Custom Eldorado

Custom Eldorado (1968)

The Hot Wheels Custom Eldorado was a member of the original 16 in 1968, but actually is based
on the real 1967 Cadillac Eldorado two-door sport coupe.

The 1967 Eldorado was unlike every previous Cadillac, not only that it had front-wheel drive,
but it had style and attitude. And no other Cadillac had ever looked like the hidden-headlight,
aggressively modern '67 Eldorado either! Credit GM designer Bill Mitchell for the truly
gorgeous, almost arrogant '67 Eldo.

Beneath its skin, the '67 Eldorado had the Turbohydramatic three-speed automatic transaxle,
which essentially put the transmission beside the longitudinally mounted engine, with power
transmitted by a chain. Other features included the A-arm front suspension incorporating long
torsion bars instead of coil springs, and a solid rear axle with leaf springs.

The Eldorado used the same 340-horsepower 429-cubic-inch V8 as other Caddies, but with
changes in the exhaust manifolds, oil pan and accessory drive system to accommodate the
peculiar drivetrain.

Priced at $6,277 (more than any DeVille, but less than a Fleetwood), the '67 Eldorado carried
all the luxury equipment of a Fleetwood and, despite its two doors, had room for six passengers.
It was instantly the most popular Eldorado ever, and sold 17,930 units that first year (only
2,250 '66 Eldorados were sold). It was a bold, confident step forward for Cadillac!

The Hot Wheels Custom Eldorado was produced in both the US and Hong Kong factories for
approximately two years and, although it was a very popular casting at the time of its release,
it has continued to remain as one of the original 16 favorites over the years. The two factories
produced two subtle, yet distinct body casting variations between the US and HK models.

The hood of the US-made Eldorado is slightly shorter in length when compared to the HK version,
although the hood scoops are the same in both productions. The longer HK hood was required to
account for a larger engine compartment, as compared to the short US engine. The area between
the HK engine radiator and front bumper is open, while the US version is a solid cast. There are
no notable differences on the rear end of either casting.

A pair of purple Eldorados showing differences between the HK (black steering wheel) and US castings.

The US Eldorado has a clear windshield as compared to the blue-tinted windshield "glass" of
the HK car. The windshield placement is different as well: the US windshield snaps into
the rear of interior, and rests over the top of the dashboard, while the HK version rests above the
front dashboard at the engine cowl and the rear portion extends back to insert over the rear
rivet post.

The US Eldorado has a one-piece interior, with the steering wheel molded as part of the console.
Laid out flat, the design of the attached dashboard molding becomes apparent, prior to being
folded and snapped into place.

The HK interiors main difference is the lack of rounded dashboard detail, and the black steering
wheel is a separate mold inserted through the dash wall. The interiors from both factories have
been found, so far, in white, charcoal, brown, and champagne-gold colors.

Above: HK (L) and US (R) Eldorado interiors and "glass".

Both the US and HK Custom Eldorados came with the standard wheels unique to each factory.
The HK wheels are characterized by a bright chrome finish of the spokes and rims, and thinner
red lines on the tires. It is thought that the HK Eldorado was not issued with deep-dish wheels.
Although some Eldorados have been found with deep-dish wheels, it is believed that the wheels
were likely swapped, since no deep-dish Eldorados to date have been found in a blister pack.

The base has been found in four variations; three have been documented for US Eldorados,
and one for HK Eldorados:

HK: base has the year 1967 stamped
US variation #1: large copyright symbol with the year 1968 stamped, where the 8
is stamped off-center.
US variation #2: large copyright symbol with the year 1968 stamped correctly.
US variation #3: small copyright symbol with the year 1968 stamped correctly.

Above: HK Eldorado base.

Above (clockwise from top left): US Eldorado base variations 1, 2 and 3.

In general, the outside of the HK base (below) is slightly more detailed than the US counterpart.

On the inside of the chassis base there are obvious differences between the US and HK versions,
in the design and location of the mounted wire axles, as well as the differences in width and length
of the custom side exhaust pipes.

An inside view of HK (L) and US (R) Eldorado bases.

A very interesting - and subjective - variation of the Custom Eldorado is the absence of
a painted black roof. A few well-loved examples do exist, however mint loose or blister
pack examples have yet to surface to truly authenticate this "variation".

Color chart

US COLORS:	COMMENTS:
red	common
olive	common
green	common
blue	common
aqua	common
gold	common
brown	common
rose	hard-to-find
orange	hard-to-find
purple	hard-to-find
lime	hard-to-find
antifreeze	hard-to-find
copper	hard-to-find
magenta	rare
"Windex" blue	rare
light blue	rare
light ("apple") green	rare
hot pink	rare
yellow	rare
creamy pink	rare
HK COLORS:	COMMENTS:
red	common
blue	common
aqua	common
green	common
olive	hard-to-find
brown	hard-to-find
copper	hard-to-find
purple	rare
orange	rare
gold	rare if it exists
creamy pink	rare if it exists

A spectacular orange US Eldorado!

Jerry Schmitt's awesome HK orange Eldorado!

A light ("apple") green US Custom Eldorado.

A very rare apple green Eldorado in the blister!

Left to right: US Custom Eldorados in yellow, antifreeze and light ("apple") green.

US Custom Eldorados in two shades of olive!

Green US (L) and HK (R) Eldorados.

Jerry Schmitt's sweet gold US Eldorado.

A tough magenta US Eldorado!

Even tougher: hot pink!

Blue Eldos (L to R): "royal" blue, "true" blue, and two examples of light blue.

"Windex blue"

Bruce Stieben's rare unpainted Eldorado prototype acquired from the Keith Greshens Collection.

A bottom view of the pre-production Eldo. Note the unspun posts.

Here's an interesting factory error: the black roof paint is backwards! (Courtesy of R. Chalfant)

Photo & info credits: Ken McLaren

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