- Seller: Gary F
- Location: Lynchburg, Virginia
- Mileage: 30,762 Shown
- Chassis #: 6D47S6Q264060
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 500 cui V8 With 4-barrel Qudrajet
- Transmission: 3-Speed Turbohydramatic 400 Automatic
When did the “Standard of the World” epithet cease to apply to Cadillac? Judging by the comments on Barn Finds, it would be somewhere between the introduction of the 4.1-liter V8 and the 1985 downsizing. To others, the last of the “real” Cadillacs were the 1976 models, such as this Coupe DeVille. It was the end of the line for the real locomotives, with 500 cubic inches of Cadillac power (OK, 190 horsepower) under that expansive prow. There will always be fans of the true land yachts of the 1970s, and this one’s for them. It’s now a Barn Finds Auction, and we hope you show your approval by parking it in your garage (if there’s room for it, of course).
It’s true, this Caddy is a beauty. The seller sums up the color scheme as well as one can do; it has “original Cotillion white paint with original Firethorn Red vinyl top and Firethorn Red leather interior,” which simply looks like all the money in the world on a big Coupe DeVille. If Dallas were on television in 1976, one of the Ewings would have driven this car. Regarding the “big” part, it’s 230.7 inches in length, over 19 feet. Perhaps size is the measure of a “real” Cadillac, the ones that people get all glassy-eyed about. Those gorgeous ’50s Cadillacs were almost as big as this ’76; all of the big Cadillacs had presence.
This 30,762-mile example is all original, down to the floor mats with Cadillac insignias. There’s cruise control, a power antenna, an AM/FM radio, air conditioning, power windows, power seat; in other words, all the options one would expect when one spent around $10,000 on a new car in 1976. The steering wheel is surprisingly sporty, and everything is in mint condition. I don’t see a crack or a tear anywhere.
Under the hood is the biggest of the Cadillac V8s, the 500. People like to joke about its power rating, but it still had 360 lb.-ft. of torque (net, not gross), and that is what you need to pull around over two-and-a-half tons of luxury car. What’s the hurry anyway? When you’re cruising in a car this luxurious, enjoy the ride! After 1976, the 500 was no more; the downsized ’77 would revert to the downsized 425, which (if nothing else) doesn’t sound quite as impressive. In case you were curious, this DeVille does not have fuel injection; there’s a Quadrajet atop the intake manifold (which I would consider good news).
If you are a fan of ’70s luxury cars, and you like them original, I can’t imagine what would keep you from buying this one (except money, of course). The typically-cracked bumper fillers have even been replaced, so you can buy it and enjoy it immediately without a long list of things left to do. Good luck with your bidding, Cadillac fans!
Bid On This Auction
Mark A. bid $1,000.00 2024-11-23 13:52:10
Put an LS in it!!! Not really, just couldn’t help myself. The seats in this thing look like a vacation for your hinder
🎙 🎹 🗣 ” baby we can talk all night but that ain’t getting us nowhere,
I’ve told you everything I possibly can, there’s nothing left inside of me..
And baby you can cry all night, but that’ll never change the way that I feel….the snow is really piling up outside… ” 🎶 🎵
I can’t believe someone had the nerve to make a $100 bid. Talk about insulting!
In my opinion the Cadillac really went downhill fast after 1976. I worked in the car business back in those days and believe me, after this they may as well have been called Chevrolet Caprice. I realize that earlier Cadillac’s than this were even better, but after ‘76, forget it.
As CoFounder of the GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY 😉, I hereby declare this to be a GENUINE LAND YACHT! Although I continued loving Cadillacs through the 77 downsizing (not withstanding the next disastrous downsizing, V 8 6 4 and other unfortunate decisions by GM) I unfortunately passed on a 76 triple red Coupe de Ville due to an embarrassing lack of $$$. Eventually I was fortunate enough to acquire an 89 Brougham deElegance, which I often regret selling. The next 93 Brougham was a disappointment in many ways. This 76 was indeed the LAST of the size and power of the gargantuan Cadillacs. I’m sure this big boat 🚢 will have no problem finding a new home, hopefully where it will be cherished as a survivor of an era never to be seen again! 😲 I think my check book is calling!
She looks good standing still. Those seats look so inviting sitting behind one of my favorite dashboards . Love the colors. Put her in drive and hit the highway.
The last of the American Standard of the World. A beautiful car that I’d love to own, but I’d donate a kidney for a 1974-76 Fleetwood Talisman.
@Nelson C
I’m sorry, but as dashboards go, this was one of Cadillacs worst! The 1971 thru 1973 were one of their best. The ’74 thru ’76 IMO were the best designed cars but the worst design interiors. The fake wood everywhere, just really cheap looking.
And of course I had 4 with this horrible dash.
The 1967 Eldorado with the 500 cu.in. Had 400 hp. Now that car moved. The ’76 500 cu.in. with 190 hp was such a disappointment . Yeah, still had some torque but no power.
This land yacht is a beauty but I just hate red on a Cadillac. The only red Caddy I had was the 1975 Fleetwood Talisman which was a dark red, not a bright red.
That roof and interior have to go.
It needs wider WSW tires, also.
P.S. The owner may have replaced all the vinyl inserts of the rear bumper with new ones but he forgot to put the chrome surround back on the taillights. Now it looks like a 1975.
Adding to all of your “complaints”, Angel, is the fact of a bench seat rather than a 60/40 split with power on both sides, and the little nicety of power pass. recliner!