1969 Cadillac Eldorado

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to the lower rate 5% import tax if the car is to remain in the UK & purchased by a private individual. The 5% is calculated on the final selling price. For example, if the car sells for £4,000, then £350 is added, making the total amount payable of 4,350.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

A company buying the car will have to pay VAT on the hammer price, as well as duty + VAT.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £350 for processing the NOVA application, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK and thus allow you to register the vehicle with the DVLA

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

We have not started or driven the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be delighted to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, this 8th generation 1969 Cadillac Eldorado comes with no history or service records.

We haven’t tried to start or drive this LHD automatic Eldorado and can therefore only attest to its cosmetic condition.

We know that the chassis number is H9197588.

We know from a service sticker on the windscreen that the car’s mileage was 9,188 in 2005 and that it used to live in Pennsylvania

We know that, today, the odometer reads just 9,189 miles.

And we know that it was bought for the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles in 2013.

First things first – you should be warned that this car has quite a dramatic presence.

In other words, it’s absolutely enormous.

It’s over 5.5 metres long, 2 metres wide and it has a kerb weight of 2,130 kg.

The only two-door things we can think of that are bigger than this are Amish barns.

In general, this car presents very well indeed and the bodywork is broadly free of any dinks, dents and creases of significance. The black paintwork, too, has held up very impressively.

The wheels and hub caps look good, as does most of the chrome, save for a few spots of foxing and pitting on the door handles.

The paint is slightly orange-peely below the chrome trim on the flanks.

There is a small dent to the chrome trim on the n/s/f wheel arch.

There is a scratch or two on the bonnet, a chip in the windscreen at the bottom on the n/s, and some light, swirly scratches on the boot lid.

The lights, lenses and badging all look good.

The interior is in pretty much time-warp condition and is far more in keeping with the car’s very low mileage than its age.

The black fabric and vinyl upholstery - front and back - appears to be remarkably untroubled by the passage of time and is free of any damage or signs of wear that we can see.

The seats are comfortable, supportive and, as far as we can tell, functional.

The door cards, carpets, mats, visors and headlining are all excellent.

The various bit of wood veneer dotted around the interior are all in good nick.

The instruments, gear selector and steering wheel all seem to be in commendable shape.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start the vehicle.

As expected, the undersides of the car appear to have a good deal of structural integrity and we’ve seen nothing more than an entirely standard bloom of superficial rust dust here and there.

Clearly, you’ll want to take a look for yourself.

The (massive) engine and engine bay look very clean and dry.

The car doesn’t come with any history or service records.

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor a V5. It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this. Any paperwork shown in the gallery in no way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification.

We haven’t tried to start or drive the car so our understanding of it is somewhat limited.

Assuming you can fit it into the car park at Waitrose, you’re unlikely to find yourself parked next to another one of these.

As powerfully emblematic of all-things American as pecan pie or a bootlace tie, this epic piece of beautifully sculpted metal makes a statement very few cars could ever hope to match.

Provided, of course, that the engine and mechanicals prove to be as good as the rest of it, we think this low-mileage 1969 Cadillac Eldorado has the potential to be a very rewarding car to own, drive or simply stare at.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £4,000 - £8,000, plus bond payment and £350 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.