This 1974 Cadillac Coupe deVille Helped Make GM a Victim of Its Own Success - Review and Test Drive

Cadillac was setting sales records in the early 1970s - right when they really shouldn't have been. The oil embargo was in full swing, OPEC was tightening the supply, emissions and safety controls were eating in to cars that Americans were used to, and horsepower was dropping. And still, Cadillac was selling cars like crazy, the Coupe deVille leading the charge.
Part of this was that while the car was expensive, it was not off-the-charts expensive. A middle class guy could find his way in to one using some creative and longer-term financing, and Cadillac took full advantage of that by upping production and keeping the supply rolling. The problem came with the long term - by making and selling so many, Cadillac harmed the exclusivity of their name - with a deVille on every street corner, the rich started moving toward other luxury cars like Mercedes-Benz, with the idea that their higher price and lower production would make seeing other people with the same car a rarity.
While sales did just fine for Cadillac for 1974 and the next few years, the damage was done, and the company would be in a shambles less than a decade in to the future.
Still, this C-Body platform car is one for the ages, and a true moment in time for American cars, now lost completely Driving it is a trip down memory lane, and a welcome change from the all-too-similar cars of today, Say what you will about these old sleds, but at least they had style.
Full review and test drive of a 51K mile 1974 Coupe deVille by Bill of Curious Cars. Vehicle for sale at Autohaus of Naples, on the phone at [phone] and on the web at www.AutohausNaples.com.

[@jameswillett7186]

The reason Cadillacs were SO common by the early 1970's is that our standard of living peaked in 1973. It enabled more people than ever to afford to buy a Cadillac.

[@jimhenry3992]

Pretty sad when you think of it

[@dividedstatesofamerica2520]

And it all went downhill from there.

[@muffs55mercury61]

Yes. Cadillac set a record in 1973 selling more than 250,000 cars. By the time the embargo came, the '74s were already on the assembly line.

[@MostlyBuicks]

The early 1970s we were on the cusp of women being encouraged to delay families and join the workforce which in turn gave rise to families NEEDING two breadwinners to afford a house. Now we need two families with two breadwinners each to afford a house!

[@markremy4946]

Look at the little go-carts that grown men drive now. Shows the downfall of the American workers' wages.

[@christopherkraft1327]

I love the huge Coupe de Villes of this era, very comfortable. No goats, birds & only 1 cat to terrorize you, it's a good day!! 😊

[@rebeltvr6046]

"only 1 cat"? Do you know how dangerous cats can be?

[@Andrew.W75]

@@rebeltvr6046 Not as dangerous as goats ;-)

[@rebeltvr6046]

@@Andrew.W75 Obviously. Goats are the GOATS of mayhem

[@timmcm9538]

@@rebeltvr6046 Bill should have put all the animals in the trunk of the Deville. They'd fit no problem.

[@robk9685]

It's almost like you bought a car based on the hood in front of you. The '73-'77 Grand Prix's/Monte Carlo's were awesome for this along with this car. Lincoln's get an honorable mention but I just wasn't a Ford person.

[@mattiagnagno757]

“That guy has brakes he’s gonna have to use them” cracked me up😂

[@musiclover5023]

Yes I remember when the brake servo failed on my Eldorado, I certainly had to push that pedal.

[@frederickjohnpicarello1909]

My uncle had 74' Coupe DeVille & everytime I drove in it I would fall asleep in the backseat without fail!' It felt amazingly smooth & quiet..It felt like you were completely shut off from the outside world.

[@macmsu2363]

I had a ‘73 Coup de Villa in the late 80s early 90s - absolutely loved it, my favorite car of all time (green with brocade cloth interior). Funny thing was all the other college kids thought it sucked, driving around in their ridiculous hatchbacks .. but the iconoclast always wins.

[@cardo1111]

"But-There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding at the bottom of a Cracker Jack box."

[@timmcm9538]

Two points for the Meatloaf reference!

[@michaelwhite2823]

"Who ever heard of people poor ad us drive a Cadillac Coupe de Ville?" Donna Fargo

[@tommitchell2055]

"I'll try to make this a more efficient video" *Sees that the video is 45 minutes long*

[@kaohsiung99]

You gotta love Bill...

