77 years into Cadillac’s life came this car, a 1979 Cadillac Coupe DeVille in what I think is thee color that you want to have on this car. It’s not a classic 1950s Cadillac but I think fifth-generation Cadillacs were great. Maybe because I was just barely of driving age at this time. The seller has this gorgeous car listed here on eBay in Altoona, Iowa and the current bid price is $12,600.
Call me crazy, again, but I think this is one elegant Cadillac. I know that it has square headlights and is about a foot shorter than the classics not to mention a half-ton lighter, but it screams Cadillac luxury to me. The fifth-generation Cadillacs were downsized for 1977 and they were made until 1984 and would be the last rear-drive Cadillac DeVille. The next-gen cars were much shorter and had front-wheel-drive. I believe this color is called Atlantis Aqua but I can’t help myself from referring it to as teal.
This car just keeps on giving and giving. The seller says that it has zero rust, as in none. Anywhere. It has never been driven in the winter and I believe it since it also has just 58,000 miles on it. This is the first generation of Cadillac that didn’t have rear-wheel skirts, or where they weren’t available. This is a West Virginia car that reportedly just made its way to Iowa on a trailer and it has been owned by one family since it was new.
Teal leather would have been fantastic to see here but there’s nothing wrong with teal velour. It’s also not a bad band name, come to think of it. As they say, it’s cool in the summer and warm in the winter, unlike leather which is basically the exact opposite. Plus, no baby teals were “harvested” to make these seats, just good ol’-fashioned DuPont or Dow Chemical, or whoever makes teal or aqua fabric… The back seat looks as nice as every other square inch of this interior does.
Sadly, the seller didn’t pop the hood to show us a photo of the engine, maybe Cadillac buyers and owners don’t care what’s under the hood? No, that’s not the case at all, they just forgot to do that I guess. They don’t mention what’s lurking under that long aqua hood but the only engine available would have been a Cadillac 425 cubic-inch V8 with a mere 180 horsepower, but 320 lb-ft of torque helped to keep things moving along nicely. It runs as you’d think a 58,000-mile Cadillac should run and there are no repairs of any kind needed – just get in and go. I’m assuming this is a fly-in/drive-home car. I just missed one of these a couple of years ago in this color for $3,700 in similar condition with leather and it’s been painful to see this one selling for this much money! Have any of you owned a fifth-gen Cadillac?
Absolutely beautiful!
Gorgeous. I grew up with an 83 Burgundy/burgundy leather 4 door. Had the back seat all to myself as a kid. These are big ole’ Caddies to me since I didn’t live through previous generations. these were really nice cars, the digital climate control was fun to play with.
Impressive condition for a 42 year-old car; it would be difficult to find a nicer one. There’s a lot to be said for a car that needs nothing, too. Just pay the money and drive it home. It would probably draw a lot of attention at any car show as well. Somebody will get a nice classic car at auction’s end.
Love the color! If this is what you are in the market for it looks like a great choice.
I love the looks of the 77-79 De Villes and Fleetwoods. They had such presence despite being smaller. The same basic body style soldiered on until 1992, adopting the Brougham name only. Great cars but in the early to mid 80’s they had the worst engines possible.
I remember one time I was driving one for a dealer trade, when the national speed limit was 55 mph. It felt like the car was just parked at that speed very awesome ride. I got it up to around 80mph and only then did it feel like I was doing 55. Thought better slow my ass down before I get a ticket.
Fantastic cars and this one is in a flat gorgeous color. The 425/Turbo 400 has anvil like reliability.
Someone is going home with a sweet ride here.
I do own pretty much the sister car, a 1979 Coupe de Ville in Crater Lake Blue (pretty similar color). Mine has the leather seats and a bunch of options as well.
A beautiful car, drives like a modern one and with its downsized length it is actually pretty easy to park.
Got it nearly 20 years ago and still love it like on the first day!
I used to detail cars back in the early 80s – those wire wheel covers were the WORST things to clean. But would still love to own this beauty. GLWTA!
Dishwasher and Jet Dry.
Wrong about engine options. Available was the 5.7 Diesel. Which I adore.
That diesel engine was based on an oldsmobile 350 , if memory serves me right were garbage, i,d prefer the 425 Caddy & Turbo 400 , hands down
I detailed cars at a Caddy dealer when these were new. These detailers tiday have no clue what we had to deal with. No clear coat. All lacquer. No pussy orbital buffers. We used single speed Black and Decker machines which if not used properly would tear up a car in seconds. And as mentioned, those wire wheels a total PIA to clean. We had no special acid cleaners like today. We used to clean vinyl tops with Comet. Got them clean but destroyed the vinyl. This car was babied since new. Would rather have this with the great 425 engine than today’s junk Escalade. Total garbage with a Chevy engine built on same assembly line as a Chevy. And costs $90,000. Oh how low this country has gone.
