One-Owner Import Fighter: 1976 Cadillac Seville

Finding a 43-year-old one-owner vehicle isn’t that easy, especially one in the condition that this 1976 Cadillac Seville appears to be in. This gorgeous car can be found here on eBay in Green Bay, Wisconsin. There is an unmet $4,399 opening bid on this beauty.

This is a first-year Seville and I think they’re really elegant cars. They were meant to steal young buyers with pockets full of money away from imports but it didn’t really work. Sort of like Scion was supposed to be for young and hip folks but it ended up being for older folks with hip replacements.. I remember seeing the Seville when they first came out and they were really something compared to what else was out there at the time.

The seller says that this is a “One owner car in excellent condition with spotless interior.” It sure looks spotless. The back seat looks great, too. The seller also mentions, “All requirements of Wisconsin State Law must be followed.” I’m not sure what that refers to but I like their spunk. Hagerty lists a #3 good condition Seville as being worth $7,430 and this car sure looks like it’s at least in good condition. $12,000 is their #2 excellent condition value. Any thoughts on what this one is worth?

This engine looks great compared to what I would have thought a Wisconsin salt-belt car would look like. There are almost 100,000 miles on this car and being 43 years old, that’s enough time to have piled up all of those miles without having driven it in the winter. I hope that’s the case. This generation Seville had Oldsmobile’s 350 cubic-inch V8 with 180 hp and fuel injection but there was also an Olds diesel option. There is no word on how it runs but I’m assuming that it runs as well as it looks. Are there any first-generation Seville fans out there?

Comments

  1. Avatar IkeyHeyman

    “But it’s a Nova!”, some people will say. Well, not exactly. There’s not much info here other than photos that show what appears to be a nice car. With nearly 100K miles and lacking the optional leather interior, it’s a $4500 car on a good day to the right person, but if it turns out that Dad never drove it when the sun wasn’t shining, then the price goes up.

    Like 4
  2. Avatar Redwagon

    There is rust. Look at the door striker in the last picture and weep.

    Like 2
  3. Avatar irocrobb

    Poor description in the ad and there is lots of rust under the hood and I suspect more under the car.I would think more like a 3000 dollar car,at least to me

    Like 2
  4. Avatar Todd Fitch Staff

    Hey Scotty – nice Caddy! After this generation Seville came out everyone went to have the formal roof line, then later they ruined it with the bustle-trunk. I also remember one of the car magazines did a feature called something like “Jon Ward’s Bad-Ass Cadillac” featuring a Seville of this vintage with a NASCAR engine and other upgrades. That would certainly be interesting today. I couldn’t find the article but I did find this reference to it… Nice one! https://www.ctsvowners.com/forum/20-other-vehicles-pics-videos/31270-john-ward-his-bad-ass-cadillac.html

    Like 2
    • Avatar SuperB

      I don’t know about gorgeous. To me, it looks as interesting as a late 70’s four door B-body…..

      Like 1
  5. Avatar Jack M.

    The market for Cadillacs is getting smaller everyday. Most people that aspired to own one of these cars are too old to drive now, or have already passed away. My Dad had an emerald green one with green leather interior. He only kept it for a short while before moving back to the more traditionally sized luxury boats.

    Like 3
  6. Avatar Rx7turboII

    Saying this Cadillac was meant to steal buyers away from import cars is like saying barn finds will never post another grand national! LOL! FALSE

    Like 9
  7. Avatar BONGO

    Hagerty is basically a for insurnance coverage. I would never accept what they quote as a buyers price. I think what is being asked for car is top doll and worth it in the condition Its in..

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Will Fox

    Say what you want; my favorite Seville after the 1960 is the first-generation model (`75-`79). To me, they are too far removed from the Nova to be compared. Clean lines, plenty of options, and a decent ride. Yes, I’d still like to have one. Glad it doesn’t have the 350 Diesel; then you couldn’t give it away!!

    Like 5
    • Avatar Duaney

      Pay attention to some of the online auctions, GM cars with Olds diesels bring big bucks and are popular.

      Like 1
  9. Avatar Suttree

    If only these had the Chevy V8.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Duaney

      The Olds V-8 is light years better than the Chev. The Olds was so well built, it’s engineering was suitable to build the diesel. The Olds ran so clean, that GM didn’t have to fuel inject it, had carburetor right to the end. Tear down a Chev from these years, all have to be bored 030 over, the Olds has no wear in the cylinders. Only advantage to Chev is easier parts availability, but there are no parts you can’t get for the Olds.

      Like 2
  10. Avatar glenn

    got a dead battery i wonder is it the cold weather or a bad alternator which was common on gm cars

    Like 2
  11. Avatar Del

    1500.00 car. Maximum. Lotta rust in engine bay. Probably worse underneath.

    If it won’t start , Battery or otherwise then itss scrap.

    Kids starter car at best

    Like 1
  12. Avatar dweezilaz

    Identical to the one my parent’s best friends had.

    There’s had been purchased used and had been converted from the diesel to the gas 350.

    And, I quote, was still “A lemon”.

    But they kept it for years….

    Like 3
  13. Avatar James A. Mogey

    That rear bumper looks a bit wonky too.

    Like 1
  14. Avatar Tom

    Nice cars, but the driving experience fell short…neither sporty, nor Cadillac smooth. Great looks though in the right colors combination…needs leather/ digital dash/ or moonroof to bring money.

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Copocamaro

    Anyone wants someone to inspect the car let me know it’s right by me.

    Like 2
  16. Avatar Adam

    I’ve had several of these while living in Naples Florida. O absolutely loved them! I actually have made 2 of these into ” sleepers” dropped a 69 olds 350 in 1 of them and went nuts on another 1 dropping in a 455 in another 1. The snowbirds and even the year round residence lwere surprised that a 22 year old would do this to a heavy car…but also we’re amazed with how they ran!

    Like 2
  17. Avatar Ike Onick

    “Import Fighter: 1976 Cadillac Seville”

    And it failed miserably at that task.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Mitch Ross Member

    I had one, dropped a 455 from a ’69 98 into it. Fun car and handled well

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Johnny R

    Imports were not a threat to this car at the time nor it’s competition. Also not buying the young buyers argument this car was strictly for the mature set who wanted something slightly smaller than the bigger boats (we previously had a 69 Coupe Deville with a 472.) My mom purchased a 76 Seville in 1979. Light yellow/cream with a black vinyl top, black leather, 350 fuel injected, gorgeous car. I drove this car throughout the 80’s and it was a very smooth runner and super supple. No problems with it either ran like a top. It’s what you expected when you got in a Cadillac and probably the last car in a long time that met that expectation. My uncle also had a baby blue/white vinyl top baby blue leather interior 77 that was just as nice. Time has not been kind to most of these but if I found a decent one I would pick it up. This one is probably not it.`

    Like 0

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