But if this Eldorado seemed outsize then, let alone now, it was
precisely what the luxury market wanted for most of the self-indulgent
Seventies. Sales bear this out. Bolstered by a revived Eldorado convertible
(replacing the de Ville ragtop), this series recorded sizeable production
gains through 1973, dipped in Energy Crisis '74, recovered in 1975-76,
then soared to a record 47,000 in swan-song 1977-78.
But back to the 1971 Eldorado which kept its basic shape for eight years.
The second generation front-wheel-drive Eldorado was offered as a sedan
and a convertible. Although it had the huge 500 cubic inch engine, the
compression was lowered so that it had 35 less horsepower. Remember this
is still gross horsepower. The change to net horsepower does not take
effect until the 1973 models. As a rule of thumb (but by no means
accurate) net horsepower is about 2/3 gross horsepower. Rear coil springs
were another new technical feature. The Eldorado wheelbase was stretched
more than six inches, too. Body styling was heavily sculptured. A
vertically textured, rectangular grille was new. Front fenders had a
chiselled, cut-off look and a vertical windsplit, that harkened back to the
early 1950s, appeared just behind the doors. Fender skirts were something
new for Eldorado and added to the old-fashioned, classical image. So did
the revival of convertible styling in this line. Trim features included twin
vertical front bumper guards; Fleetwood wreaths on the hood and deck;
Eldorado scripts on the lower front fenders; short horizontal belt line
moldings on front fenders and doors; rocker sill beauty panels and a stand-
up hood ornament. Narrow "coach" windows were cut into the rear roof
pillar of the coupe. Rear end treatment for the new body included a raised
and extended trunk lid appearance; extra large backlight; and a massive
rear bumper with a flat in-and-out look, that housed vertical, wraparound
taillights at each side. Standard fare for the sporty luxury series included
all DeVille equipment, less rear arm rests, plus Automatic Level Control
and front-wheel-drive technology.
| MODEL DESCRIPTION | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model Name | Model Number | Body/Style Number | Body Type | Seating | Factory price | Shipping weight | Production total |
| Fleetwood Eldorado | 71-693 | 69367E | 2-
dr Conv. Coupe | 6 pass. | $7751 | 4690 lb | 6800 |
| Fleetwood Eldorado | 71-693 | 69347H | 2-
dr HT Sport Coupe | 6 pass. | $7383 | 4650 lb | 20,568 |
| ELDORADO ENGINE | |
|---|---|
| Engine type | V-8 Overhead valves. Cast iron block |
| Displacement | 500 cubic inches |
| Bore & stroke | 4.30 x 4.304 inches |
| Compression ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Brake horsepower (SAE gross) | 400 @ 4400 rpm |
| Torque | 550 @ 3000 rpm |
| Main bearings | five |
| Valve lifters | Hydraulic |
| Carburetor | Rochester four-barrel Quadrajet model 4MV (Eldorado type) |
| POWERTRAIN OPTIONS | |
|---|---|
| Trackmaster for Eldorado only | $211 |
| Automatic Climate Control | $537 |
|---|---|
| Cruise control | $95 |
| Fan type rear window defogger | $37 |
| Grid type rear window defogger | $63 |
| Door edge guards in 2-door | $6 |
| Power door locks | $71 |
| Power door locks with electric seat back release in coupes and convertibles | $71 |
| One piece front and rear floor mats | $20 |
| Soft Ray tinted glass | $59 |
| Guidematic | $51 |
| Lamp monitors | $50 |
| License frame(s) | $6/1; $12/2 |
| Remote control right mirror | $26 |
| Firemist paint | $132 |
| AM/FM pushbutton Radio | $138 |
| AM/FM signal-seeking stereo Radio | $328 |
| AM/FM radio with tape | $416 |
| Padded vinyl roof | $161 |
| Shoulder belts in convertible front seat or rear seat | $32 |
| Tilt and Telescope steering wheel | $95 |
| Sun roof with padded roof mandatory | $626 |
| Trumpet horn in coupe | $16 |
| Remote control trunk lock | $58 |
| Trunk mat | $8 |
| Twilight Sentinel | $41 |
| Expanded leather upholstery in Eldorado coupe | $184 |
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May 11, 2000; March 8/03