When I saw the picture above as the first photo of this auction listing here on eBay, I honestly thought it was a picture out of the factory brochure included for reference! This is a true one-owner car, and it’s a shame that Grandpa can no longer drive it. Bidding is only up to $1,000, but of course the reserve is higher than that. Since the car is in Las Vegas, perhaps you could try winning enough to pay the bill?
The seller tells us that the car was garaged its entire life and generally used as a “sunday driver” car. I can believe that’s the case given its original paint, chrome and trim that shines as if it were brand new. The seller has the original invoice, window sticker and many maintenance records as well. We’re also told that everything works and that the car has just been serviced with new fluids and belts. Anyone else thinking flying in and driving home would be fun?
While many car enthusiasts look down upon this generation of American cars, even naysayers have to admit that there are few vehicles capable of eating up the miles (and, of course, fuel) than these large V8-powered “mushmobiles”. While you might not win any autocrosses along the way, I can easily imagine that bumper rolling across state lines as you cross the USA.
And all that traveling would be done in this living room of an interior. Actually, it seems larger than some living rooms I’ve had, and I’m sure the upholstery (leather, I believe) and seating are far more plush than any couch I own. Whomever buys this car will be buying a ticket back to an era when we weren’t so worried about fuel prices, world resource shortages and other things.
The 425 cubic inch V8 looks almost new as well. The car even just passed a Nevada emissions test. So what’s keeping you from a fly-drive trip to rescue Grandpa’s car?
Great write-up, Jamie! Few things compare to cruising down the interstate, in an immaculate, original Coupe de Ville!! Effortless cruising. Style and class. The only I would change? I’d add an authentic set of vintage, factory Cadillac true spoke wire wheels. Great find, brother!
Thank you, CTG! I was really feeling it — had me wishing I had the budget and time to go to Vegas! How about we compromise and I go for a set of the later aluminum wheels on mine, you get the wires on yours! I have more than enough wire wheels on the Triumphs… :-)
What he said and in red! (Perhaps skip the wires!)
This is 40 years old, amazing. I hope the new owner maintains this, which is why I shouldn’t own this! I have a habit of driving things into the ground.
Love these cars. It’s always great to see one on the road. Almost always with a little old guy who can hardly see over the steering wheel. Perfect car for cruising the strip in Las Vegas.
“Never In Any Accidents, No damage anywhere,”: Mismatched paint, the fenders no where near matching the doors and quarters…and what the hell happened to the center of the steering wheel?
Drivers door looks a bit off and paint on door not exactly matching rest of the car…
great photographer / picture editing. The paint reflection(s) is pretty questionable and the engine compartment armor all job makes me further question what the buyer will get. My 2 sense
$5700.00 bid as of 2:07 p.m.Pacific Time.
Wow……….. This is truly a beautiful survivor, I would love to drive a monstrous luxury automobile just like this one. I remember my Mom drove a ’76 model similar to this when I was in high school. Same engine, smooth ride, and she was a volunteer for the county EMS. I don’t believe many of these Caddies were driven as hard and as fast as Mom’s was. Hahaha!! 😃😃😃
In October 1978 factory I ordered the four door twin of this car except I had the factory wire wheel covers. Beautiful car, took the family on several long vacations and it drove like a dream. To me, I’ve had several Cadillac’s after that but none of them impressed me like this one did for looks and ride.
I believe those may be the standard wheel covers. Most of the time you saw wire wheel covers, so for that reason, I like them because they are different. My wife special ordered a new 1980 Buick Regal, and rather than getting the wire wheel covers, she got something more unique and more beautiful, and I rarely saw them on any other Regal or Century. They are item 5 at the link below called Designer’s wheel covers (they are not pictured in the 1980 brochure, but are seen here in the 1979 brochure). When we traded her Regal in on a new 1985 Pontiac 6000, they used the Regal as a loaner car or either someone in town bought it. I used to see it a lot around town. They had changed to the wire wheel covers (item 3) which did not look as good to me. I usually like the gimmicky things on cars; vinyl roofs, opera windows, fender skirts, hidden headlights, etc., but never cared much for wire wheel covers. I only had one car with wire wheel covers, a 1984 Oldsmobile Delta LS I inherited from my mother, but I never changed them because the standard wheel covers were too plain and there was no other option.
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Buick/1979_Buick/1979%20Buick%20Full%20Line%20Prestige%20Brochure/image13.html
They are excellent cars and as Jamie mentions, if you are not concerned about fuel consumption you’ll do fine. They are generally bulletproof cars,; what you need to do is have religion with oil changes and let someone who knows these cars look at it every six months. You’ll enjoy it forever.
Very good photo presentation regardless of car quality questions. People planning to post their car on EBay, Craig’s List, etc, should use this as a guideline on how to present your vehicle. For the present EBay price ($5700), this is a steal. Even if the price doubles someone will be cruising comfortably and looking good.
Perfect life-long story material of a fly in/drive home.
Just need to call my attorney and find a motorcycle race to document.
2 years ago I purchased All original 1978 Coupe Deville bronze color with brown leather interior. All original 17K car was in storage loaded with wire wheels & Vogue tires. Asking price was 18K I got it for 16K .
My old an bought new Cadillacs every three years for several cycles. When he went to trade the 74, he was horrified at the downsizing and went and bought a Lincoln. He disliked it so much that after 2 years he went back to Cadillac. He always said he made a mistake going to Lincoln. He loved the 79 Caddi even more than the older boats, it was smooth, but handled better. It was easier to park yet didn’t seem any smaller inside. This thing is gorgeous, wish I was in the market.
Parents had a ’78 coupé deville with a sunroof..amazing car, never failed us. This one is missing the bin next to the passengers footwell area….
These are easily the last best Caddies built. Great 425 and th400. Run like a top and not bad on gas. Enough with the old man grandpa stuff. Plenty of young guys bought them new. They were fairly reasonable too,all things considered. Well built great looking car. Drive one and be convinced. A set of real spoke wheels (tru spokes) would set it off.
Amen. At 27 I drove a white Coupe for six months.
Seller Just Joined Ebay but is concerned with Low Rated Bidders? Several Low Rated bidders have already bid on the Caddy another Red Flag! Granpa’s Caddy but the Orginal Plates are gone??? I smell a dolphin and his name is Flipper! BJ had one with 23k miles and sold for 9900 6-21-2017
Anthony took the words outta my mouth! These are the last great caddys!
At least till now the new cts is pretty sweet and I’m not a gm guy
Love the red guts
Always liked the Cadillac version. Back in Brooklyn along with the Lincolns, Chrysler’s of the day. They were the in cars. Would love to have a boulevard cruiser like thus Coupe. Classic over the road car.
I’ve owned 2 78’s myself one was seamist green, and the other was blue miss them both I am hunting another great car hope it finds a good home.
In the ’80s you saw coupes like this all over Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, young guys would have heavy duty springs lifting them up a couple of inches, wire wheels. They wore wife beaters and you could be sure they had a baseball bat in the trunk.