1970 DeVille Convertible - potential purchase question - rust

[grantatx]

Hi Everyone,

New forum member, and prospective first-time Caddy owner. I've been wanting to purchase a 1969-70 DeVille convertible for a while now and have found one quite local to me. Unfortunately it has rust in the bottom of the passenger side front fender and bottom of the passenger side rear quarter. I know there are patch panels for the fenders for this car, but I can't find anything for the rear quarter. Has anyone had to repair/replace a rear quarter on this car or similar? I'm interested to know how much of a job it is (experiences with front fender patching also appreciated!). I'm thinking if the price is right I'll buy the car and do the body work over time, but if it's going to be a major hassle I might bite the bullet and try to source a rust-free example from further away.

Thanks in advance!

Grant

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The rustification of the areas you mention could lead to more serious problems very close by.

The rear quarters could be from water ingressing through the trunk floor, which I would be inspecting very closely, or through the drains in the convertible top.

The front rust could just be from dirt and mud collecting in the fender, or something more serious.

When one sees rust on the outside, coming through the paint, then it has been rusting on the inside for a very long time, and could be horrendous once opening the outside up.

Bruce.

[76eldo]

These are common areas of rust on the 69-70.

Do you have any photos? 

Depending on how serious it is it may be a fairly easy fix or can be the tip of the iceberg.

Brian

[grantatx]

Thanks for the fast responses guys!

I've attached a few of pics downloaded from the ad on Craigslist showing the problem areas (not sure whether it's OK to post links here). It's definitely a project car but I figured if I got it for the right price and the bones were essentially OK it would make a good project. According to the ad this car has had a lot of new steering, suspension & brake parts recently. But I'll happily walk (or run) away from it if the rust if a big issue. I intend to take a torch and fridge magnet and go over the entire car - floor and trunk, all panels. But if it makes more sense to look at cars in different states and truck one back then that's what I'll do.

Cheers,

Grant

[TJ Hopland]

The one side looks puffy along the whole bottom which means someone 'repaired' it in the past.  The fact that its showing again is a sign that the repairs were not very well done and or the rust is pretty deep. 

My opinion based on those photos is this won't likely be a good candidate to sink a lot of time and money into.   If its really cheap, like close to scrap value it may be a fun car to drive and see how much you really like the style of and learn more about what to look for on your next one.   

Do you live in the USA?   Torch makes me think maybe not?   Even if you are not in the USA I still stick with my above opinion.   The overall numbers change but rust doesn't.

[grantatx]

Hi TJ, thanks for your response. I do live in the U.S, in Austin, hence trying to find a car in TX. They don't seem to come up very often down here. I was thinking if I could get the car for $4,000 it would be an OK deal provided it has all the new mechanical parts the current owner says it does. I'd then be happy to throw a few grand at body and paint. But if the body is too far gone then I'll pass on it. I suppose that if there's rust in the spots I can see then more rust in other parts can't bee too far away.

Cheers,

Grant

[Dan LeBlanc]

From what I see in the ad (https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/d/cadillac-deville-convertible/6224072307.html) the car looks to be mostly there.  I've seen worse for the money.

If you're just looking for a fun car to tool around in with a cheap paint job and not a show car, it may not be horrible.

[grantatx]

Hi Dan, yes, that's the one. I figure it's worth a drive out to take a look at on Saturday. I'm not after a show car, just a fun drive. As you say there's plenty worse around for similar money. I have been looking further afield at cars around the $7K mark which are nicer but then I've got to deal with flying somewhere, organizing shipping etc etc. Which I'm happy to do but if there's something that fits the bill in TX then so much the better.

[TJ Hopland]

Looking at the rest of the pics the rest of the car does look decent.   Interior looks alright and the carb and master cylinder looks pretty clean so likely recently replaced.      Does seem like its worth a look.    I wonder if the car started out as a daily driver in the rust belt then moved south?   Maybe its not rust?  Some sort of undercoat that just doesn't photograph well?    Guess you will find out in a few days.   

[76eldo]

I would keep looking.  The rust looks like once you get into it it's going to be extensive AND expensive.

Spending more up front for a better car is a wise investment.  You are probably looking at a $10,000 bill to strip the whole car, fix the rust correctly (if there is such a thing) and get it painted.  So the $4000 entry fee is just the beginning.

Plus, the car has some hokey aftermarket body side molding on it so there will be missing posts for the clips and extra hole.

Seeing the Lincoln hub caps on there shows that this is no Caddy guy...

Brian

[grantatx]

Hi Brian, yes, I noticed the Lincoln hubcaps too - not a good sign. Also, I've spoken to the guy and there's title issues also which is a big red flag. I'm going to pass on this one and keep looking.

Thanks everyone for your input, it's been very valuable. I hope to be back posting on the forum soon with details of a new ride!

Grant

[Caddyjack]

Never buy a car from someone who can't spell "brake".   

[Chas]

Grant.......Hello there from "sunny" New Jersey!!! I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that you never owned a convertible before. Why do I say that? The BLACK interior in the car that you posted!! You take a ride in the middle of a +80 degree day with the top down and you will absolutely cook. Got so bad with my '70 CDV that the poor dog wouldn't even get in the car! And I'm in New Jersey.....can't even imagine what it would be like in Texas.