:confused: Just trying to get your opinions on buying a 1978 Caddy factory limousine with 80K miles. The car is in Texas, which is about 1,155 miles from where I live. The guy is asking $3,000. He sent pictures of the car and it looks VERY nice. It's exactly what I've been looking for. It's in good running condition and he thinks it will make the trip back to West Virginia just fine. It does show some signs of age. The carpet on the driver's side is worn, the vinyl top has some cracks in it, and there are a few dings on the body. He says that he's maintained it very well. I got the VIN from him yesterday to do a CarFax, but I found out CarFax doesn't keep records of cars before 1981. My wife and I are concerned about making an 1,100 mile trip without seeing the car. I offered him $500 to hold the car, but my wife is hesitant about sending him this much money without having a CarFax report AND without seeing the car. What would you guys do? I'm attaching a couple of pics. Any advice will be appreciated.
-John

Ya know...right here in Dallas, TX there's a guy with a mint '77 dark blue factory limo. I thought this was that one. The car has about 60K, and it just sits at a dealer here in the city. They guy can't get rid of it, and I think he only wants $1,100 for it; he'd probably take less. He said it only gets one mpg, but I think he was joking.

I was about to buy it myself; see the thread: http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/rwd-19xx-1985-deville-fleetwood-1985/96229-how-much-mint-77-fleetwood-75-a.html

If you like, I can check on it for you this weekend? If you want, I can test drive it; I fun doing that sort of thing.


Greg

where in tx?

Ya know...right here in Dallas, TX there's a guy with a mint '77 dark blue factory limo. I thought this was that one. The car has about 60K, and it just sits at a dealer here in the city. They guy can't get rid of it, and I think he only wants $1,100 for it; he'd probably take less. He said it only gets one mpg, but I think he was joking.

I was about to buy it myself; see the thread: http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/rwd-19xx-1985-deville-fleetwood-1985/96229-how-much-mint-77-fleetwood-75-a.html

If you like, I can check on it for you this weekend? If you want, I can test drive it; I fun doing that sort of thing.


Greg
Greg, That would be great! The only thing I'm concerned about is whether or not it has a divider glass partition. I DON'T want the divider. They are not comfortable to drive. That's great news! Thanks!
-John

where in tx?

Urbanski, It's in Ft. Worth.

Well, I don't know about the divider. I'll find out.

Well, I don't know about the divider. I'll find out.

Thanks, Greg. If it has a black leather bench front seat, then it's the "formal" limo with the divider. But the regular limousine has cloth velour in the front and back. I prefer the regular limo without the divider.

May I ask why you didn't buy the car? I remember your post from back in January.

Urbanski, It's in Ft. Worth.

darn, if it was local i would have checked it out :)

Ya know, now that you mention it, I think it's all velour. The reason I didn't buy it is because, 1) i didn't have any pocket change at the time, and 2) I didn't really want it for anything but the resale value, so I decided against it. I actually like the 90-92 Broughams best. But I'll go out to that little dealer and check it for you.

Ya know, now that you mention it, I think it's all velour. The reason I didn't buy it is because, 1) i didn't have any pocket change at the time, and 2) I didn't really want it for anything but the resale value, so I decided against it. I actually like the 90-92 Broughams best. But I'll go out to that little dealer and check it for you.

I like the Broughams also, but I've always wanted one of the big ole seventies factory limos. I appreciate your help and info. Anything you can find out about it would be great. (I hope it has cruise.):thumbsup: And if you can find out who to contact so I can call about it, that would be great. Thanks again, Greg. If you want, you can email me at hillbillywood@yahoo.com.
-John

Will do

OK, here's the car in Lewisville, TX:

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x141/Shutterbug668/DSC00225.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x141/Shutterbug668/DSC00224.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x141/Shutterbug668/DSC00223.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x141/Shutterbug668/DSC00222.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x141/Shutterbug668/DSC00221.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x141/Shutterbug668/DSC00220.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x141/Shutterbug668/DSC00219.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x141/Shutterbug668/DSC00218.jpg

The car was in pretty good shape for it's age, but it seemed to have a few issues. Firstly the car had a fairly recent paintjob that looked pretty expensive as it was "firemist," but they must not have done very much thinking ahead of time because the paint was all bubbly on the bumper fillers and the front header assembly with the headlights. Also the A/C didn't work, but the dealer informed me that it ran when he got it two years ago. He told me that "no one ever drives it and that's its major problem."

