Lol - that horn. "Mommy I hear a train coming." "No Timmy, it's something even bigger, a Cadillac ElDorado.

The strangest feature of this car for me, is that it's actually front wheel drive (FWD). A massive V8 that spins the front wheels! haha

As a Brit, I've always loved this era of cars made in the USA. They have a real presence and it's such a shame that they don't make them like this anymore.

One thing to point out about how huge cars like this went obsolete: in 1990 my grandfather bought a brand new Buick Roadmaster, right after it’d been revived and the thing was gigantic! It was longer than his brother’s Caddy at the time! The Roadmaster was a beast but very luxurious. I went with my grandparents on a trip from Rochester NY to Ft Myers FL to help them drive it down there and even tho it was 3 days of them bickering most of the time, that car was a smooth ride. It wasn’t at all like driving south for Spring Break in a car half the size, it was like a hotel on wheels.

Doug Dimmadome type of car

Those are the most comfortable looking seats I've ever seen

I never used to like these huge boxy designs, but in recent years I've started to really appreciate the imposing look of them. They're actually stylish. No one will want to own a modern car in 40 years time.

This is actually the prettiest “modern” (post-WWII) Caddy, if you ask me! I saw them in-person (I’m a bit older than Doug). It’s especially cool that it’s white, making an already-huge car look even larger!

Doug, those little lights behind the rear quarter window were "opera lamps" as Cadillac called them and were a throwback to the thirties from which they were rescued by the surface detail department of GM design. The whole Cadillac line offered them and on some of the DeVilles they were extra, about $86.00 if I recall correctly. The added vinyl areas on the front and rear were what allowed the car to meet the five-mile an hour no damage requirement that the government instituted. The bumpers were on hydraulic cylinders and could compress but the bodywork had to flex so it would not be damaged. As you can see the paint discolors on the vinyl after a time. Great review. I still love the car and the convertible which was made up until 76 was also awesome. They had the great advantage of being able to have your girlfriend ride right next to you up close with no console or bucket seats to stop the fun. In fact, there was a whole protocol for how much a girl was interested based on where she sat when she got in the car. But that's another thing entirely.

The hood ornament wasnt designed like that due to theft, it was a safety feature for any pedestrian who may be unlucky to have been hit - the ornament would bend out of the way instead of slicing into the persons guts :-(

I had a lot of fun watching this! I learned to drive on a '76 Eldorado - it's still sitting in my father's garage, unmoved for about 10 years. You seem a bit baffled by things that were normal back then, like the bright switch and the placement of the A/C controls (though many cars back then did have them in the center or the dash, many also had them off on the left). You missed some more weird and/or ahead-of-their time features - tail and brake light indicator in the back of the car where you could see it in the rear view mirror, flip-0pen lit makeup mirror on the passenger side (a real luxury back then!), little removable trash can on the passenger side, front wheel drive, hidden button the the glovebox to open the trunk, power antenna, are a few I can think of. Our family's California model had electronic fuel injection, because that was the only way Cadillac could get any power out of it when topped with CA's extra emissions requirements of the time, but it actually had some pretty good get-up-and-go in a pinch - I used to love punching the accelerator to get it into passing gear, and I used to get it up to 100 pretty frequently. I didn't realize how underpowered it was for a Cadillac, though, until years later when I drove a '64 Fleetwood and couldn't keep it under control. Amazing how much power was sapped out of huge V8s in the early days of emissions requirements...

Dude did you forget to mention it's front wheel drive?! Incredible in snow, as was the equally ridiculous Toronado. I had the latter, and bumping the compression up to 10:1 completely improved the performance.

Doug's the kinda guy to clean the house before the cleaning lady comes

1977 Cadillac: I am a land yacht 2020 Smart Car: I am a shopping cart.

The Cadillac El dorado is a magnificent work of art. Your attitude toward this car is totally uncalled for.

The high beam button was on the floor for a very long time. My father's 1961 Chevy biscayne (bottom model) and the high beam switch was on the floor. Also "body by Fisher" was displayed on rockers. The plastic pieces on the front and back were to accommodate the retractable low speed impact bumpers. My 1977 Dodge Charger had that. And prevented damage to the metal portion of the car. I backed into my parents house. Everything worked fine. I do enjoy your content. Thank you. 🙂

That's the kind of car you put the long horns on the front lol

Up to the 1980s, owning a Cadillac was a sign you _made it._ You were an Important Person. It didn't matter that these cars were slow or maneuvered like ocean liners, because other drivers got out of your way. This was a Cadillac, and you damn well better respect both it and its driver. My grandpa was one of the higher-ups at the local mill when they were going strong. He drove Cadillacs, and that's why I have a soft spot in my heart for this era of Caddies. He preferred the sedans like the Fleetwoods and deVilles.

