Pride in ownership takes many forms, but I always felt like the old guard did a much better job of conveying this than the modern, well-moneyed collectors. What I mean to say is the last caretaker of this 1991 Cadillac DeVille didn’t have a full-time detailer on staff; no, he managed to keep this Caddy impeccable all on his own, simply using a beach towel on the seats to keep them in mint condition and hand-washed and waxed on a regular basis. It helps that the mileage is also quite low, clocking in at just 28,000 original miles. The details are right with this one, down to the wire hubcaps and white-line tires. Find it here on eBay with bids to $9,000 and no reserve.
The DeVille may have lost some of its grandeur in terms of sheer presence by the time this era rolled around, but it was still an incredibly handsome car. The horizontal taillights did their best as a homage of sorts to the finned fenders Cadillacs wore decades earlier, while the liberal use of chrome continued a design detail that Cadillac still relies on to this day to convey prestige. Black paint on any car is a nuisance to maintain correctly, but as this Cadillac shows, for an owner with patience and commitment, you can keep a black car looking like new all the days of its life. That being said, I highly recommend becoming a retiree first before trying to drive a black car every day and keep it looking like this.
Black paint over red leather is one of the best combinations there is, and you can see the wonders the simple towel covering did for the leather seating surfaces in this DeVille. The sellers purchased this DeVille from the original, elderly owner, and given how pristine it remains in terms of appearance, it’s not surprising to learn that the car came with numerous service records indicating it was looked after mechanically as well. The paint inside the door jambs looks just as good as the outside, while the door panel reminds us that these DeVilles were loaded up with power features. While we may not think of them as benchmarks now, this was the benchmark America could offer in the luxury car marketplace – and while the foreign makes could run circles around it, DeVille stood apart compared to its domestic peers.
Yes, I understand there was the Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis to choose from, but the DeVille nameplate and Cadillac badge were still on the tips of most luxury car shoppers’ tongues before the other two were mentioned. The market for these has still remained somewhat soft, no doubt hampered by the general lack of affection offered to the “Malaise” era. At the end of the day, knowing full-well that it’s not a driver’s car, this DeVille would make for one hell of a cruiser for not much cash. Obviously, keeping it impeccable is a must-do goal, but anyone buying this car would be able to see quite clearly the type of legacy they’re inheriting and what will be expected of them to keep this Caddy looking as clean as it does today.
This car is truly beautiful. My Grandparents had a Canary yellow 1987 DeVille for a time, it was a little smaller than this one, but still a luxury car. I felt really special riding around in that car. Back then Cadillac still felt special, now it seems like everyone has one, or a Benz, BMW, or Lexus even. I hope this car continues to be pampered and driven lightly.
It will be pampered, I assure you. I bought this car and are making plans to go retrieve it coming up. I’m an eclectic collector that is into the kind of cars most people simply look past.
Now I have a Cadillac to go alongside my 36k original mile 75 Lincoln continental
Nice! Congrats!
It seems to me that the vertical tail lights represent the homage to the earlier fins, not the horizontal tail light components in the bumper.
Beautiful car. Does anyone know what the sixth eBay picture is showing? (It has a yellow sticker with a “door” and “key” symbol on it) I am really curious.
Edit: looking at the bigger pictures at the bottom of the ad it looks like this is a picture from the trunk area. I’m still not sure what the yellow sticker is all about though. Anyone know?
I believe that yellow button is a power door lock button located in the trunk.
That makes sense. Thanks.
It’s so you don’t get locked in the trunk…… power door lock button LOL
@ Anthony Conte: If it is a trunk release why does it not have an effigy of a trunk lid rather than a car door? I’m not saying it isn’t a trunk release I just think if it was it would have a trunk lid effigy on it.
It is not a trunk release. After looking it up, best I can tell this button is included on cars without key fobs. It’s purpose is to activate the alarm system that will work with the power door lock button inside the vehicle.
$10,000.00 with 7 hours left…and worth every penny.
Wow, outstanding condition. I have always loved the 89-93 DeVilles. They look like a Cadillac! However, I’ve always thought the dashboard didn’t live up to the exterior. Maybe it needed chromed ac vents and more wood grain? Still, I would buy this car if I could.
I love these Cadillacs. I had a 1993 Cadillac Sixty Special. Those are much rarer than the DeVilles.
My opinion is that the main thing hurts these cars is their front-wheel drive. They, along with the Cadillac Allantes would be much more in demand if they were only rear-wheel drive. Too bad.
I had a nice 1993 Deville I advertised here about 18 months ago. It was a very low mile original car. I couldn’t give it away to anyone who would appreciate & value it. I ended up selling it to a local pimp. I should have just kept it.
A shorter front overhang, & either a lower roof or higher beltline would have made for better proportions.
Love this body style. After the horrible ’80s Cadillac models, this generation brought the brand back to it’s rightful place in the GM line. $10k is a bargain for this beauty IMO.