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Car Of The Day: May 23, 2008; Matchbox '69 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
Topic Started: May 23 2008, 01:11 AM (850 Views)
Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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Today's car of the day is Matchbox's 1969 Cadillac Sedan DeVille.

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Wikipedia
 
The Cadillac DeVille was originally a trim level and later a separate model produced by Cadillac. The first car to bear the name was the 1949 Coupe de Ville, a pillarless two-door hardtop body style with a prestige trim level above that of the Series 62 luxury coupe. The last model to be formally known as a DeVille was the 2005 Cadillac DeVille, a full-size sedan, the largest car in the Cadillac model range at the time. The next year, the DeVille was officially renamed DTS.


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For more information and pictures of the real car please visit: Cadillac Sedan de Ville

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Absolutely one of the nicest castings Matchbox has produced lately, and considering the quality coming from Matchbox these days, that's saying something! A fantastic casting of a car no one ever would have expected to show up in 1/64, and to top it off its even in a factory color.

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Wikipedia
 
As it had been since DeVille became a separate series, DeVille denoted Cadillac's mainstream model, falling between the Calais (which had replaced the Series 62) and the Sixty Special and Eldorado. The DeVille was redesigned for 1965 but rode on the same 129.5-inch (3,290 mm) wheelbase. Tailfins were canted slightly downward, and sharp, distinct body lines replaced the rounded look. Also new were a straight rear bumper and vertical lamp clusters. The headlight pairs switched from horizontal to vertical, thus permitting a wider grille. Curved frameless side windows appeared, and convertibles acquired tempered glass backlights. New standard features included lamps for luggage, glove and rear passenger compartments and front and rear safety belts. Power was still supplied by the 340 horsepower 429 cu in (7,030 cc) V8, which would be replaced by the 472 cu in (7,730 cc) for 1968. Perimeter frame construction allowed repositioning the engine six inches forward in the frame, thus lowering the transmission hump and increasing interior room. Pillared sedans appeared on the DeVille series for the first time, while six-window hardtop sedans were dropped. A padded vinyl roof was a $121 extra-cost option on the hardtop model. All four DeVille models had small "Tiffany-like" script nameplates on the ends of their rear fenders just above the chrome side molding.

In 1966 changes included a somewhat coarser mesh for the radiator grille insert, which was now divided by a thick, bright metal horizontal center bar housing rectangular parking lamps at the outer ends. Separate rectangular side marker lamps replaced the integral grille extension designs. There was generally less chrome on all Cadillac models this year. DeVille scripts were still above the rear tip of the horizontal body rub moldings. Cadillac crests and V-shaped moldings, front and rear, were identifiers. Cadillac "firsts" this season included variable ratio steering and optional front seats with carbon cloth heating pads built into the cushions and seatbacks. Comfort and convenience innovations were headrests, reclining seats and an AM/FM stereo system. Automatic level control was available. Engineering improvements made to the perimeter frame increased ride and handling ease. Newly designed piston and oil rings and a new engine mounting system and patented quiet exhaust were used.

The 1967 DeVilles were extensively restyled. Prominent styling features were given a powerful frontal appearance with forward-leaning front end, long, sculptured body lines, and redefined rear fenders that had more than just a hint of tail fins in them. The full-width, forward-thrusted "eggcrate" grille was flanked by dual stacked headlights for the third consecutive year. The squarer cornered grille insert had blades that seemed to emphasize its vertical members and it appeared both above the bumper and through a horizontal slot cut into it. Rectangular parking lamps were built into the outer edges of the grille. Rear end styling revisions were highlighted by metal divided tail lamps and a painted lower bumper section. Coupe de Villes got a new roofline, inspired by the Florentine show car created for the 1964 New York World's Fair, that gave rear seat passengers added privacy. As on that show car, the quarter window glass retracted rearward into a sail panel. Minor trim variations and slightly richer interiors separated DeVille from Calais. Tiffany style chrome signature scripts were again found above the body side molding on the rear fenders. New standard DeVille features included non-glare rear-view mirror, electric clock, Automatic Climate Controls, padded dashboard, Hazard Warning system, outboard seatbelt retractors and rear cigarette lighters in all styles. A slide-out fuse box and safety front seat back lock for two-door models were additional Cadillac advances for the 1967 model year. Technical improvements included a revised engine valve train, different carburetor, Mylar printed circuit instrument panel, re-tuned body mounts, and a new engine fan with clutch for quieter operation.

In 1968 grilles had an insert with finer mesh and step down outer section which held the rectangular parking lights just a little higher than before. Rear end styling was modestly altered with the deck lid having more of a rake. The most obvious change was an 8.5-inch-longer hood designed to accommodate recessed windshield wiper-washers, which now came with three speeds standard. Of 20 exterior paint color combinations, 14 were totally new. On the inside enriched appointments included molded inner door panels with illuminated reflectors and a selection of 147 upholstery combinations, 76 in cloth, 67 in leather and four in vinyl. New standard features included a Light Group, a Mirror Group, a trip odometer and an ignition key warning buzzer. The DeVille also gained a new 472 cu in (7,730 cc) V8 engine rated at 375 hp (SAE gross). 1968 was also the last year for the "stacked" dual headlights, which were replaced with side-by-side dual headlights in 1969. This was also the last year for vent windows. Side marker lights in the rear bumper as well as front fender were also added. Side mirror changed from a round to rectangular shape. Also of note front disc brakes were available starting in 1968.

