The Cadillac Seville is one elegant-looking car on the outside, especially the second-generation models with that bold but chic rear-end styling. Years ago, I remember seeing a few of these running around with an aftermarket fake spare wheel added to the trunk, but my eyes haven’t spotted one this customized in quite some time. This 1983 Seville here on Craigslist has a lowered roof plus a few other cool touches, so if you’re in the market for something that’s sure to stand out without any additional work, this might be worth considering. The Caddy is located in Dover, New Jersey, and has an asking price of $8,995. Mitchell G., thanks for your out-of-the-ordinary tip here!
Three inches have been chopped from the top, and a power sliding rag top has been added, but perhaps the most stand-out feature here is the doors, at least when they’re opened. The rear components have been re-hinged from the back, commonly known as suicide doors, as these are considered less safe than the conventional design. However, they’re sure to garner attention at auto gatherings, and another custom touch is that the handles have been shaved off as well. A flat black paint job has been applied, with the red wheels and wider than average whitewall tires also adding to the fun-factor outside.
Surprisingly, the seller doesn’t offer very many details about this Seville, such as whether he did the work himself or acquired it with the mods already in place. The only information provided about the engine is that it’s a 383 Chevy stroker with a FiTech fuel injection system and Mallory ignition, plus headers of an unknown brand. The owner doesn’t mention how well the motor runs or anything about its mileage, but things around the bay appear to be in good order, and it’s also nice and tidy under the hood.
The interior alterations are less dramatic than what can be found outside, but some integrated gauges have been installed in the dash, along with a modern Stereo system. The seats seem to have held up well, but the steering wheel is starting to show some wear, so it might be gratifying to replace it with something unusual. It’s sort of hard to place a value on something like this, but I’m not finding $8,995 unreasonable for what we’re seeing here. What are your thoughts?
383 stroker, always a welcome addition.
Much better than the 4100!
Get rid of those wheels and tires, put a proper coat of paint on it and you have a fun prom and wedding limo.
I love this car. I would only change the red wheels. I’m not sure what I would replace them with, just don’t care for the red. Wish I had room.
I agree with you Mark. 1083 was a really bad year for Cadillac. The 4200
engine was a real nightmare, and changing the car to an FWD format on a car this large was just asking for trouble. If it wasn’t the engine giving you grief, it was the tranny and CV joints. And it’s not all that surprising
since it’s the same setup you find in
Oldsmobile Toranados since 1966.
And what a POS they were too! Had a
’66 Toronado in ’71, spent over $3K in
1971 money to keep it running. I was so happy to trade it in for a ’62 Buick
convertible that I took my family out
for dinner and drinks that night! When my Uncle found out, all he would say was I told you so. Yes, 1983 was the year that Cadillac lost its title as Standard Of The World. Don’t even think Derick Berry at Vicegrip Garage would touch it with a
10 foot 🔧 wrench. Pure junk, plain and simple.
“Suicide” doors got their name from what happened when a passenger opened a rear door into traffic and an oncoming car slammed it shut as he/she was getting out.
I was prepared to hate this before I clicked on the article. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I hate customized cars. I love this car.
I hate sueded flat paint. I love this car.
I hate painted wheels. I love this car.
The only thing I would change is to put the door handles back.
I remember when the bustleback Seville came out. It was one of the ugliest cars I ever saw. Four decades later it still is!
I would really like to know more about the powertrain. I wonder if the original 325-4L was used or the earlier 325 or 425 Turbo? How were the engine and trans mated? Oil filter is right where the trans is. Bellhousing bolt pattern for the Chevy block is different from BOC. It would really be interesting to find out more.
For the sake of the next owner, I hope the transmission was upgraded in some way. A stock THM325-4L wouldn’t last long attached to a built Chevy 383. The use of a Chevrolet engine is curious. A Cadillac 368 or 425 would have been an easier swap, as would various Oldsmobile engines. There are definitely unanswered questions here.
There’s an A$$ for every seat
I would rather they chopped the roof on an AMC Pacer
Lots of opinions on this one, I get a rat rod vibe with the wheels and paint. Different wheels, different paint would give it a totally different look , I like it!
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Headlights are interesting, and sideview contours strongly resemble Rolls Royce.
Those red wheels are awful! So is that ‘sliding rag-top’. What were these people thinking?
I sincerely hope he doesn’t screw up the ’71/’72 white Caddy in the background.
I dig it.