Looking for feedback

[Patrick Westphal]

Hey everyone,  I am one of the newest members to the club and I am looking for a suitable vehicle to purchase.  I found this one for sale in Montana (link  https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/75623973)  I realize that I am a rookie when it comes to looking and accessing one of these beautiful cars..so I would appreciate any input from you experienced people.  I you have some time could you take a look at the pictures on the link and let me know what you think?  Thx  Pat Westphal

[Kurt]

It looks ok but no hi-res photos are provided. When you click on the magnifying glass another photo practically the same size pops up. The car has A/C vents but does not have Climate Control in the dash. This indicates the car was possible cobbled together so the "37,250 miles" is suspect. Dual exhaust was added and driveline work has been performed but curiously not one photo of the engine/engine bay.

All things considered, it could be a good car for the money but best to have a knowledgeable inspector check it out thoroughly 1st. 

[Jason Edge]

"not one photo of the engine/engine bay"  ...But about 50 of the front, front qtr, rear and a door open with 5 degree angles of each other! LOL.  I had commented offline and the resolution and lack of anything regarding the engine bay were among several of my issues.  It is obviously not a 37K mile car (obviously rolled over... but probably only once) and has had some "work" over the years on interior and underside. The AC thing was a good catch.  Just hard to tell form 800x low/medium res pictures taken from 15 feet back.  I would normally zoom straight into the pedals to look at the wear but all you see here is fuzz if you save off line and zoom in.

[Patrick Westphal]

Jason,  I was disapponted in that also but that was going to be a requirement from them before I was ever going to commit to a trip to Montana.  As I spent my entire GM career in the Powertrain Division the 429.THM400 combination is a major reason that I am focused on wanting a 64 Deville or Eldorado.  With my engine experience I will be able to hear,see, smell, and feel things in the powertrain combination that many others will not.  Yes the idle comment grabbed my interest - I needed to experience that engine to see if it was just a "Carb adjustment" or something more like a bad cylinder.  Thanks for the feedback - Pat

[Patrick Westphal]

Thanks to those who fed back comments - I really appreciate those and points out the things that I need to look for in these vehicles.  Now for the rest of the story - I called them back yesterday as the person who knew the most about the car was not there on Monday and found out that the person who owned the car changed their mind and no longer wanted to sell the vehicle.  This is frustrating for me because that was the first question I asked (and I asked it twice in fact) as I realized that looking at vehicle on the internet has that as a possibility.  So back to square one, I am actively looking for a 64 Deville red, black or blue.  And the search goes on...   again thanks for the feedback - that is what makes being a part of this club worth it!

[Kurt]

The ad is still up. They might be waiting for that eager buyer who doesn't ask questions.

[Patrick Westphal]

I am looking for one ready to roll as I don't have the tools or shop to put a vehicle on a lift or to pull an engine/ trans to put it on a stand to work on it.With that said I am fine with doing work on a car such as switching out drum brakes for disc, updating the distributor to electronic ignition, and things like that.If fact I expect to do update/maintenance items on a 57 year old vehicle.  I just don't have the equipment to do much of the heavy things myself.  I do have access to other people who do that type of work but that is more $$$.  BTW I am a retired engineer with 34 years at GM and started at the Cadillac Engineering building in 1985, so I guess you could say I have a little bit of inside knowledge of the vehicle.

[Jason Edge]

One thing I added offline I forgot to mention, those look like Flowmaster Mufflers with the dual exhaust setup. I had them on my 64 CDV for a while when I was running duals it it was LOUD!  If you want to hear the engine and have the hot rod sound from the 390/429 they will give you a deep throaty sound. If you are after a more subdued Cadillac sound this is not it!

[Chris Codd]

Noticed it's missing the boomerang trim under the headlight on the drivers side. Also it's got Fleetwood filler panels out back and the emblems on the rear quarters aren't present. I think you could pick up a really nice DeVille convertible for about $18,000.00 if you keep a lookout. Dealers like this always charge more than it's worth. Check the private market. 

[Jason Edge]

Chris nailed it! 

[Patrick Westphal]

Chris, Really?  The ones that I have seen so far for under 20K have issues.  Rust, cracked dashboards, alot of pitting in the chrome and things like that.  Here is an example of what I have found so far.  https://www.autoblog.com/cars-for-sale-detail-2199425195008210239-C...

[Jason Edge]

Patrick, I think the point is you are looking at the these "online used car lot sellers". You can generally add 25% to 33% over price and the quality is often questionalble.  If you follow our eBay listings at www.ebay.6364cadillac.com. I am seeing the same inflated cars being reposted 20 + times by the same sellers at inflated prices, using unscrupulous descriptions, with the Lo res pictures hopeing someone will bite.  It was bad with the regular used car lots now we have the online used car lot sellers which means we really have to do our homework.  If your car link points you to a seller named "Classic Car Deals" (which is the case with your link above) you need to be prepared for used car lot shenanigans.  The only used cars I have ever bought in my life have been from the Cadillac or Chevrolet dealer with warranty, or used from an individual. I am just extremely suspicous of online auto car lots!  I generally don't get into price but $20-25K seems to be the going rate for a #2 or so 63 or 64 6267 convertible.  I know one of our members sold a decent 1963 6267 a few years back where we run his car in our newsletter and it sold for about $21K as I recall.  Now if you want something absolutely 100% perfect, #1, concours, everything replated, rebuilt, refurbished, then yes... the prices are going to follow that J curve toward the perfection mark... but the two cars I have seen from these online auto car lots have a lot to be desired .... even with lo res picture from 15 ft way. Just being honest.

[Patrick Westphal]

Jason,  No be honest and thanks for the input.  I thought the ads to be wary of were the individual sellers because I don't know who they are (scam artist for instance) and I will not buy a car that I don't personally see and drive, which means I am prepared to Tx, Cal, Az, etc to look at a car.  I am wary of doing a wasted trip.  Also, if the car is one to purchase how do I get it back to Michigan.  Driving is taking the chance of nothing breaking down (hoses, bearings, belts, etc) in the middle of nowhere.  However I don't know shipping companies either, so either way is a bit of a roll of the dice.  Auctions are out because I can't drive the car ahead of time, plus I've never done an auction for anything before so I would get stomped on (probably).