Best Cars of the 1970s: How the 1976-1979 Cadillac Seville Redefined American Luxury
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- Learn more about the 1976-79 Cadillac Seville, it's origins, design, engineering, and place in automotive history. While it was a marked departure from the historic "bigger is better" philosophy that governed luxury cars of the past, the Seville was most definitely a sales success, and set the tone for GM and American car design for the next ~10 years.
Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
5:28 - Cadillac Seville Overview & Discussion - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I saw a Seville for the first time in Paris, one evening in late Summer, 1975, parked at the curb just off the Champs d'Elysee. Silver under silver vinyl. Very beautiful at the time.
Silver over Silver, these were the first in 1975. The first one I saw was parked near the Merritt Parkway in Westport, Connecticut.
I can imagine the Frenchman's reaction to an American car parked on their city streets:
"Ah, look at thees American tank -so gauche, nouveaux riches, bourgeois and out of place in our beautiful city. Petuee!"
That's cool. We got dropped off in my friends Dad's brand new Seville at the roller skating rink called Skateland in Canton, Michigan right outside Detroit. The heads turning like "Who are they?" was hilarious. The car looked totally out-of-place in this former farmland turning true suburban America. Keep in mind that this was the first time I witnessed the GM vacuum generated fuel economy lights blinking from green to orange depending on how the driver accelerated. K.C & The Sunshine Band's "Do You Wanna Go Party?" remix was on the radio. Memories.
2022: Still beautiful!
They were the first! Called the champagne edition Seville, my grandma ordered one before they started making them
Truly a classic design. They should never have changed to the bustle back. Just kept improving the style and updating it like Rolls Royce has done for years. My favorite is the silver and black combination.
Agreed! I was horrified by the bustle back, which I called a cockroach with wheels. The first gen Seville was gorgeous!
recently sports&classic cars magazine did a piece on it, comparing the seville to the roll royce shadow and the jaguar XJ12. The seville might've had a good run in europe if GM would've marketed it, considering it was in essence a very reliable luxury car with a nice ride and if you had the V8 with the bendix injection, it was actually surprisingly nimble.
I purchased one during the pandemic ,it was my dream car as a kid I love the two-tone
My moms was black and silver. It was fast as hell. We beat a Porsche in the 1980 or 81.
I like the title Rare Classic Cars too and it makes me chuckle because these are not what most people think of as rare classic cars. A mint '69 Corvette with an L88 engine, heated seats and mirrors, ok that's a rare classic, but frankly I tire of these popular icons, cars you will never own and I prefer the more typical makes Adam owns and discusses. I have been in or driven most of the cars discussed here. He is an educated man with smart opinions and insights on a number of levels. You do not get that with most classic car programs.
I agree. Because of car enthusiasts' fixation only on performance cars like the Corvette you mention, there are very few left of the everyday drivers you actually saw on the streets everywhere back then, so they are indeed rare now. This results in problems like young people thinking seventies streets were filled wit muscle cars to movie directors having a hard time finding appropriate vehicles for period films. I've seen too many films and TV shows set in the sixties and seventies where there are just way too many performance cars depicted.
@@colibri1 yes.. Delusions of today distorting an accurate view of the past. This, for some, also warps expectations of how things ought to be today. This is evident in many spheres of life today. Not just in the automotive realm.
Gabe, like you these are the cars I always admired my dad drove my uncle's drove and I drove. I have been a car enthusiast aka nut for a long time.
I was only 15 when I found a 38, 000 mile 1975 Cadillac Calais Coupe for my Uncle Ed to buy. Black with vinyl roof delete and white black red plaid interior that looked amazing.
