While they haven’t reached the point of extinction, finding coachbuilt vehicles in today’s new car market is challenging. They haven’t disappeared entirely, but tightening safety regulations and insurance requirements mean that they are often deemed unviable. The seller claims that this 1977 Cadillac Seville San Remo is 1-of-2, although that may be an error on their part. Various sources reveal 400 of these classics rolled out of the coachbuilder’s workshop, but they were offered in two variations. Whatever the truth, it remains a rare luxury car that would attract attention when it hits the street. Located in Henderson, Nevada, you will find the Cadillac listed for sale here on Craigslist. The seller has set a price of $39,980 for this eye-catching classic. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this beauty for us.
Cadillac introduced the Seville in mid-1975, and it proved a hit among potential buyers. It sold 16,355 cars during that first six months, and at no point during the subsequent four years did sales drop below 43,000. However, some buyers wanted something different and were willing to pay handsomely for the privilege. Enter Coach Design Group in Westlake Village, California. They developed two versions of their Seville San Remo model. The rarer of the pair was the Convertible, while the Coupe, like our feature car, sold in more significant numbers. Various sources indicate that production totals for the Coupe were approximately 400 cars. Adding to the air of exclusivity, the San Remo was available through a mere two dealerships. If a buyer wanted a San Remo, they needed to walk through the doors of Hillcrest Motor Company of Beverly Hills and Ogner Motors of Woodland Hills, California. Our feature car wears Sable Black paint with a matching landau-style vinyl top. Its presentation is impressive, with the panels and paint showing no evidence of flaws or significant problems. The listing suggests the car has split its time between California and Nevada, and with the climates in both states proving conducive to metal preservation, there should be no issues with rust. The chrome trim and wire wheel covers provide a striking contrast to the paint, and along with the tinted glass, it appears to be in excellent condition. The crowning glory is an electric sunroof by American Sunroof Corporation.
If buyers intended to pay big money for their luxury car, they could rightfully expect to find it brimming with comfort features. The San Remo doesn’t disappoint, featuring leather upholstery, climate-control air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power front seats, cruise control, a tilt wheel with timber inlay, remote exterior mirrors, and an AM/FM stereo radio. This Cadillac’s interior presents well for its age, with no evidence of abuse or wear. The leather upholstery looks soft and inviting. There is no evidence of wear on it or the carpet, the faux-woodgrain trim hasn’t faded or lifted, and the dash is flawless. There are no aftermarket additions, with the interior appearing as it would have when this classic was shiny and new.
While the San Remo’s coachbuilt body may have been strikingly different, delving below the surface revealed a drivetrain unchanged from the Seville Sedan. The engine bay features a 5.7-liter fuel-injected V8 that produced 180hp. The power fed to the rear wheels via a three-speed TH-400 automatic transmission. Power steering and four-wheel power disc brakes were also part of this package. The V8 allowed the San Remo to cover the ¼ mile in 18.8 seconds, although our feature car may be able to improve on that figure. The seller indicates that the engine is under warranty following a complete rebuild, while the old TH-400 has made way for a new and more efficient four-speed 700R4 transmission. They don’t provide specific information on how well the Seville runs or drives, but it would be safe to assume it performs both tasks well.
Cadillac produced 45,060 examples of the Seville during the 1977 model year, and whether this San Remo is 1-of-2 or 1-of-400, it still rates as a rare classic. Coachbuilt cars offer an air of exclusivity, and this is accentuated when the vehicle is a luxury model. Placing a firm value on a rare coachbuilt classic is difficult because they are often worth what someone is willing to pay. A spotless one-owner 1977 Seville Sedan commands a value of around $23,000 in the current market, but that begs the question of whether a buyer will be willing to pay a $17,000 premium for the exclusivity. That’s a tall order, but I won’t be surprised if they do. Stranger things have happened in the classic world.
I would still take the 4-door Seville over this custom creation. It definitely looks better than some of the silly coupe conversions that make the car disproportionate and ruin the lines. However if you want a custom OldsmoNovallac this is your ride!
I never knew these San Remos ever existed. I agree with “alphasud” and to me any value in this supposedly rare car depending on how one defines rare, would be in it remaining 100% original including the factory drivetrain. I too prefer the Seville sedans which have really grown on me over the years.
I think I know this car. A Larry Hagman, J.R. Ewing of DALLAS
conversion, at least on one of them. It was for sale in Monterey, CA
at a use car lot at one time.
I joke about the “two-door tax” on some vintage cars not being worth it, but given that the MSRP on the San Remo conversion new had to be at a minimum enough money to buy a whole Chevette and more likely a whole Cutlass back in 1977, somebody really didn’t want a 4-door sedan.
Or for that matter, a Coupe de Ville which cost thousands less than the stock Seville before that expensive conversion.
The 4 door seville was near perfection, impossible to improve the looks.
Why would you want your Cadillac to look like a late ’70’s Buick Riviera?
To me, a great looking car. Time travel back to 1977; if GM produced the Seville in this two door configuration their sales would have doubled. Although sales of the El Dorado might have suffered.
The nice factor on these is, they didn’t shorten the wheelbase from the sedan, making it a ‘clown car’ in proportions. The overall look is one that appears Cadillac could’ve offered it. wish they kept the factory taillamps instead of using Eldorado units, but it’s still nice. Probably the cleanest of these still around.
Never seen one. Love the 4 doors!
Should have kept the Seville taillights, and why does it have a early to mid eighties cad steering wheel…for nearly 40k? PASS.
I will call the one of 2 statement BS!
I owned a 1976 San Remo coupe several years ago that I purchased in TX. There are pictures on the web that clearly show more than 2 of these special 2 door Coupe San Remo cars were produced. The 2 doordale San Remo coupes are very rare in number. I have heard for years less than 10 yet no written proof other than memories from back in the 1970’s. A San Remo coupe different than this one previously would show up at the Pavillions car cruise in Scottsdale. Between this car, my old car and the Scottsdale car that 3 right there.
San Remo Sevilles were BY FAR the BEST of the BEST when it came to Cadillac Seville conversion. The proportions of their 2 door convertibles and 2 door coupes look proper just like GM would have built these cars.
As far a pricing it has been hard for San Remo convertibles to bring $40K therefore while much “Rarer” the San Remo coupes are not near as desirable therefore this car is vastly overpriced in my opinion. There is a reason there was very few made and that is that very few folks wanted one!
I would clarify your last statement by saying “very few folks were willing to pay the cost of a Seville conversion”.
I would not say that!
There were 500 of those POS short door 2 door Milan convertibles built along with other stretched 2 door Seville conversions such as the Grandeur.
There were far more people with money than taste in the late 1970’s than you might imagine!
Looks like someone’s gonna get “San Remo’d” on that one!