White Whale: 1973 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 70K Survivor – SOLD!

April 10, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Cadillac’s fourth-generation DeVille produced from 1971 through 1976 was among the biggest cars the General Motors division ever produced.  What never ceases to amaze us is how many of these remain low mileage, one-owner survivors that get pulled out of long-term storage and sold every spring.  Our latest example is this white-over-blue cloth 1973 Cadillac Sedan DeVille originally listed in March 2022 on Craigslist in Paterson, New Jersey.  The seller reports that immediately after pulling this Cadillac out of one decade-long storage, they replaced the battery, tires, and brakes. The seller also calls their Cadillac a one-owner car, however, the lack of plates on this example likely means they are the second owner who has not registered the vehicle in their name.

Currently offered for $10,500, comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Cadillac priced exactly at this guide’s #3 “Good” appraisal of $10,500.  As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $9,100 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $13,400.

As part of General Motors (“GM”) full-size “B” and “C” body redesign for 1971, Cadillac launched its completely new fourth-generation DeVille line.  While the overall design appeared less creased than the prior generation, the fourth generation DeVilles looked lower and wider.  The tall and narrow tail light design looked very similar to the previous third-generation models. Stylists set DeVilles visually apart from other models by using thin bright metal rocker panel steps and signature script on the front fenders bearing the series name. The bottoms of the rear fenders featured bright metal beauty panels wider than the rocker panel strips and blended into the molding running along the bottom of the fender skirt.

The standard engine remained Cadillac’s 472 cubic inch V8, however, in line with GMs edict for all engines to run on unleaded fuel, the compression ratio was lowered from 10:1 to 8.5:1, reducing the SAE gross horsepower from 375 to 345. Torque dropped from 525 to 500 foot-pounds.  Redesigned interiors featured a new curved instrument panel and new seating configurations. A rear “lamp monitor”, a fiber-optic system that monitored the taillamps, turn signals and brake lights, was new and positioned on the shelf behind the rear seat.

New energy-absorbing bumpers were seen on all GM cars in 1973 and it brought styling refinements to De Ville. Stylists widened the Grille which now featured an intricate egg-crate design. Larger vertical rectangles housed the parking lamps between wide-spaced headlamps which had square bezels but round lenses. Bumpers ran fully across the front and wrapped around each end. Vertical guards were spaced much further apart at a point outboard of the grille. Inside, “soft-pillow” door panels with larger, sturdier pull-straps were new. The rear “lamp monitor” was repositioned from the rear seat shelf to the headliner just above the rear window. An Illuminated vanity mirror was an available option.

For something completely different, we came across this 1973 Cadillac commercial chassis NHTSA crash test on the 00CrashtTest YouTube Channel:

If you have the garage depth and can stomach the $135 fillups from empty needed to feed the 27-gallon fuel tank of this White Whale, you’ll be treated to a full-size, body-on-frame ride you simply cannot find in a modern automobile.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“This 1973 Sedan Deville is a 1 owner original car that has been garaged its entire existence.
Original brown NJ title
70K original miles
Just pulled out of storage where’s its been the last 10 years.
New battery tires and fuel were added. Also has new brakes all around and are working great
It starts right up and runs well
The body is gorgeous but has its little flaws as this car is completely original. Interior is 9.5 out of 10
Great weekend driver or for anyone who collects Cadillacs. You will be hard-pressed to find another one that’s in such great original condition.
Asking $10,500 or the best reasonable offer. Please only serious buyers ready to make a deal should give me a call. Thank you.”

Show or Go: What would you do with this 1973 Cadillac Sedan DeVille? Please comment below and let us know!