I must admit, I never thought to look for a car at a lumber mill, but why not. Mills have all kinds of mechanical stuff lyin’ around. This 1966 Cadillac Coupe De Ville (and the mill) is located in El Dorado, California, and it’s listed here on eBay for $3000 or best offer. Seeing a formerly swanky car in this state reminds me that not so very long ago, someone ordered this car, and – charged with excitement – drove it home from the lot with reverence. We can imagine the first family ride, occupants breathing the smell of new leather, exclaiming over the graceful ride, the engine’s power, the gleam of chrome. Today, the car is in slightly worse condition than the trailer that supports it. Let’s figure out whether this Coupe De Ville is worth saving.
Cadillac facelifted the Coupe De Ville in 1965, eliminating its fins (almost), stacking the headlamps, and growing the rear lamp bezels. But the only engine/transmission choice was a holdover from late in the prior generation – buyers received a 429 cu. in. V8 good for 340 hps and GM’s Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic. The seller notes that this engine turns but the car needs a new starter. That’s probably the tip of the iceberg.
The mid-60s were still the “good old days” for Cadillac, before its ill-fated downgrade of materials and size began. Chrome trim was real chrome-plated metal, not metallized plastic; wood accents came from a tree, not a petroleum refinery. Of course, the high-end materials make restoration that much more expensive. This upholstery needs to be replaced; it’s Danube cloth with leather trim. The dash is cracked, and the rear seats are a mess. The Coupe De Ville offered a list of options a mile long in addition to “accessory” and “equipment” groups – everything from a seat warmer and remote control trunk opener to door edge guards and cruise control. The intense use of electrical accessories contributes to the restoration cost.
This shot shows the remnants of fins around the tail lamps … so they didn’t quite disappear. Speaking of tail lamps – the bisected lens is a beautiful bit of design work. The ’66 cars are notable for clean styling, with a straight crease all the way from the tail to the tip defining the car’s waistline. That would become a curve as it reached the car’s tail just one year later. The mile-wide trunk lid is a reminder that a lot of sheet metal awaits the refinisher when it comes time for a paint job. Fortunately, the seller notes that the car’s pan and trunk are “good” which I take to mean not rusty. As to value, the money’s in the convertibles, which can sell for $50k. This Coupe De Ville in high driver-quality condition sold for only $16,750 last summer. What do you think of this Cadillac project?
OMG!!! I want this car!!! It might be t as close as I can come to having my beloved ’66 Calais 4-door hardtop. And $3K ain’t that bad for all this awesomeness. It’s the shipping that kills you. Looks like it’s pretty much all there and ready to restore.
I’d get it running, driving, and stopping first and fix the rest as time and cash allow. Boy! am I gonna dream tonight! Dream of having the car completely done and Angel 😇 at the wheel!
Had to take a heart pill because I got so excited and now I gotta wipe the drool off the face of my tablet. Even better than the ’73 Cadillac posted before I went to work yesterday. Well folks, it’s time for me to put my tablet down and hit the sack. Gotta be back at the Golden Arches to open at 6:00 AM . Night all from sunny Florida.
Shipping is CHEAP if you want the car.
You can never go get it yourself unless it’s close by for what you can ship a vehicle for these days.
I ship vehicles all the time.
No worth my time or effort to go get em!
I had a ’65 Calais 4 door, quite a bit rustier than this, but running when I got it. I put a lot into that car, but got it for $850. That was definitely the one that got away. ’65s and ’66s are about 96% identical, there were just a few trim differences. I think they were much better proportioned and elegant than the Cadillacs before and after them. In the ’90s, parts were still really easy to get; I have no idea how it is now, but once it’s running, it’ll take you anywhere. Doing the cosmetic work on this car would surely put you underwater, yet it looks too nice to be a parts car. Make it run and drive it ugly, that’s my advice.
I bet this was da’ bosses car. I read, the mill is rather famous, if the same one, in gold rush territory, opened in early 1900(?) It sat idle for many years, but a new company bought it and guess what they found in the warehouse? The boss of a well known lumber mill could have easily afforded a new Caddy in 1966, probably the beginning of the California building rush. I bet this car took many a prospective customer to lunch.
If the car is solid not needing floors rockers trunk, I think investing $30k would net you a daily driver. On the other hand parting it out might bring a tidy profit. Hmmm? Time labor money.
Probably fit a quarter cord of firewood 🪵 in the trunk.
I once carried a 90cc Vespa about 15 miles in my trunk, but with the lid open.
seems too cheap. if it were closer than 3k miles i would go look at it. looks like it could be a good investment for somebody
It’s an even better deal if you figure how much per pound.
My mother bought a brand new 66 coupe Deville… Red w/white vinyl top and white leather interior.. gorgeous car, and it ran good with the 429.. Lots of memories in that car…
I prefer the restyled ’65. A cleaner look in my opinion. But as Andy said the ’65 & ’66 are 96% identical. Pops had a ’66 Sedan de Ville and first boyfriend replaced his ’67 Mustang convertible with a ’65 SdV.
Another one for the bucket list.
Frog……. how can you even suggest parting this fine automobile out?
When it comes to classic cars, one needs to think with their heart, not their wallet.
Hello Angel,
By no means was that meant to draw ire or ruffle any feathers but sometimes the heart isn’t enough to fund a project. Then time kicks in and it becomes a race with money. I’m sure you and others have witnessed this countless times with barn and field finds from those with unfulfilled intentions. So the term recycling comes into play rather than let them rot into the earth. I think the seller is doing a noble thing in offering it for sale. You would succumb to a heartattack if you saw how many near flawless and some running cars they put in the crusher in California.
A restoration project for the right person. It does have the rare Tilt and Telescoping steering wheel. 1965 was the first year for Telescoping. Factory Air Conditioning became standard in 1965. Thru 1964 Cadillac offered a complete A/C kit across the parts counter that included every piece to install Factory Air on non Air cars. A huge kit that even included the special A/C gas tank. Installation was a massive job, generally taking one technician about 40 hours to complete the installation. 1964 was the last year Cadillac offered the complete A/C kit.
I can say from experience that AC was not standard on the Calais. Mine had cruise control and power windows (I’ve seen cranks in junkyard ’65s) but no AC or remote trunk release.
My Mom and Dad, immigrants from Switzerland, worked their way up the GM product range from Chev “490”. to a, ’33 Chev, 51 Buick, Pontiac Bonneville, to finally in ’65 to a twin of this car. It was so long , my Dad had to extend the garage door a couple of inches for it to fit.
Beautiful car which sat 6 comfortably for trips.
I hope this car gets the restoration it deserves.
This being a Ca. car is a big plus when deciding whether to jump on the project. It’s gonna take time and dough, but if the right person comes along who grew up in one just like it and has to have it, you have a solid foundation. These things aren’t gonna sit around available forever.
We had a ’66 Fleetwood 4 dr. Very big and comfortable. Leather and brocade cloth seats. Fold-up writing tables and footrests in the back. But the main thing I remember was 12.5 mpg, snd I think it was premium. Still, it was a well-built car.
Hi Angel! I’d love to get this car, fix it up, and have you drive it!
So what if it ain’t a 4-door, at least it’s a ’66 and I’d be happy with
that. Well honey, it’s time for bed. Gotta finish the Oldsmobile
in the morning. Good night Angel. 💋. Good night all.