Oh, my goodness! That car was awe inspiring. I remember when it came out. All those bells and whistles were top of the line. My brother had a Pontiac Catalina that was similar in size and length. Love 'em both!

Great video. The first car I owned had a left-foot-controlled bright switch and I loved it. You didn't have to take your hands off the steering wheel and mess with some flimsy switch. I have often thought that manufacturers should go back to that.

Doug is the type of guy to give honest reviews with zero clickbait and is soon to surpass vehicle virgins in subscribers.

I'm 5' 10'', but in 1977 I was 7' 9" with the required platform dance shoes and well groomed afro.

One of the best Doug videos ever for sure

I appreciate your channel and you

This car's exterior curves are so much cooler than newer Cadillacs. That is such a beautiful shaped car.

For anyone wondering, the lights on the side of the vinyl roof are called "opera lights" or "coach lights". They're a symbol of luxury. Lots of limos have them.

I have to say this I love the way you review cars it’s so hilarious 🤣 in a good way. You make it so fun to watch I am so addicted to watching your videos. 😁👍

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. My dad was a VP at Cadillac during this time so I grew up in the company provided cars he always had. Your correct in saying we will never see the likes of this car again. The car I drive now is a loaded '08 Lincoln TC and although it's comfy and quite it can't hold a candle to the old Caddy's. Have to say I did get a chuckle when you said you had never seen a floor mounted high-beam switch. Damn I'm old, LOL.

I worked at a Cadillac dealership in the early 80's and I had the pleasure of driving many of those old land ships from the 70's and a few from the 60's. To date they are still some of the most comfortable cars I've ever driven.

Those seats look comfortable af!

Back when we made real cars. 😔

I owned a 1941 Plymouth my grandfather restored. The lights dimmed the same way as well. Love your content doug

My grandmother passed away two weeks ago and she was the biggest fan of the El Dorado and owned one, she was the kind of person you would think would have driven one, a get out of the way I'm coming through kind of lady I really loved her and this video really reminded me of her.

That is not a theft resistant hood ornament. The reason for the spring mount is to prevent it from breaking off in a car wash.

8:29 That's actually really cool! I wish this was standard on cars: it would not only give further cues to people behind you that you're turning (never a bad thing), but I definitely have a blind spot at night when I'm turning from the headlights swinging around, could be a great safety feature.

Those little lights at the end of the hood are actually fiber optic cables and tell you when a light is out. There are almost certainly the same ones in the roof above the back passengers heads too. This isn't a car - this is a real Automobile! I love it! How awesome!!

I was just reminded of one of the weirder experiences of my life. I was standing by a secondary highway somewhere in the Netherlands in summer of 1975. I had a small Canadian flag on my bag. I had my thumb out looking for a ride. What would stop in front of me? Why it was a big white Cadillac sedan with Ontario license plates!! Almost certainly the only such car cruising around Europe that summer. Cadillac rides are always memorable.

Doug the type of guy who prefers to look at an eclipse on auto trader rather than looking at the one in the sky.

I had a 1987 Eldorado Biarritz. Great car, super solid, and high quality. Great memories. Thank you!

A very humorous and entertaining presentation as always

Took my drivers test in one of these Dad salad if you can parallel park this you can drive anything

I had an 1982 Fleetwood. Like driving your living room.

Very good video Doug!

I owned a lovely 1974 eldorado and just loved it. You forgot to mention the auto headlights and auto headlight dimmer. And they were actually 18.5ft long. The slogan for this body style was “longer, wider, lower”. My 1974 had the rear fender skirts and I think that was the last year for them as well as the 501 Cadillac big block. Also, if I remember it had rear turn signal monitors top center inside the rear windshield. And one last interesting thing was the radios antenna. When the radio was turned on it would come up only a few inches. If you needed better reception there was a switch to raise it almost 3 ft.

Back in the 80's my best friend's mother owned this car. Occasionally, we were allowed to take it out on Saturday nights. Just imagine 6 or 7 teens cruising in this bad boy! Best times and best car ever! 😀

That's the car you drive to from New York to Florida to escape for the winter, with a cigar in hand and a bottle of Scotch in the glove box, listening to The Rat Pack.

