The first-generation Seville made more than a few heads turn if you think back to what size the other American luxury cars were. This “small”, although seventeen-foot-long, 1978 Cadillac Seville has the rare Astroroof and the seller has it listed here on eBay in Puyallup, Washington, near Tacoma. There is no reserve and the bid price is just $3,550 as I write this, another bargain from Scotty G’s Barn Finds Bargain Basement. An anonymous reader sent in this tip, so thanks to the mystery tipster.
Are there any others out there who like cars from the late-1970s other than me? Let’s see those hands. Ok, a few more than I thought since dusty muscle cars get most of the love here. That era gets a bad rap but how else would we have cars like this unique, luxurious, “small” (smaller) Seville? The seller included three YouTube videos, a cold start video, one showing the underside, and an engine running video. Does it sound like it could use some exhaust work to you?
They were made from 1975 for the 1976 model year until 2004 and boy were there some wild changes in that time! The first-generation Sevilles were made for the 1976 through 1979 model years and they were meant to be somewhat of a response to Europe’s luxury cars of the time that were becoming popular in the US. They were still seventeen feet long so they weren’t shrinking violets (who says that anymore?!) but they were smaller than the average Cadillac and they sold well. The first-generation cars are my personal favorites by far.
Some of you may remember that I recently had a very nice, one-owner 1984 Seville, and here’s a pic of both profiles. Yeah, there’s really no question which one I’d want out of those two, the gold one. Although my black Seville was an absolutely fantastic trouble-free car, I prefer the earlier Seville. My trunk was maybe a bit fancier than the trunk on the gold Seville seen here, although they’re similar. Yep, it’s the gold Seville for the win, hands down. I’d put nice white walls on the gold Seville if it were mine, even if black wall tires made it look more European and less posh, something that Cadillac was trying to accomplish. Or maybe not, I’m on the fence about that, what would you do: black wall tires or whitewall tires?
The gangsta’ lean seat photo is a little strange but the interior looks perfect to me. The gold dash is a very elegant touch and those buttery-soft leather seats look great. This car also has the Astroroof option
This is not the diesel engine but the regular Oldsmobile Rocket 350 cubic-inch V8 which had 170 horsepower and 270 ft-lb of torque. It gets the same mileage as my Cayenne Turbo but has 1/3 the horsepower. Still, there is something refined, elegant, and stylish about a Cadillac, even from the mid-1970s, that a person can’t get with a new vehicle, especially an SUV – any SUV, I don’t care what it is. Any thoughts on this gold gem?
One of the best looking Cadillac models ever made IMHO. Also has Bendix fuel injection which was another first for the brand. The lines never get old and even when I was in high school back in the 80’s I thought this car would make a good sleeper muscle car.
I agree. I have no idea why they changed the styling. Timeless.
When I was in the auto wholesale business back in the early 80s my boss had one of these that was a diesel. The diesel went belly up and was replaced with a tri-power 427 supposedly out of a Vette. He ran full mufflers with resonators. If you knew what to listen for you could hear the headers ringing but that was it. Outside the car was kept stock right down to the wire wheel covers and diesel badging. Total sleeper for back in the day.
Love these, especially with whitewalls.
I had a copper colored ’77 that I sold in the late 80s. I wish I still had it. It reeked of luxury.
I bought a copper colored 77 in 87….I loved that car. It had the coldest A/C, of any car I ever rode in… leather everything….nice
A neighbor had a ’79 Elegante in black and silver with no vinyl top, astroroof, and real wire wheels. It was one Seville that truly lived up to the “Elegante” name. I wish I could find one like it!
Cadillac took a Chevrolet Nova frame, mixed in an Oldsmobile 5.7 liter V8 and added fuel injection and the power and luxury items of the Deville. The recipe yielded a car that cost more than the larger Cadillaxs. It was boxy like a Ford Granada and Mercedes Benz 240-280-300 models. A boxy car yields more headroom with less overhang for better visibility and easier parking and it’s look nice too. I did like the first generation Seville styling..hated the bustleback 1980 redo. It is not a muscle car, sports car or classic 1950s collectible or even a traditional luxury American land yacht so I can understand the low bids. Will probably sell because of its looks and equipment.
