Something to ponder: A 15-year-old Cadillac today is a 2010 model. Does a 2010 Escalade stand out on the street today? Or a CTS? In 1985, this 1970 Coupe DeVille was a 15-year-old Cadillac, and it certainly would have attracted attention as a clean old car. Of course, Cadillacs were built so well that it would have been unsurprising to see one; even today, 55 years on, there are plenty of clean older Cadillacs out there. This one is brought to us by our eagle-eyed reader T.J., who spotted this DeVille on Marketplace in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with an asking price of a very reasonable $12,500.
I hope one of our Iowa readers chooses to give the DeVille a new home, because it appears to have been an Iowa car its whole life. The dealer tag on the corner of the trunk lid says “Tate Cad-Olds: Waterloo,” and that’s a dealership that was basically right next door to Cedar Falls. There are no undercarriage pictures in the ad, but the 94,000 miles on the odometer is claimed to be original, and the car certainly looks as if it’s been babied for 55 years.
The interior certainly matches the 1970 Cadillac “Prestige” brochure, with its 1970s-approved brocade pattern. The seller says that everything works, including the air conditioning and radio. Perhaps the most intriguing and exciting thing about the Cadillac is its CB radio, which makes me wonder one thing: what was the owner’s handle back in the ’70s? A Trans Am this Cadillac ain’t, but just about everyone got on board with the CB craze for a few glorious years.
The seller says that the DeVille was recently serviced and is “ready to be enjoyed,” although hitting the engine compartment with the power washer might not have been a bad idea. The big 472 cubic-inch V8 was the DeVille’s standard (and only) engine option. With 375 gross horsepower and 525 lb./ft. of torque, Cadillac’s V8 was a low-revving, understressed unit built for hauling around two-and-a-half tons of luxury car with the air conditioning on. As many of you know, however, that 375-horsepower number was not very accurate. When the industry switched to net horsepower ratings in 1972, Cadillac suffered mightily on paper because net horsepower was more indicative of how the engine performed with an exhaust system and accessories attached. For example, with a single-exhaust system and a full load of goodies on the front of the engine, the ’72 Cadillac was rated at 220 net horsepower and 345 gross horsepower. Its compression ratio was a point and a half lower than it was in 1970, but you can see the effect of the more accurate system.
Regardless, that effortless Cadillac torque will still whisk you away, showing others your classic vertical taillights. I think that this Coupe DeVille is a fantastic-looking car. With no vinyl top and an attractive greenish-brown paint job (it matches “Bayberry” on the color chips best – any ideas, readers?), it’s almost irresistible if you want a ’70 Cadillac. It’s straight as an arrow and priced fairly – how is it still for sale?
If the underside is as clean as the rest of the car buy it enjoy the best ride u can have! Effortless power to move the car and a pillow ride. Grab at that price and smile when taking a cruise!!
🎹 🎶 🎙 ” Baby we can talk all nite, but that ain’t getting us nowhere, I’ve told you everything I possibly can, there’s nothing left inside of me ” 🎶
WOW! This is not only a Coupe de Ville, but a Bon Marche and a buyer would achieve a Cou de Gras with this stunner. An attention grabber when new, it would likely STOP traffic today. NOTHING built by Cadillac or any automobile company can compare. The only flaw I can spot is some separation in the driver seat. CB was a frequent option at the time. The gold exterior is appropriate to this GOLD medal 🏅 winner. Yes, the price is right. How I’d love to own this Beauty. But I O A lot of the problem to My previously mentioned problem of being a Vintage Rolls Canardly, Roll down one hill and Can ardly get up the next! 😲. As Co Founder of The GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY, I’m eager to see what others think. BTW, I can’t imagine ANYTHING built today EVER surviving even 25 years. Like most of here in The BARN, they just don’t make em like they used to! 😉. More snow today, so I’m off to shovel snow now that I’ve shoveled some 💩.
