1972 Cadillac Eldorado

Description

One look at this vivid red 1972 Eldorado convertible and it's easy to imagine it hauling across the southern landscape, top down, with a fellow and his family enjoying a sunny summer afternoon.

For a car that's more than forty years old, this one looks amazing. The big Eldo's curves and angles have aged pretty well, and it's a distinctive ride that is getting a lot of respect from the collector community. Bright code 73 Cambridge Red paint with white pinstripes is a classic look that will never go out of fashion like some colors from the era, but you better get used to being the center of attention when you drive this car. Straight body panels make this car look about a mile long, and there's nothing on this car that looks too new or worn out. There's plenty of chrome (this is a Cadillac, after all), and it all remains in very good condition. Even the plastic fender fillers that frame the taillights are intact, and these are always the first parts to deteriorate and crack with age. And yes, there's a trunk rack out back, just in case the giant trunk just isn't quite big enough to get you and your gear to Vegas.

The red leather interior is good, both for its age and for a convertible, because their interiors usually get baked by the sun. Not so here, where the hides remain supple, there are no splits or tears, and the back seat looks practically unused. There's room for six aboard the Eldorado, and thanks to the front-wheel-drive, there is no transmission hump, so legroom is expansive. Door panels are good, with only the driver's arm rest showing a depression where you'd rest your elbow, and the carpets are still plush and expensive-feeling. Just about every power accessory was standard on the Eldorado, and this one also includes features like power windows, locks, and seat, cruise control, a tilt/telescope steering column, and automatic climate control, all of which are fully functional. The fresh white vinyl power top folds easily into the well where it's hidden by a rare fiberglass parade boot that's worth a good chunk of change all by itself.

Until recently, the 500 cubic inch V8 under the hood was the largest volume-production engine ever built. Designed for effortless torque and smooth operation, it's a willing companion to the Eldorado's luxury mission. It starts easily, runs on pump gas, and delivers decent performance despite the convertible's 5200-pound curb weight. The engine is painted a blue that's just a few shades too bright to be original but shows that someone cared about making things look good when it was restored. There's a giant radiator for those long blasts through desert and it burbles away through a nice-sounding single exhaust pipe. The chassis is just as tidy as the engine bay, and the TH425 3-speed automatic, front-mounted differential, and CV joints are all in top shape. 235/75/15 whitewall radials are the only choice in a luxury convertible like this, and they're in excellent shape with plenty of life left.

Big cars like this remain an experience to drive, with a smooth ride and absolute isolation from the road that has never been duplicated. This Eldorado represents what was great about the '70s and I guarantee there will never be anything like it again. Call today!