26k Genuine Miles: 1977 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
This triple-black 1977 Cadillac Sedan DeVille is a car with an immense amount of presence, and it has only covered 26,050 miles in the 42-years since it rolled off the showroom floor. It has spent the vast majority of its time since the 1990s in storage, but it is ready to be driven and appreciated by a new owner. The Cadillac is located in Reno, Nevada, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has made it as far as $4,000, but the reserve hasn’t been met at this stage. There is also a BIN option available, and this has been set at $8,000.
The Cadillac presents extremely well in Sable Black with a Black vinyl top. The car received a repaint by the dealer in the 1990s, and it has spent the majority of the time since in storage under a cover. It has emerged looking really good, with no obvious major issues. The owner says that the paintwork isn’t perfect, but as is so often the case with black paint, defects are hard to spot in photos. The vinyl top is original, and it looks perfect. The exterior trim and chrome also look pretty amazing, and given the car’s overall condition, you could be pretty sure that it would attract plenty of attention wherever it went.
If you are looking for an area where the DeVille is beginning to show its age, the original black leather on the seats is probably a good starting point. The owner says that the leather is supple, but the cracks in the finish are a bit of a concern. Some of the cracks are minor, but some of them are looking quite large and deep. I would be very inclined to consult an upholsterer to see if this deterioration can be slowed (or reversed) because I don’t fancy handing over the money required for new covers if they start to split. The rest of the trim looks really nice, and the only faults that the owner notes are the fact that the air conditioning doesn’t blow ice cold. However, some tins of refrigerant are included in the sale, so a recharge would be on the agenda. In addition, the original 8-track doesn’t play, although the rest of the stereo functions as it should. The Cadillac is a luxury car, so naturally, it comes loaded with plenty of luxury equipment. As well as the A/C and AM/FM radio/8-track, you get power windows, power locks, power front seats, a power trunk release, tilt wheel, cruise control, and remote mirrors.
Even though the DeVille has been essentially sitting unused for most of the last 20+ years, it hasn’t been left to go to seed. The car has been started on a regular basis to keep the fluids circulating, and it has also been taken out for the occasional short drive. This accounts for the fact that the car has only accumulated such low mileage. The 425ci V8 is said to be in good health and runs smoothly. In addition, the car is fitted with a 3-speed automatic transmission, along with power assistance for both the steering and brakes. The owner says that the car runs and drives extremely well, and as he quite rightly points out, such low mileage effectively means that the Cadillac is barely broken in.
For the person who is after a real touch of luxury in their classic motoring experience, this Cadillac Sedan DeVille would have to be a strong candidate. It presents really well, it would appear to have only a few minor issues to be attended to, and it represents a lot of car for the money. The price seems to be quite reasonable, especially if you compare it to similar cars on the market at present. Add to this the fact that values have recently been increasing, and this could be quite a good classic to park in your (large) garage.
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Comments
Having had MANY Cadillacs over the year with various mileage ranges, I’m a little suspect of the driver seat wear for 26,000 miles. This is still from the era of decent build quality and materials.
JohnInFl. While I do agree with your assessment I also have a thought. My father-in-law had this very car. I was a youngster and trying my best to impress him when I volunteered to clean it up for him, as he was impressed with my auto-detailing skills…His car was the same, only add burgundy leather. I cleaned his car twice with Formula 409 on the leather twice. Around 15,000 miles and Florida sun(only parked at the golf course) ALL the leather displayed the same wear. Perhaps a fool like me was in charge of tidying the car?
Let’s see, No vehicle history report available. No documentation of original mileage. According to the E bay ad it has had a repaint. Front seat looks like two ton Tony has spent a significant time sitting there. Insulation under the hood is fuzzed out like it has been wet or pressure washed. AC doesn’t blow cold, 8 track doesn’t work. I am shocked that it is being represented at an original mileage car and even more shocked it is being repeated as original mileage on an enthusiast site. I’m betting this car has 126K miles or more unless I can see some serious documentation that proves otherwise.
AC and 8 track not working is not a surprise even for a low mileage car. The Reno summers are horrible on leather. Even if stored in a non AC garage. New paint years ago??? Why? How about documentation for the low mileage. The price is a bit rich.
