Indy Wagon

[gross707]

Factory built ‘69 wagon?
That’s what the owner claims...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1969-cadillac-deville-hardtop-wagon/

[D.Smith]

Factory built ‘69 wagon?
That’s what the owner claims...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1969-cadillac-deville-hardtop-wagon/

"I read it on the internet so it has to be true" 

[76Caddy]

Correct me if I'm wrong...that's a '70 front clip, not just a '70 grill as indicated.  Is that not a '70 instrument panel?  Is it a '69 with '70 parts or a '70 with a '69 tail end?  Not going to mention the steering wheel.


Tim

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Love the "story" on the bearing failure problem.   It is from a person replying to the add.   And it was fixed by going to the 500.  People really know a lot about stuff.

Bruce.

"Debuting in 1968, these engines developed an astounding 525 lb ft of torque at only 3000 rpm.

The problem is that the overhead valve design was prone to bearing failure on the intermediate shaft. This is commonly referred to as “IMS failure” among Cadillac aficionado. Regretfully there is no warning as to when your 7.7 liter will grenade so many owners invest about $2500 to $3500 for a ceramic bearing fix as a proactive measure.

The problem was rectified by Cadillac with the change to 500 cubic inches in the 1970 model year.

To the dismay of many Cadillac owners, the manufacturer never fully admitted fault with the faulty bearing design, but the “wreath and crest” faithful have continued to embrace the brand overall."

[rwchatham CLC 21892]

You can tell it’s a high quality build by the cracking paint and the overspray on the chrome trim ! 😂

[TJ Hopland]

Interesting look without the door pillar.  I would like to see it with more stock or period wheels and maybe just a little trim.

Intermediate shaft?   Isn't that usually referring whats kinda an idler cam gear some designs use on overhead cam engines?   I think the Northstar has one but they are about 20 years early for that and even there that doesn't seem like its very high on the list of Northstar's issues.    So what are they talking about on a 472/500?   I would live to see their write up on a 4100

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

You might notice the (apparently) body wide weld of a filler piece on the underside photo and also the second patch just laid on the floor from above. Quality throughout.
Greg Surfas

[D.Smith]

These conversions were done on demand thru area Cadillac dealers, not the factory.  Although some of the cars if ordered new were drop shipped right from the factory at some of those coachbuilders like ASC and WISCO.    That doesn't mean that these conversions were backed up by the factory.  The drop ship was a courtesy only.  And not all of these wagon conversions were done by the larger coachbuilders.   Some were one-offs by local shops around the country and quality varies a lot.      All of these conversions requires a donor cars rear roof.    Being very labor intensive these were costly conversions and only a handful were done in any year.     And when you pay $16K for an $8K car after conversion and two months later the next years model arrives, it wasn't unheard of for the owner to go back to the dealer or coachbuilder and ask for a trim upgrade to freshen the styling to look new.   

I'm not saying that is why this 69 has a 70 nose job.   The examples I can give are 74s with square headlamps.     When an entire front clip is changed it is usually the result of a front end collision and the owner asks the body shop to order the newer parts to upgrade the cars appearance.   

[veesixteen]

Single exhaust?