Hiding in this garage is a classic that could appeal to enthusiasts seeking a prestige restoration project. This 1969 Cadillac Coupe de Ville is a one-owner vehicle with just 31,000 miles on the odometer. It requires revival after years of inactivity, although it is claimed to be original and unmolested. If those factors tempt you but you’re still wavering, the seller’s decision to offer the Caddy with No Reserve may be enough for you to pursue it further. The Coupe de Ville is listed here on eBay in Santa Rosa, California. It has received a solitary bid of $1,630, with time remaining for interested parties to stake their claim.
Cadillac’s Third Generation de Ville range underwent a mild facelift in 1969, although the changes were subtle. The Coupe de Ville proved extremely popular, with 65,755 examples rolling off the line. Only the Hardtop Sedan de Ville exceeded that figure, with a tally of 72,958 vehicles. The seller is sparing with their information, but they confirm that this Coupe is a one-owner classic with 31,000 miles showing on its odometer. It appears to have spent years in storage, with its Cameo Beige Metallic paint hidden beneath a layer of dust. That makes it challenging to assess its cosmetic condition beyond a few dings and dents. The seller mentions rust, but not its location or severity. This underside shot reveals surface corrosion, although what can be seen of the floors suggests that the body is pretty solid. If this proves to be the case, preservation or a light cosmetic restoration may be a worthwhile consideration. Some trim pieces will benefit from a trip to the platers, but the glass appears to be in good condition.
Disappointingly, the seller supplies no engine photos. Cadillac had a reputation for producing cars with reasonable power and torque in the pre-emission era, and this Coupe de Ville was no exception. The factory quoted power and torque figures of 375hp and 525 ft/lbs for the 472ci V8 hiding under the hood. Adopting a “one size fits all” philosophy, these classics all featured a three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The engine power sounds impressive, but it is worth remembering that it is tasked with moving a vehicle weighing over 4,800 lbs. Therefore, brutal acceleration is less of a factor than effortless cruising. The seller confirms that this Caddy doesn’t run, and the impression is that it hasn’t done so for many years. They haven’t attempted to coax it into life, but if the motor turns, it may be possible to breathe new life into it via a fuel system clean and some rudimentary maintenance. That will be the starting point, because it is almost guaranteed that many of the perishable items are beyond their use-by date, and that the brakes will require attention before the car is genuinely roadworthy.
Coupe de Ville buyers were spoiled for choice in 1969, with the company offering an impressive sixteen different interior trim types and colors. This car’s first owner chose Dark Brown leather, and its condition is consistent with the claimed odometer reading. There is no evidence of significant wear or deterioration, and it appears that the back seat may have rarely seen occupants. I also can’t spot evidence that this interior has suffered at the hands of the California sun. Naturally, there are plenty of creature comforts, including air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power front seat, power trunk release, cruise control, and an AM/FM radio.
I won’t sugar-coat it: This 1969 Cadillac Coupe de Ville appears to need a lot of work before it graces our roads again. The most significant question mark hanging over it surrounds the possible presence of rust. If it proves to be nothing but surface corrosion, that is positive news. The seller hasn’t done themselves any favors with their photos, and negotiating an in-person inspection would seem the most appropriate course of action. Of course, if the bidding stays low, you could roll the dice and hope for the best. Would you pay your money and take your chances? I wish you luck if you do.
I would want to see some documented proof on the mileage. The tag shows it was registered in 1999 when it was 30 years old. When I was a teenager to young adult in the 70’s there was this one salesman that frequented a service station in my small town. He drove Cadillacs that he replaced every 2-3 years. He would put around 235,000 to 240k on them and trade them in for a new one. They rarely ever saw a front seat passenger and never a rear seat. They were wellkept and would pass off as very low mileage. I always have trouble believing a car that looks like this one is truly that low.
I agree easily could be 135k or 235k given the surface rust on the frame. A CA car with 31k should not have that much surface rust.
My heartbreaking Cadillac convertible story…
A fellow I did business with told me he had his FIL’s ’69 DeVille convertible which he and his wife inherited. The FIL bought the car new in 1969, drove it for 3 years and died from a heart attack at age 50.
Now the fellow was getting older, and his wife had dementia. I would ask about the car every time I saw the fellow, and finally one day I arranged to come see the car. It was perfect. Black paint, black top, red interior. Killer.
32,000 miles on the thing.
I would ask how much he wanted for the car, and he said he was going to have it appraised. This went on for another couple of years. I could not get the guy to sell me the car. I think he was hesitant because his wife was still living. Then I moved to Florida and basically stopped trying to buy the car.
