The DeVille is one of the most storied nameplates in Detroit automobile history, adorning Cadillac cars from 1949 to 2005. Styling began to reach excesses with the 1957-58 models, new from the ground up and sprouting tailfins that would get bigger each year going into the 1960s. This 1957 Coupe DeVille has a rebuilt engine but needs a lot of cosmetic love (fortunately, rust has been held at bay). Located in Hayward, California, this larger-than-life Caddy is available here on craigslist where the seller is fielding offers. Kudos for the tip, T.J.
It’s hard to imagine a Cadillac being controversial, but the 57-58 GM C-body cars somewhat were. They had gone to a tubular X-frame without side rails, which the competition (mainly Ford) claimed wasn’t as safe as the perimeter frames they used. Supposedly, the X-frame allowed a lower position for the passenger compartment, so the cars appeared longer and sleeker. The most noticeable difference between the ’57 and ’58 Caddys was that the latter finally got to use quad headlights.
A restoration may have been started on this DeVille about six years ago as that’s when its 365 cubic inch V8 and 4-speed automatic transmission were rebuilt. And we’re told that the car has traveled less than 1,000 miles since then. The carburetor seems to be out of whack and requires some tuning. And one of the valve cover gaskets has developed a leak. But the car should start up okay as it has a brand-new battery (added after the photo was taken).
The body looks to be in good shape with no major dents but ample surface rust. The interior will need a complete makeover, and the seller believes all the parts and pieces are there. We’re guessing the seller doesn’t have the motivation to finish a car that is “unmolested” but has a “lot of potential.” The auto has a non-op registration, so the CA DMV shouldn’t be asking for any back fees. This was one of nearly 24,000 Coupe DeVilles produced in 1957, but Mother Nature has claimed most of them, one way or another.
Often on project cars, the seller will say that all the hard work has been done. On this one, it looks like the hard work is yet to come. Call me crazy, but if you can do the work yourself, there’s potential here.
OMG 😲! It looks like Cruella has already beat the DE VIL out of it! Really a ✂️ job 🙄
I would get it mechanically sound, remove and reupholster the front and rear seats, clean it out real good, add new carpet, get a “I’m the only hell my mama ever raised” plate for the front bumper and a “Gas, grass or ass, nobody rides for free” sticker for the rear bumper, a Hawaiian hula dashboard doll, then rock that bych up and down the streets!
“-I know what they’re worth and in no rush to sell.”
Probably the most irritating words one can put in an ad
This car is awesome, but it’s needs Everything
I agree with Cooter! Perform necessary repairs,make it safe and reliable,fix up the interior and drive the snot out of it! You’ll have NO problem finding this baby in the parking lot!!!
The seller’s definition of “unmolested” is different than mine.
POOP de Ville. Pass on this junk.
Sorry just not worth restoring 5 mile of sheet metal living couch for the interior
the front bumper would cost 5k to chrome days gone by
The steering wheels on these things are huge! The horn ring is about the size of today’s leather wrapped steering wheels.
I don’t care for the ’57 & ’58 Cadillac coupes. They just look out of proportion. The 4 door has more semitry. And the ’58 Sixty Special is just gorgeous.
The ’57 with its forward sloping fins was always weird.
In the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie “The Sixth Day” he has a ’57 Cadillac Coupe and during a chase scene it keeps switching back and forth between a ’57 and a ’58.
This owner either removed the backup lights or just replaced the white lens with red ones. Either way, the only Cadillacs in ’57 or ’58 that had four red taillights was the Sixty Special. All the rest only had two.
This was my best friends car back in the 80’s. He had the car lowered and it did run barely. Motor was tired. My Wife’s Uncle then purchased the car somewhere in the early 90’s I believe and it just sat in his driveway for many, many years and did nothing to it. When I saw the vehicle come up 4-sale, I was convinced it was her Uncle’s because it was the same looking after over 30+ years. Current owner would like around $15K.
Hi Angel! Sorry I haven’t written for awhile, but my email is still effed up from being hacked. Posting this commenmt on an old Gateway tablet the girls found while unpacking. My S-3
is still MIA but as for this car, it reminds me of one my Uncle
John had when I was very young. Can’t recall if it was either
Salmon or light pink, but I do recall my Mom pulling a dent out ofthe passenger side door after my aunt whacked a parking meter in front of the bank. Mom took a toilet plunger,
wet it, and boing! no more dent, and my Uncle was none the wiser. Since 1950, my Uncle always bought a new Cadillac
every year after making his first million hauling produce out of Florida after WW 2. Within four years, he parlayed his earnings and bought an industrial water proofing and coating
company that he owned with my Uncle Frank. Mom said that I was brought home from the hospital in my Uncle’s ’53 series
62 4-door sedan. It was dark green with a cream roof and black wall tires. Seeing this car reminds me of the song Beep Beep by the Playmates that came out in ’58. Right now,
I’m working on a ’56 Oldsmobile Super 88 2-dooe hardtop for a family friend. It’s decked out to the nines with fender skirts,
a Connie kit out back, exhaust tips integrated into the rear bumper, and gold anodized trim. The latter was a real option
for the Super 88 that you could get for a few dollars more. It featured letters that spelled out Holiday along with the 88 numbers, and a golden ticket for good measure. Well honey,
I gotta run. Getting up early to take care of some business and work on the Olds before going to work. Hope they get that chat room thingy soon. Can’t wait to try it out. Bye for now (Insert kiss here)
Hi Angel! Sorry I haven’t written for awhile, but my emails still effed up since I got hacked. My Uncle John had a car like this one when I was very young. Can’t recall if it was Salmon or light pink, but I do recall my Mom pulling a dent out of the passenger side door after my aunt
whacked a parking meter in front of the bank. Mom took a toilet plunger,
wet it, and boing! no more dent! and my Uncle was none the wiser. Since
1950, my Uncle would buy a new Cadillac every year after he made his
first million flying produce out of Florida just after WWII. He did this til
he passed away in 1982. As for this car, it reminds me of the song Beep
Beep by the Playmates in ’58.
🎵 While riding in my Cadillac,
what to my my surprise.
A little Nash Rambler was
following me about one
third my size.
The guy must have wanted
to pass me up as he kept on
tooting his horn Beep beep.
I’ll show him that a Cadillac
is not a car to scorn.
Beep beep (beep beep)
Beep beep (beep beep)
His horn went beep beep beep..🎵
Being a glass half full kinda guy,
I think there’s hope for this car as it
appears to be a straightforward build.
Not like some of the stuff I’ve had my
hands into over the years. It runs, it drives, and it’s screaming “Save me!”
Just sort the mechanicals, get it roadworthy, and fix the rest as you get
the time and money to do so. Well
honey, I’m off to bed 🛏️ I’ve got some
business to take care of before I go to
work tomorrow night. Night Angel💋
Night all.