They very deliberately (and profitably!) priced it above the standard Caddys because they didn’t want the smaller Cadillac to be perceived as a “junior” Cadillac. It worked.
Yes, the chassis on these is from the 1968-79 Chevy Nova (or 1967-81 Camaro if you want to look at it that way) with thicker subframe bushings. It also shares much of the body stamping with the ’73 and up Nova sedan. GM designated it as a K-body, not an X-body, but really it’s the Cadillac version of the “NOVA” cars.
For 1980, GM switched the Seville to the FWD E-body platform (Eldorado, Riviera and Toronado). That was logical given that the ’75-79 design dated back to 1968, so it was definitely time for a refresh. They also made the doomed 5.7 Olds diesel the standard motor and really played that up. The “bustleback” design was controversial, and, as I recall, it was the first GM car to break the $20,000 barrier.
I bought 78 Seville in blue for my 16 year old step son in 98. It was a really nice low mileage car. Unfortunately a rubber fuel line under the engine leaked gas and caught the car on fire burning up wiring and destroying the computer. Those early car computers were expensive. Ended up sending the car to the scrap yard and buying him a 95 Dodge Dakota.
God bless America
Sevilles from this era are beautifully proportioned and designed cars. Typical of most photos, the paint on this Seville looks faded in some and beautiful in others. Whitewalls would do this car justice. Nice color but Sevilles look better in darker colors. With no mileage given, if it’s very high, the fuel injection system could be a nightmare to rebuild.
I had a 1978 Seville. The day after I bought it, I drove 36 hours straight from Northern NY to St. Louis taking the southern route to avoid a major snow storm around the Great Lakes. I was so proud of that car! By the time I sold it three years later, I swore I’d never buy another Cadillac! It was a diesel! Been driving Lincolns ever since!
I remember an early model Seville in a car mag that had a BBC engine transplant, painted ticket me first red with all blacked out trim, bigger wheels and black wall tires. I would still like to have it today.
Here’s a suggestion:The next time some minister is yammering on in church, pull out your phone and look up “1966 Studebaker Sedan.” Then compare its dimensions and proportions to the first gen Seville. You just might be pleasantly surprised.
Had blue with white top 1976, silver with black top 1978 and burgundy 1979.
Wish I had just one of them now… sleeper…
Bought the silver one first when my boss got an El Dorado.
A car dealer friend got the blue one on trade in. I bought it on a Saturday and drove to my brother’s house. His wife said “that car is so beautiful” So I got a ride home, called the car dealer on Monday and had him change the buyer’s name from mine to my brother’s wife.
The 1st American car, i believe, to ONLY come as a 4 door – unthinkable in the ’60s.
Since it’s a Nova underneath & cost a lot more money & would be slower! than a Nova with the same 350, was the Seville not a poor choice of cars? – unless one really wanted leather inside? To me, the car reeks of the later Cimarron vs Cavalier comparison.
IMO, a much better choice would be an earlier LN Nova, like this …
http://bestride.com/news/vintage-ads-1975-chevrolet-nova-ln-going-euro-bring-a-parasol
Or the later Concours Nova, which also came with reclining front seats.
One of the best looking cars of all time far as im concerned.
Id love to swap in a newish 5.3 chevy motor, 6sp auto trans and a
3.73 gear and hit the hwy 👋
If you are into motor swaps why not do an Olds 455? Same as a 350 and lots of go fast goodies available. Only issue might be Transmixer as I doubt a stock standard Turbo 350 could handle the extra power and torque.
Why don’t you swap in a 500 cubic inch Cadillac engine to keep it all Cadillac. Plenty of torque to move a Seville around.
Fair enough Bil
I’ve been impressed by my friends that own and run the 5.3 mill. It seems really strong and reliable
Put on a set of Vogue Tires with white & gold sidewalls and you’d be styling
Auction update: this Seville just sold for $4,950! A crazy deal.
Ditto that!
I’d swap for a Subaru boxer 4-