Let’s add one more niche vehicle and another coach builder to our repertoire of obscurities: this 1977 Cadillac Seville was altered by A. H. Hotton Associates (AHA), originally headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Called the Renaissance, Hotton’s creation added a Rolls-Royce style grill, a winged goddess radiator mascot, a two-toned paint scheme, and, embedded atop the trunk lid, a spare tire holder. Hollywood Motors of Copiague, New York, has this Seville advertised here on craigslist for $19,900. It runs well and comes with original documents, including its owner’s manual. Thanks to T.J. for this unusual tip!
Andrew Hotton founded his business making upgraded parts for luxury cars; in time, the business evolved toward limousine and professional car production. AHA favored big Lincolns as raw material, a direction supported by GM’s decision to downsize the Cadillac. We don’t know why AHA momentarily shifted its attention to the Seville, the first “baby Cadillac”, but we can guess that the number of these customized cars is vanishingly small. Notwithstanding the cosmetic alterations, the Renaissance’s underpinnings and drivetrain were pure Seville: the engine is the Olds Rocket 350 cu. in. V8, fuel-injected and good for about 180 hp; and the transmission is GM’s three-speed TH-400 automatic. This car’s odometer reads just under 63k. A single day spent spiffing up the engine bay would bring the condition here up a notch.
The interior radiates classic American luxury, with leather upholstery, plush carpet, and wood accents adorning the spacious cabin. The steering wheel is showing wear; the trunk carpet is stained. Underneath, the car is straight enough, though surface rust mars its appearance.
The rear view is my least favorite: I can’t warm up to the “toilet seat” topper on the trunk lid. Since there’s a spare wheel cover inside the trunk, I’m not sure this is even real. Gold “Renaissance” badges are scattered around the car, including two centered on the rear lamps. The crisp-edged styling by Bill Mitchell lasted for years, echoing through the Cadillac line until 1992 when a redesign softened its lines. No question this car’s external cosmetics are in fine condition, but what is its value? Asking prices are all over the lot, running up past $30k, but when we look at actual sales, prices for reasonably nice examples can be in the four figures. Is a Renaissance worth more? My hunch is “no”, but what do you think?
The paint scheme is actually interesting and does still look nice. Ok i admit i’d be the first to un-renaissance it by removing that Rolls imitation grill and the horrible deck lid mounted fake spare. Now the only thing that would be a concern, can we still get parts for the efi setup. My jaw would probably drop if i’d wander to my GM dealer and the parts man smiling saying yeah sure special order a couple of days
Great eye T.J. đź‘Ť and article Michelleđź‘Ť In all fairness to the Hotton and Associates group this era Seville is one of the most beautiful cars to ever leave a factory. Practically impossible to improve on.
“Toilet seat”.
That’s the most app riposte and funniest description I’ve heard about those. The paint job is a nice touch, the leather was a good upgrade but like you it’s a good bet not a lot of folks will pay considerably more for those additions especially in this condition.
Good catch, TJ.
I had a short career selling cars in the 80’s. A customer traded in a 1976 Seville on a new Lincoln Town Car. It had a light blue exterior and a dark blue leather interior. The dealer went crazy trying to get this Cadillac ready to sell. The fuel injection was very finicky. He had me take it home for the weekend. It probably got single digit fuel economy. He had to sell it to the wholesalers as they never got it running right. Meanwhile my Father had a green Seville with green leather interior that ran like a top.
Started with a great looking car. Tried to turn it into a half### pimp mobile and failed miserably
I like this style Seville a lot and this one is very nice but I would definitely remove that (toilet seat) Lol best description ever! From the trunk and repaint the sides to match the rest of the car. I’m not a fan of the grill either but that falls 3rd inline in the unpimping of this car. I really like that it has no vinyl top that’s a big plus for me.
Another terrific write up Michelle, and another great find T.J. I like this generation of Sevilles the best. I like both the shades of green used, but maybe a more factory two tone with the body lines. I’m with the vast majority here…… That toilet seat has got to go and sorry to say I wasn’t a fan of the fake Rolls-Royce grills back in the 70’s and not really today either. That being said, there’s a lot of good on this Caddy considering its age and overall how well it’s held up.
Just short of 20k for this car? Even though I owned one. Not happening.
Michelle strikes again!
“Toilet seat cover” is a perfect description and now is stuck in my mind every time I see one.
I love seeing cars through your eyes.
Always a hoot to read your write-up’s. Thanks for the laughs.
IMHO this is like painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa
Leave the Seville like it is that`s what make`s the car different you can`t remove the grill the hood has been altered to fit it .I know somebody that has 2 1979 Gucci Seville`s one white one brown you don`t change them.