[@ToneCabinet]

He's a talker... LOL.

[@OnTheRocks71]

**begins with the history of Cadillac**

[@michaelwhite2823]

The LANGUAGE

[@michaelwhite2823]

In the first video I was somewhat annoyed. Now I love his style! LMAO

[@purplegoose7907]

REAL reviews by a REAL guy. Thanks Bill for the usual thorough review and humor. Always look forward to your new vids!

[@paveantelic7876]

Hey so unbiased yet passionate at the same time.. Shame your average young car guy is not into these cars, otherwise i feel like his Channel would have been huge

[@chetpomeroy1399]

Not to mention the fact that cars like this were about as REAL as one could get!!

[@fredblassie9523]

seems like a guy you can hang out with , beers and a lot of laughs and remenising about life in the 70's as a kid....and of course cars

[@burtpanasonic]

Give that man, man of the year award. 🏆

[@brianwells7641]

Cat: *exists* Bill: "It's hoping the windows down so it could leap in and attach itself to my face"

[@jsmurd]

LOL!!!

[@pauliewalnuts8094]

Get that cat the f outta here!

[@kaohsiung99]

Bill could write a great novel...

[@philip4193]

Yeah to Bill all animals and birds are vicious, bloodthirsty creatures, out to get him. He probably envisages that cat launching itself and attaching itself to his face in a suction cup-type embrace like the juvenile crab-like creatures from Alien...

[@eddstarr2185]

Hi Bill, my family was car shopping in 1973 and we were stunned by the rising prices. That nasty double-digit inflation of the 1970's caused GM to raise prices several times that year. Dad noticed that Buick and Oldsmobile prices were gaining on Cadillac, while Cadillac held their increases to a minimum. For the price of an Electra 225 you could drive away in a Sedan DeVille.

[@chasechildress2720]

So what did your family choose

[@eddstarr2185]

@@chasechildress2720 Dad made a bad choice, he waited another year to see the 1974 models. Big mistake!

[@e.f.clarke2041]

It’s the little things that make my day, Bill, and you always provide. Anticipated this video and was not let down. Then again, you could never let me down. 👍🏻

[@paulkirkland1535]

My thoughts exactly. The good old days,I remember these cars when new. Bill really makes my day.

[@godofstream3346]

Love that Caddy. Rather have it than a Rolls.

[@mattkase6644]

"The legendary Jim Reeves...he got hurt on that horse and it didn't work out for him." 🤣 Am I the only one to catch this brilliant piece of intentional misconstruation humor?

[@BrisLS1]

Didn't catch it as a joke; he died trying to fly a plane by sight, in a rain storm, and then stalling out while trying figure out direction. You can't slow down a plane in the air, like a car on the road. You have to maintain air speed over the wings to maintain lift. Well, then he reacted to the stall by pulling up and applying throttle, which sounds intuitive but is not correct. Need to push the nose down, gain air speed and then return to flying where you want it to go. All the best.

[@mattkase6644]

@@BrisLS1 You missed it too. He was intentionally misconstruing Jim Reeves and Christopher Reeve. It was a joke, albeit a dark humor one. Good to hear from another fellow aviator, however.

[@staffy73]

I caught it. 😅 that bill is really something else

[@ericbitzer5247]

@@mattkase6644 My dad used to take me up in Piper Cherokees he would rent when I was a kid in the 70's and very early 80's. Best times of my life.

[@chuckmyhervold2540]

My grandfather on my mom’s side always drove Caddy’s as long as I can remember. His last one was this generation, a ‘72 Coup De Ville. I remember driving this car for the first time when it was new. I was 18 years old at the time, and wow, there was nothing like it at the then! It still felt special compared to your average conveyance.

[@johnc4305]

My dads office had a few of these for sales calls that he would occasionally bring home. Seeing this car brings back memories of ice cream runs on these occasions. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@donmoore7785]

We had a '61 and '72 Sedan de Ville. This boat brings back memories. The '72 had 66,000 miles on it when we sold it, and it was not in great condition. Northern winters caused a lot of rust, we didn't maintain it properly. It was almost ready for recycling. Love seeing this fairly clean example. My mom drove the '72 right off the jack when I had the front wheel off. Yup - she had no clue the car was on that huge angle. Came out and the disc was on the concrete floor. I used her stocking once when the fan belt broke to get us home - I had heard of that trick. Tie it tight. I miss my mom... and her car.

