This 1974 Cadillac Eldorado Is a Tribute to Super Fly
Culture
Movies & Television
Classics
American
The 1974 Eldorado is about as big and flashy as a Caddy got. But suppose the base car wasn’t outgoing enough for you? The result would be something like this audacious cruiser recently listed on eBay Motors.
The list of embellishments on this baby is extensive. They include:
- Huge custom-tinted headlight frames
- A flying lady hood ornament
- Landau bars - opens in new window or tab. (for that fake convertible look)
- Rocket aluminum wheels
- And finally, opera lamps
The interior? Velour, of course. Shag carpeting would work, but this one has stock coverings. The vehicle gets noticed on its own, but there’s a pushbutton siren to ensure that heads turn.
18 Feet of Awesomeness
Underneath all that goodness is a stock Eldorado with just 36,000 miles on it. The working sunroof is an exciting accessory. Garage storage helped the dash avoid cracks. The owner says:
Not many like this left. Gets thumbs up every time I take it out.
The original Super Fly car is a cultural icon.
The owner recently completed a 180-mile round trip out of state without issue.
The eBay car resembles what Ron O’Neal’s character, Youngblood Priest, drives in the 1972 film Super Fly. The movie car was a ’72 Eldorado customized by Dunham Coach in Boonton, N.J. It had a prominent place on the movie poster. The vehicle featured similar headlights, hood ornament, animal fur upholstery, and other flourishes.
The car for sale is an 18-foot-long, ninth-generation Eldorado, a series beginning in 1971. It was an update of the model that was introduced in 1967.
The original powerplant was a 429-cubic-inch V-8 combined with a Turbo-Hydramatic 425 transmission, and zero to 60 took less than nine seconds. The front drive improved handling, which wasn’t great in the land yachts that came before the radical new Eldorado.
Ready for More Custom Touches
For 1971, Cadillac upgraded the Eldorado by adding two inches to its length and six in wheelbase. Cadillac added fender skirts, and the 8.2-liter engine (500 cubic inches) became standard. But what about horsepower to move the 5,000-pound cruiser? In the emissions-choked era, it was a mere 210 ponies.
With options, an Eldorado in the day could easily be over $13,000—a lot back then.
Price guides say an excellent stock ’74 Eldorado is worth around $22,000 these days, but it’s hard to pin a book value on the customized period piece recently listed on eBay. Regardless, there’s a stock Eldorado underneath all that gingerbread, and mechanical parts are readily available on eBay - opens in new window or tab..
But if you need to replace those giant headlight frames, that might require custom work.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.