For 1965, Cadillac replaced the Series 62 with a new entry-level model, the Calais. Similar to, but less lavishly equipped than, the DeVille, the $5,247 Calais provided a stepping stone between top-of-the-line Buicks and Oldsmobiles and the rest of the Cadillac line. If you’ve been looking to get into a vintage Cadillac project car on a budget, this ’65 Calais hardtop sedan might still be a good entry point; complete but not running, it’s going for just $1,800. Find it here on craigslist in Providence, Rhode Island.
No attempt seems to have been made to wrangle this massively heavy, non-running car from its dark hidey-hole, so we’ll have to go off of what we can here. Some rust is evident in these first two photos—in the lower driver-side fender and in the bumper below the driver-side headlights—as is some (attempted) bodywork along the side. Long-term Providence residence could explain both; I can imagine a car this big attracting a few battle scars in an old, compact New England city with harsh winters. I can’t find any explanation for the add-on on the passenger side of the grille—any Cadillac experts know what’s going on there? Maybe it’s just added decoration, like the old-timey Cadillac script.
The Calais didn’t deviate much mechanically from the DeVille, sharing the same 429 V8 and Turbo-Hydramatic automatic. This one clearly hasn’t been touched in a very long time, but there also doesn’t appear to be anything major missing from this engine compartment. Make sure your tetanus shots are up to date and plan on sending a lot of components off for sandblasting in the process of rebuilding this engine.
Things are much nicer in the cabin, although a deep clean will go a long way. The cloth-and-vinyl bench seats show only one split, and the headliner looks pristine. It’s anybody’s guess whether the 18,572 miles shown are original or if it’s rolled over—my vote is probably for the latter—but it’s nice that in such a trim-heavy interior everything is accounted for and most likely perfectly serviceable. Optional power windows are fitted to this car, but air conditioning is not.
The condition of the frame is a big unknown “if” on this project car, but if it’s sound, there’s a lot that a first-time do-it-yourselfer could accomplish toward bringing this Caddy back to life, thanks to its complete interior, broad, uncomplicated bodywork, and simple, tried-and-true mechanicals. What do you think of this Calais project car and its $1,800 price of entry?
To me my favorite full size classic Cadillacs must be 77 to 79 Deville’s and Fleetwood’s !
You are definitely one of a kind Max.
These three years were good for destroying on TV shows but not much else.
You can’t compare those models to the ’60s cars in any way.
Thats your opinion Miguel ! I have a different opinion the 77 to 79 Cadillac Deville’s better more refined handling and braking than earlier models and Yes I can compare them to 60s Cadillacs I concluded the downsized 77 to 79 are Superior !
You are absolutely right, that is my educated opinion.
How many ’60s Cadillacs have you driven or owned?
I have driven or owned most of the ’60s models starting from my 1956 Sedan De Ville, on to my 1959 Sedan De Ville and on upwards.
I know when I open the door of a ’77 – ’79 Cadillac, half the door panel is going to be falling off the door.
I also know that the plastic surrounding the horn pad will be broken and not replaceable. I know because I tried for two years to find one and couldn’t.
I also know that the ’77 – ’79 Cadillacs have parts on them that disappear just for the fact that they exist.
As the featured car here demonstrates, you can leave a ’60s Cadillac alone for years, and all the parts you parked it with will still be present and usable.
Do you see any interior parts falling off this car?
I once owned a 1977 Coupe DeVille. While nice overall, the 425 mill couldn’t get out of it’s own way, and was a thirsty beast. My current 1969 DeVille convertible has it over the ’77 in spades. The 472 that motivates it has effortless torque, something the 425 does not.
Well, you are talking about detuned engines during the gas crisis of the ’70’s, too. None of the engines performed like they should. The attempt by the government to crack down on air pollution was a complete failure. We spilled more carbon monoxide into the air AFTER the regulation took effect. Consequently, these big engines, and the smaller blocks could not do their intended jobs…propel the vehicle in various situations. Just saying….
Why would they put a tail light lens in the grille?
From what I remember, the front seats on the Calais did not have the arm rest.
This car shows no arm rest.
Just needs a light polishing on the hood.
a good guess is he probably tried to start it and it spun over but did not catch with in the first few tries, might be worth a try, if nothing else sell the parts off of it
Looks like a goodfellas car from back in the day. Better check the trunk!
The car is also missing the tilt and telescopic wheel.
