1979 Cadillac Deville d'Elegance - New toy

[14Accent]

Well, it happened. I finally own a true "classic". I found this beautiful, 89k miles example on Marketplace a couple weeks ago and I just couldn't help myself.

It's far from perfect, but I got a TON for my money: less than 3k miles on its rebuilt 425, new carb, new heater core, all new belts and hoses, new shocks, new tires... The list goes on and on. Even the original power trunk pull-down works. It was a factory EFI car that was probably dealer converted way back when, as it's got the correct fuel lines/intake/fuel tank/mechanical fuel pump.

Other than being a rare factory EFI car, it's very well optioned for the year: d'Elegance package, Guide-Matic auto high beam control, Economy Minder, AM/FM/8-track/CB, trailer tow package with rear stabilizer bar, ELC rear shocks, dual power seats, dual outside mirror control, outside temperature gauge, cruise control, variable wipers, and wire wheel covers. The few things it's missing aren't a huge deal: Astro roof, 4 note horn, little things like that.

I filled her up with $90 worth of 91 octane E0 for the 70 mile drive home and she made it without a hiccup. I threw it up on the hoist when we got home and greased all the zerks I could find and bumped the tire pressures up to 36 from 33-34. Those two things greatly improved straight line tracking.

The AC has been converted and seems to be charged, but the compressor clutch is no good. I can get a new clutch for $100, I just need to track down the J tool for doing the clutch.

Neither front power seat works, the housings are broken. I know the seats aren't too hard to repair, so I've got that on the list of to-do's.

The wife and I don't have any major plans for her, it's just something fun to cruise around in on nice days. It'll be in dry storage from OCT-MAY most likely, and covered when it's here or in the garage. This one won't be a flip, she's a keeper.

 

[AZjeff]

This one won't be a flip, she's a keeper.

Uh huh. Pretty sure we heard that before with the last one. Nice floater.

 

[14Accent]

Uh huh. Pretty sure we heard that before with the last one. Nice floater.

I know I know, but this thing is actually somewhat usable. The Reatta was great, but I couldn't say no to the profit. It allowed me to buy this Cadillac for basically $0 out-of-pocket.

 

[74DartSport]

Got a lot of green for your green.

It’s a beauty. Would be an awesome vacation cruiser.

 

[eljefino]

Nice. I'm impressed that all the bumper filler panels are intact and good shape. Those are often the first to go.

 

[Malo83]

Good looking Land Yacht.

 

[Nick1994]

I need me a land yacht Cadillac!

But would be very hard to find here that the sun hasn't rotted the interior.

 

[14Accent]

Nice. I'm impressed that all the bumper filler panels are intact and good shape. Those are often the first to go.

I couldn't believe that either, nor how rust-free the under carriage is!

 

[MParr]

You’re going to need more horsepower.

 

[fantastic]

ballin' shotcallin'
I like it & is in great shape for the age.
Looks like you might want to replace the rear axle punkin seal & make sure it's filled up but you already see that.
Awesome classic Caddy!!

 

[Astro14]

An umolested example - a great find!

I expected a Q-jet on that vintage - but that’s not a Q-jet. It’s not EFI, though, that is a carburetor. The one wire is for the electric choke.

 

[14Accent]

An umolested example - a great find!

I expected a Q-jet on that vintage - but that’s not a Q-jet. It’s not EFI, though, that is a carburetor. The one wire is for the electric choke.

This car came with the optional factory EFI, but it's now sporting an Edelbrock 1406. I'm sure it was converted from EFI to a Q-Jet at some point in it's life, as many of them were, and the current Edelbrock was likely installed when the rebuilt engine went in in 2015.

 

[14Accent]

You’re going to need more horsepower.

Nah, the 325 lb. ft. of torque is all this baby needs to waft around town. It'll likely never see over 2500 RPM, she's a low and slow cruiser with taaaaall gears in the back (think 2.23:1).

