The 1965-1966 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritzes were the final rear-drive Eldorados, and among the best of the breed. Wholesale 1965 redesign (save for the big Series Seventy-Five) brought handsome new curved-sided styling, even tidier detailing, a strong new full-perimeter frame (replacing the old '57-vintage X-member affair) with better engine mounts, a new four-link rear suspension, and improved Turbo Hydra-Matic Drive.
The result: two of Cadillac's best sales years ever. In fact, 1965 brought a new all-time division record. The Eldo's new styling, mercifully little-changed for '66, was virtually finless and marked by straight-top rear fenders and stacked quad headlamps. New '65 options included a tilt/telescope steering wheel, while the '66s offered an electric "bun warmer" front seat and standard hazard warning flashers.
Though the drop-top Biarritz was once again firmly placed in the bucks-up Fleetwood line, it was still not all that different from the standard convertible (now a de Ville). Thus, it sold only a bit better than earlier '60s models. Long overshadowed by its front-drive successor, today the 1965-1966 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz is increasingly appreciated as a rare-ish, top-line collectible from two vintage Cadillac years.
Pluses of the 1965-1966 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
2,125
Production of the 1965 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
2,250
Specifications of the 1965-1966 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
Length, inches: 224.0
Wheelbase, inches: 129.5
Weight, pounds: 4,500-4,660
Price, new: $6,630-$6,738 (U.S.)
Engines for the 1965-1966 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
The result: two of Cadillac's best sales years ever. In fact, 1965 brought a new all-time division record. The Eldo's new styling, mercifully little-changed for '66, was virtually finless and marked by straight-top rear fenders and stacked quad headlamps. New '65 options included a tilt/telescope steering wheel, while the '66s offered an electric "bun warmer" front seat and standard hazard warning flashers.
Though the drop-top Biarritz was once again firmly placed in the bucks-up Fleetwood line, it was still not all that different from the standard convertible (now a de Ville). Thus, it sold only a bit better than earlier '60s models. Long overshadowed by its front-drive successor, today the 1965-1966 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz is increasingly appreciated as a rare-ish, top-line collectible from two vintage Cadillac years.
Pluses of the 1965-1966 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
- Still the sportiest "standard" Caddy
- Fairly rare
- It's a convertible
- The usual Cad attractions
- Long underappreciated, so prices reasonable
- Arguably better styling and numerous technical improvements from the 1961-64 Eldorado Biarritz
- Still "less an Eldorado" than '50s forebears owing to continued similarity to other Caddys
- Styling too clean for a Cad?
2,125
Production of the 1965 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
2,250
Specifications of the 1965-1966 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
Length, inches: 224.0
Wheelbase, inches: 129.5
Weight, pounds: 4,500-4,660
Price, new: $6,630-$6,738 (U.S.)
Engines for the 1965-1966 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz:
| Type | Size | Horsepower | Years |
| ohv V-8 | 429 cid | 340 | 1965-1966 |
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