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    Pick of the Day: 1976 Cadillac Eldorado

    The 1970s were a time of automotive excess: an era when size, strength, and luxuries were pushed to increasingly high standards just before the fuel crisis caused things to scale back.

    The Pick of the Day is a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Buford, Georgia.

    “If you’re shopping for a ’76 Eldorado convertible, you already know that 1976 was the last year that Cadillac produced a convertible, and the Eldorado was the ultimate in luxury,” the listing begins.

    That statement is only somewhat true: This was the last convertible of its generation, but not the last overall. An Eldorado convertible was reintroduced in 1984, and the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR was also a two-seat roadster that shared platforms with the sixth-generation Corvette. At any rate, we’ll give the seller the benefit of the doubt because this looks like a remarkable example of a rare car.

    The Eldorado was produced for 12 generations over the course of 50 years beginning with the 1952 model year. Today’s feature car comes from the ninth generation which debuted in 1971 on the General Motors E-body platform. The aesthetics reflected significant design updates from the prior car, including a wheelbase that was stretched by six inches. Overall length was pushed to 224 inches in 1976, making it possible for the roomy interior to accommodate six passengers comfortably via two bench seats.

    “I’m the second owner and purchased it from a family member in 1996,” the listing states. “It has always been garaged and there’s no apparent rust.” Finished in “Firethorn Red,” this Eldorado shows 38,902 miles on the odometer and was reportedly repainted in 1998. The seller notes that the convertible top and the door panels could use some upholstery work, but the car looks great inside and out.

    Moving this big beast down the road is a similarly big motor: Available powerplants were a 425cid V8 and a massive 500cid V8. Either one could be mated only to a three-speed automatic transmission.

    Even though General Motors marketed this car as “the last American convertible,” we now know otherwise. Still, these 1976 convertible models have a special place in automotive history as the last of their kind. The final Eldorado, incidentally, rolled off the assembly in April 2002, about 21 years ago. That unit was donated to the Cadillac Museum in honor of one of Cadillac’s dealers, Don Massey.

    “The car rides like a dream and always attracts attention,” the listing concludes. The asking price is $24,900 for this well-kept drop-top Cadillac Eldorado that would look right at home in any hometown parade.

    To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

    Protecting your valuables begins with location monitoring

    Automobile security has been a concern on the radars of many vehicle owners in recent years, but during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic worries mounted as auto theft has spiked to astronomical figures across the U.S. Two years after shutdowns caused by the pandemic began, the automotive industry is still grappling with vehicle theft.

    Image: LandAirSea

    LandAirSea Director of Analytics Jared Zientz is seeing an uptick in theft in both big and small cities and across all of the nearly 40 verticals that the company services. LandAirSea provides GPS tracking solutions for automotive dealerships and adjacent industries, as well as any industry in need of monitoring a terrain, air or marine asset on the move.

    “Everything is being stolen nowadays. Police can’t even keep up and now, insurance companies are requiring even longer timelines before paying out any claims.” Zientz said.

    The number of vehicles stolen by thieves varies by year. Generally, though, you can expect the FBI to report about 720,000 stolen vehicles per year in the United States. Nearly 220 out of 100,000 Americans will experience a car theft within the next year. 

    “Small and midsize businesses have to worry about everything from quality workmanship and employees to billing and supply chain. Now, they have to worry about their assets being stolen, how it affects their jobs and how long it will take their insurance — if they even can afford to carry it — on their hard-earned assets,” Zientz said.

    Experts are expecting theft activity to remain high during 2022, so vehicle owners must stay vigilant by getting ahead of the issue.

    Zientz has, however, also seen positive signs for business owners that indicate now is a good time to invest in asset protection, especially when it comes to GPS tracking. In recent years, GPS hardware has become more affordable and reliable, and easier for the average person to use than ever before.

