Sometimes referred to as land yachts, cars like this 1972 Cadillac Coupe de Ville spent decades in the automotive wilderness. However, a new generation of enthusiasts is irresistibly drawn to these classics and the luxurious motoring experience they promise. This Coupe is a gem, having been part of the same family since Day One. It presents superbly, unsurprisingly given the odometer shows 30,000 genuine miles. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this wonderful survivor listed here on eBay in Troy, Michigan. The seller set their BIN at $18,700 with the option to make an offer.
Released in 1971, Cadillac’s Fourth Generation de Ville range was not only larger than its predecessor but also more modern in styling. The Coupe de Ville remained a favorite among buyers, and this 1972 example is a wonderful survivor. It has remained part of the same family for fifty-four years, and its overall condition suggests it has been a treasured possession. Its Adriatic Turquoise paint shines beautifully, complemented by the White vinyl top. The listing photos suggest the vinyl has taken on a dirty appearance, but this could also be due to poor image quality. The close-ups reveal surface corrosion on the frame and the inner sections of the lower doors. However, there is no evidence of penetrating rust. Addressing those shortcomings should be a priority to prevent further deterioration. The trim and tinted glass are in good condition, and this Caddy retains its factory wheel covers and fender skirts.
Coupe de Ville buyers in 1972 paid a premium for their vehicle, rightly expecting a high level of luxury. This car delivers, featuring climate-control air conditioning, power windows, a six-way power front seat, cruise control, and an AM/FM stereo radio. Trimmed in Turquoise cloth and leather to complement the exterior paint shade, this Caddy’s interior is in first-rate condition. There is no evidence of wear or deterioration, and no aftermarket additions. UV rays haven’t taken a toll, and the overall condition speaks of a classic that has always been treated respectfully.
If I were to choose one word to describe this Cadillac, “honest” would seem the most appropriate. Nobody has detailed this car within an inch of its life, allowing buyers to see precisely what they will get for their money. This classic’s engine bay demonstrates that, presenting as you would rightly expect from a survivor-grade vehicle of this vintage. Cadillac’s iconic 472ci V8 delivers 220hp and 365 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed automatic transmission, while power steering and power brakes were standard in 1972. Although the seller claims this beauty has a genuine 30,000 miles on the clock, they don’t mention supporting documentation. However, the car’s one-family history could mean that evidence exists in the form of Service Records. What is clear is that this Cadillac is a turnkey proposition that runs and drives extremely well. Flying in and driving home is a viable option the buyer may consider.
Timing is everything in the automotive world, and Cadillac must have thought it hit a sweet spot, releasing its latest version of the de Ville range in 1971. The company could never have envisaged the energy crisis that occurred a few years later, or how it would negatively impact the sales of large, fuel-hungry vehicles like the Coupe de Ville. These cars became virtually obsolete overnight, and companies spent the rest of the decade downsizing their offerings to cope with the changes. As a result, many of these classics disappeared from our roads during the 1980s, but this Coupe defied that trend as a wonderful survivor. Therefore, if a slice of early 1970s excess is appealing, this ’72 Caddy deserves a closer look.
Yessir, another Angel 😇 mobile
if I ever saw one! I can just see our Queen 👑 now, motoring down the road in all her majestic
splendor. These things were true
road cars that would easily est up miles of Interstate and float you
all the way to your destination. In
short, if you get tired while driving
this car, pull over! My inlaws had
one and I can tell you first hand
that it took Pop and I and two other guys just to change out a T
400 tranny in my driveway after the original unit took a crap on
them while coming to visit us one
Sunday afternoon. We called a guy I knew who owned a wrecking yard and he was nice enough to bring a tranny over to
my house for an installation that
same day. Took us 4 hours to make the switch so my friend could have the core to be rebuilt
for a later sale. And yeah, we changed the modulator valve and
rubber line coming from the carb
BEFORE we installed the new unit. These cars were also rolling
canvases for customizers who
turned them into pimpmobiles.