[@MajorSecord]

I had a '74 in the same color. Compared to my '69 coupe de ville, I remember this one as being more Lincoln-like, with a softer ride and a more numb and isolated steering feel. The most in-your-face (or in-your-hand) poor design on all those old cads was the plastic steering wheels with the horn in the rim. An odd place to go cheap considering it's front and center and you're always using it. On the exterior, the flexible rubber stop gaps for the new federally mandated bumpers always faded and cracked within a few years exposure to the elements. Sun and salt would age them very quickly. This beautiful example brings back memories.

[@acelacrocker2958]

My grandfather had a Coupe deVille EXACTLY like this. Same color - inside and out, same hub caps, same wheel skirts... Thought I had gone back in time for a moment...

[@retrocorner5737]

I always liked how Cadillac took a bump. It actually made it feel Good. No other car does that. Maybe Lincoln but not the same.

[@MartyPowell55]

I imagine there were A LOT of " bumps" taken in Cadillac's in the 70's and 80's..lol..

[@vincentvega8210]

My dad would always say "NOTHING RIDES LIKE A CADDY" Damn if the old guy wasn't rite. He had a 66 4dr. Fleetwood,69 eldorado 78 coupe deville and an 81 sedan deville ..all where in MINT CONDITION! BTW I learned to drive in that 69 eldo navy bl. Navy bl interior and white vinyl top,what a car!!!!

[@parrotlover9035]

Back in '87-'91 I had this model as a 1976. It was nearly perfect. The engine was inaudible in the interior and ran so smoothly that there was no vibration at all. Not so with my 1981 Fleetwood sedan. It vibrates and you hear the engine all the time.

[@brockturner3112]

I swear, bill is like the bastard son of Maude and Lou Grant. 😂😂😂 I can't stop laughing at all of your videos.

[@taxdup2here82]

Funny you should say that. I had paused this video and was thinking about the Mary Tyler Moore show when I went outside for a smoke prior to you referencing Lou Grant.

[@bsu1960]

He is All American God Bless Him- Bill doesnt need writers w him its Au Natural -- off the cuff and dead on target. Its “ The Color of my parents appliances Each video is a jewel and when he made the disclaimer of w redo Bill please dont Change and after the fear that hit me earlier was quickly dissipated by the Bill we know and Love for being exactly himself he sure stands head and shoulders over the Quirky giant lol he has depth that cant be replicated

[@metrix9125]

Like "when the cuddy started driving a Cadillac" as well

[@michaelcope856]

Bill is what Doug DeMuro would be like if he didn't start every day with six espressos and a Red Bull.

[@rickwhite3181]

@@michaelcope856 I enjoy bills voice I wanna stick needles in my eyes listening to Doug lol

[@bernardboka4277]

My dad gave me his 1973 sedan deVille when I turned 16 in 1983 and it sparked my love of cars ever since. Same gold top, paint and interior.I compared my car to the contemporary cars and my car was a jewel. Still have it, 10k paint job and new nos interior fabric. Looks better than 1973 new.

[@stephendavis7441]

I'm in love lol. I had this same car in high school in 1980 with 36k miles great car. Living in Central Illinois lots of snow during that time never got stuck. Oh my the torque it had.

[@highlandmccombes]

Great video Bill. You are a man after my own heart. We had a silver grey 1974 Cadillac Fleetwood in the 90's. I wasn't going to let OPEC tell me what kind of car to drive. The interior was bordello red leather and it was stunning. Everyone that got into the car was blown away and they loved it. The seats were the most comfortable I've ever sat in as they arranged the springs in the most supportive manner possible. I shouldn't have sold it, but I still have my 1954 Coupe' de Ville which I bought in1972. We only drive it on nice days(it can get cold up here in Canada) and my kids and grandkids love it. It doesn't matter how long your videos are Bill, as they are down to earth and very informative.

[@Chris_Troxler]

Nice. I had a 72 Fleetwood, triple black, in my early 20's in the mid 2000s. I LOVED that car. Can't tell you how many times some tried to buy it off of me, or how many times I've hauled my drunk buddies around in it. God, I miss that car.