    By installing a GPS tracker, vehicle owners can have peace of mind knowing they can always see where important equipment or shipments are and can provide that data to law enforcement if needed. Mobile device applications connected to GPS software provide flexibility for asset managers to monitor their assets from anywhere, allowing for instant data visibility for quick decision-making.

    One company providing modern and affordable GPS tracking devices is LandAirSea, which offers a no-contract solution for transportation and logistics companies and dozens of other industries that need the locations of their equipment monitored. Combining the power of its proprietary plug-and-play GPS tracking hardware and user-friendly software platform, companies can easily track and manage their assets on a single account — whether they have one or 2,000 units. 

    Image: LandAirSea

    With the real-time GPS asset tracker LandAirSea 54, users can receive location updates as frequently as once every three seconds to once every 24 hours. Vehicle owners also have the option to schedule tracking only during the night if assets are in use during the day. 

    Using the API-integrative platform, users can set up geofences and receive email or text alerts when assets move outside a designated area. For vehicle owners with multiple assets, such as a dealership with a growing fleet,  managers can label units with a custom icon and name for easy identification.

    Other uses of LandAirSea’s GPS trackers include:

    • Visibility tool for confirmation that a service or operation has been performed.
    • Staff training, monitoring driver behavior and monitoring deadhead miles.
    • Reduction in carbon emissions through route monitoring.

    As a family-run business, LandAirSea ensures quality customer service. It has an in-house tech support team to assist clients in setting up or adjusting asset tracking requirements as their business grows.

    “LandAirSea has spent nearly 30 years working across numerous different markets to create a customizable and easy-to-use software platform and a reliable GPS tracking device.” Zientz said.

    Connect with LandAirSea representatives at any of the ways below to learn more about their GPS tracking solutions:

    Website: https://landairsea.com

    Email: sales@landairsea.com

    Sales: (847) 462-8100

    Jared Zientz: (815) 347-2229

    Dark Days In Detroit: The Worst Cadillac Models Of All Time

    Once known as the standard of the auto world, Cadillac is a long-respected car company. Established in 1902, the company has been on the market for 120 years. That alone is a great success. During this period, Cadillac produced several well-built luxury cars, defining the segment in the American market. For most of the 20th century, Cadillac was the no. 1 luxury car brand in the world. But recently, its luck has changed.

    Imported luxury brands, recessions, and customer tastes all forced Cadillac to change its approach and philosophy. We’ve already chronicled the best Cadillacs ever made, and indeed there are many. So we had to look at the other side of the coin with the worst cars Cadillac has ever made. Some were good but failed to sell. But most were below this brand’s standards and customers’ expectations. Check them out right here.

    Photo Credit: GM

    Cadillac BLS

    The first car on the list is an example of this approach. The idea behind the Cadillac BLS was sound. It was a compact, luxury sedan in the mold of the Mercedes C-Class or BMW 3-Series. The BLS was built in SAAB’s factory in Sweden and sold in Europe. Presenting Cadillac in a new light, it was a good plan on paper, but its realization was tragic (via The Autopian).

    Photo Credit: GM

    In order to cut costs, GM used SAAB 93 underpinnings. They weren’t the best parts, but they were cheap. They also saved on interior materials and unique drivetrain or engine options. The result was a dull vehicle that had the same driving characteristics as the SAAB 93 or Opel Vectra. The market’s reaction could have been much more favorable. The BLS spent only a few years on the market and the last examples left the factory in 2009.

    The post Dark Days In Detroit: The Worst Cadillac Models Of All Time appeared first on Motor Junkie.

    BMW Individual Expands Special Paint Program

    I’m a fan of special-order colors. Ever see a Chevy ordered in Pontiac’s Verdoro Green? Or an Oldsmobile ordered in Dodge’s Plum Crazy? I have, and it’s somewhat neat to see. The day of paying extra for a non-production color are long gone for most “regular” cars, but fancy brands and special models (Corvette, anyone?) offer bespoke colors. BMW offers a program called BMW Individual for drivers who desire “expressive and exclusive” paint colors and finishes, and now the program has been expanded to include the controversially styled 644-hp XM plug-in hybrid “Sports Activity Vehicle.”

