“… a bold styling statement.”
For 1988, Cadillac’s Eldorado gained a new 4.5 liter V8, along with a power dome hood, a revised grille, a reshaped rear window treatment, and an extended trunk. Length increased by three inches, and the 1988 Eldorado looked slightly more like the Eldo people had grown to expect. New options for the 1988 Eldorado included an anti-lock brake system and a fully padded roof, which hearkened back to previous generations. All of these changes were developed in a rapid 51 weeks.
The Eldorado’s powertrain was Cadillac’s 155 bhp HT series 4.5 liter/273 ci V8 with throttle body fuel injection paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration improved notably—the Eldorado’s 0-60 mph time was now under 10 seconds for the first time since the early 1970s. Fuel economy was 17 city/24 highway by the day’s standards (15/22 by today’s measures). With an 18.8-gallon fuel tank, an Eldorado owner could expect a range of between 315 and 345 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.
So, what did those buyers get with their $24,891 (about $69,700 in today’s dollars) 1988 Eldorado? Standard exterior and mechanical equipment included front wheel drive, a four-wheel independent suspension, power-assisted rack and pinion steering, power four-wheel disc brakes, and 205/70R14 tires (a size still readily available) on 14-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, six-way front power seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel with tilt and telescope adjustment, cruise control, power side mirrors, power windows, power door locks, electronic climate control, Twilight Sentinel, and an AM/FM stereo radio with power antenna were all included—the Eldorado was pretty well equipped.
Packages, Options, & Production Numbers
Moving up to the Biarritz (almost always the top-of-the-line Eldorado since 1956) added wire wheels, two-tone paint, nicer front seats with power lumbar support and power recliners, and real walnut trim on the instrument panel, console, and door trim plates.
Options included anti-lock brakes, touring suspension with 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels, Astroroof, a nicely integrated cellular phone, and the Delco/Bose Symphony Sound System.
The exterior redesign and the new engine definitely assisted sales—they were nearly double what they had been in 1987, though still not close to the salad days of 1985 and prior.
The View From 2025
According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, a 1988 Eldorado in #1/Concours condition is $16,800, with a far more typical #3/Good car going for a mere $6,100. Eldorados of this age come up for sale regularly in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and Bring a Trailer, so folks are saving them.
Make mine Carmine Red, please.
Other Eldorados I have written about include the 1982 Touring Coupe, the 1984 Biarritz convertible, and the 1986 coupe.
Last updated August 2025.
Eighties Cars 