1965 Cadillac De Ville Coupe

VIN: J5101138; Hardtop; Alpine Turquoise Metallic / Turquoise; 429 V8 / Automatic; Mileage: N/A; 429ci 4bbl V8, barn find, TH400 3-speed automatic, treasure trove of parts, no title

1965 Cadillac Coupe Deville

For auction, a 1965 Cadillac Coupe Deville showing 84,231 miles on the odometer, but the true miles are unknown. This car presents in barn find condition with areas of rust but also some straight panels. We attempted to start it and only get a click when the key is turned.

NO TITLE, BILL OF SALE ONLY

Exterior
It's not hard to imagine how beautiful the Alpine Turquoise Metallic paint looked when new, remnants of it now peak through the extensive patina. From the edge of the door back represents what has to be one of the longest rear quarter panels in American manufacturing, capped off by graceful, columnal tail light nacelles, indicative of the Cadillac brand. The cabin is framed by polished metal, now with a patina, and topped with a black vinyl top which, of course, has seen better days. Metals are pitted, paint shows plenty of age and exposure, and substantial rust is present on the lower sections of panels and inner rocker panels. Try as it may, duct tape does not do much to keep the beat up rear quarter together and dents exist throughout.Â

Interior
Exposure and time has taken its toll on the Turquoise interior, evident first on door panels of the long doors, amazingly intact but weathered, worn and stained. The lap of luxury was once adorned with turquoise leather and with cloth inserts, now reduced to remnants of material and cracking leather and splitting seams. Our rear seat fairs a bit better and seems intact, featuring a large pull down center armrest. The three spoke steering wheel fronts an instrument cluster that sets round gauges bookending a horizontal speedometer, all a bit weathers but all in place. The sweeping dash board includes an AM/FM radio and circular vents and an open floor retains blue carpet which rides the transmission tunnel up and over while the headliner is intact but stained. The trunk contains a bit of surface rust and houses several spare tires, wheel covers, and fender skirts. The inside of the decklid gives us a clear view of unexposed, original paint.Â

Drivetrain
Under the long hood is a relatively clean 429ci V8 which would have been rated at 340 horsepower and fueled via a 4-barrel. Behind it sits a TH400 3-speed automatic transmission that routes power to the rear axle and 3.21 gears.Â

Undercarriage
As you would expect, plenty of surface rust and oxidation underneath and other than the inner rockers and body braces, fairly solid underpinnings. There is some gunk build up on the rear differential and severe invasive rust on the frame rails. A single exhaust ends mid car and lost its muffler at some point. The car is equipped with power drum brakes and coil springs at both ends with a 4 link completing the rear suspension. Â

Drive-Ability
There are keys, but the car does not turn over.

Once elegant and posh, this '65 probably has some great stories to tell! It certainly has some usable parts and might even be restorable for the ambitious builder