Long, Low and Wide: 1964 Cadillac Coupe de Ville
The term “Coupe de Ville” is French in origin and goes back to horse drawn carriages whose passengers were covered, while their drivers worked in the open. While this term was also applied to early automobiles with an open driver’s compartment, it has been used more fancifully now so that its original meaning no longer has anything to do with the cars to it is applied.
Cadillac first used the Coupe de Ville name as the prestige trim for the 1949 series 62, and its final use was the Cadillac DeVille in 2005.
This long, low and wide 1964 Cadillac Coupe de Ville is for sale here in craigslist in Waterbury, Connecticut (although it is wearing current New York State license plates).
The seller says almost humorously little about his car: “27,000 original miles. $5,000. Call or Text Tony.” (the telephone number given is a New York number, so maybe this car is actually located there). The front bumper and grille are typical of mid-sixties GM cars, and now need replating.
While no photos of the engine are provided, it should be powered by a 429 cubic inch engine with a four barrel carburetor, making a healthy 340 horsepower driving through the new-for-1964 Turbo-Hydramatic transmission. You will need all of that power as the curb weight of this car is 4495 pounds. And this is a big car – all of 223.5 inches long – that is just under 19 feet!
These were popular cars when new – Cadillac made 38,195 of them in 1964. With an asking price of $5,000 and showing somewhat less than the typical northeastern lower body rust, along with a clean, original looking interior, if its low mileage can be verified, this car is a relatively good deal, maybe even close to being a bargain. You just need to decide if the rust is bad enough to require a complete repaint, or if it can be patched and repainted in spots. I’d vote for the latter, and just have fun with this big Cadillac, using it as a fun weekend cruiser.
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Comments
If I didn’t live in the city, this would be REALLY tempting, and I would probably leave it alone except for whatever it takes to keep it safe and reliable. This is a 50+ year old car that’ll function in modern traffic without a hitch. Parts are amazingly available, and this was the last year that Cadillac used flat glass in its side windows, which means it’s easier to get side glass for a ’64 than for any Caddy of the next forty years. And these days, 4500 pounds is not what it used to be. An Escalade weighs half a ton more!
My Dad bought a ’64 in ’67 – Beige 2 door.
I LOVE the styling of these,but would never want a car “Just like-
Dad had”,as these were very soft,sloppy handling cars.
To me Cadillac styling went downhill in 63 and 64. Never cared for either year. The 65’s a 66’s were much nicer looking cars and then 67’s on went down hill again. Never liked any Caddy much since.
What a trunk! You may have to check your local zoning laws to be able to park it in your driveway :)