1949 Coupe DeVille Project - $3,500 - Not Mine - McHenry IL

[Bryan J Moran]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/630088744812789/?ref=search&referral_code=marketplace_search&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Acc7b2eaf-5d2d-477c-b029-00fe17ac7888

1949 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe Deville - Major restoration project or most likely parts car.

Last on the road in about 1980. This Cadillac has seen better days. The previous elderly owner pushed this car outside about 15 years ago with the windows open after she suffered a flood in her basement. All of the contents of the basement went into the garage and this poor 1949 Cadillac Coupe Deville Series 62 was pushed outside and forgotten about. I recently saved this car and bought it from the owners estate, but it is too much of a project for me to handle.

The car is very rusty, sat in a field for about 15 years. Frame seems solid, but the rockers and the floors are very rusty. Car is pretty much complete. May be missing a trim piece or two. Looks to have the automatic transmission and it does have an engine. I cannot get the hood open so there are no pictures of it.

Car does not roll. Will need a tow truck to move as the tires are flat and the rear wheels are locked up.

Car is located in Mchenry IL 60051. NO TITLE, will be sold with bill of sale.

[Hans1965]

What a shame to expose it to the elements for such a long time. Too expensive to restore, right?

[Bryan J Moran]

What a shame to expose it to the elements for such a long time. Too expensive to restore, right?

I believe so.  In some of the photos you can see the woman.  I'm not a fan.  The guy that picked it up likely got it at no cost. 

There are, more or less, still quite a few 1949-1950 parts out there, anything is doable.  It appears complete. Well, except for the rusted out areas. 

[James Landi]

Perhaps I'm "wrong minded," but how does one come up with a $3,500 figure?  Would it not be a better, VIZ:morally sane,  to state that the seller is considering all offers beyond the car's value as scrap?  I could never, in good conscience, sell a car in that condition an ask for a profit beyond its value as junk.  James

[Bryan J Moran]

James
I have been following the market as a hobby for 25 years.  I am no expert as I typically run in pricing in the bottom end of the scale, hence I am attracted to "projects" that I could restore or nice drivers that present a good value.  I knew I would never play in the upper end of the hobby.

I mention that because like most items, even rough projects seem to be subject to an increase in price.  I did however remember a couple of 1949 CdVs and maybe a 1949 Roadmaster Riviera, in the $5,000 to $10,000 range 15 years ago, similar condition. 

Somehow sellers do enough research to know these are special cars, 1st year GM hardtops. 

I do think $3,500 is the new $1,500 of 10-15 years ago.  I see very few older generation cars where the seller offers it for $500 to $1500.  I attribute this to the pop culture phenomenon that all old cars are "classic" and the seller-owner does not want to be that one guy that doesn't make money on an old car.   

[Bryan J Moran]

Another note on THIS car, kind of why I posted - it appears to be an all black car, exterior wise. I found that highly unusual.  1st, it's a CdV in it's 1st year.  As an alternative to buying a convertible, I believe there was an emphasis on a different paint color for the roof.

2. Cadillac had enough cars customarily painted black as the conservative sales leader for GM, I would have thought they wanted to be "optimistic" and spread some color onto the CdV. 

Does anyone else feel an "all black" 1949 CdV might be kind of rare?

[James Landi]

Thanks Bryan,

I really appreciate your personal response to my questions... it's very kind of you to post these car sales, and to share your thinking.  I enjoy learning from folks like you about these cars, and in a more general way, I'm more attuned to our car culture.   Gratefully,  James

[David King (kz78hy)]

The purchase price of a project car is just the ante into the game.  When complete, the +/- $1500 or so starting point is a rounding error within the overall cost.

Really, only the high end cars have a chance at breaking even or showing a gain if you start at a reasonable entry cost.

If you do it for enjoyment/challenge/fun then the cost doesn't matter...if you like the car, go for it.

The car in question here is a parts car in my opinion, poor thing has rot everywhere.

[Bryan J Moran]

The purchase price of a project car is just the ante into the game.  When complete, the +/- $1500 or so starting point is a rounding error within the over cost.

Really, only the high end cars have a chance at breaking even or showing a gain if you start at a reasonable entry cost.

If you do it for enjoyment/challenge/fun then the cost doesn't matter...if you like the car, go for it.

The car in question here is a parts car in my opinion, poor thing has rot everywhere.

David
I agree it is probably a parts car, and the seller will soon realize that and either part it out some or simply haul it to the crusher for about $250.  It still likely has many good parts, for 1949 in general and for CdV 1949 specifically.

I was always told the trunk lid was unique to the CdV and maybe the convertible and although this one might have some rot and need restored, it should be saved.   

It can be restored.  I am an old mechanic and could make a run at the mechanicals but what this would need is a guy to buy it for $500 who has fabrication skills, and yes it would need to be a hobby. 

When I was in high school and shortly after I restored a couple of cars.  I had a good friend across the road who would help. 

[Bryan J Moran]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/527222605605925/?hoisted=false&ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A35e8cdbf-0251-4c38-8d93-3cde93786759

This car is STILL for sale with a price reduction from $3500 to $1500 obo.  This seller has alwaysbeen pleasant when responding to me. 

[Cadillac Nut]

I am local to this car so somewhat interested in it.  Rear fenders are bolt on in '49 correct and coupe only?

[Bryan J Moran]

I am local to this car so somewhat interested in it.  Rear fenders are bolt on in '49 correct and coupe only?

Yes.   If it were closer I would go look at it as well.  If I had my garage from 10 years ago, I would buy it.  I was pretty sure at $3500 there would be no takers.  Now, he likely just wants it gone and a person could pick up a complete 49 CdV for $700 or so. 

I appreciate that this is rough and rusty but was low mileage stored in a garage until it wasn't. Personally, I like the all black CdV when virtually every other one I have seen is more brightly hued, and virtually all with a contrasting top color. 

Of total production, all black would have to be a very small percentage.

[Cadillac Nut]

Yeah I assume the same, it looks like it sold.  I just got too busy and forgot about it.    I thought they same thing, all black, and was stored inside, not a complete disaster. Hope it got saved.

[Bryan J Moran]

Garrett

I believe it did sell.  I saved my facebook marketplace correspondence with him. I saw it go away but not expressly state SOLD.