    Petrol Mica

    The German brand’s 29 year-old factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina (actually in nearby Greer) has “flexibility in the painting process,” so Bimmers built in the Palmetto State — XM and otherwise — have the option for special paint finishes.

    Sepia

    Originally limited to BMW M models, “BMW Individual is a unique division of BMW M that focuses on creating special and bespoke BMW vehicles for almost any new BMW. There is a palette of over 165 custom exterior paint colors and four different finishes: non-metallics, metallics, Pearl Effect tones, and matte BMW Frozen finishes. “Within each of these finishes, there are even more unique treatments that require multiple coats or extended cure times, depending on the specific ingredients and features of each special color.” They are applied in a separate manufacturing process that eschews automated labor for manual. You can expect to wait approximately 8-12 weeks for your unique BMW.

    Anglesey Green

    BMW won’t handle just any swatch you submit, though we suspect some of the more prestigious models may have more flexibility in that regard. Pricing is dependent on the model and color.

    Icon’s Mercedes 6.2 Derelict rumbles into Jay Leno’s Garage

    Icon founder Jonathan Ward is a frequent visitor to Jay Leno’s Garage. This time he brought the latest of his company’s Derelict projects, a purposefully distressed 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 with an LS heart, along with Steve Rulewicz, the client that commissioned it.

    Unveiled for the 2022 SEMA show, the Mercedes Derelict follows the pattern of previous Icon Derelicts, which have ranged from a 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud to a 1952 DeSoto wagon, by combining external patina with internal performance upgrades.

    Icon Derelict 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL on Jay Leno’s Garage

    Beneath the weathered paint, the Mercedes is a full-on restomod. The car left the factory as a unibody, though the original body shell now rides on a separate Art Morrison chassis that includes four-wheel adjustable coilovers and independent rear suspension. The car also has Brembo brakes with Wilwood power-assist hardware, as well as an Icon-designed power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering setup.

    The 300 SEL 6.3 was a forerunner of modern Mercedes-Benz AMG performance models. Mercedes took the 6.3-liter V-8 from the gargantuan 600 sedan and dropped it in the smaller 300 SEL, creating a sort of German muscle car. This was a pure factory effort dreamed up by engineer Erich Waxenberger, as AMG was then a completely independent tuner, although it did race a 300 SEL 6.3 called the Red Pig.

    The Red Pig, and the general look of these sedans, inspired Rulewicz to commission this build. As for why the rare 6.3 model was used as a basis instead of a more common 6-cylinder model, Ward said the higher-end interior fittings and other small details justified the decision. The donor car had sat in San Bernardino, California, so it was relatively free of rust.

    The Derelict is still powered by a V-8, but it’s now the supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 from the C6 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. The engine makes 638 hp at the crank in the ZR1, and about 500 hp at the wheels in the Mercedes. Installing the LS9 required a custom firewall and front inner fenders, and the car now sports “6.2” badging instead of the stock 6.3 badge.

    Purists may scoff, but Ward was committed to the GM engine swap for its reliability, power, and sound. Check out the full video and have a listen for yourself.

    This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

    No Reserve: Triple Rochester 2GC Carburetors w/ Intake Manifold & Air Cleaners

    These three Rochester 2GC carburetors are part of a setup that includes a cast-iron intake manifold, throttle linkages, a Marshall fuel-pressure gauge, chrome fuel lines, and three polished Edmunds air-cleaner housings. The setup is said to have been removed from a customized 1955 Cadillac Series 62 with a 331ci V8, and the carburetors were refurbished by Hotrodcarbs.com in 2009 and again by the seller using rebuild kits from the same company in January 2023. The set of carburetors reportedly is compatible with General Motors, Ford, and Mopar triple-carburetor intake manifolds designed for small-block V8 applications, and the included intake manifold fits 1949–1962 Cadillac 331ci, 365ci, and 390ci V8 engines. This Rochester carburetor setup is now offered at no reserve in Forest Hills, Tennessee.

