***Vendor supplied images***
Highlights
- Low mileage example
- Excellent original condition
- Only two UK registered owners
The Appeal
In a decade where Detroit was struggling, Cadillac defied all of the economic indicators while still staying with the times. Gasoline prices were rising, and cheaper, smaller and more efficient Japanese cars were becoming commonplace in the streets, Cadillac refused to bow to the whims of the economy. The installation of an even larger engine, setting sales records six times over the course of a decade as big cars were supposedly falling out of favour with the American public. The Coupe De Ville was responsible for over a third of all divisional sales.
This lovely example of Detroit luxury is presented in reportedly all original condition, being imported from the states to the UK in 1991 where the previous owner would keep a hold of the vehicle for the next 30 years. Careful and loving custodianship has allowed wonderful preservation inside, outside and underneath!
The History and Paperwork
- Originally registered overseas, declared manufactured 1970
- First registered in the UK on the 22nd of October 1991
- Old MOT certificates are present
- The vehicle is registered as a historic vehicle, making it Tax and MOT exempt
- V5C is present and correct, ready for transfer of ownership
- Good history file with invoices from both the UK and the USA
- Recent recommissioning from JR Vehicle Services on the 11th of October 2022, totalling £1,683.88
The Interior
- Handsome originality
- Gentle and welcome hints of patina
- Headlining in excellent condition
- Lovely leatherwork throughout
Being a Cadillac, you know you’re in for some serious luxury when it comes to the interior. Outfitted with leather front and back, wooden veneer trim work, and laced with hints of brightwork, it is an excellent place to be, fit for ferrying royalty.
Entering into the driver side, the front leather seats appear to be very well maintained with only the gentlest hints of age and use with some light creasing as is characteristic of leather. There appears to be no signs of scratches, rips or damage, and all of the ‘buttons’ on the upper backrests are present, as well as a functional centre arm rest in great condition.
The original steering wheel is present and does show some signs of light patina and damage on the outer rim, with hints of age on the centre cover. Behind the steering wheel all of the gauges remain original too, and we’re told all remain functional and in good order. The surrounding trim work looks to be in good shape too, with no damage that we can immediately spot, and the remainder of the dashboard appears to be damage free and in lovely order!
Into the rear, the seats are in wonderful condition with great leatherwork much like the front, the leather only shows some gentle hints of creasing on the squabs as to be expected, no damage to be seen! The central arm rest remains functional, and the lights in the rear pillars are operational too. An excellently comfortable place to be - it’s easy to see why these were so popular.
All of the floor carpets are well presented with no rips or tears, and the roof headlining is in excellent shape with no sagging to be seen. The front door cards do show some hints of age on the more tactile areas such as the window switches, ashtrays and the locking mechanisms, as well as some light markings on the brightwork trim which surrounds the wooden veneer. All of the switchgear on the door does appear that it would come up rather nicely with a good clean however!
The Exterior
- Original Sauterne metallic paintwork
- Excellent brightwork
- Original bodywork with great shutlines
- Underbody in fantastic shape
Painted in Sauterne metallic, this Cadillac is one that will stand out from the crowd being one of the rarer colour selections. The Coupe DeVille was easily one of the most fashionable cars of its era. There are no more than just a few marques that don’t have a need for badges; everyone can recognise them on the spot, this is one of those cars. It truly ruled the streets in a way that no other could.
Starting at the front of the Cadillac, the paintwork up here appears to be in very nicely kept condition with very little signs of any damage, just the odd little stone chip that would be unavoidable in any vehicle. Brightwork appears very well maintained with an excellent shine, and all of the fins on the front grill are intact with no damage, wearing the Cadillac crest proudly atop. The bumper is in wonderful shape with great brightwork, the only small point to pick up on is a very small dent on the passenger side front bumper - you need to really look close though.
Moving around to the side of the huge Caddy, the bodywork presents itself very well, with straight and truel panels with good shut lines around the doors and great brightwork trim with a high level of shine. On the driver side, the rear wheel cover does appear to have some blisters in the paint, but that’s all we’re really able to pick up on. All four wheels appear to have excellent brightwork with no noticeable kerb marks or unwanted damage, and all are shod in white-wall tyres which we’re informed are all in good condition.
To the rear of the opulent saloon, around the bottom left of the rear windscreen there does appear to be some bubbling under the paintwork. The window trim appears well kept, the boot lid looks to be straight with no damage, with good shut lines and the original Cadillac badge mounted in place. Both rear fins leading down to the tail lights are in excellent shape, and the rear lights themselves are well presented and reported to be fully functional. The brightwork rear bumper is well maintained with an excellent finish!
Overall, this is one handsome original example, extremely well preserved inside and out. A real time machine that takes you back to the 60’s and 70’s, when Detroit would have been in full swing with big, opulent, gas guzzling machines like this treading the streets.
The Mechanics
- Enormous 7.7-litre V8 petrol engine
- Three-speed automatic TH-400 transmission
- 375 HP and an insane 525 lb-ft of torque
- Great mechanical health
Regardless of the fuel crisis that hit upon the manufacturing of the DeVille, Cadillac went ahead and dumped a monstrous 7.7-litre V8, gas gulping engine up in the front. All that displacement came with an incredible power output, with 375 HP and a whopping 525 lb-ft of torque delivered at just 3,000rpm. That equated to the propulsion of this absolute land-yacht to 60mph in just 8.1 seconds from a dead standstill. By the standards of the 1970’s, that was some astounding performance from a heavy luxury saloon.
The current keeper states that the engine remains in good mechanical condition, firing up without any problems and running as sweet as ever, producing a healthy grumble at the back end with no unwelcome noises. The transmission is reported to remain smooth and provides for excellent drivability, the steering remains direct and the suspension nice and comfortable.
The vehicle does come with some invoices for recent recommissioning work carried out by JR Vehicle Services, which consisted of the fitment of a battery isolator switch, automatic transmission fluid, headlamp bulb holder, a replacement fuel hose and other assorted items, coming to a total of £1683.88 on the 11th of October 2022.
Summary
A proper king of the streets, the Coupe DeVille is one of the most recognisable and iconic American vehicles to roam the roads. Captivating, luxurious, powerful, they really do have it all - enough to make any passerby stop and gawk at the sheer size, noise and road presence the Cadillac emits.
This handsome original example would make for a desirable addition to any collection, especially in such a rare colour!
Notice to bidders
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