We’ve featured several Cadillac Seville Opera Coupes here on Barn Finds over the years, but this 1980 model here on Craigslist in Alsip, Illinois is certainly among the most decked-out examples I can remember running across. Actually, reader Rocco B. spotted it first and sent us the tip, so we’d like to take this opportunity to thank him for sharing this unusual find! This one’s not exactly cheap, with the seller hoping for $15,000, but it’s nicely preserved and well-equipped, so if you’re in the market for something that’s guaranteed to turn heads this Caddy will probably meet the objective.
The Seville proved popular among Cadillac buyers, and its release in 1976 was properly timed, as some luxury buyers were already migrating to the smaller European offerings. A handful of coach builders were eyeing the small Cadillac as well, but they were seeing the car as more of an opportunity to turn it into something custom. Entrepreneurs such as Grandeur Motor Car Corporation in Florida are responsible for the Opera transformations, with this one looking like it could be one of their products. The rear doors were removed with the interior becoming a two-seater, and while the inside area came out much smaller, the front was extended significantly to make room for those decorative yet fake tire covers that adorn the front fenders. 1980 also brought a redesigned Seville body, with the newly-shaped trunk adding even more opulence to the rear section. This one’s got the deck straps, landau bars, and a two-tone paint job that includes the hood.
The extravagance continues inside, with an alligator-skin textured dashboard, a custom center console, Bluetooth, and an LED light package to make night operation more fun. The all-weather floor mats look right at home on the floors, plus up above is a sunroof to let some rays in on nice days. If the glass is closed, the air conditioning and heat are said to be working great.
Fortunately, the seller says this one’s gas-powered, so there’s no pesky diesel engine under the hood here, and he also mentions that the spark plugs were just changed. The owner believes this car is capable of being driven anywhere, and with only 63,000 miles, there probably is some decent life remaining in the drivetrain if it’s been properly cared for. This 1980 Cadillac Opera Coupe may not be for everyone, but it seems well-cared-for and scores very high in the cool department. What are your thoughts on this one?
No opera windows. But those side lights on the vinyl roof are pure late 70s, early 80s specials.
Applied to “Pimp my Ride”, but was turned down because there was nothing left to do.
As a lover of OTT excess and Too Much is NEVER enough, THIS is OVER 😲 OTT and TOO MUCH of a NOT so good THING! Almost as funny as the Marx Brothers Night at The Opera! If a thing of beauty is a joy forever, it’s got 🤔 maybe 30 seconds. IMO, totally CADILLACKING.
One has to know their limits.
A perfect business Uber ride in the land of excesses, VEGAS BABY!
There were sure a lot of Sevilles sacrificed for making these monstrosities.
Break out the polyester leisure suit and white shoes for one last drive over to the local Pick-a-Part
Not sure this turns heads as much as it turns stomachs . . .
Navin Johnson stepped up his ride.
I see this and immediately think of the movie “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka”
LOL. My mind went to Pootie Tang.
Where do you drop the quarter to hear some tunes?
The front plate should read: “PUTRID”.
Disgusting. Period.
My parents had an 85 with a custom aftermarket fake convertible top. But it did not look like a pimpmobile. Not much about that “lovely motor” GM used in these. Their 85 had the problem and the dealership phone call wanting $4k to repair. Daddy said just to get it running and that’s it. Something about the anti-freeze mixing with the motor oil or was it the other way around? Got rid of it for a 92 Fleetwood Brougham which I still have which they should have gotten. Never looked back.
There goes the neighborhood.
Whatever designers thought “spare wheels” on the front fenders of a car without running boards looked good was not playing with a full deck. Their elevator did not go to the top floor. The lights were on but no one was home. Pick one.
U-G-L-Y!
I understand the coupe premise, but shortening a Seville of any vintage is sacrilege. If you’re going to the opera, you stretch your Cadillac, not shorten it!
So many beautiful Sevilles were murdered for this trend.
@Frog
This is a case where I’ll take ANY Mercedes over this.
“Decked out” is one way to put it . .
Those dual spares were perfect for transporting your contraband over state lines.
Commerce across state lines. Serious crime Big C 🙄
Pimping ain’t easy but it’d be a lot easier with one of these.