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With Grandeur: 1979 Cadillac Seville Opera Coupe

At first glance, this might just look like a nice old 1979 Seville, but after staring at it for a minute you realize the proportions aren’t quite right. Also, it’s missing some doors! The front is much longer than the rear portion of the car and the roofline is odd. Then there’s the addition of the enormous side mounted spare tires on the front fenders. The Seville has been in the seller’s family for almost 30 years. From the ad, “This was a highly optioned Seville sedan that was converted into a stretched coupe with side mount front spare tires by Grandeur Motor Company of Pompano Beach, Florida before being sold through a dealership.” Find it here on Craigslist in Texas with an asking price of $12,500. Thanks to reader Pat L. for sending this one in! 

The interior is primarily a nice light blue that matches nicely with the vinyl top and the secondary paint color on the hood. According to the seller, the seats have been recovered in the correct material and pattern. The seller also mentions that this Cadillac has had a repaint at some point in the past, which can be seen by the paint on the door striker bolt. The original radio was also replaced with an AM/FM/Casette deck at some point.

According to the ad, “The engine is the 350 c.i. direct Fuel Injected block, and it has been replaced with a rebuilt GM GoodWrench engine approx. 60K miles ago, and runs well. The transmission has been rebuilt and shifts fine. AC and climate control are all in working order (R12 freon).” With 156,000 miles on the clock, a rebuilt transmission and a lower mileage engine are a big plus! The seller recently drove this car from Houston to Waxahachie with no issues! The fact that this car is turn key and ready to go will be beneficial in attracting potential buyers for something this unusual.

The allure of this car is its 1970s funkyness and the unusual look. It has a regal appearance, but simultaneously looks cheap and replicated, which it is. When this conversion was fresh and this car was new, this would have been a really hot vehicle in many circles and would certainly have turned heads in a sea of four door Sevilles. Though something like this isn’t for everyone, this Cadillac is certain to check the right boxes for somebody who wants a unique touring car.

Comments

  1. Avatar RayT

    It’s not the First of April, Andrew….

    When I buy a car, I expect to drive it. Even with a bag over my head (or, at the very least a wig and fake beard), I cannot imagine being seen behind the wheel of one of these.

    This is one of those cars that has not been made more palatable with the passing of years. I thought it was a horrible mess when I saw one in CA back around 1980, and time has only served to confirm my first impressions.

    Personally, I’d go for the Ford Tempo diesel posted earlier — and that’s one of the most depressing vehicles of all time — long before I’d buy a Grandeur Opera Coupe. Thing gives me the shivers….

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Henry Drake

    I was doing alright with this, until I got to those F-250 black rubber floor mats.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Alex B

    Would be fun to rebuild as dragracer, I think there is enough room for two engines here. :)

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Christopher Herron

    I think im in love

    Like 0
    • Avatar Scott medlen

      Hi christopher, I recently bought a seville opera coupe and am going through a break up and want to sell
      It. it has 96,000 miles and overall is in ok shape, no rust, paint and soft top has, sun damage. let me know if you would like some pics.
      Scott

      Like 0
      • Avatar Michael Hightower

        I would like to know if it runs, and when was the last time you had it started up or have driven it.

        Like 0
      • Avatar Gary Dean

        Do you still have the coupe?

        Like 0
  5. Avatar Rich

    Sugarbear, your car is ready for pimping now.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Pa Tina

      Huggy Bear. Sugar Bear was from the cereal ads.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Fred w.

    This car should have been listed yesterday. Just gaze at the photo while listening to this song (open a window in the background, you’ll need 7 minutes to spare, it’s one of the longest and most repetitive songs ever) and you’ll be thankful for what you got….

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDTXljIqxRE

    Like 0
  7. Avatar 68custom

    God this thing is butt ugly! So was the one posted the other day! But you did post as an oddball. One thing is for sure I would not be caught dead in one of these. Any way thanks for the good work you guys do and happy holidays!

    Like 0
    • Avatar DavidL Member

      I wouldn’t be caught dead in this either. No room for the casket!

      Like 0
      • Avatar TriPowerVette

        +DavidL – That is not the problem it appears at first blush.