As I sit here high as the sky... and dying listening to Doug 🤣 😂 with the commentary .. I can't take it🤣 😂 👌

My grandpa had 1 of these, I remember riding in it when he'd take me to school when I was in kindergarten in 1991, good times. The car felt huge as a 5 yo sinking into those cushioned seats, and back then it felt fairly new and all the quirks were so cool!

Doug the type of guy to Shazam the music in a porn video

Imagine this engine hood falling on your fingers

Great video and an amazing automobile!

First video I watched from Doug! :)

With an automatic car, your left foot does literally nothing. How on earth does a left foot bright switch not make perfect sense?

I love the styling. This car is truly like a time capsule. Makes you feel like a 1970's gangster.

Doug reviewing a 77 Eldorado is like the cow looking at the train

My extended family owned numerous late 60s and 70s vintage GMs, including Cadillacs, Buicks, and Chevrolets, and they mostly shared similar controls and features with this Biarritz. I learned to drive on a Buick with nearly identical controls & dashboard layout. One benefit of the layout in the reviewed Caddy is that controls weren't overloaded - i.e., the turn signal is just for signaling turns. You don't pull on it for brights, or turn a knob on the stalk to work your wipers or to clean the windshield. And my recollection is that the hood ornament could be manipulated not so that it wouldn't be stolen, but so it wouldn't break off in an automatic car wash. This 1976 model was produced several years into GM's decline, and tellingly it shares the same body with the the newly restyled 1971 Eldorado. 1969 & 1970 were, IMO, the high water mark for GM, and American cars in general. Starting in 1971 every GM saw big power reductions with reduced compression and other emissions controls. And the first oil shock in 1974 had Americans starting to look for more fuel efficient vehicles that Detroit really didn't see a need for, leading to a long slow decline in innovation, quality, and ultimately desirability from American automakers. And as bad as 1970s cars were, American cars in the 1980s were worse! Modern cars, including American makes, are better in every conceivable measure: tailpipe emissions, fuel economy, handling, braking, acceleration, safety, maintenance intervals, comforts & amenities, conveniences, etc. Also, I get a kick out of people thinking 90s cars are old. And so it goes, I guess? :)

Pretty sure the hood ornament flexibility was a safety feature so the person you hit doesn't get gutted like a fish.

This car made getting road head much more comfortable.

my family had one when i was getting my learner's permit (not this exact kind but super similar). we inherited it when my grandmother died and she was one of those old-money southern (georgia) ladies. it really WAS a comfortable car that you could spread out in on long drives. ac blasted cold air and the suspension made you feel like you were riding on clouds. i got to use it as a daily driver for a while in the 90s and i loved it. keep in mind this was the era where getting these things and putting hydraulics on them so they could bounce around was the coolest thing in the world lol. the v8 engine sounded nice but it was such a gas-guzzler that it ended up wasting away under a tarp for years.. sold to a salvage place for a grand i think. i kinda miss that car and this video gave me a spike of nostalgia

“People driving this must have been the most ostentatious, annoying bastards of the 1970s…” My first boss owned one, and this comment is spot-on! 😂 I worked for a small food company, and the owner would drive up in his Eldorado and back into this special parking space on the side of the building. He couldn’t see the back of the car, so he would park by “feel”…when he felt the car bump into the building, he would stop. We would all be in the kitchen, the wall would shake, and then we would say “Welp….boss is here!”

My dad let me borrow his caddy for my date, with the threat of death if I damaged it , my date put her high heels marks in the back seat hood lining , poor old dad was pissed and proud at the same time - I miss you dad

I wanted a Hummer H1 which only gets 10 mpg. But now I want a GAS GUZZLING 1970’S CADILLAC THAT ONLY GETS 9 MPG

My grandpa used to drive me to kindergarten in 1991 in this car. What I remember most were the pillowed seats I'd completely sink into when I was 5 years old, getting into the back of the car. That and in the early morning when it wasn't bright out, it had lights everywhere around the doors, it was really well lit trying to get into the car. Lights nn the doors themselves, inside and outside on the B pillars. Also in the afternoon after school I remember trying to take that hood ornament off when I was playing outside and no I couldn't get it off 😆

Doug: «Hood ornament is impossible to steal» Wire cutters: «What am I, chopped liver?»

You didn't drive a Caddy, you guided it.

