1974 Cadillac Eldorado-Camino Custom 1-of-a-kind!

1974 Cadillac “Eldo-Camino”

Unique – 1 of a kind – Incredible survivor!

I purchased this car about a year ago. Saw this baby on Ebay, resting out in Nevada. It was used as a parade-leading eyecatcher. Some people call these parade-cars, flower cars, or funeral cars. In my case I call her my Eldo-Camino!
It had a pair of huge air-horns atop the cabin roof, lights all over, and an array of noisemakers under the hood.

OK, I was smitten! Couldn’t help myself…Always wanted to own an Eldo.
Back in the early 70’s I was a mechanic in a shop that specialized in big iron. Lincolns, Caddy’s, Oldmobiles…you name it, I worked on it. Having owned over 100 cars in my lifetime, I had yet to own an Eldo.

After pressure cleaning about 50# of desert dust from the frame and undercarriage, I was surprised to see just how nice and well preserved this car was. The back-end conversion was mostly in-tact, although the fiberglass was weather worn and missing in some areas. The body was wonderfully intact, only a couple of minor smooshes. All the original rubber bumper fillers were shot, typicalafter all these years. So to bring this car back to shiny life has truly been a labor of love!

The 500ci motor’s top end was removed and I cleaned out 40+ years of sludge. Installed new lifters, gaskets, oil pump,timing chain & gears, seals, etc. After all the work was done, there was an aggravating oil leak where the timing cover intersected the oil pan lip. A second set of seals and gaskets didn’t cure it, so the motor got pulled, the pan removed, and now a 3rd set of gaskets and seals fixed it right. Glad I pulled the pan, there was a bunch of sludge debris in the oil pickup. Not no more!

Other things done: Upgraded the points & condenser ignition to GM’s period-correct HEI electronic ignition. Apparently 1974 was a change-over year for ignition systems, this car just missed the cut. Rebuilt the QuadraJet carb,installed anew fuel pump, new water pump, anda pair of thermostatic controlled electric fans to replace the mechanical fan.
The front end got a complete make-over including new ball-joints upper/lower, new sway bar links, new front shocks, new front drive axles, transmission output seals and 2 new front brake calipers. I replaced the original air shocks with new, although the original air-tank, leveling valve, etc. was toast and had to go. There’s a fill port just below the license plate.

Now for the body work. First task was to remove those hideous horns and lights. (See original picture!) Cleaned out all sorts of horns and other noise-makers from under the hood. Aside from a couple of above mentioned minor smooshes, all the panels were incredibly straight and rust free. No rust. Nowhere! The fiberglass bed area was loving restored by my friend John who was a master-fiberglass-tech at nearby Boston Whaler. He brought the bad spots under control, added wood where necessary, and even re-did where the fiberglass meets the metal both on the roof and along the sides. Check out those original body lines! My other friend Ritchie, a life-long old-school body-man, took care of the minor body work, and gave her a new coat of paint. FYI, the paint is Chevrolet White, #11. Afterwards, John added the pinstripes.
Other things John and Ritchie did were: Install all new bumper fillers (now made in ABS plastic); Installed new outside window seals, installed new door-seal rubbers, repaired the access door to the trunk area, adding a couple of marine stainless hinges.

Recently a new headliner was installed along with 4 new whitewall tires. There’s still some work left to be done inside. The interior shows wear and sun-fading. Driver’s electric 6-way seat makes a click noise but doesn’t move. Speedo not working, but may just be a cable. Radio, cruise, A/C are all there, but not working. Missing the chrome ring around the antenna (I took it off, I know it’s around here somewhere!) The window film is bad and needs replacing.

So, that’s my story. Probably some things I forgot. Call and ask!

If you want a real fun ride that gets a load of looks…this one’s for you!
Clean California title. Even comes with an old-school blue CA plate.
(Oh, yeah, you want those old horns and lights? you got 'em!)

Call Jim at 386-576-7890 (voice ONLY, NO TEXT)