Late extra(10/2000): The compiler of The (new) Cadillac Database© admits to being less familiar with Cadillac models from 1970 and later. Many of you have asked for more information and photos regarding these later models. I am pleased to inform you that there are other sites on the Web devoted also to Cadillac history and particularly to what I call "modern" Cadillacs, i.e. those built after 1970. So, for additional, pertinent information about Cadillacs from 1970 and later, please visit these excellent, informative sites:
1980
A.H.A. (Toronto, Canada) Renaissance coupe on Seville chassis, custom crafted for Cadillac owners who are looking for something even more distinctive than the Seville sedan.
Optional fender skirts add to the classic image; this
car, according to the
manufacturer, is destined to become a classic in its own time
Optional flared [sic] fender skirts: right
These three rows:
manufacturer's proposed 2-tone paint schemes
American Custom Coachworks [ACC] (USA) custom Seville Paris Roadster Convertible for those who want to drive a "different" Cadillac.In a letter of January 25, 1995, Virgil Budnic of ACCC told Doug Hone a CLC member who owns one of these convertibles that approximately 80 were built of which one-third went overseas.
This one was for sale on e-Bay in April, 2003 [LH photo went "funny" on me ...damned computer again!]
[ more (better) pictures in "1983" section ]
This survivor was offered for sale on the Internet in 2/2006
American Custom Coachworks [ACC] (USA) custom Seville Paris Eldorado coupe. One report suggests that only 500 of these conversions were made available by this Beverly Hills group.
This survivor was offered for sale on Internet in October, 2003
American Sunroof Corporation, ASC ( USA): Cadillac Eldorado convertioble.
merican Sunroof and Wayne Cadillac (PA, USA): Cadillac Seville 2-door sedan from Heinz Prector, claimed by Internet vendor [2/2004] to be the only one of its kind known to exist! This car was produced to promote Cadillac to build 2 door Sevilles.
[ Photos: Internet, 4/2004 ]
Baker, Dick & Tony [see Custom Coach, Lima, OH, below]
Cardin, Pierre (France) As the brochure says: Only a Master can Create a Masterpiece. Cardin's Evolution 1, built on the 1980 Eldorado chassis, is indeed a beautiful looking automobile. This model combines the best of American engineering and technology with the sophisticated looks and craftsmanship of one of France's premier fashion stylists. Thirty coats of lacquer, no less, individually cut and sewn seats, hand finished dash and steering wheel of the finest woods, 22K gold interior accents, English virgin wool carpets, Waterford crystal decanter set and pewter flask all gave the Evolution 1 its true distinctiveness. Production was to be limited to 300 units. Precise production figures are not available but estimated to be around 100 units. Production time at the Detroit factory premises was approximately three months. The base price, FOB Detroit, was $58,000, rising to $63,000 for a fully-equipped car.
Left: handcrafted interior of Evolution 1; right, Monsieur Cardin with his creation
This survivor was offered for sale on Internet in October, 2003
Coach Design Inc. (Westlake Village, CA): Conversion from 1980 Eldorado. Owner/vendor believed only 7 of these conversions were made on the 1980 Cadillac chassis. This San Remo Dovado is definitely a limited edition model. The conversion work cost more than the original Eldorado. Total pice was $40,000. Chassis was strengthened in many places. This model was sold only through official Cadillac dealers.
[ Photos: Internet, 12/2005 ]
Custom Coach, Lima, OH (USA) Father and son team, Dick and Tony Baker sent me in 2007 a CD-ROM containing photos of many of the conversions he and his late father did on the Cadillac chassis. Many of the pics are digital copies of Polaroids, hence the mediocre image quality.
Two diffrent conversions from Eldorado coupe to Eldorado pickup by the Lima, OH-based customizer
[ Photos: © 1980 and courtesy Tony Baker ]
Insbrook Manufacturing & Marketing, Inc. (Florida, USA) Insbrook Edition convertible coupe on Seville chassis [although the correct pronunciation of this Austrian ski resort is "Insbrook", the correct spelling is Innsbruck]. The conversion for a full-size edition cost $14,800 and the suggested retail price was $43,900. Described as a timeless classic creation that combines the Cadillac tradition of engineering excellence and the Insbrook tradition of hand-crafted perfection. Buyers had the distinction of being one of the very select elite in the community. This manufacturer uses the same logo [stylized world globe] and general product brochure presentation as Global Coach & Armor Manufacturing, Inc., also located in Florida. Were these companies affiliated ? Were they possibly both a part of the wider American Standard Coach Builders group?
