How the mighty have fallen. To think, this 1983 Cadillac Coupe DeVille was a big-ticket purchase for the original buyer when it was new, and now it’s been sitting in the dirt in a Georgia shed for the last 20 years, offered with an asking price of just $1,750. The sedan still shows up from time to time in driver-quality condition, but the coupe body appears far less frequently. Sadly, many of these if still in use have become targets for unfortunate modifications that focus purely on style with no substance, which may be this car’s fate given how cheap it is. Find the Caddilac here on craigslist in Metter, GA.
Despite its present condition, the interior looks shockingly decent. The seats aren’t torn up, the door panels appear to be intact, and there’s not even an aftermarket radio in the dash. Is there a survivor lurking beneath all that dust? Cadillacs of this vintage were extremely popular with retirees who bought them as sort of a trophy after years of squirreling away money for their golden years, so it would make sense that it was well loved up to a certain point. The wood trim on the dash is fake as all get out, but that doesn’t seem to be in bad shape, either. The headliner does appear to be sagging and there’s some detritus on the passenger side floormat that could be indicative of rodent activity – too dark to tell.
The mileage is indicated as being a tick over 79,000, and based on the condition in photos, that seems right on the money to me. The split front bench and door pull handles would seemingly indicate the first owner stepped up to the d’Elegance package, which got those features along with upgraded velour upholstery and carpeting. There are no photos of the backseat, but if I had to guess, it will look like it was practically never sat in. If the front seats still look this good after 79,000 miles and 20 years in a shed, I suspect the rear passenger quarters are relatively spotless, save for the years of dirt.
The spare tire is the only one that holds air, so you’re going to need a trailer or some new rollers to get this Cadillac on the move. The inside of the trunk lid looks quite clean, with factory labels and paint still presenting well. The carpet doesn’t look too bad, either, but it’s impossible to tell for sure. The Cadillac has the makings of being a decent project once the dirt is blown off of it and the interior is vacuumed, but I suspect for the asking price, the seller just wants it moved and out of this shed, and a lower offer is on the cards given the price is listed as OBO. Would you restore this forgotten Coupe DeVille?
I don’t really have any comments on the car. But the first thing I thought of from the lead photo was that the dirt-floor shed looks like it might flood? Or maybe it’s just because that is on my mind— in my area we’ve had way too much rain lately.
Yes Bob my sentiments entirely, enough mud in there to grow rice.
Very sad really but no rust us obvious.
I have family in Metter. All shed floors look like that. It’s not really mud, just the way the dirt looks with humidity. Metter is for the most part a farming community. Someone is selling off their grandparent Caddy.
Everything is better in Metter.
My guess is the detritus on the passenger floor are foam bits from.the hvac system. Probably rodents but could be from natural time based deterioration. Excellent use of vocabulary too!
Must have been his mudder’s…er, mother’s Caddy.
This is a car that they probably could have gotten into running condition in an hour with $100 in a battery and some carb cleaner. Not worth rebuilding the brakes, but push it outside, give it a weekend detail and drain the gas tank. You’ve got a nice running used car and they could have probably tripled the asking price.
I get it though. My 75 Pontiac needs the same attention, but all I do is occasionally look at it and shake my head.
Basic standard interior. The visible seating options are the lthr. and the split. Could also have dual power recliners and power pass. seat. Interestingly the 6-way power seat controls are on the door for the driver and on the side of the seat for passenger. Why? An ashtray is there; one of many!
Because that was the configuration for all C cars (Olds, Buick and Cadillac) for GM in that time frame. Recliner would be on the side of the seat, either left or right.
Too bad it’s not a diesel.
Not a d’Elegance. Just basic cloth interior. Sitting in South Georgia, that long, the first time someone sits on the seats, the seams will rip. This car has the infamous HT4100 engine. Better known as the Hook & Tow 4100. This engine is good for use as a boat anchor.
4.1 = Run…..Away….
Is this car still available?