90s Coupes Revival: Cadillac Eldorado Returns

Cadillac Eldorado Returns with Iconic Silhouette

The preceding Cadillac Eldorado wasn’t hideous, and reportedly it was a comfortably smooth ride coupled with a vigorous V8. In hindsight, though, it may appear somewhat traditional.

Constructed until 2002, this marked the last incarnation of an iconic classic, and this sizable two-door executive was unlikely to ever be revived. And, sadly, this has yet to resurface; regrettably for both the perennial (12-generation) moniker as well as those looking for glorious coupes.

Digital artist Rostislav Prokop from HotCars takes the iconic ’90s design and, with some slight modifications, shapes it into a modern luxury vehicle suitable for the 2020s – a potential flagship product that General Motors could provide alongside the Camaro and Corvette.

Revisiting the Cadillac Eldorado in June of 2023 to assess its current value at auction, we analyze what performance and luxury coupes are currently on offer from both the brand and General Motors.

The expression Eldorado can be translated as “The Golden One,” and it is reserved for an opulent vehicle not designed to race around, but rather one that offers a pleasant driving experience while still providing enough vigor when necessary. In later models, a 4.6-liter eight-cylinder engine with 275-300 horsepowers was added, coupled with a four-speed automatic transmission in order to provide thrust on the front wheels.

From the outside, the 12th-generation Eldorado gives off the vibe of various other General Motors cars from the ’90s, such as the 1991 to 1996 Chevy Caprice or Impala. This new rendering of the Eldorado updates its frontend with modern LED headlamps that resemble those of the original. LED fog lamps are also in tow and a tougher-looking bumper with an integrated frontal diffuser has replaced the vehicle’s former simplistic bumper. The hood is artfully adorned with a scoop that implies increased power.

This contemporary Cadillac illustration exhibits in caramelly appearance and seems sophisticated, mirroring the original model’s shape. The horizontal partition that adjoins the upper part of the back deck is still manifest at the C leverage; a feature which drew attention on the first car.

Having come back to the rear, one will observe the long-lasting horizontal light fixtures which have been transformed to LEDs; just below the trunk is a set of four exhausts, another classic Eldorado feature existing in this model, although not all variants included them. With its modernized aesthetic upgrade, the vehicle has the same vibe as latest sports cars like the Dodge Challenger, yet it would remain an elegant grand tourer rather than a drag car.

Given the hood scoop, quadruple exhaust outlets, and large alloy wheels featuring sport brake calipers, it appears GM’s LT4 supercharged V8 engine with 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque will be appropriate for this premium coupe by 2023.

The fascination of the bulky two-door, front-wheel-drive vehicle is a special market and one that will presumably become more mainstream as cars such as this one vanish.

These days, electrics can be an issue with the Cadillac Eldorado, but its powertrain is generally uncomplicated. Values are currently estimated to be around $8,000, as indicated by Classic.com’s trustworthy auction inventory collector, making the culminative model appear to be a great bargain.

The generally disregarded 90s coupe is presently worth around $8,000-$9,000 on average according to Classic.com. Hagerty evaluates a 2002 Cadillac Eldorado ESC with its 4.6-liter Northstar V8 at just $5,000 for those in ‘good’ condition. Fortunately, potential purchasers may realize prices ranging between $5,000 and $20,000 for the best examples such as those with the powerful 4.6-liter 295-hp engine.

Presently, the high-end coupe industry is not simply diminishing; it’s close to vanishing from many makers’ product collections. Cadillac and Buick don’t have any coupes to pick from, however, Cadillac will be presenting the new Celestiq EV—a luxurious vehicle that can be ordered to-measure. Buick just has the Wildcat EV Idea, which is a stylish two-door coupe with cutting-edge looks, but unfortunately, it probably won’t be mass-produced.

After this model year, Chevrolet’s Camaro will be resigning from service. After its departure, only the Corvette will remain as a sports car in GM’s echelon, leaving trucks, SUVs, and crossovers to make up the rest of its line-up.