    Rochester 2GC carburetors were manufactured for use on intake manifolds mated to General Motors small-block V8 engines. This set of carburetors was reportedly removed by the seller from a 1955 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe DeVille with a 331ci V8 and is said to be suitable for use on other General Motors, Ford, and Mopar triple-carburetor intake manifolds designed for small-block V8s.

    The carburetors were reportedly refurbished by Hotrodcarbs.com of Great Falls, Montana in 2009 and again in January 2023 by the seller utilizing Hotrodcarbs.com rebuild kits. The recent refurbishment involved replacement of the floats, filters, accelerator pumps, power valves, and gaskets. The seller states that the carburetor jets were not replaced as part of the January 2023 refurbishment and that the setup has not been used on an engine since the 2023 work was completed.

    Fuel is delivered to the carburetors through chrome tubing with an attached 15-psi Marshall fuel-pressure gauge.

    The carburetors are mounted to a refinished cast-iron intake manifold along with throttle linkages. The silver-finished manifold shows part number 1469689 and fits 1949–1962 Cadillac 331ci, 365ci, and 390ci V8 engines.

    Three polished-aluminum Edmunds air-cleaner housings are mounted on top of the carburetors.

    350-Powered 1937 Ford Cabriolet Street Rod

    This 1937 Ford has been fitted with a Gibbons fiberglass Cabriolet body that is finished in dark purple over black leather upholstery. Power is from a 350ci Chevrolet V8 paired with a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission, and equipment includes a Ford 8″ rear end, a chopped black fabric roof, a Vintage Air heater and air conditioning system, electric door poppers, a Sony AM/FM CD stereo, power windows, four-wheel disc brakes, air suspension, and staggered-diameter Billet Specialties wheels. This 1937 Ford is being offered by the selling dealer in New Jersey with a Reconstructed Pennsylvania title.

    The Gibbons fiberglass body is mounted to a 1937 Ford chassis and is finished in dark purple with a chopped fabric-covered roof. Exterior details include shaved trunk and door handles, electric door poppers, a third brake light, 1956-spec Chevrolet taillights, and under-car lighting.

    Polished Billet Specialties wheels measure 15” up front and 16” out back and are mounted with mismatched tires. Braking is through four-wheel discs with ventilated rotors at all four corners. The car rides on air shocks.

    The cabin houses power-adjustable bucket seats that were sourced from a later-model vehicle and are upholstered in black leather. Amenities include a Vintage Air heater and A/C system reportedly setup for R12 refrigerant, along with electric windows, a Genie floor shifter, and a Sony AM/FM CD stereo. Vehicle functions are controlled via a custom set of switches mounted between the seats.

    A three-spoke steering wheel is mounted to a tilt and telescoping steering column and sits ahead of a centrally-mounted Dakota Digital multifunction display with an integrated 6k-rpm tachometer. The digital odometer shows approximately 17k miles.

    The 350ci Chevrolet V8 was reportedly sourced from a 1985 Corvette and features a Jet Hot-coated Edelbrock intake manifold topped by a Holley carburetor. Additional equipment includes a Carter electric fuel pump, a 120-amp alternator, and a chrome air cleaner cover and valve covers.

    Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission equipped with an auxiliary cooler and a Ford 8” rear end. Additional underbody images are provided in the gallery below.

    The car is titled using the Pennsylvania Vehicle Identification Number shown above. The Pennsylvania title lists “Reconstructed”, “Street Rod”, and “Reissued VIN” under the brands section.

