Vehicle Description
I've never met a person who didn't grin whenever a classic Caddy
glides past. Maybe it's because these luxurious land yachts have
been glamorized for half a century by the likes of a Rock Hudson
and Frank Sinatra. Or maybe it's because that even 50+ years later,
they have no equal in the design department. If you want to look
ultra-cool, this 1968 Cadillac Coupe DeVille is the only way to
travel, and this impeccably preserved San Mateo Red beauty is about
as special as they come, with a super-low 59,947 believed actual
miles. Great colors, choice options, and off-the-charts luxury and
curb appeal mean this is a bonafide Caddy with few rivals, and if
it's already caught your eye, read fast before it floats out of
your life forever.
1968 was the final year of the dual 'stacked headlight' Caddies,
making this 3rd generation the one you want if future
collectability is high on your 'must-have' list. After those
bookend lights and commanding egg crate grille, the next everyone
see is that gorgeous two-tone paint, making this DeVille's opening
statement a very good one. With multiple factory colors to choose
from (14 of which were introduced this very year), not all the
colors improve upon this classic design, but certain choices will
never go out of style. A Grecian White roof is a laudable,
no-brainer of a choice, as it emphasizes the newly designed
Cadillac roofline that was inspired by the Florentine show car
created for the '64 World's Fair, whereas the San Mateo Red
Metallic body is a gorgeous shade that highlights the car's long,
sweeping profile, pointed vestigial tailfins, and crisp detailing
from end-to-end. It was repainted a few years ago to a higher-end,
top driver-quality standard and that faithful respray has a very
deep, lustrous clarity, a smooth finish, and elegant shine that's
worthy of this Caddy's pedigree. It's not perfect, as it has been
driven a little bit since it was finished, but at this price point
it's about as nice as you'll find. The 1968 models introduced an 8
� inch longer hood (ushered in to accommodate the recessed wipers),
and the restyled rear end gave the big coupe a bit of a rake -
updated designs that really made the Coupe Deville stand out from
its contemporaries. And when that many people are paying attention,
the bodywork better be right, and thankfully the crisp angles,
smooth panels, and factory-set body gaps are all in great shape on
this big car. Of course, these cars were bathed in chrome and it's
all still here and in great condition, including the pontoon-style
front bumpers, the tall rear bumper and its ornate insert panel,
those iconic rear taillight surrounds, thin body molding at the
profiles, and all the subsequent brightwork that surrounds the
glass, wheel arches, and lenses.
Open the door and have a look inside, where it's very likely that
the interior is 100% original, once again speaking to the
preservation and care that this car has enjoyed over the years. The
White leather bench seats look and feel like comfortable
marshmallows, and aside from some very minor wrinkles in the
leather, all the upholstery is shockingly well-preserved. Matching
molded door panels at the flanks feature woodgrain and chrome
accents that look fantastic, there's a big fold-down arm rest up
front, and the plush red carpets on the floors still seal this
Cadillac up like a Ziplock bag thanks to years of faithful
protection from the original vinyl floormats that come with the car
(along with a custom set of leather mats). The headliner and dash
are so darn nice it's difficult to accept that they're originals,
same goes with the bright red, 3-spoke steering wheel at the head
of the cockpit. And better yet, the high-quality materials are easy
to care for and wear like iron, and there's just nothing like
top-of-the-line '60s style. Enjoying a Cadillac includes creature
comforts: factory A/C, power steering/brakes, power windows/locks,
accessory interior lighting, auto-dimming headlights, and the
original AM/FM radio all at your fingertips. A wide instrument
panel and all the controls are within short reach of the driver,
set inside a wood accented panel that matches the accents on the
door panels, and all the gauges are stock sans for an aftermarket
temperature gauge mounted under the dash, which is actually a
common addition on these cars as the original Caddy temp gauges had
a habit of burning out before they ever left the lot. Being a
Cadillac, there's obviously a giant trunk out back, which includes
a full-sized space tire with jack assembly and vinyl mat.
The engine is the original, numbers-matching 472 cubic inch V8 that
was a nice upgrade over the 429 used in 1967. Rated at 375 HP and
producing a towering 525 pounds of torque, this engine was famous
for both performance and reliability. Meticulously maintained since
new, it handles the Deville's weight and mass without complaint,
gracefully motivating this classic down the parkway. It's also
nicely detailed, with a satisfying OEM look, including the gold air
cleaner and Cadillac blue engine, and newer components like the big
aluminum radiator and dual fans keep this Caddy running like a top.
A TH400 3-speed automatic transmission runs through the gears
correctly and without complaint, and the upgraded dual exhaust
system underneath gives it a muted, yet throaty, hum that sounds
suitably powerful without ever getting annoying. The chassis is
incredibly solid thanks to a thick, black undercoating material
that was neatly sprayed on the pans, and rolling stock consists of
steelies adorned with original chrome hubcaps wrapped in 235/75/15
Coker white walls tires.
This car was made when America was landing on the moon and the
phrase "Standard of the World" really meant something. Thankfully
it's been preserved to honor the past, and still dominate in the
present. Call today!