1970 Cadillac Coupe deVille Convertible - That Literal Ship Has Sailed

The older I get, the younger my taste in cars has gotten younger; or at least I've become more discriminate. When I was in my 20's, a 1969 or 1970 Cadillac Coupe deVille convertible was on my short list of cars I really, really wanted. Why? You know, rather than delve into self-psychoanalysis, I've also come to realize that sometimes you simply just like something. This one is a 1970. 

I know I was onto something back then as my older son, who's somewhat into cars, thinks these big Cadillac's are amazing looking; my wife hates them. She thinks big old Cadillac's like this are "Old Man Cars". Hence, I've never had one. And that's probably for the better. I've also told my son, "Whatever you do, don't ever drive one". 

To say these drive-like boats doesn't do them justice. Granted, these were designed to ride that way, but they've always been much nicer to be a passenger in than being the poor slob who has to man it's tiller. 

 

"Flinty" and "primitive" are the best words I can think of to describe how even the best of these feel behind the wheel. That sinking feeling of, "is there something wrong with this thing?" a strong sentiment as well. Nope. That's the way them's supposed to be. These things are best being driven in parades.

I wouldn't be the first person who thinks they're a "realist" to be labeled a "negative" person; I think I'm a blazing sunbeam of positivity! But I don't have the bandwidth to explain away the foibles of these cars anymore. Kind of like the recent divorce of my sister-in-law and her husband. My wife and I came to accept they saw something in each most people didn't. Well, after they split, we don't have to waste our time "explaining them". 

Asking price on this one was a reasonable $11,500. Of course, it's gone now but it does seem prices for these aging boats, regardless of condition, is coming back down to earth. That or folks, like a younger me, that would have wanted them know what they'd be getting themselves into. A handsome but wallowing, gas-swilling, underpowered land yacht. Sorry, that literal ship has sailed. For me at least.