With eight generations under its belt, Cadillac’s DeVille nameplate showcases the evolution of American automobile design from the 1950s to 2005. After its first appearance as a trim level, the car mostly occupied a middle niche in the spectrum of luxury Cadillacs, above the Calais and below both the Eldorado and, when it arrived, the Fleetwood. This seventh generation sedan is available here on craigslist for only $1999. It ought to get you home from Bend, Oregon now that its battery, fluids, and filters have been replaced. Don’t worry about the summer heat, either – the AC blows cold. Rocco B found this still-swanky car for us to write about – thanks!

Just as its sheet metal styling shifted over the years, the DeVille (spelled at least five different ways over the years) was first situated on a monstrous 130″-wheelbase, rear-wheel-drive platform, then spent an interlude as a downsized front-wheel-drive offering, only to upsize once again in the mid-90s. Meanwhile, the engine bay was typically occupied by a V8 (except for brief invasions by V6s interspersed over the years), this one being a 4.9 liter with about 200 hp backed by a four-speed automatic. Despite an odometer reading of 113k miles, the seller indicates that the car runs and drives well.

I’ve no idea how long the car has resided in Bend, but it’s hot and sunny there in the summer, though dry; and cold as heck in the winter – the kind of weather that won’t rust sheet metal very quickly, but has managed to damage the clear coat here on the hood. Temperature extremes can also play havoc with interiors. These photos aren’t great, but what we can see isn’t horrible, especially in the rear of the cabin. I’d try conditioning the leather upholstery and the rubber seals, and wipe the dust off everything. The DeVille was equipped to the eyeballs with power accessories – intent on saving the driver from conducting any manual labor whatsoever. This one has power seats, power mirrors, and a tilt steering wheel.

The refreshed styling was executed by Chuck Jordan in 1994, providing a beautiful update to what was once a more severe look. The curvature of the tail lamp housings blending into the rear bumper is distinctive and elegant. The C-pillar is almost a sail panel. Every line is softer, rounder. I don’t care for the “park bench” front bumper, but other than that, I like this design. Alas, the seventh-gen was a stepping-stone to a caricature of the basic principles here, arriving in 2000. This example is about as cheap as they come, but if you’re in the market, you know that low mileage examples in near-perfect condition can be had, and for not much more than this seller is asking.