[@mikeskipworth856]

That sound when all four barrels open up is righteous. What a machine.

[@freetoroam7769]

I have a '76 with the 500, and when you step on the gas, you can hear that carburetor sucking lots of air - just like a shop vac. It's awesome.

[@ahmedal-khadar3924]

Bill man I wonder how come your channel got only 70k subscribers although it’s one of the finest car channel on KZbin ever........ AHMED FROM BAGHDAD IRAQ

[@MensAsses33]

I'm a Cadillac man. I'm driving an 2019 XT-5, but that's a beauty!!! You have a great voice, like listening to you.

[@theconciergerecommends3981]

My Great Aunt Alice drove this same car with a lead foot into her '90's!!!

[@mikeyerke3920]

These cars are coming of age as collectors cars.

[@1allanbmw]

500 cubic inches. Largest engine ever made for a standard production car up until the late '70's anyway. My parents ordered a new Sedan de Ville in '74 and as a 15 year old boy, I noticed and remembered such things. I drove that car to art lessons every Saturday morning and occasionally to early morning school if I could be back in time for my mom to go to school. Both my parents were school teachers, but my mom was born in Oklahoma in the early '30's and a Caddy ment to her, anyway, that you had arrived. I remember we looked at Lincoln and my dad really liked the new Imperial. But I think knowing my mom, it was always gonna be a Cadillac! 500 ci.

[@MrJayrock620]

Holy shit Bill, I think this is probably the first car I’ve actually seen you step into the rear of.

[@pauledie882]

I could not agree more with your assessment of Cadillac in the 1970's. My dad's barber bought a brand new Cad in '73, and that took the 'glow' off the brand name in dad's mind. He figured if his barber bought one, then why the hell would he want one?

[@billace90]

Yes, and the kid that did the lawns at the Barber’s house also had one!

[@OfficialMarkieB]

I guess the same attitude would be for the CT4, CT5 & CT6? Like literally anyone can have those caddies. Honestly, for today's standards; in my opinion if it isn't the Escalade it aint a Cadillac.

[@chrisb2844]

That is one gorgeous car, I LOVE it!! GREAT JOB BILL!!

[@michaeldierks3708]

I wish they still made cars that drove like that.

[@johnhenrymcmahon6878]

Such an awesome review, Bill. I love to see and listen to your commentary and history of these awesome American cars from the 70's-just so cool, brother. :) JV Johnny

[@SH-fi8sn]

Great commentary as always! I had a '73 Coupe de Ville and loved it. I played bass in an orchestra during that time and could easily fit the bass in the trunk of that car. Simply amazing.

[@neilgibbons2532]

USA

[@hottubz1965]

*Harvest Gold* was that 60s/70s iconic color

[@robk9685]

That was the appliance color along with avacado green..

[@robk9685]

@@michaelwhite2823 Whatever. This dude tried to drive his refrigerator to the "paraphernalia" store when Momz hid the keys to her gold Cadillac.

[@terjetytland884]

Just love these long,informative and humorus presentations👍

[@hottubz1965]

Bill, I swear we had the same milkman while growing up when it comes to your taste in cars!

[@robk9685]

Yes, that's why you look alike too. The same milkman!

[@taxdup2here82]

One of Bill's best videos yet. Shortened to 45 minutes too! I've had four 71-75 C bodies (three with built in garbage cans) and totally agree with Bill about the driving experience. Never had a legendary 472, only had a 350 4 bbl (Pontiac), two 455's (Olds) and a 501 Fleetwood that was a champ at donuts on gravel but couldn't even spin the tires on pavement. Believe me, I tried.

[@Dac54]

It's surprising that the 8 track tapes are still usable, given the age of them. In many cases, the tape is dried out, hence becoming brittle, and can snap right inside the tape player. That being said, what a beautiful classic car from a bygone era this Cadillac is! Thanks very much, Bill; cars like this one and the Mercury Cougar you showed last week bring me back to my youth and were still abundant on the road when I first started driving in the early 1980s.

