Earlier in the week I opined about Cadillac’s place in a downsized automotive world. The topic of this discussion was spurred on by a 1984 Eldorado Biarritz which I stated was not my favorite but added, “I’m usually a critic of luxury cars from this era, I don’t think this Eldo is really that awkward looking“. So, I gave it some props but today’s find, a 1968 Cadillac DeVille convertible, is a real Cadillac in my book – and it’s a convertible too! Lost in the past? Yeah, I may be but when I think of a Cadillac, this is the version that comes to mind. This baby is so long, I can’t get all of it to fit into suitable, cropped images but you can view it here on eBay where this fine-looking resident of Carroll, Iowa is available for a current bid of $17,600 with the reserve not yet met.
With 225 inches in length, a 129-inch wheelbase, and 4,800 lbs. in curb weight, this drop-top is a definite Whammer-jammer – but a very sophisticated one, an automobile of understated elegance. One of 18,000 copies assembled in ’68, this is a convertible whose lines are just as refined as the corresponding Coupe DeVille. The seller states, “The body and paint are really nice. The body is smooth“. Actually, the finish, which looks like San Mateo Red Metallic, appears to be excellent – the images reveal no defects. Same with the white folding top, there’s no evidence of splits, permanent creases, ground in mold, etc. By ’68, the over-application of stainless steel trim was on the way out, thankfully, and that scaling back is evident across this Caddy’s graceful flanks. Good to know is the seller’s claim that the very long and heavy doors don’t sag – a known GM issue due to worn-out bronze hinge pin spacers.
Only the best for the Standard of the World, this DeVille is powered by a 375 gross HP, 472 CI V8 engine that, “starts right up and sounds good“. Quiet refinement was a hallmark of a Cadillac engine, so much so, that the application of a dual exhaust system was eliminated in 1961 – no disturbing engine noise allowed! A Turbo-Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic transmission was the sole gearbox utilized.
When I review convertibles, I give the interior an extra gander because a lot of top-down time just adds to the wear factor that already exists due to age and use. In this case, however, the red leather upholstery presents well while the carpet is said to be “decent” – I’d rate it as better than that. The dash pad is in fine nick but we’re told the real wood door panel inserts could stand to be refinished. All-in-all, it doesn’t look as if the interior has spent too much time sunbathing, or getting caught in wet weather with its top down. Of note, the automatic A/C system is on the fritz. The system is basically a “Comfortron” arrangement and parts for it can be scarce as it uses a lot of unique items that the more common GM manual four-season system did not employ.
Individuals will have their own view of what should, or does, constitute a Cadillac. For me, it’s this vintage, it’s a rational meeting point between the ouvert late ’50s/early ’60s excesses and the barge deVille bloato version that showed up in ’73 or ’74. I hope this one finds a home that will appreciate it for what it is. So, I’ll ask, what generation of Cadillac is your favorite? (Saying “none” is perfectly acceptable.)
My Mother had a 1960 Cadillac convertible. Hard to believe but it did not have a/c. She added what was called a Mickey Mouse under the dash unit later.
So I have to say the ‘60-64’s, the last year for fins, are my favorites.
I remember the sweet purr the engine made.
Great car. Blue with a blue top.
Jim, I don’t think you’re lost in the past.
The 1960s were the pinnacle years of Cadillac in my opinion, but, as with most GM cars through the 1970s and beyond, they lost their way. One needs only to look at the Vega to see how cheap GM cars had become. How about the X-cars…the Citation….terrible. Keep moving through the 80s and 90s, and the build quality got worse, the designs were bad, and the materials were increasingly cheaper.
Recently a friend loaned me his old 2002 Chevy pickup truck with 175K miles on it. The tailgate mounts were completely rusted away, rendering the tailgate inoperable; the bottom of the doors were mulch…almost completely rusted away; the door hinges on the driver’s side were shot, to the point were it was impossible to enter/exit from the driver’s side. The drivetrain was ok, but the rest of the truck just disintegrated around it.
And not to start a pissing match, but my 2003 F150 with 187K drives like a brand new truck. My point is that the bean counters apparently called the shots at GM.
I always wanted a full size truck. I worked at a Chevy Dealer in 02-04. What I saw coming into service (I was ass’t parts mgr.) I knew there was no way I’d ever buy a Silverado.
In 05 I finally got a 05 F-150 XLT. 4.6 Romeo. Rebuilt the Tranny @ 241K, and at 268K, still can be driven any distance if you can afford 15 MPG.