But it did have some very nice features. There was a new A/C compressor, a new radiator, a new master cylinder, and new upholstery. But I could feel under the armrest upholstery where it was split. But the new velour was quite comfortable. Basically, the car has underwent a minor restoration, so things like the door-pullers, seats, and armrests have been covered. All the power windows worked fine, at least from the driver controls, but the rear driver-side window was a little flaky, so I didn't take it more than half-way down. The power door locks worked well, again from the driver's seat, and all the doors unlocked except the rear driver door.

Now the A/C compressor didn't engage, most likely due to a leak, but the fan blew strong. There were also controls for the A/C in the rear seats, but I didn't see any vents back there. I forgot to open the trunk, so I don't know if there was an A/C setup back there. Also, there were two switches at each rear seat that looked like power window switches but there were two of them, so I don't even know what they went to. There were window switches on the rear doors, too.

Also the radio worked great, but the power antenna was stuck in the "up" position. I was also a wonderbar radio, I think, because even though it was an analog-control radio, it still searched for stations.

And as you were looking for, there is no window divider; it's just like a long car. It also had the jumpseats, which also looked great. That new interior was really thorough. But the wooden trim was a little sunbaked. Also the horn didn't work; I don't know why, but probably just a fuse. The power seats also worked real well, and the vinyl top was in great shape. It's the real durable type like on a '95 Fleetwood, but not the canvas.

As for rust issues, there were very few; the undercarriage had very little rust, only slight surface amounts showing on the frame - nothing serious. However, the door jams had a bit that seems slightly problematic, but it was treated; It was completely covered in this black tar stuff, so the rust wasn't going to continue. And the amounts in the door jams weren't anything to affect the integrity of the car.

As for the engine stuffs, it ran quite well. Lots of power, but I could tell I was hauling 6,000 pounds. The car does need a tune up, but the engine ran pretty well other than that. The transmission shifted fine, but it was a little jerky, but no slipping or anything like that. The dealer suggested a transmission job, or a basic fluid change would fix it.

I was tempted to make an offer myself, but i didn't want to unless I informed you first. I would offer $600, but that's because I'm a haggler. I know you can pick it up for one grand or less.

The car seemed very road worthy, no leaks of fluids, and it had brand new tires with all four hub caps. It also got between 8-10 miles/gallon of gas.

Here's the info:
Call "Heritage Auto Sales - Rides with Pride" at 972-537-6700 or 972-219-1935
A man named Jess Adames is selling the car.
His email is:
jadames55@aol.com or jess@heritageautosalestx.com

Here's the website with the car, it has better pictures than I took:
http://inv.stickertek.com/Details.aspx?vehicle=343a060e-6d0e-40a8-a45e-2467d45b044b&lot=62E17AA5-2463-4BD3-A12B-5D6705A281A5&style=shadow&make=Cadillac&sort=Year&map=1&used=1

Here's some more photos:
http://inv.stickertek.com/Image.aspx?L-59fef50c-6348-44bb-aa9b-c6b170d750ee

http://inv.stickertek.com/Image.aspx?L-2544fed1-991b-4d7a-b8b3-854a4725301a

http://inv.stickertek.com/Image.aspx?L-72b15cfd-cc7f-41bc-bfd9-07760bb82b1c

http://inv.stickertek.com/Image.aspx?L-d4dd59d3-5212-473b-9a98-ab6b538c7a3f

http://inv.stickertek.com/Image.aspx?L-c7339979-737c-498e-83a1-cca5bad048d3

http://inv.stickertek.com/Image.aspx?L-7671ccf3-7024-4ece-982a-7bf86765dcc5

http://inv.stickertek.com/Image.aspx?L-535dec9f-1471-4b65-9a02-02d7f011fad0

http://inv.stickertek.com/Image.aspx?L-350c285c-4cb8-4699-b091-4b2b31adae7b

http://inv.stickertek.com/Image.aspx?L-10e9b5f9-8b92-4a8b-a9ad-9eee424f0a95

He has it listed as a '76 even though it's a '77 model. It was manufactured 9/76, so that's why he was confused. I know he's asking $3895, but believe me, he'll take less than a thousand. He's had the car for over two years and just want's it gone.

Check out the page here (http://inv.stickertek.com/Details.aspx?vehicle=343a060e-6d0e-40a8-a45e-2467d45b044b&lot=62E17AA5-2463-4BD3-A12B-5D6705A281A5&style=shadow&make=Cadillac&sort=Year&map=1&used=1).

Good luck,


Greg

This car has been updated with a '78/'79 tailfin/lights treatment.