The redesigned, smaller, lighter fifth-generation Cadillac DeVille series is a favorite of mine, but I know I’m in the minority on that, as is often the case. This 1979 Cadillac Coupe DeVille can be found here on Facebook Marketplace in West Islip, New York, and the seller is asking $22,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Zen for the tip!
I don’t see a single flaw in this car inside or out, and with just 32,000 miles, it should be pretty nice. The seller says this is a one-owner car, and being located in New York, I’m assuming it’s originally from there. If so, I can’t imagine it was ever driven in the snow, but we don’t know for sure. The thought of packing snow and salt up under this beautiful time capsule makes me weep like a child.
The flexible bumper filler material looks like new in the photos; that’s often cracked and/or missing by now. Maybe the colder climate helped preserve that. Cadillac made the fifth-gen DeVilles from 1977 through 1984 in both two-door and four-door body styles. They were the last of the rear-wheel-drive DeVilles, and at least that aspect should earn these cars some respect over the later front-drive DeVilles.
Pages 6 and 7 of this brochure show the 1979 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, “America’s Favorite Luxury Car,” according to GM’s brochure writing team. I wouldn’t change one thing about this example; the colors inside and out are fantastic in my world. The spec, the gorgeous like-new leather seats – it’s just all so appealing. The $22,000 asking price, not so much. Hagerty is at $12,000 for a high (or, Hi) value, but maybe the low miles adds a bunch, although, almost doubling the value? As expected, the back seat looks like new.
The engine should be Cadillac’s 425-cu.in. OHV V8, which, for the carbureted version, was rated at 180 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque when new. Power is sent through a THM-400 three-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels. The seller says they inherited this car and don’t have room to store it inside, so that’s why it’s for sale. Any thoughts on the asking price of this two-door beauty? Is that an internet thing, starting out high, knowing everyone is going to come in at half or less, and then negotiate from there?
This is a very nice Coupe Deville. Whenever you see one of these with the bumper fillers intact, and the steering wheel and dashboard in such nice condition, you just have to appreciate it. The only thing I’m wondering about is the sellers stating this is a ’79. That steering wheel was used in the ’77 ( with just a Cadillac crest No Vee) ’78 ( with a Cadillac Crest AND A Vee). ’79 Cadillacs had a different design than this. The steering wheel spokes angle down, and they actually used that design for a good number of years. I can’t get a good look at the grill in the photos to see if it’s a ’78 or ’79. The wheel is definitely original. Maybe it’s an early production ’79?
Man….. What is up with me and steering wheels???? Anyways, it’s a beautiful car, but I agree, at that price, it’ll probably be spending another winter in their garage.
Beautiful find Zen!! And as always, great article too Scotty. That 425 doesn’t sound like a lot on paper, but lots of torque, and in their day, these moved very well.
Great point, Dave! We don’t get to see the grille, and with no VIN, I just took them at their word that it was a ’79 rather than an earlier model. I shouldn’t have assumed that.
Thank you Scotty. All you can do is go off of the information from the seller, and the oftentimes limited photos. It may well be a ’79, in which case, I’ll happily eat crow on that one. And Scotty, I truly do appreciate all the hours you, and the other writers spend researching everything. It may take us 5 or 10 minutes to read a write up, but what many don’t realize is many hours of research and proofreading that go into writing it.
Thank you again Scotty, please keep them coming.
You are way too kind, Dave. Don’t think twice about saying something if you think you see a discrepancy/mistake/error/goof. We want things to be as accurate as possible. Thanks for pointing that out!
Page 14 of this 1977 Cadillac brochure shows a similar-looking steering wheel but without the Vee, as you mentioned for a ’77.
https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/1977-Cadillac-Full-Line-Prestige.pdf
As does page 17 of this 1978 brochure, again without the Vee:
https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/1977-Cadillac-Full-Line-Prestige.pdf
Page 15 shows the V-shaped “new steering wheel” (the brochure quote) that you mentioned:
https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1979-Cadillac-Full-Line.pdf
I still didn’t see this exact wheel with the Vee under the crest? Although page 15 of the 1978 brochure shows a steering wheel with the Vee under the crest in the “DeVille d’Elegance” trim, but then the leather seats don’t match the puffy, pillow-type optional leather seats in the brochure.
Great eye, Dave! I hope we can nail down what the heck year this car is and what exact trim level. I’m guessing it’s a 1978 rather than a ’79.
Great links and some great brochures. Thanks Scotty!!!!
You’re welcome, and you’re right about the steering wheel. I had a 77 Coupe Deville for 18 years. It moved pretty good with the 425, but really needed daul exhaust. I hope this one finds a good home before it goes to crap from sitting outside, which won’t take long.
I agree Zen. Nice set of duals and lost the OEM Pellet Catylitic converter and it would wake up a lot. ( If I miss spelt any of that I apologize).
That was my first thought as well! That steering wheel was introduced on the ’77 and if it carried to the ’79, I’ve never seen one. As you say, the ’79 had a modified inverted V. Rectangular in the center and two spokes angled downward to 4 and 8 o’clock. Also, those raised V window controls were new in ’77 and GM went back to the standard switches by ’79.
MarkyByTheC, you’re more observant than me. You’re right about those window switches, this has the V shaped switches.
ALSO!!!
One more thing. The ’79 had a digital radio and there was a plate where the mechanical “Quartz” clock would be on a ’78. This car has the quartz clock. I’m thinking ’78. Nice catch!!!
I know for certain the 1979 Pontiac Bonneville Broughams used both M.Y. 1978 and 1979 cloth styles. I have still the letter from General Motors stating as such. Same time frame!
I also think the wood grain on the interior changed for 79. This looks like a 78 to me but seeing the grill or taillights would more make it easier to verify. Either way a beautiful example.
nice colors.
Without seeing the grill and tail lights, the interior is 1978. The seats style and door panels was changed for 79. Love the color combination on this one.
If my memory serves me, 77 and 78 coupe and sedans have the seat stitching pattern like this car. 79 and 80 had a different style seat pattern.
There it is. You see that helicopter right there? Right in front of us, there. I think it’s been following me all morning.
My bet is that it is a 78. The hubcaps are from a 78 and the radio is analog. 79 was the first year for the digital radio. Also, the 79 faux wood was burled walnut. Regardless of whether it is a 78 or 79, it looks like a time capsule in need of a good home to which I hope it finds one soon.
Who cares? They were terribly engineered cars. Everything GM made after 1970 was awful. Give me a 1989 Honda Accord over this mess any day
This “late-70s” Coupe DeVille is sold!