Back up in Ohio, a friend asked about the car, and I told him don’t waste your time, the guy won’t sell. But I gave the friend the fellow’s phone number anyway. Two weeks later, the friend calls to tell me he bought the Cadillac…for $5500. He put new tires on it and detailed it, and sold it to a guy in New Jersey for $28,000. He said he’d give me a finder’s fee, which I never saw.
Some friend. It’d’ve been the perfect car for you in Florida! We all have a “shoulda coulda woulda” car/bike/truck/etc in our past but it really sucks your pal didn’t even have the character to follow through with his offer. Good story though Rex Kahrs.
Rex, that’s Life or so they say. In 1970, I was promised first dibs on a mint 56 Golden Aniversery Coupe de Ville and put off several times. THEN, I found out it had been GIVEN to a 16 year old son of their friend. He totaled that beauty within two weeks.
Just for you, NO emoji.
I felt that, right in my lower gut.
Rex, reading that really was sad, on many different levels. That was some deal he got. ( That you in my eyes rightfully deserved). And never getting a finders fee to add insult to injury. We all see how well you take care of all your cars, that would have been your baby for a long time I’m sure. The old adage came to mind reading your experience, “With Friends like that, who needs any enemies “. Maybe thats too strong, but that is heartbreaking. I’m sorry that happened to you.
-Dave
Thanks Dave. Yeah, that old boat was right up my alley. I guess my “friend” should have called me to say he was buying the car, but offering me first right of refusal. And after making a cool 22K on the deal, you would think the guy could have flipped me 500 or 1000, but no dice. The guy has a history of saying he’ll do stuff but not actually doing. Oh well, we’re still friends.
You’re a bigger man than most Rex to remain friends with someone that would do you wrong like that.
I’ll his karma catches up with him when he least welcomes it.
I second what Nevadahalfrack said, you’re definitely a bigger man to still be friends with him. Maybe one day it’ll catch up to him, maybe not. But still it speaks to the caliber of person you are Rex.
With friends like him I sincerely hope that you don’t have any enemies Rex.
Some had of the ’69s had the horn in the steering wheel that you squeezed the rim.
Grandpa had a ’69 convert and it certainly did have the horn inside the rim.
That whole “horn inside the rim” or “rim blow horn” is probably what killed that concept.
It was featured on this site October 17th, the high bid then was $1,980, but the sale was not completed. If this auction ends anywhere close to that actual mileage doesn’t matter, someone either wants or they don’t. If I were the seller, I’d have put a fixed price on it around $2,500, it should find a buyer and you can immediate payment.
Steve R
this was for sale earlier this fall. i guess buyer screwed the seller. worth the investment. put a bit of time and cash there is money to made on this for sure
I left a reply to Rex early morning. Now it’s gone.
It just hadn’t been approved yet.
Trying again to successfully keep a post up. It’s not working. They post then disappear. Jesse replied on one, it was waiting for moderation. Nothing in it controversial. I filed a form two days ago!
I’ve removed the filter that was sending all your comment to moderation. Please be sure to follow the rules going forward to prevent this from happening again. Thanks.
Thanks, but I don’t understand why my comments might have violations!
That’s an awful lot of rust on the bottom side for a California car.
It really does rain in California, more so in Santa Rosa than LA. It doesn’t look well cared for and 1969 was a while ago, so it could be a native Ca. car. Plus, if it spent any time near the coast…
If this 69 has cruise control, it is not factory cruise control. The control is not in the dash where the factory one would be.
Derek Bieri from Vice Grip Garage ought to get involved with this Cadillac. He would get it running and drive it back home to Tennessee!
Sorry Rex. 😕 Been there. Had that done to me.
If 375hp and 525ft.lbs. is only “reasonable power”, then I don’t know what would rate as lots of power and torque. Dad had a ‘64 with a 429 modified with 472 heads and a single muffler on each exhaust. (Came with 4 total) Granted, it wasn’t a drag car, but she could really roll! Showed a pair of fins to a lot of smogmotor BB Chevies back in the day.
The 65 Cadillac did not have four mufflers. It had a single exhaust one muffler, one resonator.
That Cadillac shown is worn out. In 1969, a car with 100,000 miles on it was worthless. This Cadillac has many more miles on it. To me, it had a very hard life. The pictures prove this. It needs a total restoration or use for parts.
Seriously ??? I know you blokes in the US are spoilt for choice but to consider this a parts car is just nuts……….. A set of tyres, replace brake cylinders and hoses and give it a thorough service, give it a good detail and send it – good for another 50 years.
It also does not have an optional rear
de fogger like mine had. I assume it has power antenna, although I don’t see the switch on the dash but it could be hiding behind the steering wheel. I also don’t see the antenna on the front fender but it could be hidden by the bicycle.
Sold on 11/16/2025 with a high bid of $2,176.
Steve R