If I had the cash, I’d do this car. Had a ’66 Calais 4-door HT and loved
it. Mine was Metallic Turquoise outside with a matching Turquoise
brocade and leather interior. As I recall, Miguel, my car didn’t have
the tilt/tele steering column either. That, along with power windows
and A/C were optional on these cars as was the AM/FM radio as well.
Mine had everything but that tilt/tele steering column. These also came
with crank down windows as standard equipment. Bought my car off my parents in 1970 to keep my drunken uncle from wrecking it. It was
a 2-owner car when I bought it and had the orig8nal Protect-o-plate along with all literature and owner’s manuals. I was 16 then and playing
music in local night clubs for $170 a weekend and it wasn’t long before
I had it paid off and registered soley to me. What I remember most about that old beast was the smooth accelaration and that feather soft
ride that made it seem as though you were floating down the road. Towed a trailer full of band equipment with no trouble at all! That
429 V-8 had power to spare–and then some! Had no shortage of
young ladies wanting to drive it either. Got a kick out of watching
them drive it! Finally traded it in on a POS ’66 Toranado in ’71. Should’ve
had my head examined on that one! What a great car! Boy, do I miss it!
Back in college I had a ’65 Cadillac Sedan De Ville……..4 door……..bought it from a pimp behind Madison Square Garden for 700 bucks. It was absolutely in perfect condition for a ten year old car. The wonderbar radio was my favorite aspect of the car even though it was only AM.but it had a leather interior. Drove it all over the US but of course gas was .35 a galllon or so. The ’65 and ’66 are almost identical save for the rear license surround and other trim. I wish I could remember who and under what circumstances I sold it LOL
1960s Cadillacs are my favorite. Sure, they don’t handle as well as the late 70s editions, but who in their right mind is tossing a Cadillac around the pylons? These are meant for leisurely CRUISING.
Back in the late 70s Mom had a 68 Calais that she bough from a local doctor.
This particular Calais has the incorrect “Cadillac” script on the grille [it appears to be of 1950s vintage], and that oddly placed lamp on the right grille?
The passenger side grill extension is from a 66 model, that is parkinglight, not a taillight. 65’s had the parking lights in the bumper.
No Chuck, if you look at the grille of a ’66 model, the rectangles are bigger and it has a bar running horizontally through the grille.
That is definitely a tail light lens.
Cadillac never used red on their turn signal lenses, and the ’66 turn signal lens was a different shape and design.
So, what is going on on the left side of the grille???
Maybe it is covering a whole of some kind.
I can’t imagine why somebody would put a tail light lens on the grille.
My Mother was the youngest of ten. He dad died when she was 1 1/2. Her oldest sister went to work and kept the family together. She married for the first time at age 66. The groom was older and had a standing order for the first new Cadillac from the local dealer each Fall. The car was always a Coupe DeVille in off white with alternating brown or green cloth interiors. No AC.
He died three years later. The 1958 Cadillac sat in the garage until 1965. At that time, my Aunt asked my Mother to teach her to drive. First she ordered a new car; a 1965 Calais Coupe.in off white with brown cloth, and no AC.
My Aunt was 5 foot tall and sat on at least 2 cushions, She passed the driving test including parallel parking on the first try. She passed away in 1986 and the 1985 Caddy had 11,000 miles.
My grandfather had a white 65 DeVille. I loved riding in it. One day after he was well into his 80s, he entered the new highway bypass on an exit ramp. No wreck happened that day, but he decided it was time to quit driving and parked he car. My uncle sold it for $600.
Church raffle car. Win a new Cadillac for $1. A lot of these were used for that. Or a price leader in newspaper ad.
Yeah Miguel, my ’66 had large parking
lamps with a thick chrome bar running
across the center of the grille. Also, the
cornering lamps were located more in
center of the front fenders just behind
the headlight bezel and just ahead of
the front wheel arch. Mine also had
the rearward facing turn indicators
atop the front fenders as well. Think
the rear facia was different too. Hard
to believe that was nearly 50 years
ago. Where did all that time go?
“light” on passenger side of grille is the automatic headlight dimming sensor on this model only it is amber not red or orange this is an aftermarket add-on not factory
That is a tail light lens somebody stuck on there. Why is another question.
Go look at the rear of this car and you will see the same lens there.
Here is a picture of the rear of the 1965 Cadillac.
I do like your imagination though, Mike.