1973 De Ville Convertible

[76eldo]

Johnny Cash did it first.

[chrisntam]

To the OP, make the '73 Deville convertible, report to us the cost and after a few years of operation, report back on the fit and finish.

I suppose it's a challenge, but keeping an old car running and making and old car dependable is enough of a challenge for me.

Just sayin'.

and the '69 grille...

[Eldorado James]

I've sold a couple of sets of the 1971-73 rockers for use on 1969-70's, and the buyers really like it.  To me, that lower chrome "is Cadillac".....Chevys and Pontiacs shouldn't have it, lol.  I once added the full lower set to my 1960 Series 62 convertible years ago, it made a huge difference.  I can't seem to like the Cadillacs that don't have that trim as much (1975-76 Calais look naked without it!).  The pics attached are a single rocker added to a 1969......I have yet to get pics back from the 1970 guy that I sold the set to recently - he wanted the double rocker look. 

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Okay, I will stay out of this.

But before I leave, so to speak, anything is possible with steel and tin, but once Plastic becomes more involved, things start to really get hard.

Bruce.

[76eldo]

Sorry,

I like the clean look better.  I know the hood ornament doesn't belong but it was already there when I bought the car.  Can't take it off and fill the hole because this is an original paint car.

It had pinstripes, I buffed them off.  It also had bumper guards, I took them off.  Cadillac got it right in 1970.  Nothing else is needed in my opinion.

Brian

[73 DropTop]

Gorgeous 70 DropTop!!!

[Chas]

I showed this thread to a couple of hillbillies that live near me. Their idea of fun is dropping 1950’s pickup truck bodies onto late model 4 wheel drive frames. They said if you keep them in Sawzall blades and Budweiser, they could roll a ‘73 convertible out of their horse barn in a couple of weeks.....LOL!

[Eldorado James]

@ Brian --  Very nice and Clean 1970!  It was the anti-wreath year for Cadillac...using those Jumbo crests on the front and rear.  I agree that the "wreathed" Eldorado hood ornament seems slightly out of place, too bad they drilled that on.  You could put the correct matching Eldo hood-center molding at the back end that extends to the windshield....but I don't think you are a fan of adding stainless, LOL.  You could use a d'Elegance hood ornament in that base (no wreaths on it).....

EJ

[76eldo]

I bought a very nice 70 Eldo hood ornament. It's like a small fin and not too obtrusive. But unexpectedly the holes are different and I'm not drilling more holes in the hood.

When you are driving the car it's not terrible to have that wreath and crest pointing the way.

I'm just leaving it alone.

[cadillacmike68]

I bought a very nice 70 Eldo hood ornament. It's like a small fin and not too obtrusive. But unexpectedly the holes are different and I'm not drilling more holes in the hood.

When you are driving the car it's not terrible to have that wreath and crest pointing the way.

I'm just leaving it alone.

One of the first things I did when I got my 1968 was to put a stand up hood ornament on it and a RH mirror.  Place it on the solid or dashed line and you are in the lane! 

The car just isn't complete without them.

When I first got my 1970 Fleetwood Brougham WAY back, it had the RH mirror as did my brother's 1970  Fleetwood 75 Sedan. Mine also had a full length hood trim with a stand up on it. I thought they All came with these.   

One time in the winter I got a little too enthusiastic brushing off snow and I bent the hood top trim strip. Fortunately the "recycling yards" had plenty of ElDos to get a replacement.

Later, after getting the 1968 I found out that the RH mirror was a dealer option (except for the Series 75s) prior to 1971 and the full length trim with the stand-up was "borrowed" from 1971 & later ElDorados. The first owner apparently could get the dealer to make these "upgrades" for him. It made my Fleetwood look balanced and dignified.

It doesn't matter.  I found the RH mirror ( pricey!!!) and got a stand alone hood ornament and they have been on the car ever since. But that's about the only trim updates I ever did on the car. It looks pretty good elsewhere as it is.

Maybe in the future the Fleetwood lower rocker trim might be a cool addition - If I can find some. I'd have to get the skirt pieces as well.

Damn the authenticity - all cylinders ahead!   

[73 DropTop]

Its not a new idea. A sawzall, a blowtorch and a mig welder and a little body filler. Guys in Southern California have been hacking hardtop Impalas into Convertibles since the 60’s and on top of that have been hopping and slamming them, HARD! Most of those Guys & Gals are not rich or sometimes not even middle class, and still get it done. I have no intention of hoppin or lowride my car, just cruise down the beach. Oh one more thing look up “ 1973 Coupe Deville Lowrider” click on the white 73. I guess we’re running out of old Impalas.

[Eldorado James]

Damn, serious swag on that red one!      The aggressive grills of the 1971-72's really makes a statement.  I'd care less if there is a convertible top mechanism in that beastie.........Great pics.......I guess I am a SoCal person stuck in the Midwest.   

[73 DropTop]

That car is in Chicago/Cicero. Look up “1971 Coupe Deville Convertible “ on YT. He has alot of videos.

[76eldo]

We all know about making converts out of coupes.
Lots of bogus 59 Eldos out there.

What we are trying to tell you is that in order to build a fully functional 1973 DeVille convertible that resembles what the factory would have done takes a high level of skill.

I say go for it if you have enough sawzall blades and beer and make sure to send pics as you go.

Good luck

[Eldorado James]

Geez, just a few miles away....  :-o

[73 DropTop]

@ 76eldo Thank you!

[Eldorado James]

Wrong color but looks good as a 4 door ragtop.....

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Here is a "Convertible" I photographed in a Gas Station near Merritt or Kamloops in 2002 whilst touring USA and Canada in 2002, and the fella said when I queried the fact that I thought they didn't make convertibles after 1976, "well, it as a Coupe this morning, until it met with the Sawzall".

Turns out they were heading off to a Country and Western festival.

Bruce.

PS.   The car looked too good to have to suffer, but at least they covered over the cut portions with vinyl and carpet.

[Eldorado James]

LOL....most people would never even realize that it's a 77 or 78 chop top.  So easy to tell this via the ugly header panel.  If I ever do a chop top, I'd pull the windshield, weld on a 1971-76 Eldorado upper top frame and reinstall the glass.....then put the correct convertible hardware, so that it doesn't look so damn odd.

[Tonyv_73]

Somebody mentioned, the 73 eldorado RWD conversion, that guy is a friend of mine, saw the car in person, it’s amazing what you can do with a fleetwood frame and eldorado body.... he said it made too much sense, motor fit munch nicer, as well as the placement of the wheels in the wheel wells.

Just some thought...