It’s a very nice looking car, but I have to look askance at the 94k mileage claim. That driver seat has had a lot more ins and outs than 94k miles would indicate. The odo has been fiddled with, very likely, since the numbers aren’t lining up like one should on its first trip before rolling over..
Terrry
I’ve seen 300# derrieres shred and destroy car seats. To add to that guys do NOT allow women to ride or drive your vehicle wearing jeans with sequence on the back pockets. It will do the same thing to your seats and she doesn’t have to weigh 300#.
Dad and my uncle Roger had one at the same time in the early 70’s. Our’s was a blue 68 Sedan de Ville and his was a gold 69 Coupe, both with black vinyl tops. If you’ve never been around or rode in one, you can’t fully appreciate the luxury, power and craftsmanship these had. Ours had dual climate control. I can still smell the combination of leather, Aqua Velva and cigar smoke.
I really like the cars minus the vinyl tops. They don’t harbor rust around the belt line and just look smooth and better IMO. I would certainly like to see the inside of the door jamb bottoms along with the undercarriage. If it checks out it’s certainly worth redoing the seat insert it’s original fabric.
This is a car with presence, then and now. No doubt that people aspired to own a Coupe deVille as a symbol of status. Telling others you had made it. You were someone who appreciated the finest and were willing to pay to say it. Looks like a wonderful car that you wouldn’t mind taking out for a drive.
Great Caddie!!! Wish I had funds and the space
My aunt and uncle lived very close to Tate Oldsmobile Cadillac in Waterloo back in the late sixties until the late seventies. I can remember walking to the dealership to check out the cars when my parents were busy sitting around talking to my relatives.
This year Cadillac was when they really were the Standard of the World!
Now, for many years, they’re a grossly overpriced embarrassment.
It is Bayberry, had a 70 Sedan deVille in the same color, but with the vinyl top. Bought it in 85 for 500, sold in 88 for 500. It had over 200k on the clock but ran beautifully and had a great transmission. Front Quarters were rusted through, and it had its share of dents, but it was a great car that I’m sure was spectacular when new.
Big ol’ beautiful Caddy. I wish they still made them like this.
Back then I thought it would be a built-in 23 channel C.B. Then some people upgraded to a 40 channel C.B. which was under dash. Some small wear on driver’s seat, but consider how old the car is. Other wise SUPERB luxury car.
I owned a 70 in the later 70s and l loved the old beast. Last year I bought a 2010 DTS Platinum with 60 k miles I really enjoy it. And I think it stands out from any of the newer ones. Someone paid over $69k for it new, I don’t know what that would be now. But the new ones don’t compare. And it has every option I can tolerate, including a couple I’m not as sure of. As in auto braking in cruise.
To Terrry: I would agree on the seat, if this were 1979, and the car claimed to have 94K miles. But one factor you might be overlooking is, RECENT use on upholstery that is 55-years-old, where the stitching has hidden dry-rot; it could come apart rather easily. Moreover, odometers within 1,000 miles of turning over for the first time often will mis-align. Oddly, the second and subsequent times, they often stay properly aligned (don’t ask me why). Given this car’s overall presentation, I am ready to believe that 94,000 miles as actual. This is a car I’d love to own and drive; only, I can’t afford it. Also, 1970 land yachts ran on high-octane LEADed gas, and now will ping like mad, even with 94 octane fuel, unless you de-tune them so badly that the idle is rough. They also were THIRSTY old beasts: I’m not prepared to deal with 17 m.p.g. hwy/14 m.p.h. city — and these published figures back then never were met in actual use. This thing would average about 13 m.p.g., if that, and you can’t get the right fuel for it, except at an airport. Beautiful car, when a Cadillac was a CADILLAC, but I need a nice practical DRIVER — so, I’ll pass… As for Waterloo, Iowa; I get 1540-KXEL every night on the radio, here in north-eastern New York. And when I visit my sister in New Hampshire, I STILL get it! There used to be a KIOA in DesMoines on 940 that I heard — but that was before about 1970. But I still get WHO-1040 from DesMoines and 1630-KCJJ from Iowa City. KXEL-1540 bills itself as, “Where Iowa comes to talk”. WHO-1040 is a talk station, also. KCJJ-1963 plays some sort of modern rock [music?], along with local school sports. Anyone from Iowa know these stations?
