Cadillac Eldorado history 1989

1989 CADILLAC ELDORADO

The Eldorado continued to be available as the Eldorado coupe and as the Eldorado Biarritz, which was ordered as Option Code YP3. A new white diamond color was introduced, allowing a choice of 18 colors for the Eldorado buyer. The black metallic roof of 1988 was replaced with a sable black version. The Biarritz roof was revised via the elimination of the bright bead adjacent to the roof molding. New options consisted of the electrochromic mirror, Delco/Bose Symphony sound System and digital disc player. New standard features consisted of an accent molding, remote fuel door release, front license plate mounting, the AM/FM stereo radio used on the Sixty Special and aluminum alloy wheels with a snowflake finish.

The 1989 Eldo boasted more standard equipment with no significant price increase, while the '90 gained 35 bhp with no loss in mileage by switching from throttle-body injection to the more efficient multi-port type. A driver's airbag became standard that year, and the Touring Coupe returned as a nine-second 0-60 sprinter with 215/60 performance tires, 16 x 7-inch forged-alloy wheels, 10-way power sport seats, and a deftly dechromed exterior. Performance improved further for 1991 via a newly stroked 4.9 V-8 delivering 200 bhp and 0-60 in 8.2 seconds. Even better, ABS became standard, as did a velvety-shifting new chip-controlled automatic transaxle. Also standard now was Computer Command Ride, the speed-dependent variable-rate damping system pioneered for 1989 on Cadillac's singular two-seat Allanté.

Interior changes for 1989 were headlined by a high-gloss bird's-eye maple wood trim for the instrument panel, front console and door panels that were installed on the Eldorado Biarritz and standard on Eldorados with the B20 Appliques option. The Eldorado's floor mats were of the new design used on other 1989 Cadillacs. A passive vehicle anti-theft system (VATS) that disengaged the starter, fuel pump and ECM we standard. Also found on all Eldorados was a driver side express-down window with a three-second activation and a tap up/down deactivation. The heater/defroster and bi-level air modes were revised to provide a more gradual and comfortable transition from warm to cool air, as well as an increased bi-level airflow.

I. D. DATA

The 1989 Cadillac had a 17-symbol vehicle identification number (VIN) stamped on a metal tag attached to the upper left surface of the cowl visible through the windshield. The code was as follows:

First digit	"1"	represented the manufacturing country (United States)
Second digit	"G"	represented General Motors
Third digit	"6"	represented Cadillac
Fourth digit	"E"	Eldorado car line
Fifth symbol	"L"	Eldorado series identification
Digits six and seven	"57"	Eldorado coupe
eighth digit	"7"	273 cu. in. V-8. engine
Ninth digit	"?"	a check digit
Tenth digit	"K"	represents the model year, 1989
Eleventh digit	-	represents the assembly plant
Digits 12-17	-	the production sequence: 600000 and up

Model	Series Number	Body/Style Number	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
Eldorado	6E	L57	2-dr Coupe	$26,915	3422 lb	20,633
Eldorado Biarritz	6E	L57	2-dr Coupe	$-	- lb	7,174

ENGINE DATA

Type	90-degree, overhead valve, V-8, aluminum block and cast iron cylinder liners, cast iron cylinder heads
Displacement	273 cu. in. (4.5 liters)
Bore & Stroke	3.62 in. x 3.31 in.
Compression ratio	9.0:1
Brake horsepower	155 @ 4000 rpm
Torque	240 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm
Main bearings	Five
Valve lifters	Roller hydraulic valve lifters
Fuel supply	Digital electronic fuel injection

Model	Wheelbase	Overall length	Height	Width	Front Tread	Rear Tread	Standard Tires
Eldorado	108.0 in.	190.8 in	53.7 in.	70.9 in.	59.9 in.	59.9 in.	Michelin P205/70R15

Model	Transmission	Steering	Ratios	Front Suspension	Rear Suspension	Brakes	Body construction	Fuel Tank
Eldorado	THM 440-T4 automatic four-speed (includes overdrive and viscous converter clutch)	Power-assisted rack and pinion	16.5:1	independent MacPherson strut with coil springs, strut-type shock absorbers and stabilizer bar	fully independent with coil springs. Automatic level control and strut-type superlift shock absorbers	Power-assisted front disc/rear drum with Teves anti-lock braking system	Integral body-frame	18.8 US Gal.

DRIVETRAIN OPTIONS

Anti-lock braking, $749.25
Seville touring sedan option YP6, $5,754 (includes a touring suspension also available as option FE2, $155, for both the Seville and Eldorado consisting of stiffer front springs, larger diameter front stabilizer bar, a rear stabilizer bar and faster steering. The STS also had a 3.33:1 final drive ratio)
engine block heater, $45

CONVENIENCE/APPEARNACE OPTIONS

Accent striping, $75
Anti-lock braking system. $925
Bird's-eye maple appliques [incl. in Eldorado Biarritz], $2435
Astroroof, $1355.
Biarritz-Eldorado leather, $3325
Biarritz-Eldorado cloth, $2875
California emissions and testing, $100
Cellular mobile telephone, $1975
Cellular mobile telephone provision, $395
Rear window defogger, $195
Automatic door locks, $185
Remote release fuel filler door, $65
Gold ornamentation package, $395
Leather seating area, $450
Automatic day/night mirror, $80
Firemist paint [not avail. with two-tone paint on Eldorado Coupe], $240
Primary firemist paint, $190
Secondary firemist paint, $50
White diamond paint, $240
Monotone lower accent color, no charge
Delco-Bose with compact disc system, $872
Power passenger seat recliner, $95-$410
Full padded vinyl roof [n/a with STS], $1095
Full cabriolet roof [n/a with STS or full padded vinyl roof], $1095
Leather-trimmed steering wheel, n/c
Theft deterrent system, $225
Whitewall P215/65R15 tires, $76
Touring suspension, $115
Wire locking wheel discs [incl. with Eldorado Biarritz, n/a with STS], $235

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