    Ford T-Bucket Hot Rod

    This Ford T-Bucket hot rod was the subject of a custom build completed in 2015 and is powered by a Ford flathead V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. The fiberglass 1923 Ford-style body is finished in red with custom pinstriping. Additional features include white upholstery, a rear cargo box, a 9″ Ford rear end, triple Stromberg 97 carburetors, Offenhauser cylinder heads, a front drop axle, hairpin radius rods, adjustable rear coilovers, 15″ Cragar aluminum wheels, disc brakes, dual exhaust outlets with Supertrapp mufflers, and Ford-branded instrumentation. This T-bucket was acquired by the selling dealer in 2022 and is now offered with a clean Florida title.

    The fiberglass bodywork and frame are finished in red with black and white pinstripes. Features include a covered cargo box with an upholstered lid, a low profile windshield, teardrop-style taillights, turn signals, chrome headlight buckets, and dual exhaust outlets.

    Polished aluminum 15″ Cragar wheels wear 165-width Metric Steel Radial tires up front and BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires measuring 285/70 out back. Equipment includes a front drop axle, a rear panhard bar, front and rear hairpin radius rods, front tube shocks, adjustable rear coilovers, and four-wheel disc brakes.

    The seating and side panels are upholstered in white and accompanied by a matching cargo box lid. Additional equipment includes black carpets, a body-color painted dashboard, a floor-mounted gear selector, a chrome accelerator pedal, and seat belts.

    The three-spoke steering wheel fronts Ford-branded instrumentation including a 120-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and gauges for fuel level, voltage, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 1,100 miles, a handful of which have been added under current ownership. Paint chips can be seen on the edges of the dashboard.

    The Ford flathead V8 is equipped with triple Stromberg 97 single-barrel carburetors, MSD ignition components, polished headers, and finned Offenhauser cylinder heads. Additional modifications include an electric cooling fan along with a dual exhaust system capped with Supertrapp mufflers. An aluminum fuel tank is mounted in the rear cargo box.

    Power is sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission and a 9″ Ford rear axle.

    Supercharged 383-Powered 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe Street Rod

    This 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe was acquired by the seller in 2014, and subsequent work consisted of installing a Weiand-supercharged 383ci stroker V8, a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission, a Quick Performance 9-inch rear axle with an Eaton Truetrac differential as well as replacement ignition, suspension, brake, and exhaust components. The car is finished in Deep Plumb Pearl over light mauve and cream vinyl and features a Mustang II-style front suspension, QA1 front shock absorbers, Eaton Detroit springs, Posies rear parallel leaf springs, power-assisted front disc brakes, 15″ steel wheels, a Lokar shifter, VDO instrumentation, and Vintage Air climate control. This Deluxe coupe is now offered with a fitted California Car Cover, an engine dynamometer sheet, build records, and a clean Nebraska title in the seller’s name.

    The steel body is finished in Deep Plumb Pearl. Features include body modifications to the A and B-pillars and doors as well as frenched 1941 Studebaker taillamps, a split windshield and rear window, chrome trim, bumpers with concealed hardware, running boards, dual mirrors, body-colored headlamp surrounds, and dual-outlet exhaust that exits below the rear bumper. The seller notes that the car was repainted approximately 25 years ago and some chips and cracks are visible in the finish as shown in the gallery below.

    The 15″ steel wheels wear 1949 Ford hubcaps and ribbed trim rings and are mounted with front 175/65 Uniroyal Tiger Paw and rear Cooper Cobra 235/80 tires. A spare tire and jack are mounted in a concealed compartment in the trunk. The car is fitted with a Mustang II-style front suspension, QA1 front shock absorbers, Eaton Detroit springs, Posies Superslide parallel rear leaf springs, rear traction bars, and Bilstein rear shock absorbers. Braking is handled by power-assisted front discs and 11″ rear drums.

    The cabin features a split bench seat upholstered in light mauve and cream vinyl joined by a color-coordinated headliner, package tray, carpets, and door panels. Equipment includes a body-colored steel dashboard, a Lokar shifter, Vintage Air climate control, a fire extinguisher, lap belts, rear storage pockets, and an aftermarket CD stereo.

