After sporting some of the wildest tail fins in the industry the previous year, the Cadillac Coupe DeVille was toned down a bit on the rear section for the 1960 model, although it still retained some rather conspicuous sculpting on the quarter panels. I miss the days when excessiveness was considered stylish on automobiles, and while I’d probably prefer a ’59, I sure wouldn’t kick this 1960 Cadillac Coupe DeVille out of my shop. It’s a project needing restoration, but if you’ve been searching for an early-sixties luxury offering to bring back to life, this one’s probably worth a look. The Caddy is in Harbor City, California, and can be seen here on eBay. The seller has posted a buy-it-now price of $5,999, but he’s also willing to hear offers.
The owner believes this one’s a fairly solid example overall, but mentions some visible rust underneath the rockers and around the rear glass. There also seems to be some corrosion on the lower front fenders, and evidence of a prior accident can be spotted near the rear bumper on the driver’s side quarter. Hopefully, a skilled bodyman will be able to get all this smoothed out and repaired without replacing panels, but the seller also throws out the idea of keeping the appearance as-is and enjoying the patina. I vote to go with a restoration outside.
The dash will need refreshing and a new pad on top, but the seller says the floors are in excellent shape and solid. The seats, carpeting, and door panels are all missing, although this allows potential buyers to view the metal down below. It’s not exactly pretty, but hopefully, the rust here is just on the surface and hasn’t yet compromised the integrity of the steel.
A 390 V8 powered the Coupe DeVille in 1960, but unfortunately, it’s not running at this time. However, the seller confirms the engine will still turn by hand, so the next owner will have to decide whether to get this motor functioning again or put something different under the hood. This one for sure needs a lot of love, but once the work needed here is completed, I’m envisioning a nice ride that will be a real head-turner wherever it goes. Is this 1960 Cadillac Coupe DeVille a car you’d consider taking on as a project?
Certainly one of the smoothest designs compared to the ’50s “chrome” era cars. Looks good enough to follow Mike’s suggestions and would surly get the looks cruising around town.
I really like the body/trim line that runs from the tip of one fin, along the side glass, around the base of the windshield to the tip of the other fin. There’s a time-lapse you tube video of a white 60 Cadillac coupe being pulled, cleaned with an engine rebuild.
I have a power front seat sitting in my carport, should a buyer need it for this project. Door panels will be literally impossible to find.
it’s gone!
My Dad bought a low mileage one just like this in 1966. I can remember a fold down arm rest in the back seat that my sister and I used to argue over who got to put their arm on. In 68, Dad bought a brand new Impala and also got a promotion at work, which got him a company car. The Cadillac rarely got used at that point and in 1970, Dad gave it to my sister as her first car. By mid 71, Dad bought a brand new Chevelle for my sister and the Cadillac was sold for $100. I thought my Mom was going to kill my sister for selling it that cheap. Good memories!
Cannot believe that I lived in a time when this car was considered a conservative design. At least in comparison to its immediate predecessor. Were I to dive in, I would incorporate air bags in honor of the rear originals that were installed on some models. On our Sunday morning drive to church one of our affluent area residents owned one that once in a while exhibited fault by either being all the way to the ground or tail up like the teenager cars of the early 1970’s. I remember thinking that he was getting poor service for the money paid. Yet, done right, the bags are great. I have owned the last year Mark VIII LSC made and 27 years later it is still going and with the factory bags and air compressor. I will blind bet this will find an owner. Although I share the pessimism of the idea on rarity of parts. Proper door count is also a big plus. GLWS
In the late 80’s, I restored a 59 Eldorado Convertible for my boss. I ordered a new dash pad from somebody on the West Coast for $900 plus shipping. Wondering what that would cost today. Where the gauges mount through the pad, I had to cut away the extra material to fit the clock and whatever the other gauge was into the pad. I very nervously started cutting with my sharp x-acto knife and it turned out OK. In addition, I took the front and rear bumpers off and apart for rechroming. I think they weighed about 1000 pounds!
At the time I was working on the 59, restored Red Eldorado tri-power convertibles were selling for $150,000 and shipped overseas. My boss paid $105,000 for his. I had all the stainless and chrome done ($2000), new leather interior ($5,000), repaint (no bodywork needed) ($5000). 3 or 4 years later when he sold out 150 cars at auction, it sold for around $65,000.
Just the tail end was bring this kind of money back in the Hard Rock days……we sold alot off 4 doors out of Fry’s yard……good price on a this.
I still remember it was autumn and the moon was shinin’
My ’60 Cadillac was rollin’ through Nebraska whinin’
Doin’ a hundred twenty, man the fields was bendin’ over!
My knee still hurts from knocking it while getting in my neighbor’s metallic green ’60 Coupe for a ride home from school one day.
Stillrunners- I believe you purchased some of those hard rock caddies from me! One of mine was the 2 door hanging over the door in San Antonio.
There’s nothing at all wrong with this Cabby that $20-$30k won’t fix. 🤪
I loved my 67 Caddy drop top. Bought for $2,700 in ‘79 & sold in 85 for $2,220 with blown head gasket. Guy that bought sent it to Sweden where he said it would bring $10k.