In 1971 the Cadillac product lineup featured all-new styling, as the brand exited its era of clean lines and minimized chrome ornamentation. As we reviewed in our last installment, weight, cubic inches, and length measurements all ballooned over where they were the prior decade. At the same time, emphasis on build quality and brand differentiation within the GM portfolio began to decline. For the Eldorado’s part, it slipped into a new disco suit that lost its sleekness and sporting appeal. Its new looks in 1971 favored styling that was in line with the brand’s other offerings and was more garish and decadent like the competition from Lincoln.
(Note: The silver example is the 1970 Eldorado, while the dark red is a 1971.)
Leading the charge toward baroque was the Eldorado’s proud new nose. With a hood that was longer than before and even more upright and square in its shape. The scalloped front edge of the 1970 model was gone, replaced by a flat, vertical hood edge that looked more imposing.
Also more imposing was the enlarged grille. Egg crate textures grew taller and more rectangular, which gave the grille a taller look. There was more grille surface too, as the bumper’s upper chrome bar was removed. The enlarged grille opening was covered by two slim vertical bumper guards that would grow over time, and a license plate mount that moved upward.
The front end of the Eldorado maintained battering ram corners in line with the prior generation, though that feature vanished from all other Cadillacs that year. The decoration at either corner changed, as the wrap-around indicator lens was expanded vertically and bisected in two by a strip of painted metal. Unlike the 1970, the 1971’s front corner appearance was marred by the “cap” look of the lighting elements, which were not cleanly integrated.
Below either end was a bumper that had slightly less vertical area than before, but was sharper in its shape. Cost cutting was again evident, as the single piece bumper between either corner in 1970 transitioned to become three separate pieces with requisite seams in the metal.
Headlamps were a carry over from the prior year (unlike other Cadillacs) and maintained their quad arrangement and spacing. Even the chrome housing was the same as the prior Eldorado. The difference in the new model was a trick of the eye: The lights stayed put but the reduced vertical area of the bumper (no chrome bar) meant they looked as though they were higher in the fascia.
Erased from the grille was the Cadillac script and 8.2 Litre engine badge, replaced with nothing. Cadillac made sure the attention was focused on a new feature that year, one that was exclusive to the Eldorado. A proud hood ornament stood on top of the hood and replaced the traditional flush wreath and crest that previously denoted Fleetwood models.
The taller profile of the Eldorado was immediately apparent when viewed from the front ¾ angle. Fenders had more height, as did the roof. The fenders themselves were less pointed than in 1970 and had a rounded surface that tucked in beneath the wheels. Indicator lamps became larger and less detailed in the new model, where the stacked clear lamp and amber reflector were rearranged to be aside one another.
The fender line that vanished in the door of the 1970 Eldorado and returned to kick upward aft of the door was replaced by a sweeping horizontal line that ran the length of the car. Side trim was the same chrome spear shape as previously but was cut short in 1971. It made room for a new faux chrome fender vent that called back to the original Eldorado of 1953.
Underneath the chrome trim was the same Fleetwood block lettering as before, newly joined by a relocated 8.2 Litre badge. Lower sill trim was largely a carryover from the old design, as were the finned turbine wheel discs. However, the wheels at the rear were covered by a new fender skirt that was meant to emphasize luxury and the sweeping length of the Eldorado.
Lesser sporting pretensions were also evident in the roof, where the A-pillar was more steeply raked than in 1970. The side window was moved from aft of the door to a new spot in the large B-pillar. Cadillac chose not to offer the Eldorado in a hardtop as it was previously and instead opted for a more formal coupe. The rear side window would grow smaller and shapelier over time and become an opera window to compete with the Continental Mark.
The rear of the Eldorado made its more rounded curves and softer shape abundantly apparent. The central body crease of 1970 that extended to the rear fins was removed entirely, replaced by a rounded fender with no crease at all. Also rounded off was the trunk lid, which saw the sharp lines across its rear edge replaced by soft creases.
The Eldorado’s rear was much taller than the previous year, a change made apparent once stood behind it. The rear window’s shape became rounded as well, with a concave curve along its lower edge as it followed the design of the bulging trunk. The trunk lid curved downward abruptly to meet a very clumsily designed rear clip.
Sharp lines and razor thin tail fins were replaced with a mushy, tiered appearance. Thin brake lamps were no more, replaced with larger units that were bisected by a heavy piece of chrome. Located inward were new reflector lamps in the shape of the equals sign at either side.
The previously simple bumper was replaced by a curved one that stepped outward as it went toward the middle. Eldorado block lettering was in roughly the same place as in 1970. The rear fuel door was moved to a lower location behind the license plate. The license plate area itself now better integrated the reversing lamps at either side of the plate. One final nail in the sporty coupe coffin: Dual exhausts were no more, replaced by a single tail pipe on the right side.
Viewed from a low angle, it was obvious how bulky the rear of the 1971 Eldorado was in contrast to the 1970. The curved rear windshield forced to follow the broad, soft expanse of the trunk gave away just how bulky the car was in its design. And its once proud fins were reduced to a mere notion, as they were visually lower than the trunk lid. In our next installment, we’ll see if Eldorado’s design travesties continued to the interior of the 1971.
[Images: dealer, dealer, dealer]
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