It’s hard to believe that at one time in vehicle manufacturing, smaller was better. It seems as if every new vehicle is getting a little bigger with each update, but Cadillac went in the other direction with its Seville. This 1978 Cadillac Seville can be found posted here on craigslist in the Pittsburg/Antioch, California area, and they’re asking $8,900. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for the tip!
Despite being a shorter Cadillac, the front was still too long for the photo above. The rolling landscape is a great spot for photos and the seller has provided some good ones overall, especially for a craigslist ad. The first-generation Seville was made in 1975 for the 1976 model year through the 1979 model year here and this was it for body styles, so you two-doors-too-many folks will have to do with a two-door Photoshop version I made a couple of years ago here.
The southern California sun has done a number on the paint and some other soft surfaces, but the seller says this car is rust-free so that’s good news. They say it’s a California car and is in immaculate condition, but they must mean as far as being solid. To really bring it back to its former glory it looks like it may need a paint update. The hood appears darker as does the trunk lid.
And, here’s the California sun damage. So while that climate appears to have preserved the sheet metal, it’s done a number on the soft surfaces, or some of them, like the leather seating. It could just be regular wear on the driver’s seat bottom as the back seat looks perfect. And as always, we don’t know if the steering wheel cover is hiding damage or protecting a perfect wheel. The interior looks great overall, it’s just the driver’s leather seat bottom. And, this car has a CB radio and 8-track player; very retro cool!
This isn’t the diesel engine for added quirkiness – instead, it’s an Oldsmobile-sourced 350-cu.in. OHV fuel-injected V8 with 170 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. It glides through a THM-400 to the rear wheels and they say it runs like new. Maybe the paint could be worked a bit and I’d do that to keep everything as original as possible. Hagerty is at $10,000 for a #3 good-condition car, how much would you pay for this original, rust-free, low-mile Seville?
I’d buy it and drive it. Buff out the paint and deep clean the upholstery and cruise. Can you still get eight track tapes?
I’ve got 56 of them and 2 players, one of which is hooked up to my downstairs stereo, the other part of an AM-FM/8-track/phonograph unit that belonged to my mother.
“the front was still too long for the photo above”
Burst out laughing. Still chuckling.
Great job writing this up.
Great line Scotty.
Loads of 8 track cartridges at swap meets.
The biggest trouble with old 8 track tapes is the metal foil that connects the two ends of the tapes together and makes connection to change tracks comes loose.Usually it sticks to and winds around the capstan drive.
I have well over 300 tapes and over 40 players and decks including my original ones from my Cadillacs I owned in the seventies.and I still play them.
Manager at a Cadillac dealership told me not to buy a 76 or a 77. He explained that they hadn’t gotten the kinks out of the new computer system. 78/79s were better. But… Get rid of the fuel injectors, they leak badly. Change the manifold, put a regular carb.
Swapping out the EFI just because the injectors are leaking seems like a case of throwing out the baby with the bath water, IMHO, especially since the fix is replacing the injectors, or even better, just replacing the O-ring seals on each injector! The O-rings are a few cents each, so a package of eight (8) will cost less than $5.00, compared with spending hundreds of dollars to replace the intake manifold and throttle body with a carburetor. In addition, such a replacement constitutes tampering with Federally-mandated emission controls, which carries the threat of heavy fines and jail time for offenders, so there’s that.
Rock Auto lists a kit to replace the O-rings for all eight (8) injectors at $4.15, which contains sixteen (16) O-rings, two (2) per injector. Rock Auto lists a new injector at between $12.01 for a generic replacement and $52.79 for an OEM AC Delco replacement, so the replacement cost for all eight (8) injectors ranges between $96.08 and $206.32, plus tax and shipping. A new four-barrel Edelbrock carb will set you back over $800, plus the new manifold, along with the labor to rip out the EFI and associated wiring and install the carb, all with the lousy drivability that a comes with an EPA-compliant carburetor from the 1970’s.
You can do what you want, but the Engineer in me says that this is a bad trade.
Someone seriously pining for a 2-door Seville can search for a Seville San Remo coupe, converted by Coach Design, as previously featured on Barn Finds:
https://barnfinds.com/1-of-2-1977-cadillac-seville-san-remo/
CCFisher,
I went to that link. As someone who’s stated about not liking these Seville conversions, this is one I think is a good looking. I especially like the formal roofline, the color combo, and the fact of a new motor and transmission upgrade. Never saw one of these so thanks for posting.
I agree with Michael on the fuel injection but would take it to the next level by changing out the 350 olds and installing a 403 olds from a 79 trans am. A bolt in!
This old Seville looks solid. Im just trying to figure out if its the original faded lacquer paint job, or a respray thats faded. But either way it looks like a solid honest Caddy, the interior has held up well for its age. If ththere’s nothing wrong with the Olds 350 I’d just leave it, buff it out like Fox Owner said, and enjoy it. But if it needed a motor, the 403 route thay John mentioned would be a great idea, And Scotty, you totally made my day with that line, that front was still too long to fit in the photo. I needed a good laugh. Thanks!!!
Perfect home for the much maligned 403 from Dr Olds apparently. Love these cars. Beautiful simple lines.
Scotty, your 2 door Seville is Beautiful.!.!
First I had a blue/white top 1976. Drove it to show my brother. His wife said she loved that car. Called the dealer and told him not to process the title because my brother’s wife will be there on Monday to own it.
Second one was silver 1978 with a black roof. Got that one from the President of our company. It was a great highway cruiser.
Third one was burgundy with burgundy interior. Really beautiful, so I then sold the silver one.
SO, with all that experience, I know the perfect Seville:
Buy the one for sale here, make it a 2 door, paint it burgundy!
Sometimes it takes years to figure out the Right answer.
Wednesday morning dreamin… :-)
When these were new, as a kid, I had my bike ran over by one and to this day can’t figure out why. A buddy and I had laid are stingrays down to go into a carnival supply store on El Camino real in the southbay area the SF bay area.
Ahole came in one driveway, ran over my bike and went out the other driveway. Blew are little minds away!
My buddy was the QC manager for the GM plant in California and offered me the employee pricing on the 1977 Seville. I took it, it was silver and was basically my wife’s ride. Only one I have owned and when we were divorced the Caddy went with her. She kept it for 9 or 10 years. The best styling of the Sevilles, even though I like the next generation. It was basically trouble free. I am close and may take a ride to Antioch!
What’s with the crappy photos PLUS the b&w photo of the engine. It’s 2025 already, let’s get with it.
To comment on Scottys rendition of a two door Seville he came up with. If those goofy looking shortened 2 Door Sevilles we always see on here looked more like Scottys…….
They wouldn’t look so goofy…..
I liked it.
I don’t know what Seville is being referred to but the only two door Seville for 78 would be either the Milan or Opera Coup by Granduer. Nice 78 Seville but I see 8k for what it needs.
You folks are way too kind, thanks much. After getting a bad comment or two, it’s so nice to hear some friendly ones. Thanks!
Greg G., they’re referring to a Photoshop two-door version that I made and put a link in the second paragraph.