- Seller: Albert C
- Location: Dixon, California
- Mileage: 50,000 Shown
- Chassis #: 6S69N99468048
- Title Status: Clean
Cadillac faced the most significant challenge in its history during the 1970s. The company had developed a reputation for successfully producing large and luxurious vehicles offering almost unparalleled comfort and isolation from the outside world. However, the rise of prestige imports brought tremendous pressure that required an answer. The result was cars like the 1979 Seville, designed to meet offerings from BMW and Mercedes-Benz head-on. This Seville is a tidy and solid classic with a few needs. It is ideal for someone seeking a straightforward revival, with the seller listing it exclusively with us at Barn Finds Auctions.
Cadillac introduced the Seville to its range for the 1976 model year, with the First Generation remaining in production until 1979. It was considered small compared to the company’s traditional “land yachts.” However, with an overall length of seventeen feet, it is still relatively large by modern standards. It found support from the buying public because 53,487 people took one home in 1979. This Seville rolled off the line during that model year, with its first owner ordering it in Code 15 Silver. The paint isn’t perfect, but if considered purely as a survivor, its presentation and shine are comfortably acceptable. The panels are as straight as an arrow, but the best news is revealed when we broach the subject of rust. Cadillac focused heavily on this area during design and construction, utilizing galvanized steel in many lower extremities to maximize protection from the elements. This Seville has spent its life in California, with the dry climate effectively preserving the Cadillac’s classic steel. The trim and glass are in good condition, and both should respond well to cleaning and polishing. The wheels retain their wire hubcaps and are wrapped in tires with plenty of miles left on them.
This Cadillac’s interior is one of its highlights. The original owner selected Gray trim that perfectly complements the exterior paint and is in good condition. There is no wear or physical damage and no cracked or broken plastic. It requires a deep clean, but that is a rewarding task that will cost the buyer more time than money. A few days of concerted effort should leave it shining like a new penny. The new owner will slip behind the wheel of a car offering plenty of creature comforts. The vehicle features leather upholstery, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power seats, cruise control, and a remote trunk release.
Cadillac’s design team envisaged that Seville would utilize the front-wheel drive Unitized Powerplant Package, which served effectively in other models, and that early prototypes were built in that configuration. However, General Motors’ management realized there wasn’t production capacity to add another model with that drivetrain setup, specifying that the Seville should be rear-wheel drive. Buyers could choose from two V8 engines with a capacity of 5.7-liters. This Caddy features the diesel variant that sent 125hp and 225 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed automatic transmission. Those figures sound modest by modern standards, but the low-end delivery ensured there was no reason to rev the motor beyond 2,500 rpm. That brings us to the only genuine weakness with this Seville. The engine is bad, requiring a rebuild or a transplant. This isn’t necessarily a drama because finding the parts to substitute a gas engine for a diesel powerplant should be easy. It would also make the car feel smoother, quieter, and more refined. Those are desirable attributes in any luxury model.
While many enthusiasts focus on high-performance classics when seeking the ideal candidate to park in their garage, others wish to approach their leisure time more relaxed and sedately. That makes the idea of owning a classic Cadillac irresistible. This 1979 Seville could be a strong contender because there are no tasks in its revival that would be beyond the capabilities of a competent person in their home workshop. It offers impressive interior space and enough creature comforts to make life on the road enjoyable, and it is unerringly practical for an enthusiast with a young family. It also carries the prestige that is an inherent quality of any vehicle wearing the Cadillac badge. Those factors make it worth a closer look.
That photo takes me back in time. The year was 1982 and I was working for an auto wholesaler. We picked up this diesel Seville that had a blown motor and was transplanted with a 435hp 427 out of a 69 Vette. It was a first class job. Everything was sanitary and functioned right down to the AC. Other than the engine and beefed up transmission it also had a limited slip in the rear end. The car on the outside was kept stock right down to the wire wheel covers and Diesel badges. The engine had headers but also had what the old timers know as Hemi Mufflers on it. In other words it was fairly quiet and with the header ring some unknowing person might even suspect it was still a diesel. What a fooler that car was. It was great fun but wasn’t around too long. It was snapped up by some other wholesaler who was a big performance car guy. It sure would be fin to have that one today.
The engine is an olds 350 diesel which means a 403 v8 from a trans am is a direct bolt in. It’s also does not have an engine computer or catalyst giving a clean slate to engine mods. Use an edlebrock alum intake with a 650 cfm performer carb. There is no particulate trap or blu diff system. Plus, reground roller cams from the late 87’s olds 307 can be used with stock reliability. A cam spec similar to the 1970 W-31 automatic is a good compromise. I would suggest swapping out an upgraded 200-R4 overdrive tranny for a lower first gear and overdrive for cruising. This could be a fun fast and luxurious cruiser.
