Last week when I wrote this ’84 Cadillac Eldorado post it may have seemed evident that I wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about the turn of events in Cadillac’s downsizing exercise. To me, a Cadillac was always a big whammer-jammer like this 1976 red Coupe DeVille – that’s what my mind conjures with all things Cadillac. Sure times change, and we need to roll with them one way or another, but this is my example of Cadillac’s mental signaling. With 14K miles of experience under its belt, this Caddy is worthy of survivor class and it’s available, here on craigslist for $29,250. T.J. found the listing for this big coupe that calls Seattle, Washington, home.
The last of the big ones is one way to describe a 1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille as they, along with the rest of GM’s full-sizers, saw some shrink in 1977. Specifically:
1976: Wheelbase: 130″|Length: 230.7″| Width: 79.8″| Weight: 5,150 lbs.
1977: Wheelbase: 121″| Length: 221.2″| Width: 76.4″| Weight: 4,200 lbs.
Yes, the ’77s were still big cars, but the size reduction was compelling. However, it didn’t adversely affect sales as there were 114K Coupe DeVilles that saw the light of day in ’76 and 138K of the more svelte ’77 versions that rolled off of one of GM’s three Cadillac assembly lines that year.
We don’t know much about this ’76 DeVille other than the odometer reads 14,002 miles and the seller refers to it as a “stunning example“. It sure has a 1976 vibe going on with its landau top, opera windows, stand-up hood ornament, and wider white strips adorning its tires – I wonder what happened to the opera lights? And of course, being finished in Firethorn Metallic, this Caddy is going to stand out – actually anything this size that’s red is going to stand out. It truly looks new (collector quality according to the seller) so obviously, it has been well-stored all these years. I can’t find a single nit to pick!
Well, maybe one, there’s no image of the engine included. Honestly, by ’76, auto engines were so buried under vacuum lines, A.I.R. pump lines, hoses that moved smog from here to there, and misc. wiring, that there was really nothing impressive to see. Anyway, it should be a 190 net HP, 500 CI, or 8.2-liter V8 engine (talk about inefficient!) connected to a Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic transmission. There’s no word as to how it runs or what, if anything, has been done to maintain the motor during its likely long slumber.
The white leather interior is about what one would expect – fluffy. Actually, it’s outfitted the same way as that ’84 Eldorado with its white upholstery, red carpet, dash, and accents. And those continents of white upholstery appear to be spotless – no mean feat. It has all of the usual Cadillac equipment, and, as with the ’84 Eldo, the dash and instrument panel just aren’t that interesting and seem middling for a car of this stature – maybe it’s the small horizontal speedometer. It all shows to be in excellent condition, of course, it just pales compared to what was going on in the ’40s and early ’50s.
Like it? You bet, this is what I think of when the term “late model Cadillac” gets bandied about – but no, I don’t want to own it. Many may gravitate to the outrageously finned ’59 as the penultimate Cadillac but that example was too obtuse IMHO. OK, price, $29,250, hmmm… I don’t know about that, what do you think, priced right or not quite?
Wow! That’s a lotta car, and it looks immaculate from here.
$30K is a lot of money, I wonder if someone will pay that.
There can’t be that many of these with such low mileage in this condition out there any more.
I’d be thrilled to have this in my driveway.
Good luck to whomever gets it, I envy you.
$30,000 for the car, plus an additional $15,000 to have my garage extended so that it would fit. Great looking ride.
As a kid in Flint Michigan in the 60’s and 70’s many of the garages in my neighborhood built 1915-1925 primarily had extenders built to fit their Caddy or Electra
For something that needs nothing but a new owner, 30K is a steal.
You couldn’t restore all the chrome for less than a 1/3 of that alone.
I’d cruise in it until the tires fell off.
Son that’s a 500.
This has a 127″ w.b. Fleetwood has 130″ w.b. the 1977 has 119″ w.b. Fleetwood has 121″ w.b. 1976 motor is 472 c.i. Eldorado has 500 c.i.
The 500 was the standard motor beginning in 1975
Wow, wrong on all accounts. Check out the attached, actual research helps.
