1966 Cadillac DeVille

Description

Cadillac fans will probably agree that 1966 was one of those years that just got everything right. This 1966 DeVille convertible, for example, has timeless styling that's modern and sleek without being over-wrought. With recent paint, a rebuilt engine, and fragrant new leather inside, this impeccable land yacht has all the hard work already done. All that's left is for you to enjoy.

White Cadillac convertibles have been a status symbol for decades, and showing up in this one, at just about 18 feet in length, is truly an arrival. The sparkling paint is actually from the Dodge color palette, but it's a great-looking white nonetheless. With the clearcoat urethane they used, the finish is impossibly shiny and emphasizes the crisply folded Cadillac sheetmetal like a tuxedo's pressed pleats. Those mile-long quarter panels are very well restored, with no waves or ripples in their surface and excellent attention to getting all the adjoining panels to fit just right. Stacked headlights showed up in 1965 throughout the GM lineup, but they are particularly effective on the Cadillac, giving it a new corporate face that's still imposing and sophisticated. Of note, there's still plenty of chrome, but it is far more restrained than even five years earlier, giving this car enormous presence without being overbearing. All the trim is in excellent shape, including the outer bumper shells, which tended to collect debris and rot from the inside out.

The white leather seats are only a few months old, and the supple hides have been beautifully stitched into an exact replica of the original interior. The power front seat tracks back and forth using a new motor and switch, power windows and factory A/C are all part of the package. The contrasting red carpet and dash prevent it from looking too sterile inside, and the sweeping dash is a triumph of mid-60s fashion using stainless steel and painted trim to make a bold statement. The unusual AM/FM radio remains in the dash and that is a tilt/telescope steering column for the driver. A new white power convertible top features fresh weather-stripping, glass rear window, and a matching white boot.

All Cadillacs were powered by a 429 cubic inch V8 which in 1966 made a very stout 340 horsepower. Of course, it has a lot of sheetmetal to pull around, but it seems to ignore the mass and moves the car with genuine authority. The engine was rebuilt about 15,000 miles ago, so it's still quite fresh and runs superbly. It's smooth and torquey, but there's a muscular exhaust note that suggests great power being held in check. The powerplant wears correct Cadillac Blue paint and most of its original equipment is intact, from the air cleaner and A6 A/C compressor to the Cadillac script valve covers. It's backed by a TH400 3-speed automatic transmission driving a rear end that's so massive it could work under a dump truck. The exhaust offers an intermediate resonator and a new muffler, so it sounds right, and while the chassis is original, it's also quite well preserved with no signs of trouble. 235/75/15 whitewall radials on the original wheels with shiny stainless wheel covers provide the right look for the rolling stock.

Handsome, powerful, and dignified, there's just something about a vintage Cadillac convertible that makes us all daydream about a long road trip. Why wait, this DeVille is ready to go today!