Just wanting a big 'ol Black Cadillac

My Mother-in-law grew up one of eleven kids and her parents were sharecroppers across northern Alabama (Piedmont, Gadsden, and Albertville). She picked cotton as a kid to help the family as she was born in 1940 and was at the tail end of the 11 children so a lot was going on.  Her older brothers would funnel her cigarettes when she was 10 years old.  She lived in a different era.  She ended up in the Chicago area and met and married my father-in-law who was raised in Haleyville, Alabama.  He eventually worked for General Motor's Fisher body in the shipping department.  They usually bought a new car every four years with him getting the old one and her getting the new one.  

She always wanted a Cadillac.  They owned three Pontiac Bonneville's, an Oldsmobile Delta 88, then an Oldsmobile 98 and her last car was a Buick LeSabe.  She passed away in 2014 and never got her Cadillac.  

As I get all emotional over the holidays I think of her and that Cadillac.  Deep down I would love a black Cadillac.  In fact if I had the money (I don't), I would buy that fancy new Blackwing one and you can even put in an automatic transmission.  It's a Cadillac, I don't want to be shifting gears as I want all the comfort and power I can get.  

What's on your mind this Christmas holiday? 

In reply to Datsun310Guy :

As a deep down Cadillac man there ain't nothing wrong with a big black Cadillac.

My grandmother always paused to take in the majesty of a black Cadillac. I remember being out to dinner with her and a flashy new caddy was in the parking lot. On the way back to the car she points to it and says "look at that beautiful car." She also never got her Cadillac, no idea why I guess she liked the idea more than the reality. She lived to 93 and lord knows she could have afforded it. But I guess a garage ornament wasn't high on her priority list. 
 

I always think that some day I would get one and think of her when I drive it. 

I always wanted one that was long and black.

My grandfather had a black 1950 Cadillac and Dad had a string of old Cadillacs. 53,57, 63, 73, and 74. None were black. The 63 and  73 were white with black vinyl tops, but no solid black ones.  After he passed, Mom went out and bought a blue 84 Sedan Deville. I think she just missed seeing a Caddy in the driveway. 

Now THIS is a Cadillac! If I had the money I would look for one of these.

This is what the Godfather drove.

In reply to drock25too :

My work has me on a $150,000 life insurance policy and I have another $200,000 policy on my own.

My wife's dream vehicle is a brand new Range Rover - one of those big, white ones.  

I tell her, honey, if I die go get one before you head to the my wake so you look good in the funeral procession.   

My grandfather was a machinist and Cadillac man through and through.  He had a 3rd gen De Ville that was just a BOAT of luxury.  My dad tells me it had a 472 in it (because he used to drive it back in high school and all the girls loved the big engine), but all I remember were the outings we had, they were such big events!  It didn't matter where we were going in that barge, as long as we were going somewhere in THAT barge!  Man, I swear we could load a whole city block in that dang thing!

When the Cimarron came out (I know, say what you will), he bought one with the 2.8-liter V6 for my grandmother and they became a 100% Cadillac household.  I was 5 when that happened.

Grandpa died when I was in the 7th grade, and his car was parked out front and sold shortly before that happened.  But Grandma kept that Cimarron until I was 18 years old and gave it to me for my first car.  Again, say what you want but I still have those gold plated keys tucked away in my chest of mementos.

Obligatory picture of a De Ville that looks just like I remember my grandfather's.

 

That's what I like about classics though.  No way my grandfather could have afforded that De Ville when it was sold new.  At some point in time, that De Ville became "second hand" enough that a single income household with three kids could buy into it.  And when they did, they kept it until it was beyond cool again.

You'll get your Caddy, man.  

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

Your granddaddy had a '66 Sedan de Ville Hardtop according to that picture. There's one sitting right behind me and another parked halfway down the drive :D Would have been a 426 unless granddaddy was a hotrodder. Still a big burbling cruiser.

My current '66 was someone's grandfather's car. After he passed, it was parked until it had to be sold. I had to be approved for adoption :)

I like the stacked '65-'66. They're a bargain compared to some of the earlier Cadillacs, especially if you get a sedan instead of a coupe or convertible.

Keith Tanner said:

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

Your granddaddy had a '66 Sedan de Ville according to that picture. There's one sitting right behind me and another parked halfway down the drive :D Would have been a 426 unless granddaddy was a hotrodder. Still a big burbling cruiser.

My current '66 was someone's grandfather's car. After he passed, it was parked until it had to be sold. I had to be approved for adoption :)

You may be 100% right.  The car in the photo looks 100% the way I remember it, but trying to image searching google by memory is hit and miss sometimes.  Either way, I do miss that car...

If I was buying a Cadillac .....

A used Caddy? Oh I totally get that. 

The latest CTS-V has 600+ horsepower and is just plain awesome.

The ATS-V was pretty amazing and they have not depreciated enough for me yet, dangit.

Heck, an STS-V with some mods could be a great budget-friendly version of the latest supercharged CTS-V. 

For that matter, a 1st gen CTS-V is still pretty wicked and somewhat obtainable. 

The problem is, this is what my budget will allow for.

I mean, not in such good shape of course.

Go big! (Although there was a v-16 as well....) This is the coolest Cadillac I've ever driven. It certainly has presence! I'm more of a 60s Chrysler guy myself though. One day....

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

68 would have the vertical stacked lights and a 472.

Diggin the E36M3 outa this BADCAD love Y'all.......tanx.....Merry Christmas!!!

914Driver said:

If I was buying a Cadillac .....

I love all the old Caddy's but I want a brand new one - I just drive it.  

Take the ride to dinner, run to the bank, drive on a snowy day to work, take a vacation and drive across Montana, maybe go to Glacier NP again.  Maybe go to Martha's Vineyard.

I want luxury, comfort, relaxation along with a big V8 modern engine that performs well.