love about certain models of them from every generation, the '65-'66 convertible as well as this '76 are probably at the top of my favorite Cadillacs. Great videos of incredible cars!👍😃 In reference to the opinions on repairs and videos, I think they are cool. I think it's interesting probing the differences concerning different aspects of each vehicle. I think if I was ever in a position to have to pick and choose between two vehicles, it probably wouldn't come easy, since I usually find something appealing about most autos. 🤔

Okay Jay,,,,, I'm waiting to see you in the back seat , with the SEAT ALL OF THE WAY BACK........ then, we're going to see if the ELDO is the same size inside as the "OLDS" Toronado,,,, remember me ?

The Rover 75 was FWD but the V8 version was RWD. :) Very beautiful Eldo and nice review!

Here is the car for a comparison with the Lincoln Mark V. Same audience for sales. Similar size cars and configuration. I see others have cleared up the telescopic steering wheel dilemma. GM Variable ratio power steering was used in the lowly Chevrolet as well as all other divisions. Thanks Jay. These were quite the car. By the way, I had a '74 Coupe de Ville and a '77 Lincoln Town Coupe' and the Cadillac did not ride nearly as well as the Lincoln, town or highway. Wasn't even close.

The black switch on the steering wheel just telescopes the wheel. Turn it then PULL the steering wheel and lock it (with the same switch) where you want it.

At the local Cadillac dealership, kids would steal the Cadillac emblem from the cars and take them for necklaces. The dealership wound up removing the hood emblems and storing them away until the cars were sold.

Love the Mark series for sure.

As you've been informed before, Motor Trend magazine used to do a "King of the Road" match up article series comparing the Lincoln Continental Marks, the Cadillac Eldorados, and sometimes the Chrysler Imperial 2-doors. Those were always fun to read for the over-the-top prose and the nice photographs. I hope you'll enjoy making something like that for your channel, too.

I always try to pick a bicentennial car to drive as President

Truly a mechanical marvel, and the end of a era of true luxury (american luxury). The end of non sporty suspension, tight steering and being worried about having 500 horsepower in a luxury sedan. Awesome video! And yes do the Mark III or V side by side, would be awesome. Song is “Boys” by the Shirelles.

Not now.. let mind's wonder what we know is true... The best car ever

Great video, The hood/fender indicator lights do not take bulbs. They are fiberoptic. They have very thin spaghetti-like fiberoptic lines that run to the appropriate bulb, Headlight, High beam, blinker, and parking lights. There are also two in the back seat area. Hardtops are located on the very edge of the roof line that connects to the rear window. The Convertible has a "gooseneck" that is at the center top of the back seat. These are the "red cat eyes" that will illuminate when your brakes, blinker, and parking lights are all working. I own a 76 convertible with 48k original and I still marvel at it every time I drive it. These were not cars like we know them today with all of the tic-tocky apple play crap on them. No, they will not do 0-60 in 3.2 seconds and no they will not handle 90-degree corners at 145 mph. They also do not need a Chinese computer circus for them to run. They are defiantly not plastic fantastic like today's cars. They are rolling artwork. They were not made on a computer they were sculpted by people. These cars of the era do exactly what they were designed to do and that is to give you pleasure and pride while you drive them.

It was believed that, with what were supposed to be new federal rollover crash standards, that no convertible could pass. All other manufacturers had stopped building convertibles. Cadillac was then the last American convertible which would have automatically made it collector worthy. The new standard never came to be. Chrysler, with Lee Iacocca, came back with the LeBaron convertible. Then others followed suit.

Hey, it's a Cadillac! Sweet! How did you know it was my birthday and you were uploading a video of one of my favorite cars? Just kidding. But seriously, thank you for keeping the excellent content going. These 70s Cadillacs might not have been as pretty as the cads from decades prior, they were still handsome. They weren't as fast as the earlier cars, but even the low compression. 500 is so smooth and torquey. The interior might've not been as distinct or high quality as earlier cars, but you know, it's still a distinctly nice place to be. The 70s Cadillacs were the final years of over the top American excess, and for that, I will always love these cars. If you like to enjoy a relaxing, slow, cruise without anywhere you have to be, it's hard to beat a Cadillac. Even today, this car is still a symbol of having arrived. I hope someday to own my own... even if the prices keeping looking like it'll never happen. Videos like this will have to do in the meantime, so thanks again! Excellent job covering this car.