One of them was another friend of mine named Buzzy Thomas. Now Buzzy was the kind of guy who just couldn’t leave a stock
Cadillac alone. He had a hyperactive imagination when it
came to customizing and the cars that came out of his shop were nothing less than mind blowing! One that stands out was a Couple DeVille he built with
a roof like an old town car. He removed the front half of the roof,
put in a sliding roof over the front
seats, filled in the rear side glasses, padded the back half of
the roof, and caped it off with a set of landau irons just for fun.
Think he painted it Ice Blue metallic with a white half roof.
And of course, it had all the trappings of a pimpmobile such
as gangster sized white wall tires,
wire wheels, and a Connie kit out
back too. Used to go by his shop
when I was home, have a few beers, and see what he was working on at that time. RIP Buzzy, you are missed.
The two door twin to the car in 1988’s License to Drive with Heather Graham and the two Coreys
Yep! I remember that movie. What they did to that car was nothing short of criminal. But back in the late 80s, it was just another used Caddy. If only they
had known just how much this
car would’ve been worth today.
There were actually several used for the movie. The ones used for the scenes where there was damage were beaters.
My, my, if you haven’t had a chance to drive one of these, it is hard to describe the experience. I would describe it as excessive opulence. There are luxury cars today, all buttoned down and perfect. But this is a different kind of luxury.
I’m not sure where they fit into todays world of 80+ mph long distance cannon shots, and I’m not sure the old suspension would be up to dealing with the high speed undulations of this leviathan.
It would be an interesting road test comparison for Car and Driver…
I true garage queen that reflects well on its care. I think a sub $20,000 asking price is fair for that care. Many of todays cars get sub 12 MPG, (worse than this cart), so I don’t see that as an issue at all today.
Stumbled across this same car (mine white leather) in 2002 with 27K miles sitting in a church parking lot for sale. Had to check it out so called the # on the for sale sign. Seller came down and let me check over. Turns out this was a real “owned by a preacher who kept it in a garage and was only driven on Sunday’s”. His dad’s car. He passed and mother was in nursing home. I bought it for #400, and the A/C and 8 Track still worked! It ran great and living up to reputation, never passed a gas station it didn’t like. Kept it for 3 years then sold it to a friend of my son’s for $7500. He kept it in his garage from then on. Still has it and yes, he only drives in on sunny Sundays.
sweet looking caddy. love the colors and the 2 doors. price seems decent for what it is even though it looks to be a dealer
This was the pinnacle of Cadillac technology and design. After this, Detroit began building compliance cars. Cars shrank, trucks got huge. Then cars disappeared. This is all because the government got involved. This is always the case when the government gets involved. The auto industry needs to regulated. Maybe they can save themselves? They might try building cars in multiple body styles again?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxBe3PXEbmk
Interesting video on the movie cars…
This is my father’s car. No really, it’s the twin to the ’72 Cadillac I “stole” out of the driveway while he was at work to go to an interview. Same color, same interior, same white top.
He had two cars. A ’72 Coupe de Ville and a ’76 Chevy Vega. He used the Vega to go back and forth to work. The Cadillac just sat there most of the time. I had just moved back up from Florida and was looking for work, but he would never let me drive the de Ville. I got a call for an interview and he was at work and the Cadillac was just sitting there, so I took it to go to the interview. OMG I was so nervous about getting a scratch on it much less get into an accident.
Well, I got the job, returned the car scratch free to its original parking space and Pops let use the Vega to go back and forth to work.
If he ever knew I took the Cadillac out for the interview he never said anything. That was the only time I got to drive it and was too nervous to enjoy it.
Wife’s dad had a white over yellow one. Car was so long, the garage had to be lengthened!
I like the siren alarm underneath the hood. I had one on my 65 Cadillac in the seventies (and still have it) that I bought at
Miller’s auto supply or was it
Joe the Motorist’s friend?
I also had a 72 Cadillac later on, but it was an ugly green.