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Rebuilt 429: 1964 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

The owner of this 1964 Cadillac Sedan de Ville inherited the car from his father. He used the black plate survivor as a daily driver for around six months, but it has been sitting for a while. It needs a few smaller issues addressed to be returned to a roadworthy state, and it could be restored to its former glory with little effort. Located in Bellflower, California, you will find the Cadillac listed for sale here on eBay. With a BIN of $6,440, this appears to be an affordable project car. If that’s too rich for you, there is the option to make an offer. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for referring the Cadillac to us.

The presentation of the Lime Green Cadillac is respectable, but it will need some work if it is to present at its best once again. The paint is showing some deterioration that is probably the result of long-term exposure to harsh UV rays. It isn’t horrendous, and if the buyer decides that they want to drive the car as an original survivor, that’s a definite possibility. The panels sport a few dings and dents, the worst of these being on the passenger-side front fender. However, this is repairable, so there seems to be no reason why the vehicle will require any panel replacement. A life spent in California means that this is a luxury car that appears to be rust-free. There is nothing visible in any of the supplied photos, and the owner makes no mention of any problems in the listing. The de Ville rides on a set of wide whitewall tires, and these are the perfect complement to a car as luxurious as this one. The trim looks to be in good condition, and there are no problems with the original tinted glass.

The 429ci V8 that occupies the engine bay of this Cadillac should be capable of pumping out 340hp. This power would find its way to the rear wheels via a 3-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission. In keeping with its luxury leanings, the de Ville also scores power steering and power brakes. At 4,773lbs, the Sedan de Ville is a heavy beast, making the 16.2-second ¼-mile ET seem very respectable. This monster motor received a rebuild in 2017, and it appears that it hasn’t done a lot of work since. The car runs and drives, but it will need a few things before it is roadworthy once again. The shopping list will include an alternator and battery. The cap is missing off the oil filler, as is the one for the power steering reservoir.  Otherwise, it seems that it will take no more than a thorough inspection and a service to return this luxury classic to the road.

One thing that I find quite appealing about this Cadillac is its consistency. The outside is in desperate need of a thorough clean, and the same is true of the interior. There are no significant flaws here, and if it were to be professionally detailed, I think that the result could be quite surprising. There are no rips or tears in the upholstery, no cracks on the dash or pad, and no appreciable wear on the carpet. Once clean, the buyer will appreciate all of the luxury appointments that the Cadillac brings to the table. These include air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power front seat, cruise, a tilt wheel, an AM radio, and a remote trunk release.

The 1964 model year marked a significant milestone for the Cadillac Sedan de Ville. This was the final year in which Cadillac featured fins in its styling package. They were a lot more subdued than the iconic items that found their way onto the 1959 model, but they were fins nonetheless. There’s something attractive about buying a car that marks a transition in thinking by any company, and that is what’s on offer here. It is also a car that could be turned into a stunning classic without a lot of effort and could potentially be tackled in a home workshop. When you add those attributes to the modest BIN price, this is an attractive-looking project car that might demand a closer look.

Comments

  1. Steve R

    Taking pictures right after you hose a car off really does make the paint pop. Maybe the 3rd time is a charm, considering this car didn’t sell the first two times it was listed on eBay.

    I’d want to make sure the paperwork is current and complete. Selling a car that belonged to a “deceased relative” is a common story flippers use to explain why a car is not in their name when the actual reason is to save money by not putting a car in their name while simultaneously shielding them from answering questions potential buyers typically ask.

    Steve R

    Like 7
  2. Ted-M

    Nice car! Is that a big scratch on top of the right front fender!

    Like 0
  3. Euromoto Member

    Who the hell loses the oil filler and power steering reservoir caps?

    Like 15
    • Steve R

      Who doesn’t replace them, they are inexpensive and relatively easy to find.

      Steve R

      Like 14
    • leiniedude leiniedude Member

      The cap for the overflow tank has gone missing also Euromoto. Funny the radiator cap is there, most time it’s the first to go.

      Like 0
  4. local_sheriff

    I understand I may be in minority here but IMO that’s one sweet green color; perfectly balancing between ‘nice’ and ‘period fugly’. That thingy at the front of the LH rear door arm rest; is it simply a cig lighter – or is it the joystick to operate the ‘remote control ash tray lid’ option…?

    Like 4
    • Paul Z

      That’s the remote control for the mirror.

      Like 2
      • local_sheriff

        …on the rear door…?

        Like 1
    • Kenn

      It’s the cigarette lighter. The hole it’s in is now called a Power Plug outlet. And some cars now include a ubs outlet.

      Like 0
  5. Heath

    Had a 1964 Sedan back in the 1980s – black with beige leather – still miss that ride!

    Like 0

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