Guaranteed Head Turner: 1978 Cadillac DeVille Custom

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Classics like the Duesenberg never seem to go out of style, even neoclassics like the Excalibur, with visionaries using all sorts of starters upon which they can emulate their dream car.  In this case, what we have here began as a 1978 Cadillac DeVille, with the side doors and most of the interior remaining as such.  I’m not quite sure what some of the remainder is, but to the seller, that’s the beauty here, as he believes it’s a one-of-a-kind offering that you’ll never see another one exactly like.  If you’re ready to drive this one home, it’s down in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and can be spotted here on Craigslist.  Bring along a bag of dough that contains $14,500 inside.

Rocco B., thank you for sending the tip here!  The creator may have come close to hitting his mark from the windshield forward on the side view, and I’m guessing he was a fan of the Excalibur Phaeton.  However, what really caught my eye in the beginning was how much the side rear quarters reminded me of a Gremlin, based on just the trajectory, that is until I got to the rear-end view and figured out that was actually a suitcase of some sort mounted over the back bumper.

The owner knows little about the origin here, other than telling us this car was originally put together in California, though he doesn’t know who built it.  Not much else is mentioned regarding the exterior either, so the pictures will have to represent the outside since the seller knows such limited information.  The top does have an elegant appearance, and the saddle bag looks like it serves as a trunk, so if you’re a light packer maybe you can get a few days’ worth of travel accessories in there.  One detail is for certain, and that is this car is titled as a 1978 Cadillac.

Inside, things remain mostly Cadillac, with the obvious exceptions being the aftermarket Grant steering wheel and a modern Clarion stereo system.  It’s pretty cool that this one’s also got a CB radio, so you can hear what the truckers have to say as you drive along the interstates of America, but waving to them through the sunroof as their air horns sound won’t be possible, as the glass on top is now in a fixed position.  For their age, the interior components seem to remain in very nice condition, with the low mileage of 47,000 helping here.  The ad copy mentions that the A/C blows cold, but in the accompanying video, the seller says the air conditioning is no longer functional.

The Cadillac drivetrain has been retained, with the seller assuring potential buyers that the engine is still running well.  Everything looks tidy and in good order in the bay underneath the folding hood, and we also get to go on a test ride during the video, with the car seeming to be driving ably.  I’m certain the attention-getting factor is off-the-charts here, along with the potential to generate unlimited amounts of questions at every car gathering you attend.  Is this one something you’d be interested in adding to your collection?

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Comments

  1. Fahrvergnugen FahrvergnugenMember

    Good golly Molly. Awkward from ANY angle.

    Like 11
  2. Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember

    I would definitely turn my head if I saw that thing!

    Like 7
    • John EderMember

      In the opposite direction?

      Like 7
      • Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember

        You got the joke

        Like 2
    • Ike Onick

      So you don’t vomit on your shoes?

      Like 1
  3. Autoworker

    Those are Jeep bumpers.

    Like 0
  4. JDC

    More than anything, I’d like to k own the history of this thing? If it truly is a one-off, whoever put it together was quite the craftsman. I can also appreciate it more than an Excalibur or a Tiffany, because of its status. These neo-classics certainly have a following, ut personally, I can only enjoy them as oddities.

    Like 1
  5. PaulG

    So apparently Grandpa Munster retires to Florida and got busy in his workshop….
    At least the ask is less than 30k

    Like 9
  6. CCFisher

    Proof that money and good taste do not necessarily go hand in hand.

    Like 9
  7. Daniel Wright

    No, not unless your name is huggy bear.

    Like 1
  8. Terrry

    Three-quarters of the thing is the front end. I’d like to know what the ’78 Cadillac was guilty of, to have this done to it.

    Like 5
  9. John EderMember

    When you guys feature one of these “creations”, you really should preface them with a message stating: “The following images contain disturbing scenes not suitable for all audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.”

    Like 16
  10. Big C

    I don’t see the oversized ashtray, for the Cuban cigar. And no hat rack, for the fedora? What gives?

    Like 0
  11. Howie

    Yes a real head turner, but for all the wrong reasons.

    Like 2
  12. scott m

    Dagnabbit, now I gotta see the chiropractor :^(

    Like 1
  13. gippy

    Every retro classic I have ever seen makes me think of Cheech and Chong.

    Like 4
  14. Jay McCarthy

    This is hideous and I always like these creations

    Like 2
  15. Threepedal

    While the polyester leisure suit and white shoes are down from the attic after yesterdays Barn Find Caddy abomination, comes this tribute to an understandably “unknown “ builder.
    Better man than me: at least he finished this project.

    Like 2
  16. Poppy

    Some people never learn…

    Like 1
  17. chnkymnky

    I really like the neo-classic cars from the late 70s into the 80s…but this…this…this is an abomination! If it were a convertible, then it’d be cool. But that rear roof line…BLECH!!! Cool from the B-pillar forward though. If it were priced right (aka much cheaper…), it’d be worth cutting the roof off – that rear trunk phaeton-style setup would look pretty good!

    Like 1
  18. Moit

    Im sorry. But this atrocity should not be in the same conversation as Duesenbrg

    Like 2
  19. Greg Sullivan

    Ugly!!!!

    Like 2
  20. Angel_Cadillac_Diva Angel Cadillac Queen DivaMember

    I can’t even comment. 🤮

    Like 2
  21. Troy

    I think it has lots of potential to be something really cool with a lot of fiberglass or metal fab.

    Like 1
  22. Russ

    Run Forest, run!

    Like 0
  23. Frank M

    What can I say that hasn’t already been said? 8-0

    Like 0
  24. Mike

    Turning heads AND stomachs. Yeesh!

    Like 0
  25. Dan D

    Wondering what that poor Caddy did to deserve this!? And I like Excalibur’s but this is an abomination.

    Like 0
  26. jwaltb

    That is perhaps the ugliest “car” I’ve ever seen. Of course it’s in Florida!

    Like 0
  27. jwaltb

    The “descent” wheels will be perfect for your trip to automotive Hell.

    Like 0

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