Shed Stored 25 Years: 1966 Cadillac DeVille Convertible
Beginning in the 1960s, the DeVille would become the volume production car for Cadillac for years to come. That would be especially true for the 1966 model year when the DeVille accounted for more than 70 percent of the GM division’s output. This rose-colored convertible has been in the same family for 43 years and parked out back in a shed for 25. Time and the elements have not been kind to this luxury car, which will be either a big project to undertake or relegated to a parts car. Located in Coeburn, Virginia, this Caddy is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $4,150.
The Cadillac DeVille series began in 1949 as the Coupe de Ville, a 2-door hardtop that was a notch up from the Series 62 luxury coupe. It was one of the earliest pillarless production coupes. It was joined by a 4-door hardtop in 1956 and then broadened to a full-range of body styles in 1959. It would stick around until 2005, after which the cars became known as the Cadillac DTS. The third generation, which includes the seller’s car, was produced from 1965-70. As the car had been all new for ’65, the ’66 changes were largely cosmetic and minimal.
Cadillac had a good year in 1966 as total production numbers would approach 200,000. All DeVilles would add up to 142,000 units and the convertible would represent 19,200 assemblies. The MSRP price for the ‘66 DeVille ragtop was $5,553, which would be north of $45,000 in today’s money. The seller’s family acquired this one in 1978 and apparently drove it until 1996 when it found itself exiled to the shed it occupies now. Exposed to the climate, it has not faired well. While there is visible rust on the sheet metal, what would be concerning is what may have happened to the undercarriage sitting on the ground with flat tires all this time.
These cars would have been powered by a 429 cubic inch V8 capable of 340 hp. However, as the seller says the numbers don’t match, there’s no way of knowing if that’s what’s under the hood of this one. The winner of the auction will have his pick of parts that were collected for the car and other Cadillacs, for that matter. The odometer reads 82,000, but we’re told that’s not the actual mileage. Other than a broken side window, the car is said to be complete.
55 years after it left the factory, there can’t be many ’66 DeVille convertibles left. But this one is rough and begs the question as to whether it’s worth restoring or reserved for parts to save another old Caddy. Sitting next to it under the shed is a 1980s Seville, which may be on its way to a similar fate as this one if not saved soon, too.
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Comments
When a seller suggests the car they are selling is a parts car, believe them. The bidding up to this point seems to bear that out.
Steve R
When taking on a project of this magnitude one must figure in parts available, time in work performed, and cost of inflation. Taking an inventory of needed parts, finding vendors, and buying said parts is very important in these projects. The sooner you buy the parts you need (providing you have a place to store the parts) is going to save money in the long run adjusting for inflation. Ofcourse there will be surprises that were not initially discovered, because there always is some hidden things that will only be discovered during actual rebuild.
This car will be a beautiful cruiser when finished, but do not think it will be cheap or easy.
God bless America
Dibs on the hood ornament!
“Rode hard, put away wet.”
I love this car, but it perplexes me as to why anyone would store her for so long on wet ground, little side or overhead protection. And then, after a couple of decades they decide to let go. They never should have put it away like this. They shoulda sold it 25 years ago, then it might have a fighting chance.
And Dude, I know you want the 40s or 50s hood ornament, but why do Cadillac owners always do that? It doesn’t look right on a later model.
So wish I could pick up this car.
Agreed….and your comments apply to a good number of cars on this website. I don’t understand why anyone would treat cars this way.
Hi Mike! Great to hear from you again!
You can have that hood ornament, I’ll
take the rest of the car! Reminds me of
the ’66 Calais 4-door HT I had as a teen
ager in high school. Like I said before,
we drove the daylights out of that car and it never left me stranded. Bought it
off my parents to keep my drunken uncle from wrecking it. Used it to haul
the guys in the band around and pull our
instruments around in a surplus U-haul
trailer. So while the other kids were
workin’ at McDonald’s, I was makin’ at
least $275 a week after I paid everybody. My only regret is that I couldn’t see well enough to ever drive it.
Looking back though, I had a great old
Caddy and I want another like it.
Hey Ken great to read your comments again! Sounds like a ton of fun with the band! Take care, Mike.
Angel, I have a naked flying woman on the hood of my Willys wagon, I agree and think they look better on older rigs. This Caddy could have been worse, thinking of 4 foot longhorns on the hood!
Dude, that’s a excellent point!
I hate that even more. 🦬 🤮