This Week's Klockau Lust Object: '71 Coupe de Ville
I frequently haunt Marketplace when I have time to kill and no car shows to go to. You never know what you’ll find, despite FB's search function being totally incompetent. Type “1971 Cadillac” and you’ll probably get a couple ‘71 Caddys--and also a ‘71 Alfa Romeo Spider, VW Karmann Ghia, ‘96 Fleetwood, 2002 EZ-Go golf cart and a 1985 Sea Ray Sundancer.
But I digress. At any rate, this ‘71 CDV showed up, and I was smitten with its amazing condition, originality and the uber rare factory power sunroof. Plus I’ve always loved ‘71-'72 Caddys, thanks to the classic ‘80s movie License to Drive.
As I recall, the option first appeared on 1970 Cadillacs. A special brochure introduced it. I distinctly remember a dark green 70 Eldo with white top and white leather on the cover, along with a Fleetwood Brougham and Coupe de Ville. *swoon*
But sunroofs were not terribly common on domestic cars then, and it wasn’t cheap, so they were seldom seen in the early years of availability.
A vinyl top was mandatory if you wanted it, likely due to finishing issues and efficiency. Later on a power glass Astroroof would be available, but in ‘71 they were all steel.
Per the ad, (https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3010591195746808) the owner stated “This is an original, ORIGINAL PAINT, triple black, black leather, original 8-track, wonderbar radio, tilt/telescoping wheel, climate control, power seats cruise control, dual mirrors all work. FACTORY SUNROOF WORKS!
“I have spent a few thousand $$$ replacing every bushing, bearing, hoses, etc. new shocks. As far as I can tell, everything works except the clock.
“Interior is impeccable. The car is from the south California area and the paint is original and desert baked.
“Beautiful patina. No way I would touch the paint on this car. If I kept I would scotch bright and clear it to preserve the patina. This car is straight as an arrow and rust free and dry. Absolute amazing and very very rare example.
“It runs and drives out beautifully. Find another triple black, leather, factory sunroof example…
“I absolutely hate to sell, but I bought a bucket list car and I’m out of room…it was either this or my 92 Brougham d’Elegance, and that car ain’t leaving.
“PM me if interested, I’ll give you my cell and we can talk. This is a hard car to price…I’ll figure that out…let’s talk."
It certainly looks terrific. I should also mention my friend Anthony Gozzo, who owns Specialty Motor Cars in NH, (a few of our Brougham savvy readers may recognize the name) knows the owner and told me he's a straight shooter. $21.5K is not cheap but with the condition, colors and sunroof, it’s probably not out of line.
As the advertisements used to say, best of all…it's a Cadillac! Now let’s buy it and drive to Vegas!
We need an American luxury flagship again. One that keeps the tech hidden and oozes with style inside and out.
Take the chassis from a Suburban and design a car around it. This would be a no-brainer, so of course GM hasn’t done it. Dopes.
Nice ride and the seller is not being unrealistic with the ask. If it were in the northeast it would already been sold. Rust free vinyl top 70’s cars are rare and that goes double for those with the then rare sun roof (no rust protection applied to the hole cut in the roof) and the required vinyl top trapped moisture.