 

[earlyre]

that interior triggers so many memories...
while not exactly the same thing (Grandpa was an Olds guy) Grandpa had a '77 Olds 98 Brougham with the Olds 400, and we had an '82(?) Delta 88 when i was a whippersnapper. very similar interior. He Towed his Airstream with it.

around 90, Grandpa traded in the VERY rusty, 250k mi '77 Olds, on an '87 Olds 98 Regency Brougham ( FWD, 3.8l V6), which became my first car after he passed.
- the Sales man only took the '77 on trade, because he wanted the 400 for his boat.

when he "upgraded" to the FWD car, he picked up a '79 F-250 Ranger/Explorer with the Trailer towing pkg. 351, Dual Gas Tanks, Factory CB, and Gearing low enough it got 8-11mpg regardless, city/ hwy/ didn't matter.

 

[Warstud]

I like those old caddys . Is that Matte Green ?

 

[14Accent]

I like those old caddys . Is that Matte Green ?

It looks like it had a Maaco single stage paint job at one point, but I think it's the original color. It's definitely a 20 footer, which is just fine for us.

 

[CorvairGeek]

The clutches being worn out on the A6 compressor were not uncommon in this era. The CCOT system cycles a compressor clutch that was (primarily) designed for contant run with refrigerant control.

Love the car!

 

[Leo99]

Those seats...

Wish they still made upholstered seats.

 

[Astro14]

that interior triggers so many memories...
while not exactly the same thing (Grandpa was an Olds guy) Grandpa had a '77 Olds 98 Brougham with the Olds 400, and we had an '82(?) Delta 88 when i was a whippersnapper. very similar interior. He Towed his Airstream with it.

around 90, Grandpa traded in the VERY rusty, 250k mi '77 Olds, on an '87 Olds 98 Regency Brougham ( FWD, 3.8l V6), which became my first car after he passed.
- the Sales man only took the '77 on trade, because he wanted the 400 for his boat.

when he "upgraded" to the FWD car, he picked up a '79 F-250 Ranger/Explorer with the Trailer towing pkg. 351, Dual Gas Tanks, Factory CB, and Gearing low enough it got 8-11mpg regardless, city/ hwy/ didn't matter.

A ‘77 Olds 98 would’ve had the 403 Olds, or a 350 Olds, or a 350 Chevy, with a TH400.

A 1977 Olds 98 Regency was my first car. Mine had a 350 Olds.

 

[4WD]

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Well, it happened. I finally own a true "classic". I found this beautiful, 89k miles example on Marketplace a couple weeks ago and I just couldn't help myself.

It's far from perfect, but I got a TON for my money: less than 3k miles on its rebuilt 425, new carb, new heater core, all new belts and hoses, new shocks, new tires... The list goes on and on. Even the original power trunk pull-down works. It was a factory EFI car that was probably dealer converted way back when, as it's got the correct fuel lines/intake/fuel tank/mechanical fuel pump.

Other than being a rare factory EFI car, it's very well optioned for the year: d'Elegance package, Guide-Matic auto high beam control, Economy Minder, AM/FM/8-track/CB, trailer tow package with rear stabilizer bar, ELC rear shocks, dual power seats, dual outside mirror control, outside temperature gauge, cruise control, variable wipers, and wire wheel covers. The few things it's missing aren't a huge deal: Astro roof, 4 note horn, little things like that.

I filled her up with $90 worth of 91 octane E0 for the 70 mile drive home and she made it without a hiccup. I threw it up on the hoist when we got home and greased all the zerks I could find and bumped the tire pressures up to 36 from 33-34. Those two things greatly improved straight line tracking.

The AC has been converted and seems to be charged, but the compressor clutch is no good. I can get a new clutch for $100, I just need to track down the J tool for doing the clutch.

Neither front power seat works, the housings are broken. I know the seats aren't too hard to repair, so I've got that on the list of to-do's.

The wife and I don't have any major plans for her, it's just something fun to cruise around in on nice days. It'll be in dry storage from OCT-MAY most likely, and covered when it's here or in the garage. This one won't be a flip, she's a keeper.

BYS = bring your sofa !