- Seller: Jason P (Contact)
- Location: Kinston, North Carolina
- Mileage: 54,730 Shown
- Chassis #: 6L67S3Q448063
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 500 cui V8
- Transmission: Automatic
Project candidates come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re seeking a gentle giant that could be restored, or potentially revived for enjoyment as a genuine survivor, this 1973 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible deserves a close look. It ran beautifully twenty years ago but has hibernated since the owner parked it in this spot. He enjoyed the motoring experience it provided in its active days, but feels that it should go to a new home with an enthusiast who will return it to its rightful place on our roads. Therefore, he has listed the Eldorado exclusively with us at Barn Finds Auctions without a reserve!
Don’t be fooled by the accumulated dust, because the owner and his wife genuinely love this Eldorado. They received it as a gift from the owner’s mother in the 1990s. His wife loved hitting the road for that unbeatable wind-in-the-hair motoring experience. However, due to the gas it consumed, she parked it around twenty years ago. They attempted a revival about two years ago, which proved problematic. They discovered a fuel tank leak, and a local radiator specialist attempted a repair with solder. Not only did that approach fail, but it caused further damage. That was when they gave up the dream of reviving it, recently deciding that it deserves better with a new owner.
Beneath the dust, we find Harvest Yellow paint, with the car featuring a power top in contrasting Black. The seller opted to have a professional photographer take additional photos, so they pulled it out of storage and gave the car a bath for its photoshoot. The Harvest Yellow paint appears to have cleaned up well, but could use a polish. There also appears to be some surface rust showing in spots and some bubbling on the trunk lid. Props to the seller for doing the work to get the car out of storage, cleaned up, and photographed so bidders can see exactly what they are getting.
Cadillac offered 1973 Eldorado buyers a “one size fits all” approach to their new car’s mechanical specifications. Everyone received a 500ci V8, a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The V8 was a great motor by 1973 standards, producing 235hp and 385 ft/lbs of torque. The figures look modest, but the low-end torque delivery provided impressive acceleration for a car tipping the scales at around 5,100 lbs. The owner admits that the Eldorado hasn’t run in twenty years, but that it ran and drove perfectly when parked. With a battery jumper attached, the seller was able to get the engine to turn over. Two decades isn’t a significant period in automotive terms, so a fuel system clean and a new tank might be all that is required to coax the motor back to life. Some perishable components will require replacement, but with the odometer showing only 54,730 miles, the well-earned reputation for longevity should allow this Caddy to provide years of reliable service once it returns to its rightful place on our roads.
The combination of Harvest Yellow paint and an interior trimmed in White leather would have looked stunning in 1973. The interior shows its age, but it is far from being a lost cause. The seatcovers look dry and cracked. However, a leather specialist might be able to clean and condition them without the winning bidder needing to contemplate a retrim. The door trims are both split, although the remaining upholstered surfaces and plastic are in good order. There are no visible dash issues, and the pad is crack-free. Befitting a luxury vehicle, this interior is loaded with creature comforts. These include climate-control air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a six-way power driver’s seat, auto-dimming lights, cruise control, and a tilt wheel.
After two decades hibernating, this 1973 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible is asking for a second chance at life. There is nothing like slipping behind the wheel of a classic Convertible, reveling in everything that Mother Nature offers. Doing so in a vehicle providing a wealth of luxury touches enhances that experience. That is what awaits the new owner of this Eldorado. Winter might be fast approaching, but that provides an excellent opportunity for the winning bidder to spend time in their workshop while it’s cold outside, ensuring that this Caddy is raring to go when the warm weather arrives once again.
Bid On This Auction
Brad Taylor Australian team bid $700.00 2026-08-14 06:46:51
Karl in Vermont bid $500.00 2026-08-08 10:11:29
David Allen Scalf bid $200.00 2026-08-08 07:56:36
I like these, but this one is marginal. If you can do the work yourself, it “may” be a worthwhile project to bring it back to relatively decent driver condition. If you have to pay someone else, it will likely cost more than double the current price for a presentable driver.