        We sit you up in the seat of your choice driver’s side or passenger’s. We place paperclips to hold your eyelids up. Place a can of your specified beveridge in the door-side hand, arm resting on top. The car would then be a perfect metaphor (or vehicle, if you will) for your condition.

        Immediate cremation would then be optional as an extra-cost (say, $5.00) option.

        There. Problem solved.

        Like 0
  8. Avatar Rodney

    Something makes me think that not one of those 156,000 miles was spent driving to the Opera House….

    Like 0
    • Avatar glen

      Unless the Opera House is a strip club.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Rodney

        Perfect!

        Like 0
  9. Avatar Pat kelly

    Looks like the mating of the car from superfly and escape from New York…..

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Daniel LARSON

    They took one of the best looking cars made and made it ugly. I saw the next generation Seville converted to a two seater. It looked much better.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Pa Tina

    Why are there toilet seats on it?

    Like 0
  12. Avatar TriPowerVette

    Too many people have answers to questions that were never asked. This ‘car’ is one of them.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Dan

    Well, on the upside of things, at least it is not mine!

    Like 0
  14. Avatar CCFisher

    You can see every one of those 156,000 miles in the fit of the front end components. And what’s with that cheap two-tone job? Looks like it was hit and repaired with junkyard parts.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Milt

    This or an Excalibur? Yeesh…

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Adam T45 Staff

    It’s not often that you find a car that combines the handling and agility of a limousine combined with the space-efficient practicality of a two-door sports coupe.

    Like 0
    • Avatar TriPowerVette

      +Adam T45 – AAAaaaahhhhhHAHAHAHAHahahahahaha!

      Not to mention the visceral visual appeal of a train derailment.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Adam T45 Staff

        I made someone laugh. My work is complete!

        Like 0
    • Avatar Andrew Tanner Member

      I love weird stuff like this, but you really hit the nail on the head!

      Like 0
  17. Avatar David Miraglia

    ugh!

    Like 0
  18. Avatar DavidL Member

    It seems like whenever someone takes it upon themselves to express their automotive design creativity, they just get the proportions all off. Seen a lot of these lately.

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Pete in PA

    I bought a used 79 Seville in 1986. I have fond memories of that car. Except maybe the the rear disc brake calipers. My 79 was the light blue metallic you see on the hood and roof of this abomination with the same light blue interior.
    Kill it! Kill it with FIRE!!!

    Like 0
  20. Avatar Lawyer George

    These are readily available with low miles at this price or less with 20K or less miles. With 156K, I can only say “Oh No! Mr. Bill and start having my appendages chopped off. $4K is about what it is worth.

    Like 0
  21. Avatar Bob41

    Why?

    Like 0
  22. Avatar Maestro1

    A couple of body builders ended up with the same look and the paint job doesn’t help. I’m not sure what the point is. Taking the phony sidemounts off and painting it one color would help. It’s a $5000.00 car.

    I want to say thank you to Barn Finds and the various writers who contribute. I’m a new reader. You folks do well. Keep up the good work.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Andrew Tanner Member

      Thanks for reading Maestro!

      Like 0
  23. Avatar Dean

    Remove the weird spare wheels, add a side window behind the doors, lower it and it would a lot more okay. Maybe even good?

    Like 0
  24. Avatar Robert G

    Regal appearance !!!!??? Your first statement of “odd” was nice of you however your other statement of “Reagle Appearance” is someeeeewhat less than accurate….

    Like 0
    • Avatar TriPowerVette

      +Robert G – That’s interesting, I’m Robert G as well. Nice to meet you.

      I was thinking more like “pimpal”.

      Like 0
  25. Avatar Will

    That is hideous, but here’s the saved ad http://www.craigslistadsaver.com/view.php?name=1979CadillacSeville

    Like 0
  26. Avatar Harold Wood

    LOL, here is the same car, they have lower the price considerably, but I still wouldn’t be seen in it, it locate in Waxahachie, Tx about 20 miles from me if anyone is interested I would at least go look at it for them and answer any questions they might have about it. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/677149673080851/

    Like 0
  27. Avatar Stan Rott

    For all those negative comments on my newly owned car, I just purchased this car last month, it’s fully detailed and every place I drive people are taking pictures and love the car! I new 2″ whitewall tires really change the look, I have been offered twice in what I paid for it but won’t sell, I love it too much!!!

    Like 1

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