Cadillac dealers had plenty to be happy about in 1973. First, they collectively sold more than 300,000 cars from the first time. And second, they managed to sell in excess of 50,000 Eldorado’s for the very first time, too. These were big, impressive cars that would be in demand – until the OPEC oil crisis hit that Fall. After that, buyers began to flock to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars and even Cadillac would go on a diet over time. This ’73 Eldorado convertible had managed to stay in the same family for 48 years and collected just 22,000 miles in the process. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada (aka “Lost Wages”), this big beauty is available here on eBay where the no reserve auction stands at $7,900.
To be precise, Cadillac built 51,451 Eldorado’s in 1973 of which 9,315 would be drop-tops (including 564 Indianapolis 500 pace car replicas of which we coincidentally also reviewed one here on Barn Finds just this week). Although GM executives had a lot to be happy about, the Eldorado continued to be outsold by its nearest competitor, the Lincoln Continental Mark VI, which may have been more subtle for the era, but it however wasn’t available in a convertible body style. And neither would the Eldorado after 1976.
This car was purchased new in Tacoma, Washington, and the original owners held on to it forever, although it spent the last several years squirreled away in a barn. The seller found the car and had it shipped to them in Vegas where he/she went about the task of getting it roadworthy again. All it took was a new set of fluids and battery to fire up the sleeping beast and we’re told it runs well now. No smoking, leaks, knocking, anything from the 500 cubic-inch V8 motor and the automatic transmission shifts the way it should. The seller has been kind enough to come up with a video of the car in action.
It’s not a show or museum piece but presents well and could be driven regularly – if you can afford 10-12 mpg at north of $3-4/gallon. We’re told it’s a rust-free car and we don’t see any, although the trunk lid has a few bubbles starting to brew. The paint is nice and shiny and reflects well for being a 20-year-old repaint. The power top goes up and down just fine and we’re not told of any issues with it. As you might expect, the interior offers no disappointments with the upholstery being solid after all these years.
In Good to Excellent condition, the ’73 Eldorado is a $12-20,000 car according to Hagerty. And a drop-top should fetch a few more dollars. If you have a garage big enough to house this product of that decade of big hair and bell-bottom pants, this could be a nice automobile to impress everyone at Cars & Coffee. Thanks to our own Adam Clarke for this great tip!
Is it me or do the seats seem wrong for this car? The color of the seats don’t seem to match the door panels like they should. Add to that the carpet color seems off and it looks to be over the sill plates instead of held down by them.
The interior is a mess and all wrong, but the author seems to think its held up pretty well…..
Those seats didn’t come with that car, and I’d have to call “BS” on the mileage because of it.
Seats have incorrect pattern. OF course for a driver they would be fine, they look in good shape.
The sill plate on the drivers side is missing. I had a conv in the past where I left the top down almost all time and the interior became ratty in short order being exposed to the sun (and sometimes rain .. oops). So I could see the seats being reupholstered but why not in the same color as the rest of the car?
Ask to see a close up of the brake pedal. Unless a savvy seller replaced the rubber and frame, that’s usually a good indication of miles by the wear.
Looks like the sill plates are missing. Agree on wrong seats. This car has more story to tell than what we are hearing.
Amazing. Cadillac sold a ton of cars in 1973, then the oil embargo hit.
Steering wheel looks disgusting too
The back seat is from a 71-72 Impala. Front seat is Cadillac but isn’t what was in the car new. Otherwise it’s an Eldorado.
Wrong seats, out of something else altogether. But look at that nice body and solid under carriage. Do it black with a black top, red or blue interior with black and chrome aluminum disc wheels.
Shiney wheel well tops in engine compartment been replaced. Should be body color or black, not what is there.
As an previous owner of Eldo’s in the era, I offer my opinions:
Pro: Solid ride, excellent motor, low miles, dual belts on the A/C (they reduced it to 1 in ’75, never could get rid of belt squeal), sleek body style (before GM introduced rubber filler panels in ’75) and hard-shell parade cover.
Con: Pukey colors, poorly re-upholstered seats, incorrect rear seat, missing sill plate(s).
IF the seller has the provenance to prove miles, and with a full re-upholster and repaint with vibrant colors it would be a keeper!
I’ve seen a few of these in my years, and I don’t ever remember seeing that weird pod on the driver’s side door that houses the controls for the wipers. Was that factory correct?
Yes, that control ‘pod’ is correct for this year. They moved the controls around over the years. In ’74 the controls were incorporated into the dash. see pic
You could find a much better example, this is a turd.
If it was 1973 I think the cadillac would be competing with the Lincoln mark 4 the Lincoln mark VI was built in the 80’s. I owned a 3 and 5 71 and 77
There is a lot not to love about this particular car, but I could still see it made into something remarkable if someone wants to spend a bit of money. I had ’72 for a while and it was one of the most beautiful cars I ever owned. Drove like a dream when something wasn’t broken. (It was a sad time for GM) I always wanted another one, especially a convertible, but one convertible in my life is plenty right now.
Russ, the plural of Eldorado does not include an apostrophe.