[@Jason-xb3jh]

This was my first car! My grandparents bought it new. They had a quarter horse ranch here in Montana and pulled a “4 horse” horse trailer with it and used it as a daily driver. Then they got a 1979 Eldorado. The Deville sat in their driveway for a while until they sold it to me when I was 15 for $500.00. Loved it. My only complaint was the gas mileage. You could literally watch the gas gauge fall towards empty.

[@benscampers1818]

Bill your reviews are a great end to my day

[@kennethwood9025]

That car is HUGE! That has to be the biggest 2 door car GM built. Would love to drive that on the freeway.

[@freetoroam7769]

They are fantastic on the freeway. I have a '76. Have to watch the speedometer closely because you don't realize how fast your going. Cannot judge the speed by the engine revs because the engine just loafs along quietly.

[@eddiedean3259]

Kenneth Wood if you think the two door coupe was big. Check out How Big The 76-78 Eldorado!!! Wow!!!

[@randyfitz8310]

The 1976 Buick Electra coupe was actually longer at 227 inches!

[@krazy8754]

@@randyfitz8310 but It’s a Buick 🤮

[@volvo09]

Thank you for the history lesson on horsepower ratings! Helps explain the huge number drops.

[@topcturvee1]

I don't mind a 44:01 mintues video, Bill !!!! I find your videos always Entertaining, and informational !!!!! You gather up all the info on what your selling, and I find it very helpful, not to mention, the history behind the cars, are incredibly usefull !!!!! Don't stop what you're doing. WE LOVE YOU ❤️ BILL !!!!!!

[@wingatemose1182]

I loved the Cadillac Coupe deVille of the 1970's that was the car of my dreams as a teenager from 74 to 79. As far as I'm concerned those years were the absolute peak of Cadillac ,Period.

[@FRFRANKIE]

Hi Bill hope your doing good. I really loved the video. You put out the best vintage car videos ever in my book. Keep up the good work. Stay safe.

[@basitk12]

Your channel is very organized, informative and entertaining.

[@kyletaylor9550]

Grandpa had this exact model in lime green with white top and seats. The ride was incredible -- floating down the road. Nothing today rides like it. Grandpa hated seat belts, he removed them -- still legal to do back then.

[@MarinCipollina]

Bill is just geat.. I love his reviews and personality. 1974 Coupe de Ville was a real beast.

[@randolfo1265]

That car looks five years old, totally amazing!! Don't leave the giant door open too long Bill, it might sag on the hinge, and even worse, the cat might get in. (I had a cat back in the eighties who like to sleep in cars and at least once, went home with a visitor by mistake)

[@LongIslandMopars]

I was waiting for you to get into those Quadrajet secondaries ... what a sound from a bygone era.

[@440mgnm]

True. But I always preferred the sound of a healthy Carter ThermoQuad

[@LongIslandMopars]

@@440mgnm Definitely!

[@timmcm9538]

If you looked down into the secondary's as they were opened up, it looked like two little toilets being flushed with gasoline. You no longer wondered why your gas mileage was what it was.

[@LongIslandMopars]

@@timmcm9538 And if you kept your foot in it long enough, you could watch the gas gauge move in real time....

[@borla4491]

@@timmcm9538 MPGs was not better due to Emmissions. Take off those Emmissions and it will get better MPGs.

[@sparkymcplumpthepolydactyl2079]

Remember riding in those cars as kid, it was like riding in a living room.

[@mitchellwalton481]

Love this car!! And the unbelievable practically showroom condition that it's in!! Absolutely stunning! Thanks Bill for another great find, and another great video! I am always amazed by your vast knowledge about each vehicle that you show, and what particulars that was or would have been taking place in the history of the actual time period of each vehicle. Loads of information, which greatly add to each video! Also, as someone else had mentioned, weather was fairly decent and no Shanahan's from either the birds, cats nor the goats! Hahaha 😂😂😂. You always give us a good laugh, that no video would be complete without! Lol Thanks again for another great video, and we all appreciate all that you do, and keep them coming! 👍👍😎

[@SeanJohnson-sj1su]

Hey Bill, awesome review as usual. I am hoping I can log onto you tube some day and see you testing an E34 BMW 5 series. I am a child of the 80's and I remember loving those cars and wanting my family to buy one, but they could never afford it. Definitely one of the defining cars of the 80's.

