Big Cheap Project: 1966 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
What’s eighteen and a half feet long, weighs 4,707 lbs., and looks like it has a case of leprosy? Why this 1966 Cadillac DeVille of course. This is another of those “you’ll have to guess about it” listings as the only included verbiage is, “1966 Cadillac Sedan DeVille white/ black 4 dr“. Yeah, OK, I got that part and that’s where the trouble starts. With only visuals, there’s no telling where this review might go. It looks like it could be a farm find and appears to have been neglected for some time. Is there anything remarkable or noteworthy about this find, courtesy of Gunter K.? Let’s find out, it’s located in Denver, Colorado and is available, here on craigslist for $2,000.
The listing places the condition of this land barge as “fair” but I beg to differ. Not to sound too obvious but this baby is covered in rust splotches. Forget about the finish, it’s pretty well ruined. From what can be determined, it does show as being a complete four-door hardtop, absent crash damage, and not subject to rot-through. But, a full inspection would be necessary to determine this limo-sized car’s true character. The vinyl top is in OK condition but it is split at the driver’s side C-Pillar.
The fabric upholstery interior is rather ratty looking. The dashpad could win a contest for the worst, or close to the worst, that I have discovered in reviewing thousands of cars. My guess is that this DeVille probably spent a lot of time out in the open sunny high plains air. The back of the front seat is split and the upholstery is dingy so it’s tough to get a thorough look at it. The backseat, as is usually the case, looks OK even with the fender skirts taking up residency in the rear footwells. The instrument panel surely looks salvageable and there is a pre-1971 “Comfortron” A/C system in place. I only mention that as parts for one of those have become unobtanium.
The Alaska-sized hood covers up a 340 gross HP, 429 CI V8 engine that has likely not turned a lick in many, many years. As near as can be told, it looks complete but it would be good to know if it’s stuck. The mileage is listed as 61K miles and if that’s accurate that could portend well for this big Cadillac V8. The only transmission available in this DeVille was a Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic transmission. In rebuilt form, it’s worth almost what the seller is asking for the entire car.
Undoubtedly, interested parties are going to have questions. The seller, however, states, “I’m sorry but I only do business in person on the telephone“. So, does that mean in person, and/or over the telephone? Whatever, I imagine the market for this car, considering its condition, and the fact that it’s a four-door body style, will probably limit its appeal. Of course, based on its curb weight, it’s going for $0.42 a pound so maybe it’s a good buy, right?
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Comments
Well I see it does have cruise and the headlight sentinel, a few options. Also the Auto climate control is present.
Always had several 1965’s,(my first car and only make I ever bought). I had a few 66’s but never liked dropping the rear bumper to change lights. Definitely the very best and easiest engine to work on that Cadillac ever made.
Appears to have the T&T (tilt and telescope) steering wheel and column as well. That’s a good sign that if one wants to go the extra miles to restore the car, it could turn out to be a good venturesome effort.
I would love to buy it
I’d buy that in a minute if it were closer. I really liked the big wide ashtray compartment. It came out right away since no smoking was ever allowed near me, mush less in my Caddy’s, and a nice switch panel went in.
Umm, no.
But list the pickup next to it, or maybe the Jeep and throw this in as a BOGO free.
$2k is a great price for a car of that vintage. Of course it’s a project car and not a driver at present, I think you could spend ten grand on it and expect to get most if not all your money back by selling the car. If all those spots all over the car are rust then forget it. If it all will wash off then buy it.
Sell it to Danny Koker
It’ll probably look 10 times better with a quick pressure washing of the exterior! I had 3 cads before during the mid 80s, a 70,71,and a 64 that I went 130mph with balled tires at the time lol 😝, young and dumb! It’s amazing I’m still alive at 60yo now but love the old sleds of any make and model they are smooth and fast 💨 at high speed and the heavy weight keeps them from floating if you just go straight lol 😝
You’d have to be madly in love with the mid-60’s Caddies, to put the time and money into this old more door dog.
Looks more like mold than rust to me but what can you really tell from pictures?
Give it a good pressure wash and see what you come up with?
A mid to late sixties Cadillac were a very nice well engineered and built cars.
I had a 67 that ended up being a failed restoration project. A few years later I got a 73 Cadillac. The 67 was a much better driving car..
Back in the late 80s in my senior year of high school I had a chance to buy a tan 65 Sedan Deville, its second owner was a mechanic, the original owner was a dentist. I beleive it had 90000 miles at the time. It was in great shape. Wound up not getting it and I am kicking myself to this day.
Whole thing needs to be scrubbed down with Tri-Sodium Phosphate
BIG time. Angel Cadillac Diva is right about the mold.
Guaranteed it has dead mice, too.
Bob
With the price, hauling, cleaning and 4 tires; you can have five grand in this old sled and it’s still not road worthy! I have always liked the styling of the 66 hardtop but this is a base model and too much upfront before restoration even starts.
I would rather have the jeep
I had two 66 one 68 then I got in to 77
The sad part about this car is the level of neglect it has suffered. The sheer magnitude of what will have to be done to bring it up to drivable is almost overwhelming. The right buyer with deep enough pockets to fund a restoration may not materialize. There isn’t enough of a profit to be made for most interested parties.
That appears to be accumulated dirt/debris not rust. A good cleaning in and out…fog the cylinders clean up the points and plugs…fresh can of gas…air up the tires..if they will hold air (my 63 GP held air after sitting 45 years)…for about 30 to 40 minutes..lol Get her in the air to check the frame/pans. If she’s decent…take her home as a survivor. That’s what I’d do, but that’s me…and would but, I’m 1500 miles away and no room for her. Someone will get a decent car.
Keep the ole gals rolling not rotting. 😉
If the bumpers and grill are straight and unmolested the car is worth the 2K all day long.
If the car was 1 state closer I would take the 2K and load it up if the hard parts were there. That mold would come right off, the body from what you can see looks like it has no penetrating rust at all.
That would be a fantastic car for long road cruising traveling the country. Brakes, fuel system, fluids, tires well the list goes on. But if the body and bumpers are straight you have a fantastic car to restore. They are a bear to work on certain things. Just taking the bumpers off and back on is an act of congress.