H&E 10th Generation Eldorados Convertibles

---

When Cadillac ended regular-production convertibles after 1976, demand didn’t magically disappear—especially for flagship personal-luxury cars like the Eldorado. In the early 1980s, the convertible “comeback” happened in two ways:

1. Independent coachbuilders converted Eldorado coupes into convertibles for customers who wanted a new Cadillac ragtop before Cadillac officially offered one again.
2. Cadillac later offered a factory-authorized Eldorado convertible for 1984–1985, converted for Cadillac by American Sunroof Corporation (ASC).

Among the most respected coachbuilders involved with these cars was Hess & Eisenhardt—better known to many enthusiasts for high-end specialty and security work than for convertibles.

Hess & Eisenhardt was a Cincinnati, Ohio coachbuilder with deep roots in the specialty-vehicle world. Later corporate descendants trace the lineage back to 1876, when the business was building coaches, and they also highlight decades of producing armored and high-profile vehicles. 

H&E became widely known for major government and presidential-related coachbuilding work, including transforming a stock 1961 Lincoln Continental into the presidential limousine and adding specialized features like a hydraulic lift for visibility. 

That background matters, because it helps explain why H&E-built convertibles are often described by owners as “serious” conversions rather than cosmetic chops.

The Eldorados that H&E converted in this era were based on the 1979–1985 Eldorado generation (often called the “10th generation”), which debuted for 1979 as a front-wheel-drive coupe.

Before Cadillac’s official 1984–85 convertible program, coachbuilt Eldorado convertibles existed in small numbers—H&E among them.

Because these were conversions (not regular assembly-line convertibles), details can vary by year and by how the car was ordered. Still, enthusiasts commonly point to a few recurring H&E traits:

• Coupe-like rear styling / higher beltline: Many H&E conversions keep more of the Eldorado coupe’s original “top line” look at the rear—often described as a more complex approach than later standardized conversions. 
• Quarter window shape/size: H&E cars are frequently noted for larger rear quarter windows compared with ASC cars.
• More extensive reinforcement (as commonly reported): H&E conversions are often described as having substantial structural support added during the conversion process. (Exact methods vary; documentation is king.) 

Published, official production totals for H&E Eldorado conversions are hard to pin down in one authoritative place. You’ll see very different estimates depending on the source. For example, one auction description states there were 126 H&E-converted Eldorados for 1981.
Treat any single number as an estimate unless supported by build documentation, coachbuilder paperwork, or a trusted registry dataset.

Hess & Eisenhardt (H&E)ASC (1984–85 Cadillac-authorized)How they entered the pictureCoachbuilt conversions available before the 1984–85 official program cadillac-offered option for 1984–85, converted by ASC Rear / “cut” lookOften described as keeping more of the coupe’s original upper rear line Standardized Cadillac-offered conversion for 1984–85 Quarter windowsOften described as larger  Often described as smaller (relative to H&E) Identification cluesLook for an H&E nameplate; some also note distinct latch hardware Look for an ASC nameplate; latch style is often cited as different Best practice for ownersDocument the coachbuilder tag + paperwork + build sheet whenever possibleSame—documentation matters, especially with restored cars

(Note: some details above are based on commonly repeated enthusiast/owner observations; whenever you can, back them up with photos of the tag, trim details, and original paperwork.)

1. Coachbuilder tag / plate
   Many conversions can be verified by a nameplate (commonly noted on the driver door area or trunk-lid area depending on conversion)
2. Front header latch style (photo-friendly clue)
   A commonly mentioned quick-spotting cue is a chrome “suitcase” style latch (often associated with H&E) versus a different latch style noted on ASC cars. 
3. Rear quarter window photo
   A straight-on side photo with the top up is perfect for showing quarter-window shape/size.
4. Rear “cut line” photo
   A 3/4 rear photo with the top up (and another with it down) helps show the conversion’s rear treatment.