I took on a ’71 Eldo Casablanca yellow convertible, in similar condition as a winter project several years ago. It turned out well, and we enjoy touring the rural roads where we live.
In addition to the usual recommissioning (tires, battery, belts, hoses, fluids & filters), the ’73 shown here will likely need the following mechanical work:
– Replace the fuel tank, lines, & carb rebuild.
– Replace brake calipers, master cylinder, brake booster, lines , wheel cylinders, shoes, pads, and maybe rotors & drums.
– Replace timing gear & chain. GM used nylon-covered timing gears on these (and many other models) to reduce noise. The nylon disintegrates, blocks the oil pickup, and the chain jumps. This can ruin your engine. It is an engine-out job to do properly, as the front drive axels block oil pan removal.
– Rebuild the rear self-levelling air suspension system. There are valves, a vacuum-operated pump, and air-shocks. The pumps are NLA, but the seals are common sizes, and are fairly simple to DIY rebuild.
– We already know this car needs a rad. The 500s tend to run fairly hot, so I suggest an aftermarket aluminum 4-core replacement. I used one in my car, with an auxiliary transmission cooler and it works great.
– The CV axles usually need replacement too. Good news is that they are not too expensive, and the job is relatively straightforward.
– As for the interior… The dash looks good, but I’m not sure if the seat-covers and door-panels can be saved. If not, there are more plentiful hardtop donor cars.
– The body looks mostly salvageable, with some rust repairs required. If the “Harvest yellow” paint job is original, it may be possible to save most of it. Hopefully the chrome will polish up to “driver-grade”.
For the right person, at the right price, this may be a satisfying project.
To do the resto job correctly, you would probably be upside down even if you were to get the car for free.
That’s a big car. It’s also a big project. If it wasn’t a convertible it would be a good lunch for the crusher. Hopefully whoever buys it does put the time, effort and ducats it will require to restore this, as there ain’t that many left.
shame it was left to sit as long as it did. i really put a hurting in this car. would nice redone but won’t be cheap due to the deterioration.
Yet another BF offering, bringing back memories! I picked up my ’73 Eldo in Tampa, the interior was pristine but it needed some mechanical work. It came with a fiberglass parade cover and rich-red interior.
Now, regarding this ’73 being offered. Whoever gets it will need to make friends with both a body and interior man. The moisture has really gotten to it, and as Raymond Smith commented, “Even for free, it will take serious bucks to restore”. Interesting license tag on the front, Massey Cadillac, they are local to me so guessing this started out as a FL car.
Not that it makes a lot of difference but Massey Cadillac is in Kinston, NC where the car is. Thanks for the comments.
One thing I really like about these is the very minimal soft rubber pieces that always harden and crack. The ’73 only had two small pieces at each end of the front bumper. My ’75 had two very large pieces in front and five in the back.
I like the dashboard on these also. Much nicer than the ’74 through ’78.
Ya’ll know I love yellow cars, especially yellow convertibles, but this one needs a white top to go with the interior.
Why oh why can’t I have some cash just laying around? No reserve? Some lucky person is getting a Cadillac for a song.
I hate you! 😅 Just joking.
I know I’ll make some people frown but personally, I’d yank the motor and use it to power an airboat.
The Trans is absolutely perfect for a mid engine build of whatever you want, I could come up with something pretty quick, actually, I can see an S10
with an LS, it’d be a wheelie machine.
The rear suspension makes the best damn utility trailers you’ve ever seen.
Clints 73 drop top Eldo in Thunderbolt &Lightfoot looked a lot better than this
Thanks heaps for all the info on the catty I won mate very informative cheers I don’t spoke u know a place I can get the shipping to Australia organised through please 😀
Hey Brad, I haven’t heard anything or been paid for the car. What is your plan?
Dear Brad,
I have only contracted one time with a shipper to me from Oklahoma for a farm implement. It did not go well. So I am not the one to consult. I bet Barn Finds knows someone. I can help load if I am contacted a little in advance.
Congratulations…I think you got a steal for a fun driver or restore.
Hey Brad, I haven’t heard anything or been paid for the car. What is your plan?