Cadillac, along with other full-size General Motors cars, was redesigned in 1971. It started a six-year run of the largest cars that would ever be produced by them. Even though the De Ville models were not the entry level of the full-size Cadillac, it was by far the most popular. The entry-level Calais 4 door hardtops had 3,569 produced, while there were 69,345 Sedan De Ville 4 door hardtops produced in 1971. Here is a 1971 Cadillac Sedan De Ville 4 door hardtop for sale here on Craigslist in West Los Angeles, California. Thanks to Barn Finds reader J. L. for finding this car and bringing to our attention.
Not a lot of information is shared on the car. It is original throughout, exterior and interior, and is very clean. The seller says it could use a paint job. There appears to be a minor ding on the driver’s side front fender above the headlight. Some of the features of this car include rear fender skirts, flow-thru ventilation system, front cornering lights, and vinyl roof, which appears to be in good condition.
This picture looks like it comes from the sales brochure for a 1971 Cadillac (except for the bobblehead dog on the dash), it is so clean. The seats are covered in luxurious Dunbar cloth, commonly called brocade, which was so popular during this era. The front seat is divided with a center armrest with a center armrest in the rear as well. Cadillac floor mats are included and the headliner is in good condition. The Cadillac has automatic climate control but no information on whether it works.
Powering this 225.8 inches long car is a 472 cubic inch V-8 which originally produced 345 horsepower. It appears new insulation has been added to the inner hood lining. The car has been driven 70,000 miles and the seller is asking $5,500. How would you like to bring back the seventies by riding around in this Sedan De Ville which was a status symbol of that era?
Man, that blue on blue is nice. I’d think a classic car rental service would snap this up.
As a automobile fan and also classic collector 2 years ago I bought Very Original Low miles 16k 1978 Cadillac coupe deville. Notfor Sale just sharing passion for the hobby! here is link to original ad by the seller :
https://www.connorsmotorcar.com/vehicles/314/1978-cadillac-coupe-deville
Craigslist post deleted.
Nice looking Cadillac.
A 1972 Calais 4-door hardtop was the last new car my grandfather ever bought, solid gold outside & in. He passed away 3 years later at the age of 90 and probably shouldn’t have been driving. My mom & uncles finally took his keys away when he was 88 or so. Not sure whether that hastened his demise but it was a sobering life lesson for an arrogant 25-year-old.
Having been chastened and humbled (repeatedly) in the intervening 43 years I remember that Cadillac as the best in the long line of them that the old man owned. Smooth, powerful, and fast – it handled pretty well, too. $5,500 is a steal for this one.
Too tainted. I’d think of the two Corys whenever I got in it.
The color says this was Grandma’s Cadillac. Especially with that brocade interior. Nice car…no doubt why the listing is gone
And it’s gone.
It’s not gone…. still for sale 👍🏽
That condition of the original brocade alone surely backs up the low miles. Imagine a new coat of turquoise and fresh top! Stunner!
The icing on the cake is that ‘71 was final year of peak power for the 472cu. 1972’s produced less…
Daved, why do you say the condition of the seats indicate the low mileage?
I have seen much higher mileage cars with perfect seats.
This material was extremely durable.
Yes, brocade is in fact durable, but there is virtually zero-wear showing with 70k on the clock. For you to argue that it could be higher miles, that would suggest it has 170k miles and I doubt those seats would appear in such well-preserved conditon.
These were american autobohn cruisers. My dad had a 70 coupe deville and my stepdad had a 72 sedan deville. Both came with the 472 but the 70 was by far stronger with less emissions and 2 less doors. Back in 75 i would borrow the 72 to take my high school buddies out cruising and found out the brakes would overheat in the hills around Woodside Ca. Not fun feeling a wood pedal with 6 people in a car heading down a steep hill!
Thanks for sharing those great memories! I had a 72 hearse that did well and would hold its own with the less powerful 472cu- I always wondered what a ‘70-‘71 would feel like 😉