[@jimkeo6954]

I believe that’s a Calais not a coupe DeVille, it’s missing the fender light monitors, as well as the rear taillight monitors. And I’m pretty sure that vinyl not leather interior. I could be wrong. Anyways I’m always entertained by Bill’s videos.

[@robmastro8620]

I believe the Calais of that era didnt have a vinyl roof, and came with a cloth interior. I remember as a kid having our next door neighbors who were both retired educators, one had a 74 Coupe Deville that had very low miles and the other a 77 Olds Cutlass Supreme Brougham with even less miles. Both were beautiful cars.

[@josephvaldora49]

The Calais had a very cool plaid cloth interior.

[@loveaodai100]

Super review! Absolutely beautiful. Love the headlamps. One breaks and it cost ten dollars to replace.

[@Sedan57Chevy]

You really do manage to find some of the best cars, Bill! I wouldn't go out of my way looking for a gold Coupe DeVille, but this thing is GORGEOUS! Your commentary is wonderful as well, and really does add something special. Anybody can point a camera at a car, but it takes a special someone to talk about the weather and animals along with the car and make for a hilarious and informative review of a car.

[@PeterYanidis]

Great car to drive through The Everglades in.

[@paulk9985]

The everglades is mostly water. You'd need a boat to drive through the ever.... Oh, I get it. Ha Ha LOL.

[@robk9685]

Or on I-94 through Detroit passing the Clark Street plant where they were born. Car leaning one way, driver leaning the other. Vinyl top flappin' in the wind, one headlight, thought it was a motorcycle behind you. All red lights aglow on the dash. Panty hose as a gas cap. Smokin' like a BBQ. Mudflaps with your zodiac sign. To H with those people saying this GM Detroit stuff was "junk". They were still running 25 years later.

[@rmknicks]

You are a national treasure and I'm so glad that the golden dreadnought was able to keep you safe from that feral cat.

[@Toguro-oy3ld]

This channel helps keep me sane, helps. So many memories of the big cars I used to have.

[@waynemarchese5671]

Absolute beauty. Our last Caddy was the '73 coupe. After 20+ years of owning them. My parents moved to Euro manufacturers in the mid 70's. I'll always remember how comfortable that leather interior was. Jaguar leather seats were pretty stiff compared to these boats.

[@MrMenefrego1]

Excellent video, Bill! Love the detailed info. you have in this one. My father had many Cadillacs in his life, the first of which was his rather conspicuous baby blue '56 Caddy, Coup de Ville, which he bought in 1958 when he returned from overseas during his stint in the service. (Pop was a WWII & Korean War Vet) I'm going to be 60 this month and, for me at least, this is what a *true Cadillac* looks like; uselessly-GIGANTIC, but beautifully luxurious! Other than the oddly Chevrolet, Impala-like frontend, this car is *ALL CADILLAC!* From her massive 472-ci Caddy engine to her subdued tailfins, from her cavernous trunk to her built-in trash container, she is a true American Beauty! Nothing 'sensible' here, this is pure, ALL-AMERICAN Luxury with an emphasis on WASTE! lol. Great stuff, Bill... I thank God in Heaven that the goats, birds and other wildlife didn't get you! I always wondered why you aren't afraid of those damned Florida 'Gators but you are afraid of a 1-ounce bird?! 👀

[@davidfoley9642]

Love it! The closest I had was a '71 Impala Custom in Champagne Gold.

[@AERIXX3]

I have virtually the same car and color but mine is a '76. Love it!

[@joe6096]

I see a new video from Bill pop up in my feed, my day is made!

[@toefield251]

I believe Johnny Cash, Led Zeppelin and Elvis were cruising in these cars.

[@chuckhaugan4970]

Naaaahhhhh...... Old people were into Lawrence Welk, the Carpenters, John Denver, and whoever did that Skyrockets in flight.... Afternoon delight song. God.... Such an insane time for music. Hearing that on Mom and Dad's presets and then Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Beatles/their offshoots, and the Doobie Brothers on the kids presets. At least that's what I remember of those years.... That and bell bottoms.... LOL!!!

[@a.s.4914]

And it would of fit nearly all of them at once! 😉 This things as big as a PT boat.

