One-Owner Time Capsule: 1966 Cadillac DeVille
Yes, there are still pampered, garage-kept, one-owner-since-new time capsules out there. And this is about as good of an example as it gets. Here’s the story: a lady who lived in a small town about 30 miles south of Fort Smith, Arkansas, purchased this classy 1966 Cadillac DeVille 4-Door Hardtop new from Smith Chevrolet-Cadillac in Fort. Smith. The lady owned and took very good care of her Cadillac until last year when she moved to an assisted living facility (at the age of 98!). A dealer, Blyth Auto Sales, in the Fort Smith area has known the lady and her family for more than 40 years and purchased the car from her son. It is looking for a second owner and is listed for sale here on eBay. As of this writing, 21 bids have been submitted, but the highest one of $10,100 hasn’t met the dealer’s reserve. The auction is scheduled to end on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 11:49 PM. More photos and a video are available on the Dealer’s website.
A plus about a dealer advertising a classic car are usually good photos and above-average details about the car’s current condition. The dealer says they only gave the car a wash job and a light wipe down of the interior, so you’re seeing the Caddy in its “undetailed every-day clothes.” The original Antique Gold paint is presentable but is thin in spots and has some “tree sap stain and age spots.” Also, the top of the left rear fender has an area of lacquer checking. The dealer claims the Caddy has never had any body damage or paint repairs and believes this could’ve been a factory touch up due to a scratch or dent during its build or delivery. There are also three small dings on the hood, one on each front fender, a couple of minor door pings, and two small rock dings on the deck where the paint has been scarred. All of the chrome, trim, lenses, and glass appear to be in great shape.
“Once you have been in the driver’s seat of a new Cadillac, it is difficult to find contentment at the wheel of any other car.” That’s how Cadillac described the experience of being “surrounded by every day driving convenience and every motoring luxury.” The tasteful interior compliments the gold exterior beautifully and is in stunning original condition. Caddy’s sales brochure identifies this one as having gold Desmond cloth and leather appointments.
Luxury was the name of the game for “The Standard of the World” and this Caddy exemplifies it, mid-60’s style, with comfy seats, deep pyle carpet, power steering, brakes, seats, and much more. As with any 57-year-old original car, a few things will be needing attention. The dealer confesses that the factory air conditioning isn’t working (they are going to replace the compressor “as time allows”), a new power radio antenna will be included in the sale as well as a set of new side window upper seals.
Oddly, there were no photos of the engine bay which houses the Caddy’s 429ci, 340 horsepower V8 with 62,911 original miles. It is mated to an ultra-smooth Turbo Hydra Matic automatic transmission. On the maintenance and replacement list, the dealer gave the engine a tune up and replaced the plugs, wires, cap, rotor, filters, oil, and antifreeze. Also, the brakes were replaced as were the tires, and the suspension and front end were inspected and found to be in great shape. The dealer says “the car is a very straight, clean, honest survivor that drives like new…it has no squeaks, rattles or clunking noises!” I’m a car nerd and admit that I get a bit “giddy” whenever I read about this kind of originality in a 50+-year-old survivor. I mean, how many other ’66 Cadillac survivors are out there in this kind of time-capsule condition? I’m hoping the second owner will continue treating this fine motor car to a long life of pampering. She (both the original owner and the Cadillac) deserves it.
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Comments
Wow, this is the way to find them!
Imagine, she was only 31 years ago when she purchased this and hung onto it the entire time.
Nice find.
41 yrs.98 minus 57.Didnt sound right.I was born in 66′.
Jay, my mistake; I am usually pretty good at math! I remember thinking that 31 was awfully young for a Cadillac buyer…should have double checked. Thanks
Hey Now!
Usually a dealer has no history, so this car is a good exception. However benign neglect is not repaired by tossing in some ignition parts. Personally checking out this car is an absolute must.
So some parts might have dried out after 50+ years?
