Fletch's 1972 Cadillac Calais: Classic Restos - Series 57

Fletch proudly presents his 1972 Cadillac Calais, a fourth-generation model renowned for its luxury and distinctive design, produced from September 1971 to September 1976. 1972 marked a significant milestone for Cadillac, celebrating 70 years as a leader in American luxury automobiles. The Cadillac Calais model, closely resembling the Deville series, differed mainly in its showroom trim and interior styling, offering lavish fabrics and features that exemplify Cadillac's reputation for quality.

The Calais interior was available in Mayfair cloth with vinyl bolsters in six colours or expanded vinyl upholstery in black or antique saddle. It boasted amenities such as a notchback front seat with a folding center armrest, power windows, variable ratio power steering, power brakes, an advanced flow-through ventilation system, cornering lamps, a three-speed wiper and washer, courtesy lighting, and an electric clock. 

In 1972, Cadillac set a new model year sales record by producing 267,827 cars at their Detroit assembly plant. Overall, the Cadillac Calais series totalled 7,775 units, making it significantly more collectible than the Deville, which saw 194,195 units produced in 1972.

Fletch's 1972 Cadillac makes its debut on Classic Restos, notable for being the vehicle he has owned the longest in his collection and his first purchase from the United States in 2015. 

For about 5 years, Fletch lived in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, for up to 9 weeks a year, covering the Ford, GM and Chrysler Nationals for Carlisle events. Inspired to buy an American car, Fletch spotted the Cadillac in a driveway while driving to Gettysburg. Although there was no 'For Sale' sign, he felt drawn to it, resulting in a visit to the owner's home. The owner, Ron, displayed reluctance toward potential buyers, particularly demolition derby enthusiasts, but formed an instant rapport with Fletch upon learning he was from Australia. They discussed the price, and after a family meeting, Ron and his partner Judy decided they wanted Fletch to take the car, even offering a discount to help with shipping costs to Australia.

With its original 55,000-mile odometer reading, the Cadillac was first purchased in 1972 by a woman named Goldie "Ziggy" Ziggler (Ron & Judy's aunt). She was 51 years old at the time and drove the car well into her 80s. After which the Cadillac was left in the family driveway of Ron and Judy, where Fletch first encountered it. The car came with meaningful historical artifacts, including the original purchase invoice and Cadillac brochure, adding to its sentimental value.

Over the years, Fletch has developed a close relationship with Ron and Judy, learning about the history of the Cadillac and its former owner. The story behind the Cadillac is particularly touching; Ziggy purchased it in 1972 after losing her husband, hoping to find comfort in such a luxury item. The family recalls being astonished by the car's price at the time—amounting to what could have purchased a small home in regional Pennsylvania.

The Calais is often seen as an entry-level Cadillac, yet it offers many luxurious features in higher-end models like the Deville and Fleetwood. It shares the same impressive wheelbase of 130 inches (3.3 meters) and impressive handling characteristics due to its front and rear track measurements of just over 1.6 meters. Under the hood, it houses a powerful 472 V8 engine, complemented by automatic climate control, air conditioning, power seats, and plush carpeting. The car's pillarless design adds to its appeal, allowing for an open, airy feel akin to a convertible.

Recently, Fletch decided to restore certain aspects of the Cadillac, undertaking work on the rear screen and addressing minor rust issues. The horizontal surfaces—the hood, turret, and trunk lid—were also repainted. The original 472 engine was cleaned and freshened up, maintaining the integrity of the vehicle while ensuring its reliability. An added attraction for Fletch is its left-hand drive configuration, as the car remains in its original, unmodified state, a "factory iron" emblematic of its Detroit roots.

Fletch's Cadillac Calais stands not only as a stunning automobile but also as a symbol of connection, nostalgia, and the enduring legacy of American cars.