Definitely one for my bucket list! So what
if it has 126K miles showing. That’s
nothing for a well cared for Caddy. Just
drive and enjoy it for what it is–a nice
old car. I had a ’66 Calais 4-door HT and
loved it! Been wanting another Caddy, but life always seems to get in the way.
That’s what I’d do if she were mine. I’d
also take great delight in handing the
keys to my young niece on date nights
and telling her to have good time, but
don’t scratch it!
I love it when sellers say the ac is not working, but it only needs a charge.
Well, why didn’t you spend the $50.00 to charge it then?
I have asked sellers if they would cover anything wrong the ac beyond a simple recharge. Haven’t had anyone agree to it yet.
Haven’t recharged R-12 lately, I bet.
Looking at the headlights, I wouldn’t trust his mechanic with anything…
Jetfire88,
You are right. I wasn’t thinking R12.
I would convert it to 134a, like I have in my 73.
So my $50.00 comment would be low in this case.
But my point still stands.
Thanks
Jetfire, that happened with almost all of the Cadillacs of this era. Those stupid plastic clips always break.
Nice old Funeral car.
Probably correct mileage.
Are those Alaska plates ?
Do not think reserve will be reached
The ad says the car has been in Reno since at least the ’80s. I wonder why it still has Alaska plates that have an ’07 tag on them.
if it was an original Nevada car, I would not have said funeral car, but rather a mob car.
As an owner of a 1974 Coupe de Ville, a 1975 Fleetwood and 1975 Eldorado convertible, and 1976 Coupe de Ville, to hated these when they came out in 1977. Shrunk down, squared off, the trunk lid looks like it was chopped off. Ugly ass Cadillac. 1977, 78 & 79. Still think they’re ugly.
General Motors must have fired all of their designers in 1974 because for the next 23 years, Cadillacs were quite ugly.
Once upon a time I had a 67 Coupe I started to restore and things fell apart. I really liked that one and would have more if I could have finished the restoration. A couple of years later I bought a 73. Couldn’t wait to get rid of it. I was just an ugly barge compared to the 67.
Cadillac did have some nice looking ’60s cars. I had a ’71 Eldorado, ’72 Fleetwood, ’73 Coupe De Ville, ’76 Coupe De Ville and Fleetwood, and a ’77 Eldorado as well a several ’80s Cadillacs. A Catera even made it into my garage at one point, it wasn’t as bad as some people made it out to be. The ’73 was never my favorite looks wise but that style has grown on me over the years. My thoughts are after 1976 Cadillac lost it’s way. Styling declined, the quality went away as did the legendary Cadillac performance, as the years progressed the Cadillac “feel” left the cars as well. It’s a shame that people buying Cadillac today will probably never know what owning a Cadillac was really like. I’ve owned Chrylers and Lincolns and they both have(or had) their own distinct personality as a luxury car as well. But a Cadillac in the ’60s and ’70s was a car to judge other luxury cars by.
I remember stories from the early ’80s where funeral directors would update the rear bumper on their 1977 cars to make it look newer.
Whenever I see a 1977, which is a lot in movies for some reason, I always wonder why the rear bumper had not been switched out.
The original owner spent a lot money to order triple black and full leather. Beautiful ’77 Caddy!
My Dad and Mom had a new 1969 Sedan de Ville. It was a fantastic car, plus nice styling. My Dad traded it for a 1978 Fleetwood. Nothing but trouble within the 1st year. Trim was cheapened, Door handles broke easily, headliner started falling down, A/C registers sunk down and wouldn’t stay up, grease ran down the seatbelt straps. Dealership Service Manager said he had many unhappy customers due to the drop in quality after 1976. After that my Dad only drove Lincoln Town Cars until his passing over 10 years ago now.
My Dad had direct opposute experience.
He drove Fords for 40 years.
Dropped them for a 76 Caprice and never bought another Ford 😅
I believe the mileage, including the condition of the driver’s seat. I have seen leather on driver’s seats with that much wear in two-year-old GM cars of the ’90’s.
In my younger days I drove gypsy cab in Brooklyn with a 77 Sedan de Ville. It’s my favorite year of the downsized cars.