My grandfather had one, we called it the Coupe D’BarnDoor!
These were the last year of the true Cadillac engine, the 425 Cubic Inch V-8. I had this exact model. It was owned by a little old lady who drove by feel. Every panel on the car had been replaced, and rust had set in, even in So. Cal. The car drove and felt great, but the plastic interior started to go. I gave it to a friends son and don’t know what happened to it. This featured example is a good buy for someone. The plastic parts could be a problem.
Had the same car only all white with baby blue interior and cushion button seats. Drove this car mainly on highway trips to begin with the first ten years after buying it in 1985 with 70 thousand km on it. Beautiful highway driver and as comfortable as an arm chair. Regular maintenance only and never let me down. Sold it with 330 thousand km .
These are so nice designed cars from outside, but so ugly dashboard inside… I always ask myself, how this could happened, howcome US cars came the way from 50s and 60s superb interieurs to this….
The color of this caddy is called “Commodore Blue Metallic” GM paint code 028. I have a 78 sedan this same color w/dark blue vinyl top and light blue leather interior. I bought it from the original owner in 2004 and have loved it everyday since. Never plan on selling it. The 77-79 DeVille’s are wonderful cars and anyone who’s ever had the privilege of owning one will tell you no different! Over the years I’ve been slowly replacing/restoring parts on it one by one. I’ve fully replaced/rebuilt the entire brake system, as well as suspension and steering, just to name some of the work done. It currently rides and drives, I suspect, like it did when pulling off the lot back in 78! I’m most excited and looking forward to pulling out the 425 and replacing it with the 500 I pulled from a 71 eldorado and over the past year have completely disassembled and rebuilt with all the performance goodies available for the 500. At the same time that I’m installing the new engine I will also be swapping the stock rear end (2.28 ratio, no posi) with a rear I’ve rebuilt after pulling from a 95 Impala ss, with brand new Yukon dura grip posi carrier and 3.08 gears. To top it off I will be adding a small 100-125 shot nitrous kit. It’s a great feeling to be inching closer and closer to the dream plans I’ve had for the car prior to even finding it and making mine!
In 79, I bought a 78 CDV, which was a great car. I paid $11K for it then (in 79 $$s). It had a bit more in the way of options (leather, roof, etc.), but I’d be glad to own this one in such a great color. Someone will get a real gem!
My Mom was a Cadillac girl… Her love of the car started in 1962, her second was in 1972 and her last one was… a 1979 that Dad bought her in ’82. it had 37k miles on it when they bought it. It was Dove Gray with the plush gray velour interior. 3yrs after her death in 2015, my dad decided it was time for it to go as it just sat in the garage… He would not drive “moms Caddy”. It was nearly perfect except it seeped oil from just about every gasket on the engine… not puddle worthy but enough to grime it up, even so, it ran beautifully… and yes, that torque made it feel like a hot rod Caddy. I put it on Ebay and the best we could do back then was $5500… guy in NY bought it. He sent a truck down and the guy loaded it up and managed to scrape the back bumper on the ground. smh… anyways, I hope its still on the road but I never heard from the buyer other than a positive feedback about how great the car was.
Absolutely Beautiful, with leather interior it would’ve been Absolutely Perfect. I’ve owned several Caddy’s my first a 71 Sedan DeVille my last an 85 Fleetwood Brougham Coupe. You just can’t beat owning a Cadillac.I’m now looking at the 79-85 Eldorado, never owned an Eldo.
Had several of them in the past , they are elegant cars even today when I see one I compare to what’s out there now. I’m not surprised to see this beauty go for such a high amount
It looks stunning! But why no engine bay or trunk pics, even on eBay listing? Do I see ‘repainted’ details on LH door keyway bezel and door handle? LH door handle and push button have tarnish pits. Orange peel paint in areas. Cars from WV, listed in Altoona(Polk County) Iowa, with Woodbury County(NW Iowa) Iowa plates? Something about the authors use of words and the abnormalities are sending me red flags. Hoping I’m wrong on all accounts, but buyer beware on pricing. Check it out in person.
Amazing survivor. I bought a ’78 Coupe D’Elegance in a copper color with tan velour in 1983. It was my fifth Caddy and the last one I ever bought. Too many issues, especially with the engine, which had a cracked manifold. The dealer told me it was a common problem.
But I always thought they were beautifully designed and this color is perfect. I am amazed at how the interior pieces have held up. I would consider buying another Caddy if it were this one.
Auction update, this Cadillac sold for $16,100!