Curbside Classic CA Vacation Edition Final Post: 1966 Cadillac Coupe DeVille
Here’s my quickie farewell California post: an always popular Caddy Coupe DeVille, vintage 1966. Once again, I’m going to be sparse with my words, and let the pictures do most of the talking. And of course, it’s regrettable that the formidable grille is hiding up against the garage door, but here’s a cheater picture of one.
I’m going to admit that as much as all old Caddy’s have an undeniable presence and imposing character, the ’65 – ’66 models in my book are a bit weaker than some before and after. These look a bit uninspired; like “we need to do a new Caddy for ’65; so what are we going to cook up?” I find that the ’67 – ’68s to be a bit more interesting, with a bolder, more chiseled look. The ’65 – ’66s are a bit too bland, like a bar of soap after a few baths.
Maybe Bill Mitchell’s gang was too busy with the ’67 Eldorado coupe that was on its way. Whatever; old Caddys are always fun in the just stop in your tracks on the street and gaze a while way. But I better not linger too long, because I’ll start thinking about all those interesting lines on the ’61s and 62s, and even up through the ’64s. Time to move along; see you on Monday!
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To young readers it must be impossible to comprehend that a car this massive could have been popular in a two door configuration. I'm from that era and still cant belive it myself. Lincoln even had four doors (suicide rear) on even the convertible Continental. Of the Caddy's, I agree that the '65-'66 is the most elegant of the decade. Unfortunately, it was also the beginning of GM's demise with the cheaper Calais model, crank windows and Chevy-grade upholstry.
I purchased one of these 66 SdV as an expatriate in the US & brought it back to Europe. I have to disagree about the judgement on the dullness of the styling. I think that GM used the basics of this design on Cadillacs until the late 90's.