When the 1973 Eldorado was selected to lead the 57th running of the Indianapolis 500, more than four decades had passed since a Cadillac had last served in that capacity, and choosing such a heavy land yacht with front-wheel drive seemed unusual in some senses. However, it did feature the largest V8 ever offered in a US production car, measuring 500 cubic inches, so it was satisfying that the 500 race was led by a car with a 500 under the hood. This 1973 Eldorado Indy Pace Car is one of just 566 made, which included 53 cars for the festival and 513 replicas sent to Cadillac dealers. Located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the current bid of $18,500 hasn’t met the reserve, so if you’re ready to go higher, this one is available here on Hemmings. PRA4SNW, thanks a lot for the tip here!
The pace cars were painted white and also featured a white canvas convertible top, with the seller confirming that this one included the Indy door graphics when his grandfather acquired it back in ’83. It’s since gotten a respray, but so far, no replacement decals have been installed. Fortunately, a quick internet search reveals that repros are available, so I’d probably have to order a set and put them on rather quickly, as these are the most obvious clue that this is no ordinary Eldorado. An aftermarket chrome nose cap has been added, so the next owner will have to decide whether or not it stays on.
The massive 500 engine was first offered by Cadillac in 1970, and it was the sole engine option for the Eldorado in 1973. Originally rated at 400 horsepower, the compression had dropped by ’73, and so had the power, with the HP number now standing at around 365 gross or 235 net. However, there was still plenty of torque, with the V8 offering 385 lb-ft. This one is believed to retain the original engine and automatic transmission, with the seller reporting that it runs great, and an odometer reading of 35,621. There’s no word on whether those numbers are on a subsequent trip around, but given the overall strong condition here, I’m inclined to believe this is probably actual.
It’s also believed that the interior remains original, and while the seller notes that the red leather upholstery shows some wear, the inside area still presents well for the most part. This one has all the amenities of a top-notch luxury cruiser from the period, including power everything, and it’s great to see all that extra legroom that the lack of a driveshaft tunnel provides. Any thoughts to share on this 1973 Cadillac Eldorado Indy 500 Pace Car replica?
Someone is going to have to show me a picture of a ’73 car with those god awful wide whites on it from the factory. My dad’s Olds ’73 front drive sure didn’t.
The Cadillac 2 page ad for this car ‘back in the day’ featured the car with Firestone while letter *and* partial white stripe tires! Do a search and you see not a wide white wall in sight!
Back then a popular whitewall tire was a Carnegie steel belted radial. If I remember those tires had two thin white stripes as whitewall. They were pretty classy looking, I thought.
The Hemmings ad says its a replica
I’d definitely go with the reproduction decals like Mike suggested. Although I’m horrible at applying them, I’d probably have to hire someone to do it for me. I agree with Bobhess, the super wide whites are not period correct and I’d definitely go with something more original style. I Went to school with a kid who had an early 70’s drop top Eldorado similarto this one. I just remember the smoke billowing from the front wheels on that thing and them laughing. Really a testament to just how durable those front drive powertrains really are.
@Driveinstile
The wide whites were probably put on to go with the chrome grill surround to give it a “gangsta'” vibe. Easily fixed with nice 3″ whites
Herb Tarlick Edition?
Great looking car. Ugly a** wheel covers and tires. In the 60’s and 70’s didn’t Cadillac have a decent looking WHEEL on any car ?
@Joe
“Decent” is subjective. I personally feel that the 1968 and 1969 hubcaps were very attractive and added to the cars overall mystique. The wire wheel covers of the mid 70s were OK. I replaced the hubcaps on my ’76 Coupe de Ville with them.
Angel, you will have to excuse Joe. He often tends to cop a very negative opinion on many things he sees here on BF.
That’s a bad ass Cadillac.
This looks like The Rooster’s car from Starsky and Hutch. And a replica? Good luck meeting the reserve.
Pimpin’ ain’t easy.
Looks a lot like the caddy driven by Clint Eastwood in the movie, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot.
those w/w tire need to go for a thin stripe or a similar tire offered when new. i saw nowhere in the ad that there was paperwork to verify the car.
The ad is confusing. Is is a pace car edition, or a replica?
Maybe I’m giving the seller too much of the benefit of the doubt, but I believe the correct terminology is that there were only a few Indy 500 pace cars and the ones sold through the dealerships with the decals were all called replicas.
Can anyone confirm?
Harry, I think you are correct. People are reading the word peplica too literally.
Taken from the ad:
“This front-wheel-drive 1973 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible is one of the 564 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replicas produced for the year, the seller says.”
So, it is one of the 564 Pace Cars made that year.
I like the ’73s and this one looks quite decent… But….
We know it needs a top, tires, and probably A/C work.
I suspect the steering wheel is cracked because it is covered.
If the tires are aged out, the suspension is also likely due for major service. The front shocks are relatively inexpensive and easy to change, but the self-levelling rear suspension involves more work and expense.
If the original nylon-covered timing gear is still there, it will also need to be replaced. That can be a big job.
The aftermarket chrome grill embellishment is also a detractor for most buyers.
To me this is, at most, a $15K car.
Good catch Thomas! It does indeed look like the one in the movie. And though I’m not a big fan of FWD cars, I’ve always found these to be very attractive.
Like the ’71s and ’72s as they wore the side trim that reminds me of the ’50-’56 models that my
parents had in the mid ’60s. The
one that comes to mind most is the Pea Green ’55 ragtop Dad bought in ’64. It had factory wire
rims and a Connie kit out back. Even 60+ years on, I can still recall the looks on some people’s
faces when we’d pull into the church parking lot on Sunday mornings, WLS playing over the
cranked up radio with the top down on nice days, it was the only car our family owned and what a car it was too! Dad dropped us off at church and then went home to get some sleep as he was a police officer
working the graveyard shift at the
Normal (That’s no joke) PD. Not
long after that, we became a 2 car family when he bought a ’58
Dodge Royal Lancer 4-door hardtop as his daily driver and traded the ragtop for a ’59 Cadillac 62 2-door hardtop. And
yeah, I wouldn’t mind having this
car. I can see it now, I’m with a
nice young lady, good music wafting from the stereo as we cruise down the road. I reach over and take her hand as we drive along, and maybe just maybe, steal a smooch at a traffic light. Uh Angel 😇 are you
up to the task?
Clint Eastwood (or Jeff Bridges) would be caught dead driving around
in this.
This link has the actual pace car from the race. Pretty good view of tires an wheel covers un the 3rd picture in the top row.
https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/news-multimedia/news/1973/01/01/1973-indianapolis-500
This link has the actual pace car from the race. Pretty good view of tires an wheel covers un the 3rd picture in the top row.
https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/news-multimedia/news/1973/01/01/1973-indianapolis-500
A Doctor friend of mine had one. It was slicker than a Creek Minnow.
Back when men was men, and a luxury car paced an Indy Car race. You’re never going to see that again.
SOLD for 21K.
4 bids.