[@charger19691]

I think Elvis would of gladly rolled in this 74 Coupe DeVille!

[@toefield251]

@@chuckhaugan4970 Both Johnny Cash and Elvis owned these cars. Zeppelin can be seen leaving in one at the end of the film "The Song Remains the Same".

[@chuckhaugan4970]

@@toefield251 LOL!!! I'm just talk'n music, no worries. Misread your initial comment. I'm getting too old for my own good.

[@tsav6952]

Another exquisite review and very fine machine I would have been proud to drive to the country club. The stupid Mercedes AC barely worked and you couldn't hold six golf bags in the trunk either.

[@maynard4026]

Really enjoyed this. Thank you. I learned to drive in my dad's 73. Exact color you showed. We drove this car 180k and never had a single problem.Sold it in 1986. I remember he got every option and took me with him to pick it up.$12k . Fun memory. I loved this car. Thanks

[@jefferystackhouse3434]

Very good detailed video. I owned one of these cars and absolutely loved it, miss it till this day. Years of trouble free driving.

[@jamesparker6017]

Mel Bch 🌴 You're back on track with this beauty. Really nice. No bro han add ons thank goodness ! 👌 🏄

[@1SECRETBILLY]

Great presentation Bill especially at 15:00 mark as how Cadillac allowed Mercedes Benz a piece of the pie lol.

[@SkopLP]

I so much enjoy your videos for how it feels like standing next to you, having a casual conversation, and learning interesting things along the way while looking at these gems of cars, especially the Cadillacs - thank you ever so much!

[@ericelander9936]

Love these videos. Love that car. Every old car from the sixties and seventies you have reminds me of my youth. Want to buy every one!

[@petergibbs]

When ever I see a car like this , I half expect to see Steve McGarrett jump out yelling "Book'em Danno".

[@dirtyoldman7356]

1968-74: Mercury ParkLane 1974-80: Mercury Marquis

[@npet6842]

That is fantastic ! What a colour too .

[@ronmccullock1407]

Welcome back Bill, fantastic car, glad that the weather is to your desire

[@markhamrick9078]

When I was growing up, my next door neighbor had one in blue.... very 1st Cadillac I was ever in!!!😎👍

[@cb8868]

Always great and this car is awesome.

[@subaru4me]

That was really interesting regarding the horsepower. I used to wonder just how the smog stuff could sap that much power but apparently not. Cool info.

[@chrisedward7575]

The car was heavy, poorly built, underpowered and handled like crap. An engine is the sum of its parts. These engines were detuned down to nothing. Removing the smog stuff wouldn’t help much. It did have some torque.

[@1voiceofstl]

Late 70's was alot worse.

[@lorenzocooper8286]

@@chrisedward7575 Have you ever heard of crate engines? Those will solve the low horsepower problem. I swapped a 600 horsepower 455 Pontiac crate engine into my 1984 Cadillac Fleetwood. It's a blast to drive and I roll down the windows most of the time so that I can hear the glass pack mufflers. The glass packs give it a Harley Davidson type of rumble. The only bad thing about my car is the gas mileage. I'm getting about 7 or 8 miles to the gallon highway mileage.

[@blaisepalermo1743]

@@lorenzocooper8286 love it...

[@OLDSPANKY1967]

I Love the History You give with every video you do! I always learn Something when I watch you videos. I love all these old cars you have. It's a shame that I can't own them All. At least I know that Every car you show will someday get a great home & someone to take care of it. Keep up the great work!

[@keithbalke6352]

Love the history lessons as much as the cars....this guy is good

[@robertpace901]

What a beauty. In August 1973 I remember looking through the fence at our local dealership, where all the 74 Cadillac's were being stored, before the official release date. That opera rear window was what stuck out the most as the new feature for 74. What are the cross bars above the engine for? Why were they needed. These days parking spaces aren't made for this length of this car.

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

Those bars are for torsional rigidity this hood opening being so yuge.

[@labornurse]

Imagine parking this in an underground garage.

[@wall-e3313]

@@labornurse I can tell you from personal experience. Not fun. My Suburban isn't much easier to park, but it actually handles better on the road.