    The billet two-spoke steering wheel frames a VDO 120-mph speedometer and gauges for fuel level, water temperature, battery voltage, and oil pressure. The VDO electric water temperature gauge does not work. A Bosch mechanical water temperature gauge and vacuum/boost pressure gauge are mounted below the center of the dashboard and an Autometer tachometer is mounted on top of the dashboard. The five-digit mechanical odometer shows 13k miles, approximately 3k of which were added under current ownership. Around 1,200 miles are said to have been added since the powertrain was installed although the total mileage is unknown.

    The replacement 383ci stroker V8 was installed under current ownership and features a polished Weiand 177 Series supercharger, forged rotating assembly, ARP studded 4-bolt main caps, MSD electronic ignition, a Howards hydraulic roller blower camshaft, a Holley 750 Supercharger HP Carburetor, AFR aluminum cylinder heads, a Canton oversized oil pan, and block-hugger headers. The engine is cooled with a Walker Z-Series Radiator, a Hayden heavy-duty thermal fan clutch, and a Stewart water pump. An oil change was performed in autumn 2022. An engine dynamometer sheet is shown in the gallery.

    Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a rebuilt TH400 three-speed automatic transmission and a Quick Performance 9-inch rear axle with heavy-duty 1/4″ axle tube walls, an Eaton Truetrac differential, and 3.50:1 gears. Features are said to include a Strange nodular iron center section, a B&M stacked plate cooler, a custom Dynamic Racing Transmissions torque converter, and a custom-length steel driveshaft with heavy-duty 1350 U-joints. A custom dual exhaust system with Hooker Aerochamber mufflers has been installed.

    A fitted California Car Cover and build records are included in the sale.

    The video images displayed in the gallery were taken in October 2022.

    Pick of the Day: 1977 Datsun 280-Z ZZZap Edition

    It seems so normal and common for cars to be co-branded with media — witness the “Transformers” movie for a fine example — but in 1977, it was highly unusual. In fact, video game culture that has influenced the old car hobby can look at this 1977 Datsun 280-Z ZZZap edition as being the godfather of them all. This vehicle, our Pick of the Day, is for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer near Grand Rapids, Michigan.

    It all started with a 1977 arcade game produced by Midway called Datsun 280 ZZZAP. It originally was released in 1976 as Midnight Racer and then the co-branded ZZZAP version was released by Taito in 1977 in Japan before Midway released it in North America shortly after. A Special Decor Package inspired by the video game was introduced in the 1977 model year. Promotional material claimed, “The Z with more ZZZap!”

    The basis was a 280-Z, which came with a 2,753cc OHC six with 149 horsepower and electronic fuel injection backed by a four-speed manual. The Special Decor Package included mandatory Sunburst Yellow paint with a black racing stripe along the hood, roof, and deck, plus longitudinal stripes on both sides; an additional gradated stripe in yellow/orange/red was placed on the hood and the front fenders. Other features included racing mirrors and rear window louvers. According to the Internet, 1,000 280-Zs were built with this package, but we cannot find supporting documentation to verify.

    This particular 1977 280-Z with the Special Decor Package for sale on ClassicCars.com was originally sold new in Newburg, Oregon, then migrated to Wyoming, where it spent most of its life. Seller says the Nissan … er, Datsun has been driven only 2,500 miles in the past 20 years, which is supported by maintenance records. “Driving the 280-Z is a dream, with a tight 4-wheel independent suspension, power-assisted brakes, and rack and pinion steering,” adds the seller. “Highlights include rear window defogger, auxiliary gauges, Kenwood radio, Alpine speakers, and exterior racing stripe.”

    This Datsun 280-Z ZZZap edition has only 73,125 miles on the odometer. Included in the sale are the original owner’s manual, service manual, original tool kit, unopened tire inflator canister and full factory exhaust including the original muffler. This limited-edition Z-car will cost you more than a quarter — more like $34,900. Maybe you can find the original arcade game for a nice pairing?

    To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.