1975 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

Description

This 1975 Cadillac Sedan DeVille is as big as they come, and with a 500 cubic inch V8 for power, it epitomizes American luxury in the 1970s. If you haven't experienced the isolation and smoothness of a traditional Cadillac sedan, this entry-level survivor is a great place to start.

With only two owners, including the most recent who has been enjoying this Cadillac since 1978, this is a very nicely preserved and very original car. Paint, vinyl top, interior, and all the other cosmetic bits are original and in great shape. Cadillac brochures in 1975 called this color Roan Brown Metallic, and now that browns are back in fashion, the car looks great. And given that the enamel is now coming up on 40 years old, the state of preservation is quite remarkable. Only the rear fender extensions have been repainted, which isn't a surprise since the originals tend to crack with simple age, and whomever was in charge of the job did a superb job with the color match. A car that's nearly 20 feet long can't exactly be called svelte, but the 4-door hardtop styling is certainly long, low, and sleek, and the tan vinyl top accentuates it. Lots of chrome was still a hallmark of American luxury cars, and this big Cadillac features heavy bumpers, a traditional eggcrate grille, and vertical rear bumper ends that were clearly meant to remind us of the tailfin era.

Leather was an uncommon interior option, even in 1975. The white hides are holding up well, although the front seat can't hide that there's been someone behind the wheel for nearly four decades. However, there are no major splits or tears, and the back seat has fared better and looks quite nice. Original carpets are protected by matching floor mats, and the wide dash pad hasn't been baked by the sun and looks great. Lots of textured faux wood trim highlights the dash, which is neatly arranged with all the controls within easy reach. There's automatic climate control, power windows, seats, and locks, cruise control, interval wipers, and the original AM/FM/8-track stereo radio in the center of the dash. The '70s were big on CB radios, too, for some reason, so there's one of those still stashed underneath. The trunk is simply massive, as you'd expect, and carries its original rubber mat, spare tire with cover, and a jack assembly.

Cadillac's 500 cubic inch V8 was, until recently, the biggest mass-produced engine in history. Designed for effortless torque, it moves all 5000 pounds of DeVille without strain and utters nary a whisper at highway speeds. These big, over-built, slow-turning V8s are practically indestructible and this one runs smoothly at idle and under load. All the original equipment is intact, although there's a new alternator and the A/C system has been upgraded to R134a refrigerant. It's backed by a TH400 3-speed automatic transmission and 2.73 gears out back, so it just loafs along on the highway where it's content to cruise serenely at triple-digit speeds. Power steering and brakes along with an original-style single exhaust mean that it still feels like 1975 when you drop it into gear. Big 235/75/15 whitewall radials are fitted with stock hubcaps.

A nice survivor that's special for reminding us just how luxury felt in the '70s. Nothing else will ever be this big, this soft, and this silent again, so enjoy it while you can. Call today!