In 1969 DeVille was restyled in the Eldorado image. An Eldorado-like front fender treatment evolved and helped to emphasize a stronger horizontal design line. Rear quarters were extended to give the car a longer look. There was an all new grille with dual horizontal headlamps positioned in the outboard step down areas of the grille. The hood was again extended, a total of 2.5 inches to add the impression of extra length. The roofline was squarer and the rear deck and bumper more sculptured. A new ventilation system eliminated the need for vent windows, which provided a longer sleeker look and improved visibility. New standard features included front and rear (except on convertibles) center seat armrests.

In 1970 a facelift included a grille with 13 vertical blades set against a delicately cross-hatched rectangular opening. The bright metal headlamp surrounds were bordered with body color to give it a more refined look. Narrow vertical "vee" tail lights were seen again, but now had additional smaller V-shaped bottom lenses pointing downward below the bumper. Wheel discs and winged crest fender tip emblems were new. Exterior distinctions came from a DeVille script above the rear end of the belt molding and from the use of long rectangular back up light lenses set into the lower bumper as opposed to the smaller square lens used on the Calais. A new feature was a body color border around the edge of the vinyl top covering, when this option was ordered. 1970 was the last year that DeVille offered a convertible body style, 1970 was also the last model year for pillared sedans until hardtops were permanently dropped in 1977. A total of 181,719 DeVilles were sold for that model year, accounting for 76% of all Cadillacs. Never again would Cadillac sales be dominated to such a degree by a single model!


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craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

A great selection by the MB team. Only wish it was in a larger scale instead of 1/75. The paint looks awesome on this casting.
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davidj94
Out hunting for JL
Nice job by Matchbox! We could use more cars done as well as this and not ruined with green glass and yellow interiors!
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
This Matchbox $1 peg car puts many cars by the so called "detailed" makers to shame. If these folks can get the proportion and look correct, then we should not be paying up to $5 for other brands that continue to have narrow bodies, too tall rooflines, shortened profiles, missing curved areas and incorrect features. Adding detail paint and rubber tires is good, but it doesn't make an ugly proportioned car correct.

So there is more reason now than ever for me to look over every new casting by the premium makers and refuse a car that just doesn't look right. The MB Caddy sets a standard and it only cost me 97 cents. :thumbup:

If I were to change anything on the Caddy, I'd like to see less use of the knock-off hubbed style wheels. We need a new style generic wheel with wide walls and a full center wheel cover that is more acceptable to street sedans, coupes, and trucks.

We all know this isn't the only beauty by Matchbox that has recently hit the pegs. The have gotten lots of my dollars recently! :)
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jedimario
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RAWR
ivantt
May 23 2008, 11:30 AM
Adding detail paint and rubber tires is good, but it doesn't make an ugly proportioned car correct.

Nor does it detract from the ugliness! :lol:
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Sak
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Ezekiel 25:17
1:69 would've been even better!
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be77bt
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be77bt
*In Memory Of*
:thumbup: That is the one I want.
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
I think MB got it right on the nose with this casting. the proportrions look right, the colour looks right for a top end auto, the wheels could of been a little more in tune with the car, but what is shown is the best MB has right now. Even the tinted glass looks good on it.

now don't go and mess it up with yellow glass and a chrome interior next time it is issued. Paint her pink and thats all you need, maybe a little bumper sticker that reads "Mary Kay"

:P
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jedimario
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RAWR
Meh, it's still waaaay too small.
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
jedimario
May 25 2008, 12:50 AM
Meh, it's still waaaay too small.

Agreed. A Cadillac shouldn't be the same size as a Honda...unless we're talking about a Cimmaron. ;)
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
I think they could have made it a bit bigger and it still would have fit their blister pack sizes. However, if I had to choose between larger size or correct proportions, I'll still take the latter. :) :) :)
Right now, I'm hoping the new wheels will make it on the revamp of this casting.

If you look at Swifty's photos, and someone said it was a 1/24 diecast, I'd probably believe it. That's what good proportions can do for any size casting.
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
And here is the American Classic that tied the little piece of French engineering skill and expertise.

:wacko: :blink: :wacko:
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
This casting certainly received a number of color variants over the years, including two very different shades of pink. I'd still like to see some more, but even if it's never released again, Matchbox got their money's worth out of this tooling.
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corvairjim
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Fullsize
I can't figure out why Matchbox decided to do a mid-60's Cadillac sedan, but I'm glad they did. This one's a winner. I have several of them in various colors.
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
I think it was because this car was featured (and destroyed) in multiple episodes of Mythbusters.

http://imcdb.org/vehicle_64163-Cadillac-Sedan-DeVille-1969.html
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

corvairjim
May 22 2018, 09:48 PM
This one's a winner. I have several of them in various colors.
Me too!
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tksjohn
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Station Wagon
This one looks gangsta in gold
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pjedsel
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Muscle Car
:thumbup: Neat big boat Caddy! This was a great model for Matchbox to release - it would be great to see it make another appearance in the line-up or in a special series.
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Pegers
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Pony Car
nice casting.
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
TEN years ago this came out??? Holy Moley. :blink:
I think I just stepped out of a time machine.
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