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!! What else can be said about this car. Just don’t find them like this anymore. Wouldn’t touch anything except to repair the broken parts aka the side window moldings, the air conditioner and the radio antenna. Just drive it and enjoy it. Like riding on a cloud.
I would change the definition to electronic period remember, in those years, you still had points.
And leaded gasoline, although I hear J-hovah’s still making Lead.
Only problem is once you start driving a car that sat a long time. They start puking fluid from everything.
I just add more fluid and buy some cat litter for the garage floor. It’s OK.
This was just about Peak Cadillac and it shows in that interior.
Incredible isn’t it. Opulence.
I absolutely love this car, who wouldn’t. Huge power too. 💪
2.94 std issue from the General or 3.21 ⚙️ opt. They didn’t mess around here. Top shelf.
Owned a 92′ two door Cad Fleetwood and enjoyed it for it’s fantastic right not to mention that Cads had a unique sounding horn. Do not know if that sounding horn has been retained with recent Cadillacs. Doubtful!
Those trumpet horns are the best! I have an 84 Eldo Convertible with that horn and enjoy sounding it every so often. Also had 93 Brougham with it as well.
Have a 20 CT6 and sadly doesn’t have that feature. Wish it did.
A time machine that takes me back to my junior year of 65-66 and my senior year of 66-67. Love it. It’s not too far from me. I might just run up there and look at it.
Incredible find. And to think what Cadillac has become today 🤢
There aren’t many, if any new cars currently being sold that someone will own for 57 years. Disposable appliances.
Bidding is of $13k and still hasn’t hit reserve so the dealer that probably paid $2500 for it wants to much
I had a 1967 Caddy coupe de ville in 1977 with only 50k miles . I bought it from my Mom, it was so pretty burgandy/purple on the bottom with a white vinyl roof. And cloth interior it ran like a dream. The brakes went bad and my Mom sold it without my knowledge. The mechanic who bought it drove it for another 10 yrs
And l found out Mom only charged him $500 plus some repairs on her newer Cadillac. That was not a happy time as it was supposed to have been my graduation 👩🎓 present the next year, when l asked what happened the only answer l got from my Mom was “the car was still in my name” so l do as l please.”
She is a monster
I had a 67 Coupe deVille as a restoration project that failed for a bunch of reasons. A few years later I bought a 73 Coupe de Ville. The older one was a much better driving car than the 73. IF somehow find a pile of Cash I would like to find something like the 66 you have here. Such great road cars.
Man, remember when “Cadillac” meant something, in 1973 got a ride back from a Scout Summer Camp in one and our VW Beatle just seemed to suck even more. Love how even with Power Window’s it has the window crank. When we finally got a Chevelle, remember my dad telling me the transmission was the same as a Caddy (and Rolls? might be “Mis-remembering” that part)
Window crank is for the vent window, I believe. Beautiful car.
Yep, GM trannys in Rolls Royce started with the Silver Shadow in 1967. TH400.
We had a green ’66 like this. It was a wonderful car and we drove the wheels off of it until its New Hampshire origins got the best of us and we gave it up reluctantly due to serious rust. We had a ’76 immediately afterward, and it wasn’t half the car the ’66 was. How far the great had fallen in just 10 years. This car is a gem. I hope the new owner cherishes it as the original owner did!
Told the story too many times.I had a ’65 Coupe De Ville in ’74 or so…..had a leather interior and was metallic (?) blue. One of my favorite cars. Paid 750 bucks for it. (Sotto voce) Too bad a dealer ended up with this .
I hope the dealer that “knew the family so well” gave her a decent price compared to the reserve and all effort of wiping it down.
I agree with Mountainwoodie and EnsignPulver. Unfortunate that the car couldn’t have been kept in the family. Also too bad a dealer had to be involved. Maybe it is just me, but I dislike profiteering.
I dunno, they got it running and replaced tires. We don’t know how it looked as it sat. And they are honest about it, unlike all these jackwagons that flip cars with the “one owner” claim because they are selling it on an open title.