1969 Cadillac DeVille

Convertible

472 C.I. V8 GAS OHV Naturally Aspirated

Automatic

F9253810

Clear

GAS

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Call me Ishmael. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in the bank, and nothing particular to interest me in Los Angeles, I thought I would drive about a little and see the ribbons of road that wrap around the Southwest. I bought A USED 1969 CADILLAC DEVILLE CONVERTIBLE, filled the tank, put the top down, and blew out of town. With this purchase, I became the latest in a long list of owners of this particular, iconic craft - 8th or 9th, I believe ... I found her sitting on a car lot, with an asking price of a few thousand dollars. A used car salesman pitched to me about as many clichè story lines as practice throws in the bullpen of a World Series game: The car was a classic used by the studios. It had been in many film and TV productions. It was a studio car. It was owned by a director. It was a "director's car," as if attaching itself to these projected illusions of Hollywood success made it anymore than just another used car with 86K miles on the clock (which could have easily been 186K miles - I don't know). Through a little bit of haggling, stalling, humming and hawing, I bought her. I was enamoured with the idea of owning and driving an old Cadillac - not unlike the car at the end of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot sans the Jeff Bridges corpse in the front seat. Myself, having just completed a large "entertainment" project, I wanted to flush a few vile and rancid experiences from my brain and thought this would be the perfect vehicle with which to go out and get lost from some loathsome and fearful memories. And, it worked like a charm! Pushing this wobbly barge up into triple digit speeds on empty two lane blacktops in the middle of desolate nowhere is a thrilling adrenaline rush known only to those who've survived the stupidity of such an endevour. The Cadillac DeVille was known as the ultimate town car. Available in 1968 with the enormous 472 cu. in. V8 that offered outstanding performance and almost no noise or vibration outside of a deep, throaty burble from it's independent dual exhaust. Designed to meet the new government emissions standards taking effect that year, this engine was extensively tested in the laboratory, running the equivalent of 500,000 miles. Though not as fuel-efficient as the outgoing 429-cubic-inch V-8, the 472 could launch a Coupe DeVille from 0 to 100 mph in under 30 seconds. It has since been upgraded with a reliable Pertronix ignition system to further smooth it's operation. The automatic transmission was standard, as were the the 2.94:1 gears in the rear differential. It's variable-ratio power steering and 47.6 ft. turning diameter make the 225 inch-long car suprisingly nible in tight spots. Optional were the power front disc brakes. GM made 16,445 of these cars in 1969. They were originally priced to start at $5905 and weighed in at a whopping 4590 lbs. You're never going to need a bigger boat ... This is a fouth generation of the DeVille line (series 683) from Cadillac. In 1969, this was the best domestic vehicle built in the USA by General Motors: "Everything was automatic. I could sit in the red-leather driver's seat and make every inch of the car jump, by touching the proper buttons. It was a wonderful machine: Ten grand worth of gimmicks and big-priced Special Effects. The rear-windows leaped up with a touch, like frogs in a dynamite pond. The white canvas top ran up and down like a roller-coaster. The dashboard was full of esoteric lights & dials & meters that I would never understand — but there was no doubt in my mind I was in a superior machine." -Raoul Duke Who's to know what bizarre adventures were forced upon this old sled by it's previous owners. No possibility should be ignored. You might even have to ask yourself, "What would I do with a car like this?" "There is no way to understand the public reaction to the sight of a Freak smashing a coconut with a hammer on the hood of a white Cadillac in a Safeway parking lot unless you actually do it. I tell you it's intense, they don't like it at all." -Raoul Duke Make no mistake, this is a very well worn example of a used 1969 Cadillac DeVille convertible. As well as it defines space as a 1969 Cadillac DeVille, it is no longer a completely stock, original specimen. It was never a white and red car from the factory. The interior is vinyl, not leather. The 472 c.i. engine and Turbo 400 transmission are from a lesser mile 1968 vehicle. The 375 horsepower and 525 lb-ft of torque that churns this 3 speed slush box (1st-2.48, 2nd-1.48, 3rd-1.00, R-2.07) will move this 2 1/4 ton behemoth with ample speed, but don't expect it to win any races. To stop the car, it has fairly new front brake calipers, pads, and old, low mile tires. The convertible top is shot and the paint is dull, drab, chipped with an odd dent or two in and around the body. The air conditioning system is long gone, and the heat operates off a toggle switch below the dash where the radio appears to have been strangled by it's own wiring, rendering it useless. The horn clicks a dysfunctional relay and does not honk. Outside of these particular descriptions, all other details should be clearly covered by whatever pictures I am able to post at the following link: http://s45.photobucket.com/user/1969_moby_dick/library/?sort=2&page=1 I am not asking much for this car. I'll start the bidding at a dollar with a reserve of $300. The recyclable material and a few of the relatively decent OEM parts still on this car are probably worth more than the $300 reserve. This car runs and drives well. Is it a daily driver? - possibly. It could probably make it out to Las Vegas, if you were so inclined. But, you should probably get an okay from your local, trusted ASE certified mechanic. Don't take my word for it, I can only sell this vehicle in "AS IS" condition. I make no guarantees. PLEASE NOTE: To bid on this car, you must have a feedback rating of 10 positives or higher. If you don't, and you wish to bid on this item, please contact me before you bid. Otherwise, I will simply remove your bid. The winner of this auction is responsible for payment within 7 days of the auction's end and retrieving the vehicle within 7 days after payment has cleared. No warranties are expressed or implied. Once again, the car is sold in it's "AS IS" condition. HAPPY BIDDING!