What is it with 1970 CDVs....

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Holy cow,
I'm on a half dozen Cadillac sites on Facebook. Everyone owns, is buying, is selling, is looking for parts - for a
1970 Coupe De Ville. When one is offered up for slaughter its picked clean before I can message the
owner, its incredible. Its a cool car, don't get me wrong, but ... why that one? Versus SDV, Fleetwood or Eldorado?
Its all good for me, the bigger the market, maybe more parts (like rotors) will become more affordable. Maybe its
just a production thing, Dave Smith would know. 70 CDV, especially rag tops, are RED HOT.

\m/
Laurie

[D.Smith]

The 4 door hardtop Sedan deVille was the best selling Cadillac that year.    The Coupe deVille was #2 in sales.

For collectability the convertibles will always be in highest demand.     Two door hardtops second most popular.    The Eldorados are of course collectible even though they sold in fewer numbers.

Hardtop Sedan deVille : 83,274
Hardtop Coupe deVille : 76,043
Eldorado                    : 23,842
Fleetwood Brougham  : 16,913
deVille convertible      : 15,172
Pillared Sedan deVille :   7,230
Calais hardtop sedan  :   5,187
Calais hardtop coupe  :   4,724
Ambulance/Hearse     :   2,506
FWD Sixty Special      :   1,738
FWD Limousine          :   1,240
FWD 9-pass sedan     :      876

[James Landi]

Wonder if the trend is helped by the appearance at the super bowl... One can purchase a "whole lot of durable, well engineered, and trendy machinery, that is almost a half century old for not much $$.    Happy day James

[Scot Minesinger]

Laurie,

I agree, if I'm buying a closed car that is available as both a 4 door or two, rather have the 4 door sedan because it is easier for rear seat passengers.  According to some CLC members a 2 door was much cooler than a 4 door in 1970.  Embrace the concept that a four door is less costly and it is what you have, that is what I did.  Got to have a drop top though.

Of course the best of both worlds for me is a 4 door convertible authorized by Cadillac in 1970 with a full warranty sold by the Cadillac dealer in Chicago.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Oh Scot, The Ark is my WORLD, no regrets at all.
I'm just surprised the Fleetwoods aren't in more demand since fewer were made that year, whatever.

\m/
Laurie

[Scot Minesinger]

 Chocolate and vanilla, I would rather own a 1970 Fleetwood than a 1970 Coupe DeVille

[wrefakis]

you would be surprised at demand for really sharp original 69/70 Fleetwood, they just never turn up

[Scot Minesinger]

For a 1970 Fleetwood in great condition with no vinyl roof, and leather (preferably a 60S with a bench seat with top of seat same height all the way across like in brochure) all sorted, I would pay near what a 1970 convertible in nice condition is worth.  If it had tilt, auto turn on headlights, aqua fire-mist (lucern?) and dark blue interior I would pay what a convertible is worth.  I do not have time or room for any additional vehicle at this time.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

When we were kids by father would only buy a 2 door. It was hard for us 3 kids to get in the back. They finally got an 89 Bonneville that was 4 door of course. Was happy when they did.
It seems like the 60's and 70's cars were designed as 2 door cars and they just scabbed an extra set of doors on them. However I have gained an appreciation of 4 door cars over the last few years.
Jeff

[wrefakis]

these are very rare in really top condition I too would pay all the $$ for a really super one
ran down to dutch wonderland auction spring of 1982 to bid on 70 Fleetwood 9k miles
had body work all over
THEN!
yes I have photo doubt I have seen 3 good ones since

[davedeltadog]

I have a palmetto green 69 coupe slick top. I bought it because it's a coupe. I like two doors and to me they are just much cooler than a sedan. Any time I drive the car I need to allow myself extra drive because someone always wants to know all about it and many ask if it's for sale. It's a very rare occasion that anyone rides in the back so that's not an issue. 

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

you would be surprised at demand for really sharp original 69/70 Fleetwood, they just never turn up

Since I've had The Ark, I take a trip around the net from time to time looking for a 1970 Fleetwood. The same 6 keep showing up. 3 have been badly molested, the other 2 need paint/body, 1 seemed nice and they all want(ed) WAY more than what I paid for The Ark. The more I looked at those cars, the more I realized what a gift The Ark was given its condition in and out. Can't tell if the cars were ever sold or are still available. Scot I think the Fleetwoods 'have to have' hats, love the vinyl top, even after what I just went through, it makes the car. My gorgeous 87 had a 1/4 cloth top with opera lights, just stunning.

