1979 Elegante Automatic

Description for Cadillac Seville 1979

The Seville was a very big deal for Cadillac, and this 1979 Cadillac Seville is arguably the best one to own. Designed to be a smaller, more personal Cadillac, it was also the most expensive and the most sophisticated, and today they represent a smart way to own a vintage Cadillac without the big car footprint. The Elegante package added a few upgrades to the already top-of-the-line Seville, most notably the two-tone color scheme. Black and silver is a classic combination that will never go out of style, and on the angular Seville bodywork, it works quite well. This appears to be original, factory-applied paint, and with that in mind, it's in fantastic condition. There are, of course, a few signs of use and age, but this remains one of the most handsome designs of the '70s, and no, it's not "just a Nova with Cadillac badges." In fact, every panel on the car is unique to the Seville and it was so expensive to build that GM executives feared that it would be too expensive to sell at any price. Fortunately, they nailed it and it was very popular with buyers, including the guy who bought this one and treated it as something special. They skipped the padded roof, making it somewhat rare, and the slash of bright trim that separates the colors is joined by a bright red pinstripe to really make it pop. There's plenty of chrome, but it's not over-done and the look remains classic and refined. Gray leather lines the interior of the Seville, and the Elegante package gives you buckets and a console; remarkable in a Cadillac! Almost everything was standard in the Seville, from automatic climate control, to power everything, to a tilt wheel, to a bunch of fairly convincing burled walnut trim. The leather has a little discoloration but that's probably inevitable just due to age, but there are no rips or tears and the back seat looks almost new. Plush carpets, tons of sound deadening materials, and thick weather seals all make the interior of the Seville tomb-silent, and even the original AM/FM/cassette stereo sounds great in there. Factory floor mats are rather rare in this condition, including the rubber trunk mat, which is joined by a space-saver spare in its own carpeted cover. This was the "small" Cadillac, but it sure doesn't seem like it today. The engine is a 350 cubic inch V8 topped by a surprisingly sophisticated fuel injection system that makes it drive beautifully. In fact, with 125 fewer cubes than the big car V8s, it still makes just as much horsepower and runs so clean, that they could have sold them without catalytic converters in many states. It's tidy under the hood with all the original equipment in place, and with about 42,000 original miles, it has never needed anything but routine maintenance. It starts quickly and idles well, and around town, this feels like a big Cadillac going about its business. The TH400 3-speed automatic transmission should last forever behind the small block and it has 2.73 gears out back, so it's a fantastic highway cruiser. Suspension tuning is Cadillac plush and 4-wheel disc brakes are a nice plus. Real chrome wire wheels are a traditional touch that works rather well, and they carry 15-inch Dunlop whitewall radials. These are gaining popularity among Cadillac aficionados for their usability, good looks, and practical size. Add in the great color combination, unique interior, and low mileage, and this becomes the one to own. Call today!