1984 Cadillac Seville

Description

Cadillac was taking chances in the 1980s, switching to front-wheel-drive, adding technology like digital instrumentation and fuel injection, and, of course creating cars like this stunning 1984 Seville. The design didn't catch on with everyone, for those few who appreciate the design, it's the epitome of 1980s elegance and style.

The influence of Rolls-Royce styling is undeniable, and the clipped trunk recalls the designs of Hooper in the 1950s, when it was called razor-edge styling. The Seville's broad front end and spacious greenhouse actually works better than most of the frumpy Rolls-Royce designs. This is an excellent survivor that has clearly led an easy life in the south. Cotillion White seems quite appropriate and it's highlighted by a swatch of stainless trim that stretches the length of the body and further emphasizes the trunk. That's original paint and it's still quite nice with only minor signs of use and a great shine. Critical pieces like the urethane bumper fillers are in great shape (usually they're the first to crack and crumble) and the special taillights are in excellent condition. This car sports a (then popular) mock convertible top, sometimes called a carriage roof, and it fits well and isn't ripped or frayed, lending the Seville a dignified look. And no car from the early '80s is complete without a lot of chrome, including heavy bumpers and the upgraded grille that further emphasizes the Rolls-Royce similarities.

The red leather interior is simply spectacular in a 1980s kind of way. This is what luxury looked and felt like 30 years ago and to be honest, it's pretty cool. Button-tufted bucket seats, lots of stretch-out room, deep pile carpets, and enough sound-deadening for a radio station mean that it's as comfortable and hushed as an English gentlemen's club. The leather is remarkably well-preserved with only minor signs of use and the carpets remain quite nice thanks to original floor mats. Everything was standard equipment on Cadillac's top-of-the-line machine, including power windows, locks, and seats, automatic climate control, a tilt column, and cruise control. The digital dash was cutting-edge in 1984 and remains fully functional along with the trip computer which is a useful little gadget. Everything works properly, from the A/C to the AM/FM/CD stereo system that was also state-of-the-art in 1984. And lest you think that abbreviated trunk profile hampers cargo space, guess again, because somehow the trunk is quite cavernous.

Cadillac's 4.1-liter V8 engine is smooth and torquey, if not a tire-shredding monster. It moves the front-wheel-drive Seville with ease and goes about its business unobtrusively and actually pulls down decent fuel economy. Properly maintained, these are excellent engines and it appears that this one has been properly serviced and runs very well today. It's quite clean under the hood and this car would definitely qualify for preservation-class judging. The front-wheel-drive system has proven itself over the decades and the traction offered by the system will impress you should the weather turn nasty. The undercarriage is tidy and quite stock, right down to the original catalytic converter and single exhaust system which is nearly silent. The all-independent suspension rides well, there's a disc brake at each corner, and with automatic load-leveling in back, this car is still an awesome highway cruiser for road trips. Handsome factory alloys are a nice touch and carry recent Michelin whitewall radials.

Not a lot of these have survived, particularly not in this condition, so if you're one of those guys who loved the look, perhaps this is your chance to own a game-changer at a bargain price. Call today!