The Cadillac Eldorado would be the second front-wheel-drive automobile introduced by General Motors. In 1966, Oldsmobile rolled out the Toronado and the Eldorado came a year later. The name was already familiar to Cadillac buyers, having been used in one form or another since 1952. This ’73 edition is a convertible that’s been stashed away in the seller’s garage for half its life, so some work will be needed to get it going again. From Detroit, Michigan, this Caddy is available here on craigslist for $5,000. Another interesting tip brought to us by Barn Finder T.J.!
Cadillac had a banner year in 1973, selling more than 300,000 cars for the first time. And they built their 5-millionth automobile that year, as well, a blue Sedan De Ville (the biggest seller). The Eldorado contributed nicely to that milestone, with 42,100 coupes and 9,300 convertibles, like the seller’s car. An Eldo convertible was chosen to pace the field at the Indianapolis 500, too. And all of this was just before the OPEC oil embargo that would curtail demand overall for land yachts like Cadillac produced.
Perhaps the biggest noticeable change to the ’73 Eldorado was the mammoth front bumpers now required by new Federal safety regulations. The ’74 models would be treated to the same kind of cowcatchers in the rear, as well. The cars continued to be powered by the industry’s largest V8 engine at 500 cubic inches, but the horsepower rating was down to 235 because of emissions controls and a switch to SAE net. The size of the engine sounds impressive, but you needed something this large to pull around these 5,000 lb. barges.
There must be a story around this ’73 Caddy, but we don’t know what it is. It was running when parked in the seller’s garage 25 years ago at 95,000 miles. So why wasn’t it touched after that? Did someone lose the keys? At any rate, it’s covered by two decades of dust and so forth and is surrounded by plenty of odds and ends (aka junk). We’re told there is some rust, and some does appear to be in the lower portion of the right front fender, but that’s the only side of the car we get to see. The interior is said to be good, but the photos are rather dark. An “easy restoration” is implied, but are any of them truly easy?
“Thunderbolt and Lightfoot” special.
Yep but the Fury with at least 12 in. Shackles was cooler,”Smell them fumes”
I still want one of these after all these years because of that movie! (although the colors I reversed)
I had one back in the 70’s and for some reason mice are attracted to the sound insulation. Once they get in there and start chewing on stuff it is a nightmare.
I have always liked these since my late father drove new ones in the 70s.
I have owned(and repaired/restored) several . I currently have a ’71 Eldo convertible in my collection. It was a barn-find in slightly better shape than the red one here. It was my project last winter, and we had great fun cruising in it last summer. BTW, this winters project in a barn-find ’64 Corvette (it was wrecked and stripped 40 years ago).
“Easy” is a relative term……… Arguably, it is somewhat easy to do the typical recommissioning this car will need. Replace: battery, brakes, shocks, tires, exhaust, hoses, all fluids, tune-up. This car will also need a new top (not that easy).
Based on the rusted fender, it will not only need bodywork, I expect it will need all new fuel lines, brake lines, and maybe floor patches. I hope the frame is OK. This stuff is usually also not “easy” because it is simply a dirty job.
Even if the engine runs well, it will likely need the timing gear replaced. GM used nylon timing gears in these (and other models) to reduce noise. The nylon eventually deteriorates, and crumbles. This can result in a ruined engine.
To replace the timing gear properly, due to the FWD configuration, the massive engine Must come out. Also Not easy.
In short, I think this car is restorable, but will Not be “easy” by most peoples standards.
GM never used nylon timing gears. The teeth were coated with nylon. The timing gears and chain lasted 200,000 miles plus. As far as damage to the engine goes, that only happens to an “interference” engine, if you know what that means. I bought my first Caddy at age 15, I’m now 64, NEVER bought another make and never, ever had any vehicle repaired by anyone, except myself. The Cadillac Kid
You are correct that the gears were metal, with a thick nylon coating.
When the nylon invariably fails/disintegrates, the engine will run erratically due to the loose chain. It can get bad enough for the chain to jump gears. This may also result in the metal gear itself being chewed up by the chain.
Damage to the engine is typically caused when the broken nylon, and chunks of metal drop into the sump.
Sounds like good advice and fair warning. I can’t imagine pulling the motor on this is anything short of a nightmare. The wiring pollution controls and front wheel drive on a highly optioned car like this would be time consuming at it’s age probably got some surprises in store. Love these big land yachts but think the rear drive Mopar convertibles age better.
