“Cadillac for ’76. You don’t pamper it. It pampers you. Whatever size . . . whatever model you choose. Because every Cadillac comes equipped with Cadillac comfort, convenience and luxury.” So says a 1976 Cadillac brochure, and they’re right. The seller has this 1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille posted here on craigslist in Hygiene, Colorado, and they’re asking $10,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for sending in this tip!
Long, low, black, and wire wheel covers, this car defines the 1970s Cadillac line of luxury cars for me. I know, the new Seville was the one to have but make mine a big DeVille every time. Cadillac offered the fourth-generation DeVille for the 1971 through 1976 model years, and after that they were downsized along with the rest of GM’s cars, or almost all of them. This car has “NO rust”, according to the seller.
This car looks great, at least from a few feet away. Up close is where the paint gets a little iffy. It shows some scratches under the paint and lots of orange peel. Maybe removing the trim and badges and color-sanding and buffing it would bring it back again. The seller says that a lot of restoration work has been done and they have a lot of the missing trim, including the hood ornament in the trunk. The trunk seal appears to have gone south decades ago and I’d want to change that ASAP.
This car is said to be stored under cover in a storage unit and the seller does show a photo of that in the many great photos that they show. Well done, seller! They say that the interior has been redone and I’m assuming they’re referring to the leather seats. There’s a little warping on the dash and that stereo would go away instantly under my watch, but the back seat looks perfect. They say that the power antenna doesn’t work, not an uncommon ailment. It wasn’t cheap to fix the antenna on my Seville, hopefully this one is just a fuse or bad connection as they mention.
The engine by this time was Cadillac’s monster 500-cu.in. OHV V8, which had 190 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque. It sends power through a THM-400 transmission to the rear wheels and the seller says it “starts, drives, goes into reverse, drive and neutral with no problem. Transmission shifts smooth and the suspensions works like expected.” Hagerty is at $12,600 for a #3 good-condition car so this could be a good buy if a person could do some of the work him/herself. How much would you pay for this Coupe DeVille?
You’re not feeling any imperfections in the road while riding in this Cadillac.
This will be a first if there isn’t any rust. These cars had a propensity of rusting under the vinyl padded roof where the roofline and rear quarters met and around the rear window. I would prefer buying a Calais with no vinyl roof but who would have known what the future was holding? Beautiful cars.
Nice ride , but I would be willing to bet that 500 engine is going to use too much fuel ! I owned a ’70 Bonne ille with a 455 cu. In engine and I was buying gas like it was going out of style . 7 m.p.g. ! I finally sold it for a ’65 Nova 6 cylinder . Happy Motoring !
You could order a Coupe deVille without a Vinyl Top, they are Rare
I noticed dual exhaust.
So did I. The air cleaner looks a bit off, too. Could there be more than meets the eye here? 🤔
The interior color is a little confusing. Yellow interior in a black car? Usually, you’d see black or tan interior in a black car. I suppose it’s possible, but unusual. Yes, these were prone to rust under the vinyl tops where they end at the quarter panel. I’d have to look it over very carefully.
I noticed that as well. I think it’s due to sun aging causing the beige to shift cream/green.
No, that is the color of the interior.
It’s not faded or sun bleached.
I had a 1976 Coupe de Ville in what I would call a yellow but Cadillac called it green. It depended on the light. Most of the time it looked yellow, but in certain light it looked greenish.
But this interior is the color that it is. Not cream or tan
The interior is confusing. It just doesn’t seem right. Like several others have said you would normally see tan or black, but this yellowish-greenish sort of? Also, I hope the gas pedal is included in the parts. That appears to be missing. Maybe removed during the restoration?
I remember MANY interior colors in domestic automobiles , My father traded cars frequently and I collected Brochures! There was at least a page for interior color options, light green, dark green, Blue, light blue and yes Yellow! Two tone leather was a thing as well! You could special order any combination you wanted ! A dealer’s worst nightmare was you ordering a weird combination and then You didn’t buy it, then they were stuck something orange with a green interior!!
First off…there are plenty of these around in better condition..you need to look at one thats had no repaint ,bodywork etc…thats a $5,500.00 car to me and really nice one can be had for $15K and low miles..check with CLC..better help.
Yes I recognize that interior from my grand parents 1970 gold mist Deville and even as a kid I loved that car high back seats of course I was in the back standing but quite the car ! This car evokes the saying standard of the world when new & not far off with some fixes let’s say the mafia staff car rides again!
In 78 I had the opportunity to buy a white over red 76 Coupe de Ville for $5,500. What a dream. Unfortunately the price was beyond me. Have since had 89 Fleetwood Brougham deElegance 👍and 93 Brougham👎. My late brother (very successful business man) once had a 67 Series 75 full limo. The absolute epitome of traditional OTT Cadillac Luxury and elegance. Hopefully the new owner will realize this as a MONUMENT to the GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT. Unfortunately never to be built again 😕 Sad to see what now wears the Cadillac name 🤮
So you don’t like the CT5 V Blackwing? Not in the traditional mold but a fine vehicle. Don’t like the Escalade though.
