1991 Eldorado

1991 Eldorado

In addition to the previously offered Eldorado coupe and special edition Eldorado Biarritz coupe (option code YP3), a special edition Eldorado Touring Coupe (option code YP5) joined the series for 1991.

1991 Eldorado

1991 Eldorado

Regarding the 1991 Touring Coupe (option code YP5), there are few changes on the outside, although if you see one in Polo Green, you'll know it's a '91. The big news is all under the sheetmetal. First of all, the aluminum V-8 has been enlarged to 4.9 liters and 200 bhp at 4400 rpm, while the torque jumps to 275 lbs/ft at 3000 rpm. Meanwhile, the more powerful engine is marginally more fuel efficient: 16 mpg (14.7 l/100 km) city and 26 mpg (9.0 l/100 km) highway according to EPA. It's mated to a new four-speed automatic transaxle with overdrive, viscous clutch, and electronic shift control. Not only that, a new standard Computer Command Ride System boasts three automatically selected damping modes -- comfort, normal, and firm -- for better ride and handling under all driving conditions. And finally, an uplevel Bosch II antilock braking system has been made standard. All of the improvements are aimed directly at the driver, enhancing what was already a very good package. Acceleration from 0-60 mph has been cut to 8.2 seconds, Cadillac claims, though top speed remains a computer-controlled 125 mph.

Cadillac was adamant that the Touring Coupe is strictly a limited-edition model. That should help its prospects for collectibility in the future, while the excellent engineering will make it more than pleasant to live with until then. There's little to choose from between the '90 and '91 TC style-wise, but at least the Eldorado's smaller size looks friendlier to most eyes in 1991 than it did in 1986. The '91, however, is clearly the better choice because of the engineering enhancements. Even so, the '90 is no slouch, and is worth considering. Grab one now and enjoy it for the next 15 or so years at used-car prices. Either way, you'll likely be happy that you selected an Eldorado Touring Coupe. Motor Trend called the 1982-85 generation TC a "truly impressive handler for a car of its mass." For the 1990-91 models, there's less mass, even more impressive handling, and a lot more go when you step on the gas. How could you go wrong?

V.I.N. DATA

The 1991 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:
The first digit "1," represented the manufacturing country (United States)
The second, "G" represented General Motors.
The third, "6," represented Cadillac
The fourth and fifth represented the car line/series, E/L=Eldorodo.
Digit six represents the body style: 1=two-door coupe/sedan
Digit seven identities the restraint code: 1=active (manual) belts, 3=active (manual) belts w/driver's side airbag, and 4=passive (automatic) belts.
The eighth digit identifies the engine: "B"=L26 4.9L V-8
A check digit follows.
The 10th digit represents the model year, "M" for 1991.
The eleventh digit represents the assembly plant.
The remaining six digits identify the production sequence number.

STYLE

SeriesEL1
Body/StyleL57
Body Type2-dr. Coupe
Factory Price$31,245
Shipping Weight3470 lb
Production Total16,212 (includes Eldorados equipped with Touring Coupe and Biarritz options)

ENGINE

Type90-degree overhead valve V-8
BlockAluminum block
Cylinderscast iron cylinder liners
Headcast iron cylinder heads
Displacement300 cu. in. (4.9 liters)
Bore & Stroke3.62 x 3.62 in.
Compression ratio9.5:1
Bhp200@4100 rpm
Torque275 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm
LiftersRoller hydraulic valve lifters
InjectionSequential port fuel injection

CHASSIS

FeatureStandardTouring
Wheelbase108.0 in.(2743 mm)108.0 in.(2743 mm)
Overall Length191.4 in. (4862 mm)191.4 in. (4862 mm)
Height53.2 in. (1351 mm)53.2 in. (1351 mm)
Width72.4 in. (1839 mm)72.4 in. (1839 mm)
Front Tread59.9 in. (1521 mm)59.9 in. (1521 mm)
Rear Tread59.9 in. (1521 mm)59.9 in. (1521 mm)
Standard TiresP205~70R15Goodyear Eagle 0T4 P215/65Ri5

DRIVETRAIN

Transmission4T60-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic with overdrive (includes viscous converter clutch)
SteeringPower-assisted rack-and-pinion
Front Suspensionindependent Macpherson strut with coil springs. strut-type shock absorbers-integral-in strut and Computer Command Ride) and stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionFully independent transverse monoleaf w/automatic level control and Computer Command Ride. no rear stabilizer
BrakesPower assisted front disc/rear drum w/Teves anti-lock braking system (Eldorado used Bosch II ABS)
Body Constructionintegral body-frame
Fuel Tank18.8 gal.

OPTIONS

Eldorado Spring Special Pkg. (incl. cast alum wheels, full cabriolet roof, leather seating, Delco Bose sound syst., and gold ornamentation)$115
FE2 Touring Suspension pkg$155YP3 Biarritz Opt,$3,275
YP5 Touring Coupe Opt.$2,050Birdseye Maple Wood Applique$245
Security Pkg$480Heated Windshield Syst.$309
Astroroof$1,550Gold Ornamentation Pkg.$395
Leather Seating$555Auto Day/Night Mirror$110
Firemist Paint$240Lower Accent Firemist Paint$50
White Diamond Paint$240Delco-Bose Sound Syst.$575
Delco-Bose Sound Syst. w/CD$872Full Vinyl Roof$1,095
Full Cabriolet Roof$1,095P215/65R15 WSW Tires (only w/FS2 Touring Susp.)$76
Locking Wire Wheel Discs$235Cast Alum Wheels$115.

HISTORICAL NOTES

LITERATURE & LINKS