- Seller: John D
- Location: Clinton Township, Michigan
- Mileage: 95,540 Shown
- Chassis #: 1G6VR3175JU101587
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 4.1- Liter V8
- Transmission: Automatic
Downsizing a collection is never an easy choice, but is one made by the owner of this 1988 Cadillac Allanté. This rare classic has suffered minor accident damage but is otherwise complete and begging for someone to return it to its rightful place on our roads. Even if it proves beyond salvation, it could be an ideal parts car for anyone who has a similar restoration on the go. With a new home beckoning, the owner has listed this Caddy exclusively with us at Barn Finds as a no reserve auction.
Most manufacturers follow a traditional path when producing their vehicles, keeping the major aspects of the manufacturing process in-house. Cadillac marched to a different drummer with the Allanté, with the bodies produced in Italy by Pininfarina. They were then loaded onto a specially modified 747 to be shipped by what the company termed an “Air Bridge” for final assembly at Cadillac’s Detroit facility. Therefore, it is unsurprising that the Allanté was an expensive car when new, which also accounts for the badge’s lack of sales success. Our feature car rolled off the line in 1988, finished in Silver with a matching Hardtop. It fell victim to a fender bender at some point which damaged the driver’s side rear quarter panel. Many of the components in that area were removed as repairs were planned, and these items are sitting inside this classic. Repairs could be relatively straightforward, and the lack of apparent rust might make it ideal for someone seeking an affordable project build that combines luxury and exclusivity. It would be interesting to wash and polish this classic before commencing work because there is none of the visible patchiness that often afflicts this paint shade. That might mean that localized repairs are all that are required, rather than a complete cosmetic restoration. Apart from the one area already noted, the panels are straight, and when combined with healthy plastic, clean glass, and trim that is in generally good order, this Allanté shows enormous promise.
When a car cost its buyers over $56,000 in 1988, it was fair for them to expect the company to drag every toy out of the box to create a luxurious motoring experience. Cadillac definitely did that with the Allanté, loading the interior with climate-control air conditioning, leather trim, power operation for the windows, locks, mirrors, seats, and deck lid, cruise control, and a premium stereo. In fact, the only option available in 1988 was the factory-fitted cellular phone, which is very rare. This car’s first owner opted to delete the digital gauge cluster in favor of the no-cost analog unit that helps it stand apart from the crowd. The driver’s seat shows wear and slight damage on the outer edge, but the remaining leather looks quite promising. Job One would be to treat everything to a deep clean but, with no modifications or aftermarket additions, the interior could present surprisingly well without the winning bidder spending a fortune.
Cadillac utilized three engines during the Allante’s seven-year production run. All that rolled off the line in 1988 featured the company’s HT-4100 V8, producing 170hp and 235 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fall to a four-speed automatic, while it is unsurprising that power-assisted steering and brakes were standard equipment. The seller states that this classic ran when parked, and had only clocked around 95,000 miles before falling victim to accident damage. It would be worth trying to coax the V8 back to life because that could be the first step in returning this classic to its rightful place on our roads.
The sticker price of over $56,000 for this Cadillac Allanté in 1988 equates to around $150,000 today. Therefore, there is no mystery as to why only 2,569 buyers handed over their cash during that model year. The figure would fluctuate during subsequent years, but with the car failing to reach the company’s sales goals, it pulled the plug on its bold experiment in 1993. Our feature Allanté shows promise as an affordable project candidate, although it could also represent an excellent parts source. Which path would you choose, and are you prepared to make that vision a reality by submitting a bid? I wish you luck if you do.
Good candidate for 24 Hour LeMons
I don’t know, the HT-4100 engine is probably not the best choice for endurance racing…
DOesn’t matter:
NO ALLANTE MADE EVER HAD AN HT4100 Motor.
The Allanté 4.1 has the same displacement, but has an entirely different block, different heads, cams intake manifold, fuel injection system, etc.
It is no more the HT4100 than the 1955 Small Block V8 is interchangeable with the “Small BLock” in the hybrid corvette Eray
Looks a better candidate in the weeds next to it.
Sorry, missed the preceeding car lol
Given the number of these that regularly come up for sale, at reasonable prices, this is a parts car at best.
I’ve always liked the design of these cars, but every time I see one, I think about Robin Williams in Cadillac Man: “How much for the Allanté?”
These and Buick Reatta’s, seem to be the most abused of the GM halo cars.
There would be many more restorable cars out there if people didn’t stick them outside to rot until they “get around to” restoring them. Not to be harsh, but here’s a hint: if you have no indoor space to store them, you also have no indoor space to restore them.
@CCFisher
Well said
Are they paying someone to haul it, clean it and bring it back then I quote 4k.
Sad to see what happened to this once-unique car.
Bidding is going to be intense on this.
Ok, I lol’ed.
People like this, who have no intention of restoring the vehicle should’ve never bought it, possessed it, owned it, stored it or anything else it. Again, another travesty!
Strike 1 its over 2100 miles away strike two its a GM product I have never had good luck with any GM built after 1977. Strike3 I know nothing about these cars other than seeing them on the road sometimes. I will leave this one to someone closer but that paint will clean up fairly easy looks like it could be a nice flip for someone who lives closer.
1. It has the optional hardtop, the soft top is probably folded away behind the rear deck.
2. Body parts are available from three sources, one in southern CA, one in NJ near Philly, and one in FL.
3. You are not going to be racing it, so the V8 is very adequate for going where you want to go.
4. The mechanicals are all GM and shared with other GM’s of the day, RockAuto has many if you, like me, avoid the dealers who say, to me anyway, “Hey we only stock parts for 10 years, go away.”
5. They are an inexpensive way into the hobby, and a far better ride than any ordinary Mustang which will sell for 4x as much.
6. And, yes, I own one, bought for $3,000 needing $2,500 of repairs – radiator, rear brakes, some light bulbs, a tune up, change of all fluids and filters, and eventually a rebuilt ECM from RockAuto.
In 1988, the hardtop was not an option.
I believe the top became optional for 1990, as a cost cutting measure.
PS: there was another option, chrome wheels. Almost bought a parts car for $1200 for the wheels, but no place to put it until I had unloaded it.
This could be a good deal for the right person. The cosmetics are the easy part. It comes down to the mechanicals. If that’s the case coming out ahead is very possible on this one. Hopefully
Cosmetics are the easy part ? I’m not sure the replacement of the left 1/4 panel, rear end panel, unibody pull and square , possibly replacement deck lid and to top it off corrosion repairs on the right 1/4 are the easy part ! Parts car at best on this one .
Once again:
Not a single Allanté ever was equipped with an HT4100 motor. Not one.
The Allanté 4.1 shares its displacment (possibly the cast-iron cylinder liners) with that motor, but it has a different block, heads, intake manifolds, fuel injection system, everything. It is not the same engine by any definition, even if the engine is derrived from that program.
That said, this car is beyond salvation.
The bumpers are shot, the leather in the car, even if it looks okay is probably gone. It was a very exotic hide from Poltrona Frau, and without regular cleaning, deteriorates badly. You can be sure that the advanced Bosch antilock brakes are history.
Send it to recycling.
Oh God. Same thing here, looks like another lazy facebook market place want-a -be ad.