I was a cadillac service manager in 1983 and the only wat to fix this ride is to change it over to a gas engine, these diesel sluds would not get out of their own way, only a fool or chump would buy of of these back in the day, no wonder GM went bankrupt after they rained this travesty on the American public, they gave the car bizto the Japanese!
Reading your take on this, makes me glad you were a Cadillac Service Manager and are not one now.
Our experience was quite different. The 1981 Cutlass Diesel Brougham served our family well. Made it to 123k miles until we sold it in 1983. We used farm diesel and let it warm up for 5 minutes before driving off. I grew up in a rural area where many families own various GM diesels. No blown engines but lots of issues with supporting parts like bad starters, oil pumps, fuel pumps, etc. If you knew how to coddle it, the engine worked well. From what I’ve read most owners didn’t know how to take care of them and on top of that neither did GM service departments. There is an Olds Diesel facebook page and many of the cars survive as daily drivers.
An easy fun fix would be to swap in an olds 403 from a trans am since the 350 olds diesel has the same dimensions, accessories and brackets interchange plus you can install a roller cam from a late model 307 but reground to 1970 W-31 auto cam specs. Car has no computer, no catalyst or particulate trap or blu diff system; a clean slate for upgrades.
Tranny will bolt up but a 200-4R overdrive would be a better overall set up.
Fast, luxurious for a fraction of the cost of most modern luxury cars. Would be a fun and easy project.
Your plan can’t be done unless it leaves California due to the state’s emissions testing. Also, why source the 403 from a Trans Am, any donor vehicle will do and you won’t have to pay a premium based on the association with a T/A.
Steve R
Ah, but it can, because as a pre-1998 diesel passenger vehicle this is exempt from smog testing in California. My 550 horsepower Delta 88 is proof…
Elegante
I purchased a 1981 Cadillac with the diesel engine in 1982. I was a traveling salesperson and covered Texas. I would leave Houston, visit customers in Dallas, go on to Fort Worth, Mineral Wells and then stop for the night in Lubbock. I would still have 1/4 tank of fuel left. Once I was doing 50 MPH it was quiet and ran economically. I then was promoted to an office position in Houston, Now I was sitting in traffic for two hours a day, the engine vibrated and the belts would come loose and overheat. I then converted it to gas. I had 150000 miles on it then. This 1979 Seville will make a terrific highway car. I might just bid on it. Also this car needs to be on flat land.
The early diesels, like this one, were not as robust as 1981 and later. I had good luck with them. 30+ miles per gallon and 270,000 miles on my 81 Caddy with just normal maintenance, tires and brakes. That said, since this one is already broken, I would LS it. Should be pretty easy to do with this car’s similarity to an X body. One good thing, too, is that diesels carried addition sound deadening in the firewall area and front floors to keep the inside quieter because of the inherent noise. That makes the car altogether more quiet.
Only 55,000 miles and the engine is in need of repairs?
I absolutely adore that car!!!! I had a 78 it was a beauty. Such elegance. I’d love to own that car. Some people simply do not recognize quiet luxury class.
If I had the funds I’d buy it right now. Is it the 1979 Elegante edition?
I owned a Cadillac Seville in 83 and the 77 thu 79 did have some engine issues. GM was in their early stages of fuel Injection and they were some problems. I found a 350 Olds engine and drop a TH400 in it. Problem solved. The Elegant was one of the most beautiful cars Cadillac ever made.
I agree Greg. I hated that bustle back version they introduced in the late 79 early 80 model.
Though I always thought that canary yellow color suited women beautifully. On that car no color actually looked great!!
The comfort & elegance of 76 thru 79 was perfect.
No Ron the Elegante came in 2 different color combinations Silver and Black or a beautiful Brown and Gold. I had the Brown and Gold Seville Gorgeous car.
ACZ I sure appreciate your information about the GM diesel engines. In my 1981 after being promoted and no longer all over Texas I had a shop install install an Olds 350 and I put another 150000 miles on the 81 Cadillac.
Oh yes you are correct Greg. I forgot about that. It was only those 2 colors.
I loved the silver & black version. Especially with the light grey or white leather interior.
At night it looked like the car glowed from the inside.
Ron you like the one Carbone had in Good fella’s .
I’ve actually never watched that movie. Yet anyway
Nice pile of scrap. These cars were junk.
I have read the all that is written about this 1979 Cadillac. I cannot find where it says anything about the condition of the engine. Only 53000 miles it might need a good fuel system cleaning only. I am not wanting to step up to $5,000.00 though
Tom
I think in the original post. Owner said it was a diesel and needed a gas conversion.
Not sure but I thought that was stated.