Variable-ratio power steering
Overall ratio: 20.0 to 1
Fuel Tank: 27.5 gallons
Cooling System: 21¾ Qts. (23¾ Qts. with Air Conditioning)
Washer Fluid Reservoir: 2½ Qts.
Engine Oil: 6 Qts. with Filter Change
Transmission: 5½ Qts. with Filter Change
SPECIAL NOTES
The 1975 Cadillac Eldorado was extensively restyled, with styling that
more than whispered its connection to the original Fleetwood Eldorado design
introduced in 1967.
An economic recession during the 1975 model year had a negative impact
on sales, which were only slightly better for the Eldorado than they had
been in 1974. This was the worst recession to date since 1958.
1975 new standard equipment items:
1. High Energy Ignition System
2. Six-Way Power Adjustable Seat
3. Power Door Locks
4. AM/FM Signal-Seeking Stereo Radio
5. Steel-Belted Radial Ply Tires
6. White Sidewall Tires
7. Automatic Climate Control with Economy Setting
8. Tinted Glass
9. Lamp Monitors
New options for 1975:
1. Electronic Fuel Injection
2. Illuminated Entry System
3. Glass Dome Astroroof
4. Passenger Recliner Seat
5. Air Cushion Restraint System
1975 CADILLAC VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
A 13-digit number appears on top of the dash on the driver's side of the
car, and can be viewed through the windshield. A second number appears
on a tag on the rear upper portion of the cylinder block behind the intake
manifold. The digits resemble: 6L47S5Q100001
These digits decode as:
Digit #1 = GM Division (6 designates Cadillac)
Digit #2 = Series (L - Eldorado)
Digits #3-4 = Body Style (47 - 2-Door Hardtop Coupe; 67 - 2-Door Convertible)
Digit #5 = Engine (S - 500 V-8)
Digit #6 = Year (5 -1975)
Digit #7 = Assembly Plant (Q - Detroit, MI; E - Linden, NJ)
Digits #8-13 = Unit Production Number
BODY NUMBER PLATE
Complete vehicle identification is determined by the Body Number Plate,
which is located under the hood on the cowl, near the top.
ST = Style (75 - Model Year; 6 - Cadillac Division; EL - Eldorado Series;
47 - 2-Door Coupe Body Style or 67 - 2-Door Convertible)
BDY = Body (Q - Detroit, Michigan Assembly Plant; 100001 - Production Sequence)
TR = Trim (11D - Black and White Mosaic Check Cloth)
PNT = Paint (11 - Cotillion White; K - Black Padded Vinyl Roof)
L## = Modular Seat Code (Letter followed by two numbers, depending on seating
configuration)
1975 Cadillac Eldorado:
Acknowledging Its Heritage
Above: 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Coupe in Tarragon Gold Metallic
with White dual accent stripes
It would appear that the U.S. auto industry just couldn't get a break during
the 1974 and 1975 model years. After Cadillac experienced two record setting
years in a row for 1972 and 1973, it got hit with sluggish sales due to
the oil scare that caught America off guard just as the new '74 models
appeared in dealer showrooms. When the oil scare ended in spring 1974,
sales began to pick up again, only to fall off during the 1975 model year
due to the worst economic recession since 1958! While overall sales were
better for Cadillac in 1975 than they'd been the previous year, it was
hardly a remarkable year.
Sales of the 1975 Eldorado Coupe were up just a few thousand units, and
the Convertible didn't fare much better, with an increase of less than
2,000 cars. The 1975 Continental Mark IV wasn't doing as well for 1975,
either, as sales had dropped from '74 numbers. Part of the reason for this
could be the substantial price increases many luxury cars passed on to
customers. The Eldorado Coupe jumped $825 for 1975, and the Convertible
passed the five-figure bracket for the first time. At $10,354, it was priced
$917 higher than in 1974.
Part of the responsibility for the increase in base prices lies with the
new catalytic converters that had found their way onto most 1975 models.
They allowed the engines to be retuned for improved performance, as they
aided in the clean up of vehicle emissions, which allowed engineers to
remove some of the emissions duties engines had been saddled with the last
few years. The catalytic converters were expensive, and that cost was passed
along to the consumer.
Cadillac and Lincoln both loaded up their personal luxury models with features
that had previously been optional at extra cost, and that increased the
base price as well. That meant things like an AM/FM stereo radio and power
door locks were now standard, and the cost of those items was added to
the base price. In a strange move, Lincoln would make many of the items
optional again in 1976, in an attempt to offer the lowest possible base
price, but it really didn't matter that much in the long run, as most luxury
car buyers opted to equip their cars with them anyway. Psychologically,
they probably thought they were getting a better deal with the more affordable
base price.
Chrysler Corporation's flagship model, the Imperial, was quietly discontinued
at the end of the model year. The Imperial had proudly maintained its status
as Chrysler's finest automobile for 49 years. It would return in 1976,
with the same basic styling except it would be rebadged as a Chrysler New
Yorker Brougham, with a reduction in equipment and a lower base price.
The car that didn't sell well as an Imperial was a hot commodity as a New
Yorker, and it would continue through the 1978 model year in this configuration.
It would be down sized for 1979, and would return as a four door sedan.
The 1978 model Chrysler New Yorker Brougham was the last full-sized American
four door hardtop automobile built to date. A new Imperial luxury coupe
would return for 1981.
Advertising for the 1975 Cadillacs was as one would expect from Cadillac.
Simple, elegantly understated, and sometimes posed with an older model
Cadillac in the background. Golfer Arnold Palmer appeared in several print
and television ads about this time, including the ad on the left. (Click
to view larger version in new window or tab.)
Sales brochures were very well done, and featured a die cut on the front
cover in the outline of the Cadillac crest, with a full color crest printed
on the first page and positioned so it would appear behind the cut out.
Very clever. The brochure emphasized the steps taken to improve Cadillac's
efficiency, the testing procedures the cars endured to ensure they met
Cadillac's tough standards, and provided descriptions of standard and optional
features as well as upholstery choices.
Part of a Cadillac's efficiency included offering owners a high resale
value at time of trade in, as well as low maintenance costs during their
time of ownership. Cadillac led the luxury market in owner loyalty at the
time, as it had for many years, and there was a growing trend for original
owners to retain cars for a longer period of time, which may have had a
small impact on repeat sales each year.
Eldorado recognized and acknowledged its heritage in 1975 by refining its
styling to better reflect that of the first generation Fleetwood Eldorado
that dated back to 1967. Few would disagree that the original styling was
one of General Motors finest styling efforts ever. It ranks up there with
the first Cadillac Sixty Special Sedan and Coupe deVille, the 1963 Buick
Riviera, 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, and all the other legendary designs that
have come forth from GM over the years.
Above: 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Coupe being tested for fuel economy
and brake stopping ability. Note the "fifth wheel" connected
to the rear to monitor speed and distance traveled.
When contemplating the purchase of a 1975 Eldorado, be aware of any possible
rust issues around the vinyl roof moldings, at the bottoms of the front
fenders and doors, and around the hood and deck lid areas. The uethane
front and rear bumper fillers often do not hold up well, even on well cared
for cars. Reproductions are available, but some are better than others
and can require lots of fitting time to make them look right.