Kind of funny hearing Doug utter the phrase "young people today", in the same review that he's shocked by a floor mounted high beam control switch... which was once a ubiquitous design. Anyway, fun review, as always. Keep 'em coming.

These are what i like hearing about from you. You sound like you have more fun with them than the modern ones

Very cool Doug that you are doing older cars too ! Nice to hear the history but perhaps some one wants to buy one, here is all you need to buy one, thanks 🙏🏽!!

the foot activated brights switch is something i LOVED about older cars.. it's funny to hear you talk about it like it's from another world. I miss that heavy Kuh-clunk feel of it!

You need to wear a white fur coat and flared trousers to drive that.

I’ve had about 10 Eldorado coupes and convertibles. They’re addicting; every time I sell one I get the urge to buy another one. They give the nicest ride of any car in my opinion.

They even steered like ships! Seriously! It was like a rudder turning a big ship. Loved the sound when all four barrels opened especially when cruising along and wanted pass someone, put the pedal down, all four barrels opened and the passing gear kicks in, sounds amazing! It gave the illusion of speed.

The dimmer switch on the floor was where they pretty much all were on American cars. It's more convenient than on the turn signal stock. I wish they were still on the floor.

I laughed when Doug said that was the first time he'd ever seen the bright headlight switch on the floorboard. Most people have no idea how convenient stuff like this was back in the day

My dad worked at General Motors and always bought my mother Cadillac. She wheeled them around like a Porsche and she didn't let anyone pass her up or get in her way, and she could squeeze them in the tightest parking spots. In Michigan, the big block was the ultimate dependable engine that started in below zero weather when Fords were frozen; and the front wheel drive Eldorado got her around during the snow storms when no one else could; and driving the Interstate on family vacations was a smooth cruise out to sea. I think the '56 had electric seats and the gas went in the left tail light. One of my favorites was the '63, with the smaller, more discrete, clean cut fins. We also had a big block 500, which mother plowed into a semi ~ the size of the car and the engine saved her life. The bigger the better. The trunk was big enough to hold two bags of golf clubs, baseball equipment for the Little League team I coached, tool box, and plenty of room for groceries ~ dad used to holler at us kids with the '77 not to slam the trunk and when mom took the short cut over the curb to park he would tell mother~ watch where you are going you are scuffing the tires. I learned pride in work by cleaning the white walls and all the chrome. The brakes needed regular upkeep and yes ~ it guzzled the gas, so when she got thirsty, we took her up to the gas station and filled her up. We called the first gas crisis "Big oils big lie."

With all my respect this is a FANCY weekend car, cannot put it under comparisons and statistics. it's marvellous as it is . Thank you.

19 feet long...and it's a two door. 'Murica.

I have a 65 Continental convertible, and it's a lot like this. Bad handling, braking, slow af, and horribly inefficient. Best car I've ever driven:)

The hi beam switch on the floor was a staple in American cars in the 50’s - 70’s. My ‘67 Mustang has is. Right below the foot pedal to operate the windshield washer! IMO, it’s a great placement because you can dip your hi beams without taking your hands off the wheel. You can also use your turn signal without inadvertently flashing your hi beams at oncoming traffic.

The Eldorado is the kind of history they don't put in the books. It's the story of every other drive-by and drug deal ever to take place in Los Angeles, and there's only one man who can write the next chapter. Benny knows this build down to the last millimeter, he knows how to do it justice, and he knows that taking a power hose to the inside of the trunk is always job one.

My dad owns a 75 eldorado much like this. It is indeed the most comfortable car ive ever been in, floats on the road. If you ever have a chance to ride in one, it will change your opinion on what a comfortable ride is.

The brights are mounted on the floor so when you’re driving dark windy roads you can turn them off when oncoming traffic passes without taking your hands of the wheel.

I just bought a 78 Biarritz a couple months ago. It isn’t running right now, but I can’t wait to get it working and cruise around town. Not sure how many were made, but mine has a sunroof too.

My grandpa had this exact car. I loved riding in it! His other car was an old Caprice station wagon. I also lived riding in that, in the back, facing the back window. Great times!

Don't mention modern Cadillac's to my grandpa.... He will go on a rant on how much he hates modern Cadillacs and how they aren't real Cadillacs.

I must be old..I can;t belive he is amazed by the foot operated High Beam switch.

That is a big car Bro!!! I loved it!!!

