Pick of the Day: A classic Caddy highway cruiser

(Editor’s note: This being the traditional deadline week for filing federal income taxes — yes, we realize that deadline has been extended this year because of the pandemic — nonetheless we’re focusing the Pick of the Day selections to vehicles being advertised for sale for four figures. The thought is that you might be getting enough of a refund to buy one of these cars, or after paying Uncle Sam, you might have enough left over to consider one of our suggestions.)

It was another era in the history of the automobile. In the late 1960s, cars were cars, not faux station wagons called crossovers, and cars were large, so large they were like big boats cruising down the highways.

Such a car is our Pick of the Day, a 1968 Cadillac Coupe De Ville being advertised on ClassicCars.com by its private owner located in Washington Township, just north of the Detroit metropolitan area.

“Original Coupe De Ville,” the seller reports, “great daily driver, always garage kept last 20+ years, 472 motor and trans runs like a top, mechanically sound, all electrical works (lights, wipers, blower motor, etc).

“Tan leather seats and brown interior is in great shape, no cracks rips or tears. 

“Exterior chrome and trim in excellent shape — needs new paint and some minor body work on the rockers and top under vinyl has some rust bubbling under the top. It’s a solid all original car with 72,500 original miles and a great cruiser.”

The seller reports that the master cylinder, brake pads, muffler, spark plugs and points and tires have been replaced, but the air conditioning “needs to be hooked up (and) may need new compressor.”

Still, for the asking price of $9,500 you get a blast from the past with power brakes, steering, windows and seats.

Cadillacs got a styling update for the 1967 model year that made them look even longer, and with a redone coupe roofline that provided more privacy for those sitting in the back seat. There also was a new grille and tail treatment, and some mechanical updates as well.

The De Ville rode on a wheelbase that stretched to 129.5 inches and the car was 224 inches long overall. Interesting to note that the current Cadillac Escalade has a wheelbase that’s only 120.9 inches in length and the SUV is only 211 inches long. 

Back in the day, Cadillac’s 472cid V8 was rated at 375 horsepower and was fed by a Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor. 

To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.