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Coming Up Short: 1981 Cadillac Grandeur Opera Coupe

The cropped down photos make it a bit difficult to see what exactly is happening with this Cadillac Seville, but you can definitely tell that something isn’t quite right. Thankfully, a quick search reveals what is going on here, so be sure to take a look here. This is one of 82 Sevilles to be shortened and turned into a Grandeur Opera Coupe. It’s not something you see everyday, but once you’ve seen one, it’s not something you will soon forget! You can take closer look at this odd creation here on eBay in Sycamore, Illinious with a BIN of $12,999.99.

There’s no denying that this Cadillac is unique, but I’m not sure if it’s the good kind of unique. As odd as the proportions are, it’s the fender mounted spares that throw it over the top. It is just too many things going on here at once. The conversion work was incredibly well done and the car looks to have held up well, of course it only has 28k miles on the clock. I can’t imagine any reason why it wasn’t driven more! To be honest, it’s so goofy that it’s awesome and would be a blast to take to car shows.

Comments

  1. Avatar photo grant

    Not a single pic of the profile or rear, and the informative link posted is just an ad for this car.

    Like 0
    • Avatar photo Bill Cross

      I happen to have one that is a1981 Cadillac Seville Grand Opera Coup Convertible. I wish I had a way to post pictures here. I am located in Colorado and take it to shows around my home town.

      Like 0
  2. Avatar photo boxdin

    A new high for bad photos in a ad.

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  3. Avatar photo 86 Vette Convertible

    I think I’ve seen one of those in the past. It’s a modified Seville. I believe the footprint and body length are oem. The roof line and the spare tire inserts were added. Pretty much it from what I remember.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar photo rmward194 Member

    Awful pictures. Interesting car. It might look like this

    Like 0
  5. Avatar photo Dolphin Member

    The front quarters look real good, so if those big red fuzzy dice are part of the deal I’m in.

    Otherwise, NO DICE!

    Like 0
    • Avatar photo CJ

      Dolphin, the red/white dots dice won me over! As you said, no dice, no dice for sale of the car! Do you think the dice was an option item for this car? Would not surprise me! Outstanding……

      Like 0
  6. Avatar photo Superdessucke

    Looks like they took a pimped out Seville, turned it into a mini hearse, and stuck the leftover fake spare tire from the trunk lid on the front fender. Lovely.

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  7. Avatar photo hhaleblian

    Illinois is already the worst run state in the union, this insult on good design proves it.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar photo Sam

    Like it! Great period “over the top” car.

    I would drive it with pride for 1/3 of the ask.

    Thankfully its not a V8-6-4 or diesel.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar photo S Ryan

    How do you clean Puke off of IPad screen?

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  10. Avatar photo jw454

    I have to agree with the poor picture comments. Whoever took these pictures needs to take a course on how to use a camera.
    The car is nice for what it is but, it’s not my cup of tea.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar photo Mountainwoodie

    To me its the automotive equivalent of the bloated tract homes of many gables that seek to evoke an earlier Shingle or Tudor style; only problem is they have seven more gables than they should. This trumpian misanthrope of earlier automotive cues would be right at home in a certain capitol city.

    Like 0
  12. Avatar photo Mike

    The seller must sell a bunch of stuff on Craig’s List. It’s the only possible explanation for these pictures.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar photo erikj

    I think the seller did these pics to try to make this funky mobile more desirable.
    To me, its from a time in style that I just cant find anything that I can get interested in. And I like a lot of auto history. But at 57 years young and seen a lot, I just cant get a feel for this time in automotive style ,sorry- but good times to the next owner, if there is one. Hope I don’t offend anyone.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar photo RoselandPete

    Not my preferred color but nice.

    Like 0
    • Avatar photo CJ

      The car or the dice?

      Like 0
  15. Avatar photo Fred W.

    The late 70’s -early 80’s was a time of poor taste in automotive customization. All the time that went into this, and what do you have? Bet it doesn’t even ride like a Seville should.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar photo LAB3

    There where some gooseneck brackets you could get as an option to hang chandeliers from on this, without them this car just doesn’t look right. Pass.

    Like 0
  17. Avatar photo Mlaw

    Fugly, Barn Find?

    Like 0
  18. Avatar photo George B Member

    I saw two of these for sale in Bay Harbor Islands, a community near Miami in Biscayne Bay

    They are absolutely horrible mutations of the beautiful first generation Seville.

    A perfect lesson in why proportion is more important than clichés in automobile design.

    I’m glad the pictures prevented my retinas from being stabbed from looking at yet another ugly example of this perfect example of bad taste

    Like 0
    • Avatar photo Tom S.

      RE: “…the beautiful first generation Seville..”

      My dad liked Sevilles. I’ve always felt that this model looks as though the front half and the back half were styled by separate design teams who didn’t like each other and weren’t talking.

      There’s no amount of J.C Whitney accessories that can improve the looks of the basic car and this one proves it.

      Like 0
  19. Avatar photo ACZ

    How do you unfind this one?

    Like 0
    • Avatar photo Mark-A

      Quite like the GT Seville version, seems like they were basically doing what Rolls Royce/Bentley do, 1 is for being Driven in & the Other is built for Drivers (like Bentley).

      Like 0
  20. Avatar photo Ralph Robichaud

    Atrocious abomination visually, regardless of how well the conversion, I mean convolution, was executed.

    Like 0
  21. Avatar photo chad

    I’ve left the “don’t like the fish eye photos” comment several times.
    Now I can add “No more 1 photo listings”.
    AND
    thnk for the rare vehicle listing
    Even beddah,
    Thanks, MEMBERS for the additional pic, links, info !

    Like 0
  22. Avatar photo Tom D

    Slightly off topic…I remember going to Schram Auto Parts in Pontiac, MI as a kid (GM junkyard/recycler), and they had rows of brand new Seville rear doors for sale…removed by a local company making 2 door conversions.

    Like 0
  23. Avatar photo CCFisher

    Attention, Cruella DeVil, your car is ready.

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  24. Avatar photo PRA4SNW

    “If you are truly interested in the car, give me a car.”

    Some typos are funnier than others.

    Like 0
  25. Avatar photo Tim W

    Another reason not to go to the Opera….

    Like 0

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