My mother had a 78 Eldorado, the heaviest front wheel drive 2 door in history. It was like driving a boat and the seats were like a sofa. You failed to mention those turn signal were early fiber optics. The rear view mirror showed fiber optics that showed if your rear brake lights or turn signals were out. The front indicators were also fiber optics. That car was the best. That car was faster then most in it's day. My cousin used to call it the pimp mobile lol It was triple white just like this one.

I could see Joe Pesci in this

Big old Caddys where not made to corner. You did not rate it on what they were made for. Ride quality/ smoothness and features amenities. You could literally drive over the curb in that car and not feel a thing. You could steer it with one finger and the back seat is like whoa.

“Like a Cadillac.” Won’t be an expression that will never go away, baby.

I wish Doug would have this same energy in the videos today

Go ahead, Doug. Say it... say the word, you know you want to--*PIMPMOBILE, BABY!!!*

I love this car, it has that "I worked my ass of for this" presence. Which is different from the "i'm rich" presence.

Good Job my man! These Cadillac's are still the TRUE Cars you can put: TV antennas, with a Diamond in the Back, With a Sunroof Top: And tilt the seats with a Gangster lean.

I love how Doug emphases how the Caddy truly drives like a boat where modern day cars really don't fit this profile. Uh, right, this is the very type of car where the term came from! I remember sitting in cars like this as a kid, when they were new, and feeling like I was in a boat as the driver gleefully boasted, "See how it just drifts so smoothly?"

Hey Doug, I think you missed quite a few ‘quirks and features’: -there are Cadillac wreaths on all the knobs (radio, headlight and the ones on the cigarette lighters were an especially cool touch IMO) -the knobs were chrome plated metal with gold-colored wreaths and they had a ‘weighty’ quality feel to them that differed noticeably from plastic knobs -8-track tape player that was hidden behind the radio dial - push the cassette at the dial and the dial would flip up out of the way -cabin temperature was controlled by a rotary dial -cabin temperature was thermostatically controlled - you set it to a temperature, not just to some position between ‘Hot’ and ‘Cold’ -built-in arm rests in the front seats -there were 2 red brake light indicators located in the rear window frame that could be seen when looking in the rear view mirror -idiot lights and gas gauge located in a blacked-out strip located I n the dash above the speedo -telescoping steering wheel column controlled by a knob on the steer wheel hub -flat floor due to FWD powertrain - the earlier 500 cid V8 Eldo’s were the largest engine ever used in a FWD automotive application -the engine was mounted longitudinally - very unusual - FWD Subarus are maybe the only other longitudinally mounted engine in a FWD car Even though it was a common feature of GM vehicles if the era, this car had hidden windshield wipers that tucked in below the back edge of the hood for a sleek look Also, before the advent of multi-purpose turn signal stalks, virtually ALL American cars used floor-mounted dimmer switches. I always found them to be quite functional as your left foot wasn’t doing much anyway. It was European cars that introduced turn signal stalk dimmer switches IIRC. And this car did have headrests - they were adjustable in height but have be pulled up - in the car you reviewed they were in the lowest position

Oh, the memories...back in the late 90's I had a 1978 Eldorado in gun metal grey with light grey leather interior. I loved that car and used it as a daily driver for almost 3 years. Gas mileage be damned. Actually I was able to squeeze out 14 mpg in mine. Just for curiosity I filled the tank and drove it easily and conservatively and was happy to get that 14 especially with Doug saying 9 was average. If I remember right there were 3 horns on the car in different musical notes, I remember my C note horn stopped working and could still get one at the dealer. I really loved that car. It was a joy to drive, nothing ever broke down in over 30,000 miles of driving and SOOO comfortable. I still love that floaty ride. I drive a 2003 Tacoma TRD now and love my truck but I miss my Caddy alot. Regardless of what Doug says the mirrors were just fine and rear visability was not a problem and parking wasn't an issue either as long as you aren't trying to park it in a Prius sized spot. My 5'2" girlfriend at the time now my wife of 20 years could park that car perfectly and without effort. Never had an issue with parking. Not once. And brakes? No issue Doug. I'm glad he didn't really dog the car as it doesn't deserve a poor review. Anyone who ever had one I would bet will remember it fondly.

Had one identical to that..... a true land yacht ! Drove it back and forth between Texas and Florida..... what a cruiser ! Like gliding down the highway on a cloud.

My grandad had one just like this one. We drove from Georgia to Pennsylvania in it. That car drove like a dream! You could fall asleep in it almost immediately.