GM [Cadillac] (USA) Aurora show car (the name was subsequently adopted for an regular Oldsmobile production model
Gucci, Aldo (Italy/USA) gave his own special designer's touch to the 1980 Seville and Brougham models.
Above three rows: this survivor was offered for sale
on Internet in 2004
Hess & Eisenhardt (USA) [see 1978 and 1979, above] Another short run of the Le Cabriolet model was made again this year. One of them found its way to Europe. Also check out this site in the UK, devoted to these Hess & Eisenhardt custom jobs.
Here's another that was offered for sale on Ebay in May 2008
Hess & Eisenhardt (USA) : [Also check out this site in the UK, devoted to these Hess & Eisenhardt custom jobs.]
Moloney Coach Builders (USA): stretched limousines.
Sunrise Automobile Corporation (USA): this pick-up conversion was advertised for sale by auction on the Internet, in October, 2002. The vehicle was said to be one of four Cadillac Coupecheros built by this company, referred to by the vendor as "one of the nations oldest coach builders."
[ Photos: Internet, 10/2002 ]
[Unknown, USA] Custom Eldorado coupe with Lake pipes [not quite sure of year, but looks '79-80 to me]
[Unknown, USA] Two custom station wagons are illustrated below
[Unknown, USA] Custom Cadillac pick-up truck. This "extreme" custom lives in Houston, TX. It is owned by Database visitor, Adam Maldonado who reports: This Cadillac is dropped low and features it all. Some of the modifications include: Full Kandy Paint, Full Radical Upholstery, 4 Hydraulic Pump Setup, Walk Through, Cut and Modified Moon Roof, Wrap around Glass engraving and Blasting, Up Graded 90 Moldings, CC 5th and Grille, etc... How do you keep out the rain, Adam?
Hydraulics, mini-wheels and exposed
rear-mounted engine
Left: low-rider; right Aztec-inspired etchings on sun-roof (as viewed from inside the car)
Left: Aztec design (viewed from outside); right: is this something else, or what?
[ Photos: courtesy Adam Maldonado, the owner ]
[Unknown, USA] For sale on the Internet, in November 2002, this 1980 Cadillac, with less than 10,000 miles is the longest limousine in the world! (100ft long, with 26 wheels). It features a large Jacuzzi and sun deck; there are two drivers' compartments (one in front, normal, and one in the rear to facilitate backing up). It has been registered in the Guinness Book of Records for ten years). The car was described as "NOT roadworthy" and needing about $10,000 in repairs. It was designed as a movie prop and has no interior seating.
[Unknown, USA] Custom Seville bustle-back with T-Top (unfortunately, the image does not show off to advantage this car's interesting design feature.
[Unknown, USA] Not sure of the year; it's possible late 70s or early 80s. Perhaps the CLC member who owns it can tell me the precise year.
[Unknown, USA] Conversion of bustle-back Seville from circa 1980-84
[Unknown, USA] Kit car conversion on 1979 (?) Cadillac 60 Special chassis #6B696A9150152 (for sale on Internet, November 2003). Not recognizable as a Cadillac from the outside but has original engine, drive train, dash and interior.
Trivia: About "chopped" Eldorado coupes made into convertibles, enthusiast Tim Stephens of Belgium wrote, in May 2003: In 1980, in Melbourne, I made a nuisance of myself at Chapel Engineering, the largest and (many say) best right-hand-drive convertors in Australia - operating from 1967 to 2000, by hanging around as a teenager/Cadillac nutcase-in-general. They had two of these (possibly H&E) convertible conversions in the shop - undergoing "re-conversion". One was triple-black with chrome wires, the other white, with an almost electric-blue leather interior and white top, and chrome wires. The cars were imported by the owner of Seaworld on the Gold Coast, in Queensland, and converted there using bevel-drive gearboxes for the steering conversion (steering box remained on the left of the chassis). The conversions were somewhat sub-standard, hence the cars' appearance at Chapel in Melbourne (Chapel's boss Eric Schlifelner lamented that the trunk lids wouldn't stay up when the tops were down!!) I have photos of both dating from 1980, and another set of the white car from a car show in Melbourne circa 1987/88. The black one turned up for sale sometime in the early 1990s, again in Melbourne, but I'm unaware of its present whereabouts. These two, to my knowledge, were the only two imported to Australia that were "chop-top" convertibles - the remainder in later years being the 1984 & 85 "factory" convertible conversions.