@Rick W
Now you know I wouldn’t let this one pass without a comment on the car or to you, my knowledgeable and fancy friend.
Coo de gras?
At any rate, this is a lovely Cadillac. Not a bad color, very good condition, but (and there’s always a but) although most people polled prefer the ’70 I prefer the ’69. As details go I like the ’69 grill & cornering lights. The ’69 taillights are OK, the rear of the ’70 is nicer I will admit. They are basically the same car as the redesign occurred in ’69 so ’70 is just a minor tweaking.
What I never cared for on the ’70 was the loss of the V under the Cadillac crest. Also missing on the ’71 (another redesign) but returned for ’72.
I happen to like vinyl tops, I know not a popular opinion on here but even though they eventually leak and cause rust I still prefer them to an all steel roof.
Hi Frog!
Always nice to see you at the Barn.
Harrison, you can buy 100 octane fuel at several gas stations in Vegas and I’ve also seen racing fuel for sale.
Don’t know if it’s leaded (probably not) so auto parts store do sell lead additive.
Hello Angel,
A pleasure always. I know the Calais didn’t have the vinyl roof and was considered the entry level 2 door model. If memory serves me correctly I believe the Calais ran from 1967-1973? From my perspective less is more in terms of things to break or wear out.
You sound like my father.
He never had an automatic transmission in his cars until 1970 (when Mom & I insisted on the new Checker they were ordering) because they were too complicated and could break down. Never had power windows because they could break. No a/c, no cruise, rarely had p/s or p/b.
99% of his cars were strip models.
And always a six engine.
All of this until the 1970 Checker Marathon ordered new from the dealer. That had a V-8 p/s, p/b, a/c, am/fm stereo, tinted glass.
Still no p/w, pdl, p/t or cruise.
Smart man! Think about it. Cars back in that era you could carry a very basic tool kit in the glove box. German and European cars came with tool kits. Today you need a PhD and a trailer to carry your equipment. I like Checker Marathons. They remind me of the 55 Chevrolet.
Good morning, Angel, Frog, and other Barn Finders. Where’s Jon R? Once again we seem to have a quorum for a meeting of The GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY. It’s a brisk morning, here in not so beautiful Windyana. Yesterday John and I were shoveling snow and other 💩 over at the Fifth Avenue post. I agree that for the most part the 69 Cadillac was better looking overall. While I love this color, my preference would be Chateau Mauve Firemist (code 99) with white vinyl top. When I saw that color combo in the 69 Cadillac brochure, it took my breath away. Unfortunately I could never score a Cou de Gras on owning one. As for my French vocabulary, I’m somewhat limited, but bilingual in English and Español. Never learned Greek or German. You know well that Too Much is NEVER enough for me. And There’s never too much camaraderie here in The BARN. Angel, are you still in New England? I hope you’re not having to shovel snow. But feel free to join in shoveling 💩! 😅 🤣 BTW, Angel, did ever have a Fifth Avenue? Another great Luxury cruiser.
Rick,
Bon jour, as far as my limited memory let’s me the only Mopar I ever owned was the 1971 Imperial.
Late 80s cars were horrible, Chrysler included. I’m talking design & stylewise. I have no knowledge of comfort or reliability.
The only 80s car I ever owned was a 1984 Chevrolet Camaro Berlinetta & that was a piece of 💩 right off the showroom floor.
“Break one-nine, you got the brocade bandit here, come on?”
To Angel Cadillac Queen: thanks for the tip on 100 octane gas in Las Vegas. But, seeing as how I am in New York’s Adirondacks, that doesn’t quite help me, I’m afraid.
Hey Frog, the Checker should remind you of the 55 Chevy. Ed Cole had a big hand in both.