RARE! 1981 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (Only 18 made!)

1981 Cadillac Eldorado Description

ONE OF LESS THAN 20 BUILT! THIS BEAUTY WAS FOUND IN AN ABANDONED GARAGE AND HAS BEEN UNTOUCHED FOR YEARS, BUT FULLY SERVICED AND APPRAISED! (SEE BELOW) THESE MODELS WERE COACH BUILT AT AN ASTRONOMICAL COST BY HESS AND EISENHARDT, FAMED BUILDER OF PRESIDENTIAL LIMOUSINES! VIEWINGS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!!
NO LEAKS AND NO RUST!!
VIN HISTORY REPORT AND FORMAL APPRAISAL AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
The body is finished in elegant two-tone Bordeaux Red and Burgundy paint with beautiful White leather interior and White convertible top. This rare motorcar comes equipped with every conceivable option, including: factory air conditioning; power seats; power windows; tilt/telescoping steering wheel; Cadillac-emblemed/carpeted floor mats; full (English/Metric) digital instrument display; and more!
This initial line of convertibles was built by Hess and Eisenhardt (famed builder of presidential limousines) at an astronomical cost to Cadillac. The conversions were factory-commissioned (which were far superior in quality to the company Cadillac used in their later models!). In 1981, the cost of this convertible was over $40,000, an astronomical amount at the time (and over $114,000 in today's dollars!). This is also the LAST year for the Cadillac 6.0 368 CI fuel injected engine before they went to the less desirable, under-powered HT4100. The engine and drive train were recently serviced and assessed by a certified master mechanic here in Phoenix (who actually started his automotive career working on this same model line at a Cadillac dealership in 1981!). This is truly a rare and desirable model. Buy with confidence, as this just might be one of the best finds on-line.
HISTORY OF THE HESS AND EISENHARDT CADILLAC CONVERTIBLES:The word "rare" is often over-used to describe a car, but in the case of this beauty it may be the true definition of the word. We all have seen Eldorado Convertibles, but take the year into consideration and you have a truly uncommon car. This is not the 1984-1985 ASC Eldorado Convertible (as knowledgeable automotive historians might first guess), this is a 1981 Hess and Eisenhardt car costing in the upper 40K price range to produce in 1981!
The car is so rare that exact production figures have been impossible to confirm. Somewhere around 20 is all I have been told by those that remember at the current Hess/Ogara Company. If you are not familiar with Hess, they build the President's car and more. To those that say the 1984-1985 Eldorado is a "factory" car, check this out; Every Eldorado and Riviera Convertible from 1979-1985 all started life as a coupe before they became the convertibles they are today and sold at the Cadillac Dealers.
As a piece of trivia, the first step to converting all ASC cars to convertibles was to break out the back window with a hammer. That's right, the "factory" car! Well in 1981 Hess and Eisenhardt was a factory-approved Convertible Coachbuilder chosen by Cadillac, and the cars were sold at the Dealers. Due to the very high cost on the models of this year (and low sales), Cadillac later found ASC more attractive in the following years, and in 84-85 was able to get the car priced better to generate decent sales. Some things on the Hess cars are much nicer than the ASC at its higher price. However, some things on the ASC cars I will say are better than the Hess.
The main difference on the cars is the depth of the rear cut. Notice the Hess car keeps with the original top line of the Eldorado Coupe. This was a more difficult conversion to do. For ease, the ASC versions cut the car lower around the rear section and used the top as filler for the lower cut. Things are different on both makes when you get down to it and that is just the way it is when you start nit picking. One important thing, the Hess has more framing support added to it over the ASC and that is very important on a car like this. They actually welded in additional support on the frame! I would say that Hess was a superior coach builder in the real world aspect of making a car right. ASC put in two little bars that interfere with the parking brake cable and make you think something is hanging down. Now one thing I will hand to the ASC car is the fact they used the Biarritz optioned car to convert. That was not their choice. It was the car that was sent to them. The H&E only used the non-Biarritz for the handful they built in 81.
This vehicle was appraised by a Barrett-Jackson recognized appraiser on 12/28/2018 for $15,000 (copy available by request). I have had a full, mechanical servicing done of all operational systems.
The following work has been done SINCE THE FORMAL APPRAISAL:

• Transmission Service (Flush, Fluid, Filter, Gasket)
• New Heater Control Valve
• Brake Fluid Flush
• New Water Pump, Coolant Flush and Radiator Cap
• Freshly Rebuilt Power Steering Pump
• New Radiator Fan Clutch
• Complete New A/C System (Conversion from R12 to R134a)
• All new Hoses, Belts, Fluids, Filters, and Battery
• This car is ready to become your daily driver!

NOTE: Right/Rear wing window is broken out. All mechanical hardware remains, but glass needs to be replaced.
I am not able to put the love and attention into a full, show-car restoration of this amazing car (which it truly deserves!) and I don't have room to store and protect it properly (I am a shade-tree mechanic with an open carport at home!). I am looking for the right buyer who will take this beauty to the next level. Viewings by appointment only.