1976 Caddilac; How do you know if your car has a telescopic wheel column? Top of the wheel, behind the horn pad, there will be a small lever that slides back and forth. Move the lever to unlock, then pull/push the wheel towards/away from you, then slide the lever the other way to lock. GM used this for years even on others than Cadillac. Part number 563036 if I remember correctly. (that might be the number for a Vette) There are 3 screws that hold that lever in place and to remove, you take out the 3 screws and turn the lever in the direction it losens the steering wheel and out it comes.

The thing right behind the steeringwheel is for adjusting the steeringwheel front to back. not the feeling for servo.

Yes do a comparison between the Marks and the Eldorado please! I owned a 1981 Lincoln Continental Mark VI it was pretty amazing as far as ride!

Never saw an illuminated entry system on a Cadillac of this vintage. I always thought that was a Ford first starting in 1977

The Telescope steering option ............. .is the absolute only thing that switch operates ....period

By the way the top speed of this car is way over 100mph. Straight highway it will easily reach 120 and over. My uncle who was a state trooper back then had actually clocked one running about 132. Yesss license was taken lol.

The epitome of luxury and opulence in the ‘70’s. As big as a boat and rode like one too. Isolation from road noise and the outside world was the goal. I had the chance to ride in one a few times and it’s expensive luxury seemed intimidating. It was not just top of the line it was top of the top. But even then it seemed overly large on the outside and kind of cramped inside, especially the back seat. But that was American car design in general. In comparison a Mercedes of that era was smaller on the outside but had more room. But for the “look at me, I’m rich” effect nothing could top the Eldorado convertible.

no, no , no, that lever up/top of the steering wheel is the "TELESCOPIC" steering wheel feature.... move it one way, and you can PULL the steering wheel OUT, fully, and move the lever back it locks the wheel out , that far~!

Omg, total 1976 Pimpmobile 🤩

They still made this car in hardtop until the 1978 model year before the downsizing in 1979. As for the airbag, I believe it was an option on some early 70's Olds Toronados.

With 27,547 miles I wonder why the door panel vinyl is cracked. The armrest in my 1973 Coupe dé Ville was cracked, when I bought it - why I had it redone - but it had driven 160,000 miles. It didn't crack again for the next well over 60K miles.

I used to sell these cars back in the '70's. If you're going to promote this topic make sure you know what you're talking about before you shoot the video!

The Mercedes Sprinter van is available in front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, and 4 wheel drive. I think the front wheel drive isn't available in the US, but it allows a lower load floor. That's the closest I can think of to the same platform being available with front and rear wheel drive.

Boys (The Beetles) Convertibles need a stiffer frame & suspension. That's why they are so heavy. I also like the Biarritz version of the Eldorado. The convertible truly looked like a "boat" LOL!

Really great review. Great video. I’ve actually got the exact same car but the 1974 model that had the covers over the rear wheels. I am in Australia too. I am needing a new generator/alternator and having sooo much trouble finding one. I’ve got 3 of them here but none of them line up with the bolts to fit back in. The auto elec I first went to said he couldn’t repair the original one and got rid of it selling me another one. The original part number is 1100937 and it’s a 63 amp AC Delco Remy. I’d seriously appreciate any help you could offer trying to find one. Again really great video. Thanks 🙏.

if memory serves me correctly, NO: indeed the OLDS Toronado, was the very 1st car "OFFERED" with Air Bags........ please double check!

These do not have equal length axels, the drivers side Axel has to pass thru the oil pan to get to the wheel. I think it's a combination of weight and the power steering that cancel out torque steer.

I was waiting for you to discover the telescoping knob; and what it was used for (telescoping steering wheel--when you loosen the knob pull the wheel to you; push the steering wheel in)--an engineer ACTUALLY said this knob controlled the steering??? OMG, how funny...

The high running costs is mostly gas, which is any old car, and keep the top greased and it’ll go forever, tires are cheap as any car, suspension parts are everywhere, stamped steel wheels with hub caps, engines never die and the transmissions are very reliable. What other running costs are high?

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

future big KZfaqr

It’s Boys sung by Ringo of the Beatles

bop shoo wop by Jamie Wood

Definitely wrong! That’s telescopic steering wheel lever. Take it from us older guys who actually had these cars. 😁

👍this vs that.

I have a final edition '78

🙂👍👏

Are U sure that the '76 was the LAST of the BIG, ELDOS? I think it was the '78......... The other large sedans, last year was INDEED: '76! GM did the 1st, and largest "DOWNSIZING" in '77

Boys by the Beatles for one group

🙂1976🌟🚘🚗

Do you work for a car dealership is this car for sale?

Excellent video. Very informative. But please, don't sing. Just don't.

A steering wheel air bag....WAS an OPTION .....NOT STANDARD

I got no sound where's the sound?

Your wrong !