I’m kinda partial to the 59s, only because I had one in high-school, it was big and ugly, but a lotta fun. These mid 60s models were obviously much cleaner, and more civilized. My grandfather had a 66 Coupe Deville, as I recall, it had a 429, I didn’t think the 472 was around yet in 68, but apparently so
Yes sir this is the correct vintage Cadillac that I consider the standard of the world! From bow to stearn this car exudes luxury at its finest I would search the world over to find those correct A/C parts which I’m positive are hiding in a warehouse on a obscure shelf just waiting for the call to bring this baby to full operational status! There is no replacement for displacement!
No replacement for displacement? That’s a clever ole saying, but if you’re referring to engines, it doesn’t apply anymore
Mom and Dad had a 68 Sedan, blue with black vinyl top and interior. 472 is the correct engine for this year. That car rode like a cloud and had ample power when Dad mashed the pedal. Loved taking trips to the hills and mountains of eastern Kentucky in it. Then in 78, just before I got my license, gasoline prices shot up and gone was the blue Caddy!
Car like this conjures up the Eddie Raven tune “Joe Knows How to Live”.
My favorite year was the 1965 Cadillac. I heard that the engine was better in the 1966 model year, but like my friend’s coral 1965 Coupe DeVille, the styling hit a home run for me. The front side marker lights really helped make that car a standout. I was horrified when a TV show removed them during a restoration project for a white 1965 Cadillac convertible. Some things are best left alone.
@ Dale
Are you referring to the cornering lights on the front fenders? Those only came on when you activated the turn signals, right or left. They were white and extra light when turning a corner. They first appeared on the 1962 Cadillac and became a staple ever since.
Side marker lights did not come out until 1968 on all cars and were amber in the front and red in the rear.
For 1968, Cadillac combined the side marker light with the front cornering light.
My aunt and uncle had a ’68 Sedan de Ville. Never got to drive it but sure washed it a lot.
Yes Angel, I meant the cornering lights. I couldn’t remember what they were called. They were an added feature that helped make the car appear shorter than it actually was. Thank you.
I have a 1958 coupe with 63,000 miles, have owned since 1985. Great car but I am more partial to convertible. Love this one!
Beautiful! That one word fully describes this car. My late wife had a 63 Caddy Convertible. If it were possible this would be parked in my garage tonight, but alas! it’s only a dream these days.
God Bless America
I own and am restoring a 1968 San Mateo red with white top and red and white interior DeVille convertible. I am 68 and remember them new. In my opinion it ranks as one of the most beautiful cars ever built.
I don’t understand why these sellers are always trying to sell “complete” cars when they’re not. And it’s such a small thing I don’t know why they don’t replace it before sale.
I’m talking about the Cadillac crest “V” on the trunk. It’s missing.
Until Cadillac moved to the laurel wreath, all Cadillacs had a “V” in which the crowned crest sat in. The only time Cadillacs did not have the “V” straight from the factory was 1970 and 1971.
Good to know. My ‘64 convertible has the V on the trunk and the front, but didn’t know about the other years. I wonder what happened to this car’s V?
Nice looking Caddy here. It looks like the one Sonny drove in the movie “A Bronx Tale.”
He drove it backwards a few blocks in the movie. To me, they were all nice until GM decided to shrink them. After that, they were not the same. The Lincoln’s still stayed big for a few years after the Caddy’s shrank, and they were nicer as well. A definite piece of Americana that doesn’t exist today.
1968 deVille definitely one of my all-time favorite Cadillacs always loved these. Find examples of a Boulevard cruiser definitely one of my bucket list cars. I have owned two Cadillacs in my life a 1964 and a 1966 Coupe deVille but the 68 is my favorite year for a Cadillac
usa auto regs,
Wasnt this “the last merican vert” a few yrs later (’76), due to ‘the danger’ of convertables? I think so as a neighbor (mechanic’n ‘car guy’) purchased 6 yrs later or so. I remember following the suit owners put on ‘their own company” feeling they’s been ripped off.
“My fav caddy” (the Q asked above) might B the “Kennedy-m0bile” a limoiZed
(6th gen? ’61-8?) continential…
First let me say, I love Cadillacs! With six children and their friends, it was the only car big enough and affordable enough for the family to attend any and all car shows. We generally traveled in early 70s rag tops due to monetary restrictions. That being said, my favorite Cadillacs are 50s models. Chrome, chrome and more chrome ☮️♥️🎸