1973 Eldo Optional Grill

Ian clc#20080 · December 11, 2009, 11:32:02 PM

A friend of mine has just purchased a low mileage 1973 Eldorado Convertible. It looks to be in fabulous condition and my friend is eagerly awaiting delivery. However, when he showed me photos of it I noticed that the grill does not match the standard grill. It is a much larger, full chrome item which extends the top of the grill to level with the hood. A 40's Goddess in mounted on the top.

Were these grills ever a factory, or factory authorized dealer, option? Does any body have a brief history of these grills?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards, Ian. CLC#20080.

Mike Josephic CLC #3877 · December 11, 2009, 11:47:31 PM

This was a popular aftermarket option on the '73's as well as other years before and
after -- especially on the Eldorado's.

This was NOT an option from the factory, but possibly some dealers would have added
it at the customer's request. That goes along with other popular '70's add-on items like the
heavily padded 1/2 vinyl roofs, landau irons, "super-fly style" headlamps, fake spare tire bulge
in the trunk lid etc., etc.

These were, excuse the expression, referred to as "pimp-mobiles" in the day.

Mike

Otto Skorzeny · December 11, 2009, 11:49:14 PM

Not factory installed.

It's an aftermarket accessory popular in the 1970s with pimps and other flamboyant weirdos.

The goddess was a reproduction that was often fitted to cars like this. Other aftermarket accessories often fitted with the grill and goddess were landau bars, continental kits, and SuperFly headlight covers.

http://imcdb.org/vehicle_10195-Cadillac-Fleetwood-Eldorado-1971.html

http://www.ovenall.com/moblog/archives/000875.php

Assorted videos of pimp mobiles:

http://video.google.com/videosearch?oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=superfly+cadillacs&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=Vh4jS-etLZCYtge9-dTWBw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=10&ved=0CDcQqwQwCQ#

Here's a bunch of still images of pimp mobiles:

http://images.google.com/images?oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=superfly+cadillac&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=eCAjS6ixHoy0tgfG-ZHdBw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCIQsAQwAw

Otto Skorzeny · December 11, 2009, 11:50:46 PM

Beat me by two minutes, Mike.That's what I get for collecting a bunch of links! =P

76eldo · December 12, 2009, 12:03:50 AM

Currently, I am a Flamboyant Wierdo (which is a great name for a band by the way...)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cadillac-Eldorado-1976-Cadillac-Eldorado-14-000-Miles-Mint-76-Eldo_W0QQitemZ250544334579QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item3a559b26f3

But for $10,000, you too can be a wierdo!

The only way to travel is Cadillac Style!

Brian

Otto Skorzeny · December 12, 2009, 08:32:20 AM

That's funny, Brian. =D

"Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364 · December 12, 2009, 10:12:31 AM

In the early '70s (71-74) this was the expression for being "terminally unique", and if I remember correctly, the dealers in LA going through a couple of custom shops were charging $1,000.00 for the grill and front end treatment and another $1,500.00 for the trunk. This on the car which was selling for about $9,000.00 at the time.
Coincidentally I ran into the sheetmetal shop in San Fransisco that was stamping out the "continental kit" trunks. They were using Stainless steel and after painting (I do not know what paint process they were using to stick to the SS) you could polish through to highlight any of the areas you wanted to accent.
Definately not Factory, and definately a "time stamp".
Greg

Otto Skorzeny · December 12, 2009, 12:12:11 PM

Now appearing LIVE on the CLC forum!

It's the Flamboyant Weirdos!

What would be their signature song I wonder?

Jeffrey Burland · December 12, 2009, 12:52:14 PM

Quote from: Otto Skorzeny on December 12, 2009, 12:12:11 PM
What would be their signature song I wonder?

I'm too sexy (for my shirt)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q75gREOjyFI&feature=related

Otto Skorzeny · December 12, 2009, 12:54:18 PM

Good one, Jeff!

76eldo · December 12, 2009, 08:04:17 PM

There are two songs by the legendary soul/funk band Tower of Power that would fit the situation:

1. "What is Hip"

2. "There Is Only So Much Oil In The Ground"

See below for a vintage a vintage clip from 1973, and check out the lead tenor sax player, now that's flamboyant!

WHAT IS HIP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUFxj59Fa9o

ONLY SO MUCH OIL IN THE GROUND http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LjrCV4Gnxw

I am proud to say that i am the webmaster for the band's website, http://www.towerofpower.com, and personal friends with the band for many years.

All of their early "albums" on 8-Track are in the glovebox of my 76 Eldo convertible.

Enjoy,

Brian

Otto Skorzeny · December 12, 2009, 08:35:20 PM

Is Tower of Power a Mopar - inspired band? Or that would be Leaning Tower of Power, I guess.

Ian clc#20080 · December 13, 2009, 02:29:09 AM

Thanks for all the replies. They were very informative and definitely humorous!

Regards, Ian.

Otto Skorzeny · December 13, 2009, 09:50:06 AM

Always aiming to please, Ian.

RobW · December 13, 2009, 05:47:08 PM

Ian is this the red conv with red interior and white top that was just on ebay? Looked like a real nice car!

Ian clc#20080 · December 14, 2009, 04:45:22 PM

G'day RobW

The car is Red with Red interior - not sure about the top color. But it is fitted with different tires and is an even lower mileage car which was purchased privately so I guess it's not the same car. But thanks for pointing it out to me as this backs up what others have been saying about the grill being a popular accessory.

Regards, Ian.

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1973 Eldo Optional Grill