Here's a 1972 Eldorado ragtop in Promenade Gold Metallic with Medium Maize interior.
The 8.2 Litre (500cid) V-8 debuted in 1970. Featuring a 4bbl carburetor and a 10.0:1 compression ratio, it was rated at 400bhp and 550 lb-ft of torque, SAE Gross.
In 1971 GM decreed that all engines needed to run on lower octane unleaded gas, and the 500's compression ratio was reduced to 8.5:1, dropping power ratings to 365bhp and 535 lb-ft of torque.
For 1972, General Motors started using SAE Net numbers, rather than SAE Gross, which meant measuring the engine's output as it was actually installed in the car, with all accessories hooked up, factory exhaust & air cleaner installed, et cetera. Thus, for 1972, the 500cid motor in the Eldo was rated at 235bhp and 385 lb-ft, even though it was substantially unchanged from the previous year.
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