JO
Here are 76’s specifications.
JO
I think you are looking at 1977. Good research is even better.
Google search 1976 and every result shows 500ci.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac_de_Ville_series
I posted two attachments, ’76 and ’77 but in two different comments sections, space restrictions wouldn’t allow me to combine them. Review them both, they match precisely what I wrote in the original post.
Did you actually read the post and all of the exchanges thoroughly? I’m the one that stated a 500CI engine is correct for ’76, Jerry disagreed and he’s wrong. He’s wrong about all of the dimensions comparing the two model years.
As for Wikipedia, I don’t consider that to be good research. I used, and attached, the actual Cadillac documentation.
JO
The 74 had a 472. The 75 and 76 had the 500.
No, Jerry…. all ’76 Cadillacs had the 500 cu. In. 190 he engine
`76 was a good year for Cadillac, and this is a stunning example. You have to wonder where something like this has been hiding all these years to remain so prestine. I can understand the price; try to find another this nice. Wish it were mine.
Father in Law had a ’75 Sedan De Ville with “modified” Quadra-Jet carb that would pull the tank along at 75 mpg all day long, except for fuel for the hungry beast! Great cruiser but GM had hidden a fuel filter inside the gas tank that caused several stops on a vacation trip. Gas station attendant fixed the problem by disconnecting the fuel line from the pump, removing the gas cap, and putting the air hose to it. Solved the problem, but try to find that knowledge and service today!
It should also be noted that this car would be Front Wheel Drive as well, which I don’t think was mentioned…. Would love to have this stunner in my driveway!!!
It’s not front-wheel drive, it’s a GM C-body which is rear-wheel drive. You have this mixed up with the Eldorado.
JO
Indeed I do, Jim…apologies for that! We must be driving you nuts this morning! Note to self: No commenting until the coffee really kicks in… Once again, apologies and thanks for the post!
No reason to apologize Mike. I do the best that I can to research what I write and I want to make sure things are factually represented and then later discussed.
I appreciate your response.
Thx,
JO
The dealership its at explains the Super high price they are always proud of their inventory and apparently lots of people in that area have liquid cash to overpay on it because the dealership is still in business. Hope whoever winds up with it can enjoy it.
No doubt this is a very nice car, I personally couldn’t justify 30 K for a car with a zip code.
My father was a on the road salesman. He bought a new Cadi every year from his friend Penske Cadillac . He owned a total of 37 Cadis over the yeads. I purchased my first Cadi in 1983. It was a 76 Coupe DeVille. It was from the original owner in silver with silver plush interior. I paid a whopping $900.00 for it. 8 m.p.g. I sold it in 1985 for $800.00.
Those were the days. Cruzing Sunset and Hollywood blvds on Saturday nite with all ur buds!
Great cars! Wish I could find another one for $900.
A fine example of an American Luxo-Coupe.
I bet the doors are pretty heavy.
Luved the front seats on these….had the up/down center armrest.
If the seat cover GF was worth pulling over to ya….ya could.
I never believe the mileage unless they show good engine photos…ever. Classic car Auctioneers like Vanderbrink Auctioneers are notorious for this.
Jim O’Donnell….. “what happened to the opera lights?” In 1976, Cadillac had a d’elegance package that included the stand up hood crest, opera lights, valore interior, etc , etc,. If you wanted leather interior instead of the Valor, you didn’t order the d’elegance package, but you could order all the d’elegance options separetly.
That’s how my ’76 Coupe de Ville was, leather interior with all the d’elegance options except for the Valor interior. Apparently this Caddy was ordered the same way. They wanted a d’elegance but with leather interior, ordering most of the d’elegance options. Guess they forgot to check the box by the opera lamps.
Thx!
JO
and with a 500 c.i. under the hood , this is a real gas guzzler!! !!!!!!!!!
WOW, what a brilliant observation.
It’s funny that you think of this as a “late model” Cadillac, Jim. In 1976, a Cadillac this old would have been a 1930 model. I do the same thing with Fox-bodied Mustangs.
I’m lost in time, I can’t believe that this is 2022, or I’m about to turn…, oh, forget about it.
JO