1973 Cadillac Eldorado

When it was decided that an Eldorado convertible would pace the Indianapolis 500 in 1973 Cadillac Motor Division got busy testing the massive car for the task. A silver 73 convertible became the test mule and Cadillacs top engineers went to work preparing the 5,100 pound car so that it could maintain and handle speeds in excess of 125 mph. Two Eldorados were prepared for actual pace car duty on race day and each featured a modified 500 cubic inch V8 reportedly producing over 500 horsepower, the air conditioning was deleted along with many other modifications. In addition, Cadillac built 12 high speed celebrity escort cars. These 12 cars had high performance 500 ci engines built in Cadillacs engine lab reportedly producing around 400 horsepower, special exhaust, mandated Goodyear tires instead of Firestones and like the actual pace car, some had hood pins and rocker panel moldings that were screwed rather than clipped to the body. Two of the 12 high speed cars were fitted with a refrigerated front center console for storing film which had to be kept cool. This is 1 of those 2 center console cars. This is festival car #22. One of just a few known high speed cars that still exist with the complete chain of ownership history since new..An incredible amount of documentation and race related memorabilia accompany this car including the Cadillac LaSalle Owners Club authentication manual for 1973 Eldorado Pace Cars which was written by this cars previous owner, Tim Pawl - a retired automotive engineer. The underside of the trunk features 19 prominent signatures from individuals involved with the 1973 race and Cadillac engineers involved with the preparation of this car. These signatures include 1973 Indy 500 race winner Gordon Johncock, 1973 Pole Winner Johnny Rutherford, 1973 Pace Car driver Jim Rathman, 1973 festival queen Cynthia Foster and many others. For details call Dave Murray at (407) 592-5039..The production breakdown for the 1973 Indy Pace Car and Pace Car Replicas as documented in Tim Pawls CLOC Authenticity Manual is as follows:.
Total production - 566
Actual Pace Cars - 2
Festival Cars - 53
Festival Cars w/flag bumper - 45
Celebrity Escort Festival Cars - 12
Celebrity Escort Cars w/chrome valve covers and air cleaner lid - 8
Celebrity Escort Cars w/refrigerated center console - 2.In addition to being 1 of 12 Celebrity Escort Cars, this car is also 1 of 8 with chrome dress up and1 of 2 with the refrigerated center console. Well be adding a list and photos of the extensive amount of memorabilia that is included. More photos of the car coming soon..SELLING AT MECUM INDY ON THURSDAY MAY 14TH