While it rode on the same wheelbase as its predecessor, the 1965 model year marked the launch of the third generation of the iconic Cadillac DeVille. This generation saw the car undergo a major restyle which provided the car with a much squarer and more modern overall look. This 1965 DeVille Convertible is said to be largely complete but has been sitting for in excess of 30 years. Located in Riverside, California, it is listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN price of $6,500 for the Cadillac, although the option is there to make an offer.
The Cadillac has spent its life in California, and the new owner is set to reap the rewards of this, with there being very few rust issues to be dealt with. There is certainly some surface corrosion, but otherwise, it does look quite encouraging. There might be a few small bubbles right near the bottom of the quarter panel on the driver’s side, but it is hard to be certain. The owner does provide a few photos of the underside of the car, and it really does look solid. While the California climate has done wonders for the body, the same can’t be said about the soft-top, and the next stop for this one will be the nearest rubbish skip. On the plus side, it does look like all of the external chrome and trim is present, and the vast majority of it looks like it would come back to life with a bit of polish. There are also numerous items in the trunk, and these are a mixture of trim pieces and mechanical components.
The climate that wrought so much havoc on the soft-top has done exactly the same to the interior. It isn’t pretty in there, but it might not be as bad as it appears at first glance. For all of the devastation, the dash, pad, and steering wheel are in amazing condition. It looks like a re-trim of the seats and door trims, along with the fitting of new carpet, would make a huge difference. Of course, the Cadillac is a luxury car, so you need to expect some luxury appointments. This is where this Cadillac is a bit of a surprise. It gets power windows and a power seat, but it appears that it has missed out on air conditioning and cruise control, which is a bit of a surprise.
While it turns freely, the mighty 429ci V8 engine in the Cadillac doesn’t run. The owner says that he has made no attempt to start the car, and this is because it has been sitting for decades. It appears that he is leaving this action to the discretion of the new owner, but does suggest that the engine may need to be torn down and checked before it runs again. That engine sends its 340hp through to the rear wheels via a 3-speed automatic transmission, while power steering and power brakes are also included.
With 19,200 cars rolling off the production line in 1965, the Cadillac DeVille Convertible is by no means a rare car. However, it is a car that is capable of transporting its occupants wherever they go in comfort and style. While it may not have the presence of its predecessors, it is still an impressive car, and it would be a nice place to be, cruising with the top down, when Summer finally arrives.
Many people didn’t want to pay the extra money for A/C and this is the thought process at the time and I know this because back in the 60’s I asked that question when a friend of mine bought a convertible…. “I have a convertible why do I need to spend more money for A/C?”
I’ve never understood why, but for me personally it is the 1966 Cadillac convertible that has captured my imagination. This ‘65 is basically the same body and first of this design. When I was in my mid-20s I was this close to buying a 66. Alas my finance needs lay elsewhere and I couldn’t swing the deal. This ‘65 will be quite regal if someone with time love and some cash brings it back. I hope that is this ragtops destiny!
It’s the little details for the 66, NotSure, like tail lights with the chrome strip down the middle, a more defined grille and front fender indicator lights
Sometimes changes finish up what should have been. Others like the 67 to 68 and 65 to 66 Ambassador changes are retrograde.
The people, friends of my parents down the street bought a year old 65 Eldorado convertible in the same color as the one shown in the brochure link:
http://oldcarbrochures.org/North-America/Cadillac/1965_Cadillac/1965-Cadillac-Prestige-Brochure/1965_Cadillac_Prestige-10-11
I still remember that car and the day they and my parents headed off to Las Vegas with the top down.
The 65 & 66 had presence. After that they seem to have had just….. size. Like the new for 70 Lincoln.
I bought a ’65 Sedan De Ville, baby blue, in perfect condition in 1974. I bought it from a pimp who did business behind Madison Square Garden in New York. I paid $750.00. Under the front seat were license plates from New York and New Jersey. Being a kid, I just threw them away! :)
The main difference to me is the rear license plate as well surround of the trunk edge is more defined in the ’66…the ’65 has a straight chrome piece at the edge of the trunk lid mirrored by one below, as the chrome strip down the middle of the rear lights.
I used to drive that thing up and down the East Coast to school. It rode like a Cadillac. Wonderbar radio and leather seats. Too damn perfect. I felt like a King. A twenty year old King. Of course gas was .35 cents a gallon. I never could afford to fill it up on a day to day basis. Seems like a dream today with 3.35 gas.
This one would be an expensive project. Too bad someone didn’t take better care of it. This will be a massive undertaking. One other thing it looks like the plates are from around 1970-71……hmmmm
My first car was a 65 convertible with the same red interior and canary yellow on the exterior. I used to drive it to high school.
I don’t want to get picky, but there is a piece of what appears to be cardboard covering about 3 feet x 4 inches wide of that dash…leaving the defroster clear…but you can then see the section between the vent and the windshield looks seriously faded…so, it begs the question, how does it look under the cardboard?
That said, the general notion of a vehicle being a “California car” has serious trade-offs.
Certainly the chance for rusting is reduced (provided the vehicle’s lifespan was not predominantly within 50 miles of the coastline—the effect of marine salts), but the desert sun is brutal.
The other unknown is what the suspension is like. A heavy Cadillac that has a lot of miles and is 55 years old will need some work done to the undercarriage, so factor that into your restoration costs as well—regardless of how rust-Free this particular vehicle may be.
The price isn’t terrible, but this thing looks really tired. So, then we have the age-old dilemma, do you buy “cheap” and know that you have a chunk of change that you will need to invest to get this back into shape, or do you buy something that has already been restored—at least to some degree—and then you let that restorer lose money on the deal…because unless you are looking for a labor of love, it will be very tough to get your money back on this thing…in my opinion.
My first collector car was a 65 Convertible like this. Wish I still had it, but perhaps someday I will buy another one that is in near perfect condition.
My dad had a ’65 Fleetwood Broughm & it was a great Caddy with all the bells & whistels!
I wonder what the story is with the 1956 Cadillac Eldorado, with the quad headlights, in the background.
I have owned a red with white interior and a white top 65 for 18 years, and I love mine. I know they made a ton of these, but they are great cars! Motor Trend did a road test on one back in 65, and compared the quality to that of a Rolls-Royce.
I’m restoring my parents 1966 deVille convertible that was sitting for almost 40 years. I had the engine completely rebuilt, that alone was $10,000. I’m fortunate that my interior is in very good shape. I also had to buy a salvaged frame from Arizona. I’ll have more in it than it’s worth, but it’s a labor of love.