1963 Bagged Caddy Coolest Caddy Sedan Ever on 2040-cars

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VIN: 63N163158 Year: 1963
Make: Cadillac
Model: DeVille
Trim: Base Sedan 4-Door
Power Options: Power Windows, Power Seats
Drive Type: RWD
Mileage: 139,000
Disability Equipped: No
Exterior Color: Blue
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
Interior Color: Blue
Air Bag Suspension System: 20 inch chrome wheels with low profile tires
Number of Cylinders: 8

Condition: UsedA vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections.Seller Notes:"Obviously a 51 year old vehicle has flaws, but this car is mechanically sound, interior is better than decent mostly original, paint is decent (not original but at least to original color code), chrome is decent, bag/compressor system works great, tires and wheels are excellent, overall car is cooler than heck and has potential to be even more individually customized and could be a show winner. Absolutely no rust, original California car has been with me in Eastern Washington two years stored inside."

This 1963 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan DeVille has lived all but the last two years in Southern California. I have owned it 6 years and other than detailing engine bay, installing custom air ride system (2-5 gallon tanks, 4 compressors) and new 20 inch chrome wheels and low profile tires, along with regular maintenance, have had to do nothing mechanical to this car (upgraded alternator and heavier battery) other than install a new heater core (what a job!). This car drives and rides great and I have taken it on many freeway and other roadtrips en route to car shows and NEVER broken down. Again, it is a 51 year old car but I honestly have never felt uneasy about jumping in it and driving it 200 miles in one day. It never runs hot, it doesn't burn oil, it really doesn't even leak with the exception of minor transmission fluid leakage if it sits for weeks without being driven, despite the new pan gaskets I installed two years ago.

The paint is a repaint from about 10 years ago, and while it wasn't a high dollar job it really is good looking and in great shape, painted to the original Benton Blue Cadillac color code. Even up close a non-discerning eye doesn't see flaws. The glass is all original and in great shape. The chrome is still bright and other than some pitting on the year bumper and around the rear tail lights and some "haziness" on one of the front buckets, it is in overall great shape. The interior is very decent, and every time I tell people I'm going to redo it they almost universally say they love it, even though to me it looks like grandma's drapes! The door lower carpet kick panels have some staining but there are no rips, tears or worn spots anywhere. The dash and instrument panel and steering wheel are all nice, although there is a cracked spot above the drivers array that has been "heat sealed" but still shows. The power windows all work great, the power seat tilts forward and back and up and down but the direct back and forward hasn't worked since I bought the car (you can hear the motor, but it doesn't move on the track). The car was an original factory AC car, however after spending thousands of dollars getting it working and it never really staying working I disconnected it while I was detailing engine bay and doing bags. The heater core is only 3 years old, however about a year ago the blower stopped working and I'm pretty sure it's the fan itself because when I jumper it to direct power it still doesn't blow. I think a new blower is about $150.

The bag system is awesome. Built by a friend of mine in Cadillac Kings car club of San Bernardino, CA who specializes in Cadillac bag systems, it has Slam Technologies bags, 4 Viar 380C compressors and two parallel 5 gallon tanks with 3 switches on dash for front, rear, pancake action. Also includes a very cool key fob for remote operation of bag system which is great fun at car shows when you can raise and lower car from afar! Set up with individual compressor fuses in trunk and breaker main on fender wall near battery. The alternator has been retrofitted to handle the compressors, however given the nature of how the original system works, if you run the compressors while at idle the charge rate will not keep up long term with heavy compressor use. At idle the alternator really doesn't charge and you either keep the revs above idle while compressing, or remember to recharge the battery after a heavy usage outing.

I had a customized dual exhaust installed 3 years ago with some light glass packs, so the car sounds throaty without being overboard. The key was rerouting the exhaust over the axles (with heat shielding for gas lines) so that when the car is dropped to the ground it actually rests on the frame and there is no contact with exhaust to ground.

The signals, lights, cornering lamps, tail and brake lights, reverse lights all work well. The engine has great compression and the transmission works exactly like it's supposed to. I replaced the power steering unit a few years ago and it works great with no leaks. The brakes are drum but in great shape. The weather stripping is decent but could use replacing around the windows and doors. I have always stored it inside and never driven it in rain or snow, so it was never a priority to replace. The trunk weatherstripping is great and there are no leaks other some minor ones around windows when spraying with high pressure during washing, etc.

Other Known Issues: One center cap is missing off one of the chrome wheels. I mentioned the pitting and hazing on chrome, weather stripping, blower fan. There is also a discolored section on the rear package tray and one broken rear courtesy lamp lens cover, although the lights all work. The package tray is $90 and a lens cover is $6.00. With 4 other vehicles I just never got around to replacing those items and had planned to do it all when I re-did the interior. The only other issue might be in the near future the bushings on the rear "A-arms" may need replacing. At low ride height there is some side to side movement of rear end, but at full ride height it isn't an issue. Car is safe to drive, fun to drive, never fails to draw admiring comments and attention.