It’s surprising how many cars past the fifty-year mark are out there with the odometer still on the first trip around, and also understandable that many of these command and get a premium price when they exchange hands. However, this 1973 Cadillac Coupe DeVille isn’t one of them, as the seller tells us that this one has racked up more than 232,000 miles over the last half-century, even though you’d never know it based on the condition. This one’s also affordable, with the $7,900 asking price sounding reasonable here. Barn Finds reader Ted spotted this Caddy here on Facebook Marketplace in Xenia, Ohio, and we’d like to thank him for sending us the tip!
The owner has labeled this DeVille as his weekend driver, a position it’s held in his fleet for the last two years, and describes the body as good. Unfortunately, that’s as detailed as he gets, but the photos seem to show sheet metal that remains reasonably solid all these decades and miles later. There’s no word on the age of the paint or vinyl top, but their appearance comes across as good enough for an occasional driver, although the seller does recommend replacing the tires. That’s probably a good idea even beyond safety reasons, as they are mismatched anyway.
The early to mid-seventies was a time when many autos had several engines to pick from, but the ‘73 Coupe DeVille just had one, although that’s OK when it’s a mammoth 472 cubic-inch V8. Even with the high mileage, the seller says that the Cadillac still runs and drives great, though there’s no mention if the motor has ever received a complete overhaul. However, a few fresh parts have been recently installed, including a new radiator, a steering column, and some new front-end components.
It’s not perfect, but if this is still mostly the original interior, it looks far better than I’d expect for the age and nearly a quarter-million miles of travel. Whether the dash cover and steering wheel wrap are there for protection or hiding something remains a mystery, but overall, this one seems in decent enough shape inside and out for the next owner to just enjoy driving it after a new set of skins are put on. Do you have any thoughts or input about this 1973 Cadillac Coupe DeVille?
Late 70’s, early 80’s when my best friend and I would wander around Pick-a-part self service junkyard in SoCal, looking for items for one of our many projects, we would see many just like this, they looked great and we’d wonder why they were there. We would get burritos from the roach coach and choose one of these top end car to dine in.
So many classic cars like this destroyed. I think back often to all those cars that now show up here.
We went there as if it were a Disneyland for motorheads, seeing all the cars I was reading about in library books and car mags, being able to examine like you could no where else. Checking engine codes, looking for that special set of ram air cylinder heads, or maybe a complete 4bbl aluminum Buick V8 that I had to have. I was always looking for motor swap donors and I was always checking for a posi.
I still remember my high school friends and I eating in some former doctors car in a junkyard and looking at all the details. His badge still in the glove box, we came up with crazy theories why the car was there.
Turns out those were some of my most favorite days.
This has a great color combination. The condition doesn’t look like anything I’ve ever seen with over 200K miles either. The interior has held up very well. And the exterior too. Its a true testiment to how well a Cadillac V8 can hold up for many years with proper maintenance.
I find the mileage claim hard to believe, it looks too good. The price is reasonable if it runs and drives, but God only knows what it needs, and parts will be scarce. Still, I’d be proud to own it.
Seeing all these Caddys coming out of the woodwork, tells me one thing,,,remnants of some estate. I know, turn the page, someone will benefit from others loss, and in this case, whoever gets this fantastic car, better appreciate what the original owner had to do to get it. Like my dads, it was the zenith of their automotive history and with all the cookie cutter vehicles with no money down today, I suppose it’s hard to understand that. Rest assured, pops, where ever you are, someone will appreciate your car. Kind of ironic, I’d love this car, but at the time my old man had his, it was the furthest thing on my mind. I guess that hasn’t changed.
Those cars are easy to clock. It could be that low mileage. It all depends.
The third year of the wide headlamp design. The larger parking lamps complete the look and compliment the new bumper and grille assembly. It still seems awkward to some but is subtly attractive to others. I like the colors but Aquas are a though resell.
I love these 71-73 years this one looks nice, the video of it running sounds terrible like exhaust leaks from the manifolds back. Would definitely need an in person inspection.
I agree about the exhaust noise. It is from the front. That car did NOT have factory dual exhaust so maybe the modification let loose.
Among my many Cadillacs, I had a 73 Fleetwood Limo, and two 73 sedans. All beautiful cars.
looks better than it sounds. bad leak at the cylinder head. bit of job to fix. fair price though
I had a few with broken header bolts. Big pain to fix but I did them. One had a cracked manifold that sealed and got quiet when it got hot.