According to Dave's production numbers, there were almost 5 times as many CDV made, 1k less DV rag tops, and 9K more Eldorado's than the total production of Fleetwood Brougham. Maybe the Fleetwood 'is' just a rare bird and the CDV just more in numbers.

\m/
Laurie

[Scot Minesinger]

Laurie,

Glad you like the vinyl top, and my 1970 SDV has one too, which is cool.  The 1970 SDV is silver, the color of many cars today, and so the dark blue vinyl top distinguishes it more from modern cars.  Given the choice, I would take a no vinyl top Cadillac over a vinyl top Cadillac though.

On rarity of cars produced there are two primary reasons; one is that when new the car was really desirable, but expensive and the other is that the car when new was terrible.  I usually do not hang my hat on value due to rarity.  A good example is almost all Cadillacs of the 69/70 model years were delivered with factory climate control, and 69/70 Cadillacs without a/c are rare, but of course less valuable.  The 1970 Cadillac convertibles were the rarest model of non-commercial Cadillac that year (pillard SDV do not count), but they are valuable because the top goes down.  The Fleetwoods are valuble because the wheelbase is longer and the back seat passengers have lots of room. 

The 1970 Cadillacs are desirable from a mechanical perspective; 472 high compression 375 hp/525 lb-ft torque with NO AIR Pump, collapsible steering column, disc brakes standard, TH400, and diff with inspection plate and 2.93 gears.  No other Cadillac save the 1994-96 RWD Fleetwoods have this ideal mechanical set up.  The RWD Fleetwoods of 1994-96 only were available in one body style.

You will love FL!

[Maynard Krebs]

My opinion, not to disparage any Cad owners that prefer 2-door cars, is that this 'preference' is across ALL makes of cars.   It may have began when the first hardtops were two-door models... though the introduction of four-door hardtops followed in fairly short order, historically.

But largely, I see it as a plain ol' bias.   Admittedly, many two-door models have 'better styling', but that's subjective.   But it is a bias, without question.   I see among Chevy fans, for instance, that many of them would rather have a two-door sedan.. than a four-door hardtop.   "Go figure."   

And for those who seldom have anyone in the rear seat, you still have heavy doors in your coupes that approach three miles long... forcing one to enter the driver's seat from a 3/4 angle.. compared to a four-door's "straight side-shot".  Expecting someone to be comfortable while entering or exiting the rear compartment on a two-door.... is akin to inviting someone over to your house.. and expecting them to sit in a closet.

OK, I admit that such is 'rather strong'.   On the up side, the preference for two-door cars.. tends to make the four-door models a bit less expensive.   Good Fleetwood 60 Specials have always been relatively rare... especially if you don't want the too-typical black or other dark paint color.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

My opinion, not to disparage any Cad owners that prefer 2-door cars, is that this 'preference' is across ALL makes of cars.   It may have began when the first hardtops were two-door models... though the introduction of four-door hardtops followed in fairly short order, historically.

But largely, I see it as a plain ol' bias.   Admittedly, many two-door models have 'better styling', but that's subjective.   But it is a bias, without question.   I see among Chevy fans, for instance, that many of them would rather have a two-door sedan.. than a four-door hardtop.   "Go figure."   

And for those who seldom have anyone in the rear seat, you still have heavy doors in your coupes that approach three miles long... forcing one to enter the driver's seat from a 3/4 angle.. compared to a four-door's "straight side-shot".  Expecting someone to be comfortable while entering or exiting the rear compartment on a two-door.... is akin to inviting someone over to your house.. and expecting them to sit in a closet.

OK, I admit that such is 'rather strong'.   On the up side, the preference for two-door cars.. tends to make the four-door models a bit less expensive.   Good Fleetwood 60 Specials have always been relatively rare... especially if you don't want the too-typical black or other dark paint color.

I've had coupes/2 doors: 73 Dodge Charger, 78 TBird, 81 CDV. I could care less about my passengers, they're lucky to be getting a ride. "MY" problem with them was if I wanted to put things in the back seat, PITA.

\m/
Laurie

[cadillacmike68]

My two favorite Cadillac body styles are Fleetwood Broughams and Convertibles. If it doesn't have a drop top, then it needs 4 doors.

[tucsonboy]

As an owner of one my theory would be is that it seems many parts were unique to the 1970. Gas tank for example. Look for an after market and you won't find one for a 1970

[chrisntam]

Here's one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fuel-tank-for-Cadillac-1969-1970-w-o-eec/232514043489?hash=item3622eabe61:g:1nUAAOSwK89Z14bV

It is a relative new release...

I think the EEC is evaporative emission control --> California car.

[tucsonboy]

Sure now they have them. After I bought the closest I could find and modified it....