Terry-
As someone who has owned one of these, AND pulled the motor, I’m telling you it’s not a big deal.Unbolt the torque converter, the exhaust, motor mount bolts, and the engine flange, DONE.
I also own a 1973 Cadillac convertible exactly like the red ‘barn’ one. I have been searching for a part some call a patch panel or a filler panel. Do you see the small opening up in front of the right fender and barely part of the bumper? This is the part I’m in need of. You are correct in saying the timing gear was made of plastic. My timing gear went out on my car and my son replaced it with , I don’t know, Metal? Anyway, he replaced it without pulling the motor. Jacked the car up in my garage (cold weather) and had it done in a couple of hours. My car has 29,000 actual miles and will be up for sale when I find that part. If you know of anyone parting out one of these magnificent cars, I would appreciate a reply on this website, or email. Thank you in advance.
I had a chocolate colored one in the late 80s. A super great car. Extremely reliable, no matter what the weather. The car had the had cover for when the top was down. The down side was no matter how you drove it, 8 miles to a gallon was it. The car was mechanically perfect, start ups, performance, no problems. I sold the car an it went to of all places Europe. I replaced it with a 76 convertible that consistently delivered 12 to 17 miles to a gallon. Go figure. Nonetheless these are great cars, easily maintained, a pleasure to drive. The last of the great American boulevard barges. The epitome of American decadence. The only car that comes close or is equal is the Lincoln of the same era.
I have a 74 royal blueThunderbird off the Lincoln platform…also a barge and gas guzzler. I love it. I also like this boat !!
I had a 73 Sedan DeVille with the 472. 8 city, 11 highway. I once hit 12! At 90 mph you feel like you are hardly moving.
Nice article. The timing chain is pretty straightforward. The engine can be worked on easily, as it resides in a removable cradle, much like the Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth unibody cars. And most other unibody cars, past and present. It makes for easy detailing. It is a low lead/ “no” lead compatible engine. Magnesium replaced lead additives. It has MONSTEROUS, cast exhaust manifolds, intake/exhaust ports,, valves,, and TORQUE. Many drive line, suspension parts, interchange with the Olds Tornado. That’s it.
nothing like a unibody, its a full frame car.
“Easy” is a relative term…… While changing the timing chain itself is straightforward, getting to it on the FWD Eldo is more involved. When the nylon fails, it drops into the oil pan, and can end up restricting or blocking the oil-pickup. The oil pan should be dropped, and cleaned out. On these Eldos, the engine must be separated from the transmission to remove the oil pan. These engines are big and heavy so a typical bargain-brand DIY-type engine crane won’t do it. Also on these old rides, it is (almost) a guarantee that exhaust manifold bolts(and others) will break off requiring further disassembly and machining. While All GM manuals state the engine Must come out to do the job properly, it is “possible” to change the timing gear without doing so. It can be “Magyvered”, but you won’t be able to clear debris from the oil pan, and seals will usually leak(even with extra goop). I have tried it both ways….
Bought right before the ’74 gas crises.
500 cubic inches & 5000 pounds for $5,000!
Presentation is everything or in this case, nothing. Almost like bidding on a storage unit. Pull the damn thing out, open the hood and take some decent pictures!
At best, this is a $2500. Non-running rust bucket.
They must trying to sell by the pound
i recall someone who had one but a 4-door and drove to fast over a small hill for 3 train tracks and the car frame split in 2 right in the middle. (yes car went in the air some) and each track was at diff. heights.
that one was not rusted. can you just see your new car bent right to the ground. that was end of that car.
A friend of mine in high school had a ’64 Caddy convertible. A $300 rust bucket. 7 of us jammed in her, and he took it over some uneven tracks at about 50mph. The same thing happened. Ah, good times!
Bought a RWD Edly at auction once. No keys so took the rear seat out and crawled through to the trunk to drop the lock. When I kicked the trunk lid up there was an unhappy snake in the space between the inner and outer truck layers ready to address my intervention.
General ownership of the vehicle downhill from there.
super mint condition for a ’73….sharp gurl!!
The price is RIGHT! Yes, there’s some rocker-rot, typical of vehicles in the snow belt. Easy fix. On my 73 Eldo I did pull the engine (not difficult AT ALL) to pull the pan, and yes the oil pickup was almost plugged. BTW, this is the last year before GM started using rubber bumper fillers. Wish this one was closer, the transport would easily add a grand.
So when you go to the Craigslist link it says it has been removed! Does that mean sold? Or was this another Craigslist scam!
I can see big Enos and little.enos.in this car..going after the chowder..77.smoky bandit car