Posted January 1, 2014 by 99MilesPerHour "As the Standard of the World Turns"

1973 Cadillac Coupe deVille

The DeVille legend continues…..

For 1973 America’s favorite luxury car once again dominated the market segment. The Coupe deVille and its poised dignity which was the hallmark of every Cadillac, was personal luxury with a youthful attitude. It was powered by Cadillac’s 7.7 litre 472 CID V8 engine. The Cadillac beauty treatment made the 1973 Coupe deVille more glamorous and elegant. The Cadillac DeVille series was always parked in more driveways than any other luxury brand. The “Standard of the World” was the luxury leader.

A new energy absorbing 5 mph impact bumper was attached to the new grille and would yield out of harm’s way, Wider-set bumper guards and a more upright hood gave the 1973 Coupe deVille an aggressively elegant stature. The refreshed rear styling was equally as contemporary with a new impact bumper and taillamps. It was every inch a Cadillac. The optional vinyl roof used a single center French seam design. This was the last year for the curvaceous “duck-tail” rear fender design. Model style code #6D D47/J Coupe deVille had a base price of $6,268. 112,849 Were made 564 of which were Indy 500 Pace Cars. Elegantly graceful describes this true luxury coupe. If you drive one of these today, you will most definitely despise the CTS and XTS seeing them as the elegant puddle-jumpers that they really are.

The 1973 Cadillac Coupe deVille was powered by the 7.7 litre 472 CID 16-valve OHV V8. The engine was equipped with a Rochester 4MV 4-bbl down-draft Quadrajet carburetor with automatic choke. This engine produced 220 hp @ 3,800 rpm with 495 Nm of peak torque @ 2,400 rpm. It was mated to GM’s Turbo Hydra-Matic THM 400 3-speed automatic transmission. Performance was rated as 0-60 mph in 10.7 seconds, 0-100 mph in 33.6 seconds, and had a top speed of 119 mph.

The 1973 Coupe deVille was built as body on frame construction, front engine rear-wheel drive. It was built upon Cadillac’s rugged perimeter frame with heavier gauged boxed side rails. New for 1973 were new front members with increased impact absorption. Its front suspension used the traditional upper and lower control arms, integral steering knuckle, helical coil springs, and rubber mounted strut rods with rubber bushings to absorb impact and isolate road noise. The rear used a four-link drive, helical coil springs, and large rubber bushings to improve ride quality. It was fitted front and rear with new shock absorbers with Teflon rings. The 1973 Coupe deVille had the luxury length of 228.5”, rode on a long 130” wheelbase, and was 79.8” wide.

The interior featured new soft-pillow upper door trim panels with rosewood vinyl appliqués and larger door pulls with chrome escutcheons. The seats incorporated a new sew style ending each pleat with a button tuft. Leather upholstery was available in twelve trim color combinations. Two new fabrics were available; Medallion in four colors and Mirabelle in three colors. Standard features were: power windows and seat, courtesy lighting, front and rear center folding armrests, power steering, hydraulic power braking system with dual master cylinder facilitating independent front and rear operation, remote left outside rear view mirror, and cornering lamps to name a few. Cadillac offered more amenities as standard equipment than any other luxury brand.

Among the more popular options available for the 1973 model year were; Automatic Climate control, power door locks, power trunk release, Cruise Control, Twilight Sentinel, Guide-Matic headlamp control, Automatic Level Control, Tilt & Telescopic steering wheel, and vinyl roof. A host of other thoughtful features and conveniences were available to make the 1973 Coupe deVille as individual as its owner.

The pleasure of owning a Cadillac was exceeded only by that of driving it. The Coupe deVille was the perennial favorite among luxury car buyers. Its luxurious ambience and high style were definitely Cadillac style. It pampered its owner with many thoughtful accessories and features. The bold new styling was unmistakably Cadillac. The 1973 Cadillac Coupe deVille was without conjecture one of the most impressive chapters in the continuing saga of “As the Standard of the World Turns.”