Cadillac hits its stride this year on its 70th anniversary, with 267,787 cars sold – the first time it topped a quarter million. The 1972 Eldorado proved a big success with 40,074 finding buyers (32,099 coupes and 7,975 convertibles). Base price for the coupe was $7380 and the convertible cost $7681, though it was easy to option either model past $11,000.

Cadillacs changed little this year. Some grille patterns were altered and bumpers were beefed up to withstand 5 mph front impact with no damage, and 2.5 mph at the rear. Rubber strips were attached to assist with those requirements and the front bumper had an in-and-out look, curving around the front fenders. The rear bumper was more substantial than previously, and flatter.

Horsepower was now shown in both SAE gross figures, based on crankshaft power, and net figures which calculated the outpout at the driving wheels. Hence the Eldorado’s 500 cid V-8 claimed 365 gross bhp and 235 net bhp, which is a lot less impressive.

A Custom Cabriolet package was introduced for the Eldorado Coupe, with a “halo” half vinyl top which featured a big chrome bar across the top. Behind it was padded vinyl and ahead of it was a sunroof, set in the painted roof. The option was available in seven colors.

The 1972 Cadillac Eldorado was available with an optional leather interior and a bench front seat with folding center armrest. Other popular options included automatic climate control, power sunroof, tilt/telescopic steering column, remote trunk release, rear window defogger, AM/FM radio, AM/FM stereo with 8-track, vinyl roof, power seat, power door locks, power sunroof, cruise control, and tinted glass.

Magazine road tests indicated that the 1972 Eldorado had slowed down from the 1971 model, plus it now weighed 5290 lbs. From a standing start, 60 mph came up in 10.9 seconds, and a quarter-mile in 17.60 seconds at 79.8 mph, which was comparable to the Lincoln Mk IV and Imperial Le Baron. Gas mileage was estimated at 14.39 mpg, though as the disclaimers say, “your mileage may vary.”

In May 1972, President Nixon took a black Eldorado coupe with him to Moscow to present as a gift to Soviet leader Leonid Breshnev. With only three days warning, Cadillac took the car off the line, striped it in red, and trucked it to Selfridge Air Force Base near Detroit to be flown to Russia. It was shipped with a selection of cassette tapes, spare parts, and service manuals.