[@johndornoff]

My mother had a 1973 Sedan De Ville in the same color. One day I was heading to the car when a brand new 1984 Oldsmobile hit the car as it was sitting along the curb. The Oldsmobile's entire right side was wiped out and I ran out afraid my mother was going to kill me thinking I damaged the car and I went out to look at the damage to see some white paint on the bumper being the only damage.

[@peteralvarez8328]

Awesome Caddy! Thanks for another great video Bill!

[@miamoreifuamoor5869]

Great video, informative and an absolute pleasure to partake in!

[@sadokbarbouche9427]

that is a bad ass car

[@donaldclary846]

44:01 is "efficient"?? Set no time limits!

[@59cadfins]

We have a few Cadillacs and enjoyed watching this video on this car. These are the cars are the real head turners that should be kept on the road. New cars and electrics don't have the same style. Like this one with the grill below the bumper. Thanks for posting.

[@pt008]

1:30 "let's get right into this" 16:30 finally gets into this (came soooo close at 14:30) Still enjoying all 44 minutes of this efficient video :) thank you. I can barely pry open the hood of my 71 Riviera with both hands, I feel your pain.

[@brysctt72]

I guess you'd have to keep your 9mm under the seat, that glove compartment is pretty far to reach for it 😂

[@tonys8243]

A compact .45 because ...you might be able to expand a .38 round but you can't shrink a .45

[@quad5186]

Looks like that center ashtray could hold one!

[@captbrakeset7630]

For the exterior colors, I'd go with Pharaoh Gold Firemist, as suggested, and the matching Code M Gold vinyl roof. Reviews of 74 to 76 Cadillac deVilles and Fleetwood uniformly panned the Impala-grade materials of the instrument panel and door trim, although the design was fine: the new instrument panel/dash made the "front room" feel even larger. It's as if GM's product planners agreed to milk the last dimes out of the platform as funding for the 77 downsizing. As mentioned, there were big-dollar option packages like the d'Elegance and over-the-top Fleetwood Talisman to put some space between the promotional priced models for the step-up buyers mentioned and the fancier ones intended to keep the upper-middle class buyers in the fold. That, and pricing the Seville ABOVE the 76 Fleetwood maybe slowed the exodus but failed to stop it. Still - nothing else looked like or drove like a deVille or a Fleetwood of that era - best wishes to whoever now owns this exceptional Coupe deVille.

[@jefrey5578]

When I was younger I dropped a 1968 500ci engine into my 1969 camaro. I did put dual holley carbs on it with an edelbrock manifold with a flowmaster muffler and dynod it put out 490 hp with 590ft lbs of torque. Even with that big engine in the Camaro there was still plenty of room to work on it. I knew a guy that had the 7.2l caddy 1976 that dynod at 140hp stock, he yanked all the emissions, changed carbs manifold and muddle and it rose to 340 hp with 420lb ft torque. All you need to do with that caddy is yank that smog crap out and youll gain 30-50hp and around 20-30 ft lb torque.

[@belchnasty]

I love this video and your narration! You have a lovely voice that's perfect for these presentations. Thanks for taking the time to make these. Gorgeous subject matter too! Subscribed

[@fitfogey]

6:15 “Cadillac was named after Antwon Sir de Cadillac...or some shit like that” 😂😂

[@musiclover5023]

No, it's a little town in France !

[@chuckselvage3157]

🤣🤣

[@ericbrule4465]

Named after the founder of Detroit, MI if I recall

[@firstnamelastname6171]

Antoine De La Mothe Cadillac

[@robk9685]

It was Antoine, not the ghetto misspelling Antwon. Where you be stay? With Martelle' D. Bootiful Hennessaaay Hankerson-Wilson-Fogey III...or some shit like that? Lol

[@wombat1238marsupial]

Lovely car. A hood so large that you could make at least 4 Toyota Camrys from it😂😂😂

[@christianobrien4465]

Just love the hell out of you Bill. You know you cycled in a photograph of a 1973 coupe DeVille and it is identical to the 73 coupe DeVille I owned I I do prefer the 73 but hey with 74 you have isolutely beautiful you have an incredible eye and you are an absolute delight to listen to I watch every moment I can thank you for everything bill

[@peterterry398]

That guy has brakes hes gonna have to use em !! I thought i was the only one who said that !!! Love this narration !!!