There is NOTHING currently built that takes my interest. Fortunately have a beautiful low mileage 2007 Town Car Signature Limited. Have had numerous offers to buy (including local FMC dealer where I bought it). This will literally carry my cremains, per my instructions to my grave!
Once saw a parked 74 Series Seventy-five Limited with ROLLS-ROYCE grille, Statue of Liberty hood ornament and front vanity plate reading Mafia Staff Car…You Toucha My Car, I breaka you face! I bravely took a photo 📸. It was an offer I could not refuse!
Reply to Fox Owner: I just drove my son’s new Escalade with the hand built engine in it. The engine and suspension choices make it handle like a sports car. The engine will really snarl. Fantastic vehicle.
Happy you like it! NOT my idea of a Luxury vehicle. But fortunately in America 🇺🇸 we can STILL have our own opinions. Not sure how much longer 😕
We will still be able to have our own opinions, just won’t be able to voice them.
I will apologize, the rules say no politics, and I couldn’t help but break that rule.
Amen to that!
Angel 😇. Telling the TRUTH is not political! 🇺🇸 👍
Having owned Cadillacs only, since age 16, I have had a few of this year and 75. Since I graduated in 76, that was my favorite year. I really liked the way all the “idiot” lights were all lined up on top of the dash where they should be. I did not like the little square speedo that only went up to 100. I ran that out a few times. It moved out very well but I think my 65 Caddy with a “429” was just as fast, maybe faster. I had it up to 123 and could have done more.
Beautiful, except for the green interior.
A 60s or 70s land yacht with leather seats like this one will always get my attention. Although the price seems spot-on given its issues, I’m always leery when I learn of a malfunctioning speedometer and/or odometer.
Cadillac Kid,
I kinda thought the key was for an alarm, just never saw the keyhole next to the headlights.
Opera lights were an option back in 1976. They were also a part of the d’elegance package.
My ’75 Fleetwood and my ’75 Eldorado and my ’76 Coupe de Ville all had the outside thermometer. I figured it was an option.
As for the horns, they are in the correct place, only the trumpet horn was behind the grill. I really don’t remember the placement of the horns on my ’75 Eldorado, but I do remember it had 4 horns and the trumpet was attached to underneath the hood.
As I said earlier, this car has few options and I’d pass on it.
Maybeline
Let’s analyze this vehicle…..
There is no chrome strip running down the hood and no stand up hood ornament at the very front.
What is that key lock for down by the driver side headlights???
The interior is not cream or tan but a gold tone. I had the exact same interior on my ’76 Coupe de Ville.
It could use 2.5 inch whitewalls.
The emblem on the trunk is wrong. It should have the “V”. The crest was reserved for Fleetwoods and Eldorados.
The duel exhaust is a nice touch, if it’s real.
This Caddy is priced about right as it is missing a lot of options.
I’ve been very fortunate that all of my Cadillacs and Buick Rivieras have been loaded with all available options at the time.
The key lock is for the alarm those were very common back then.
The rear rubber spacers have been replaced
, probably with hard fiberglass. You can tell because they didn’t replace the tiny chrome plastic strip the goes around the entire vertical bumper part and under the taillights.
Does this thing have power door locks? Can’t really tell from the pictures.
This would be a pass for me.
Wow. I’m very impressed the way you analyzed this Caddy. I did notice what appeared to be a big bell on the drivers fender under the hood. Perhaps the key is an alarm? Also, all my 76 Caddys had opera lamps, this does not for some reason. Also I can’t see the thermometer on the drivers mirror. Is this a 76 or really a 75???
Also I see the horns have been relocated. They belong in front of the radiator.
I keep looking at the photos of this car. Cadillac Kid asked if it was a ’75 or a ’76. Only the Vin would tell for sure, but, just observing the photos, it has a ’76 grill, it also has the chrome around the taillights, as in 1976.
BUT, the parking lights are ’75.
And if the duel exhaust is real, what other modifications have been made to the engine and other parts? This car is a 1975/76 Frankenstein.
I tried to read the Craigslist ad and it s been deleted. Reading this on my phone and hard to see the pics in the car ad.
Judging by what you say, and you certainly know these cars from past Caddy Barn Finds, you know what you’re talking about. This appears to be a car of two years.
I’m suspicious and definitely a pass for me.
That is what a Caddy should be, THE BEST prize in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box!! This is what the Detroit I love is about!!!!
Had a 1980 Fleetwood with a 472 great ride
Sold, sold, sold!