This car is a 3rd owner. I purchased it for $1200.00, which I considered a bargain. I have replaced the water pump and radiator. It needs a new exhaust, and will need a paint job. The car is 33 years old, not bad in my opinion.
What can I say, I'm in love. She gets 9 miles per gallon. I drive it as my daily driver. This is the way I look at it. I would rather drive this and be comfortable, than have a car payment for a new car that I really don't want. These cars have soul. They are real cars, not the junk that comes off the assembly lines these days. The only thing that could make her better is if she was a convertible. She is gold, and although I don't like the color, will keep her original. Highly recommend any older Cadillac, although this is my favorite so far, and have had many.
I agree with you. Even though gas is expensive, you save a lot of money and you get to drive a beautiful car. Turn down the timing to around 11 initial and rebuild your carb and you can get 14-15 mpg and run regular unleaded.
Actually the 1970 De-ville model is considered not a classic Cadillac collector car. As a matter of fact it has the lowest resale value of the entire Caddilac line aside from the maybe the Cimmoron. It's really a rusty relic from a period of American's obsession with excess and muscle cars, until the Oil embargo. For the power it has (Big Engine & Trans), the enormous weight negates any benefit. Braking is a jerk & a lurch forward out of you seat. Handling? I always felt like I was towing a trailer. Had an 89 Lincoln Continental at the same time, both drove the same. Lots of room inside made you feel insulated from the world, but parking was like docking an aircraft carrier.
In reply to the April 21, 2006 comments:
"The '70 de Ville is not considered a classic."
It most certainly is. And good examples are selling for well over $10,000.
"For the power, the enormous weight negates any benefit."
Even with the weight, the huge amount of low-end torque (525 lbs/ft @ 3,000 rpm) allows the '70 to easily burn rubber. Motor Trend tested a '69 CDV (very similar to a '70) and got from 0-60 mph in 9.4 seconds, a 16.5 sec @ 83.8 mph 1/4 mile and 40-60 mph passing time of only 4.9 seconds. Not to mention a 120-mph top speed speed and 2nd gear good for well over 80 mph.
"Braking is a jerk and lurch forward out of your seat."
Braking in my Cadillacs is very smooth. I've been driving Cads for over 10 years, and have yet "lurch forward out of my seat." Maybe it's because I don't slam on the brakes!
"Handling? Felt like I was towing a trailer."
Those '69 and '70 Cads have a well-designed suspension. Thanks to the front anti-sway bar, there is little lean and corners can be taken faster than many people would expect for such a big car. I can go around curves posted at 35 mph at 45-50 mph in my Cads.
"Parking was like docking an aircraft."
No problem with a good driver. All four fenders are visible from the driver's seat. I've actually seen people have more trouble parking their compact cars than I have with my Cadillacs.
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