I or my family has owned 1960 Lincoln Continental Mark 5 convertible 1960 Mercury Colony Park Station Wagon 1962 Cadillac coupe deville convertible 1965 Fleetwood brougham 1967 Fleetwood brougham 1969 Cadillac Fleetwood brougham 1971 Cadillac Fleetwood Rome 1974 El Dorado coupe 1975 eldorado coupe 1977 Fleetwood brougham 1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo landau 1979 Lincoln Continental collector series 1990 Fleetwood 1993 Fleetwood
Also 1977 Chevrolet Monte Carlo t-tops seats black and red 1992 Alfa Romeo 164 l 1985 Alfa Romeo Spider 1979 MGB 1985 TVR 280i 1985 Fleetwood brougham 1976 Chevrolet Blazer K5 Cheyenne with Bimini Top
When I was in 8th grade in 1978, my mother traded her 1976 Buick LeSabre (having driven Buicks since the 60s) for a 1979 Cadillac Seville. That car featured the brown exterior color with padded vinyl roof, gas engine and the faux wire wheels. It was nicely appointed with most options except for the trip computer and it wasn't the Elegante. Also, it did have the CB radio which I found to be a lot of fun as a teenager whenever we would do road trips in it. It was the smallest car my mother had owned in years (she had had a 1974 Olds Ninety-Eight before the LeSabre) but I loved the car since it was well appointed and pretty well put together. Ironically my step-father owned a 1976 Buick Apollo which was the Chevy Nova clone at Buick so in reality, both my parents drove a version of the same vehicle. The Seville is a car that I wish we still had since it was one of the most successful styling exercises at Cadillac in this period. The interior room wasn't great but without a center console you would find in vehicles now, I could still get behind the wheel of it even as I began to grow dramatically to my giant size by age 17. I recently saw one at my Cadillac dealer in the service bay (a beautiful survivor) and the service manager lamented that this was probably the last time they could handle the vehicle due to its age and difficulty in finding parts.
It’s interesting that you said this was your moms smallest car. I grew up in the 80s/90s and remember thinking these cars were HUGE, especially compared to the smaller Japanese Camrys and accords that most families had.
@@Wasabi9111 < The Seville was a small car in 79 compared to a mid 70’s 98.
@@Wasabi9111 Well the Seville was certainly smaller than the larger Cadillacs my grandparents drove. My mother’s parents had his and her Devilles (74 and 76) during my childhood and my father’s mother had a 77 Deville. But the smallest car my parents had was my father’s 1968 Opel Kadett B that he drove so my mother got to drive his Riviera.
Luxury back in the day Smooth like Butter
My favorite resident classic car historian. Your Porch Chats are as educational as they are entertaining.
I had a 79 Cadillac Seville Elegante. One of the best cars I ever owned. It had 350 oldsmobile motor. Ran great!
In 1982, my dad bought a ‘79 Seville diesel. When I learned to drive shortly after, I drove that car all the time. Beautiful and trouble-free car. Ours was a brownish “firemist” color.
I actually rode once in a 1976 Seville. Although it had leaf springs in the rear, you would never know it because the ride was incredibly smooth. I think a lot of that was because G.M. used a Teflon coating between each leaf spring. It was quiet too. A nice comfortable car. I rode in a 1977 Lincoln Versailles too. It was okay but, I referred the Seville for the nicer interior.
I drove a Seville with a 5.7 once and it was incredible how "sporty" it felt. The driving position was cool and it seemed to handle so well. You could feel the sleekness of the body atop the big wheels.
I had a 1979 Cadillac Seville I still love the design it's a beautiful car
My grandfather bought a new 77 Seville. Enjoyed the car but It had a lot of teething problems. Fuel injection issues and it would also discharge the battery whenever they left it at the airport. He was an engineer so the problems bugged him to no end. The car offered excellent performance for the Eara. I remember it had a green and red economy LED, it rarely showed green he drove with a heavy foot. When the bustle back Cadillac came out he hated it and kept the Seville much longer than he would have.
We followed him out to Colorado for a family reunions in a Mercedes 240D we could keep up until the mountains and then he disappeared!
This car remains one of my all-time favorites. I especially loved seeing that Betty White’s 1977 Seville has been so well preserved.
My Mother's new '79, Pottery Gold Firemist Seville was pretty. From Sewell Village in Dallas, it turned heads. I identify with the sheer stocking look. Pure Elegance. She gave it to me. Unfortunately it gave her some trouble and started giving me trouble too. My late partner, Larry purchased his Bamboo Cream '76 from Marvin K Brown in San Diego.
Collectible Automobile did an outstanding cover story on the '75-'79's. They wrote that select Cadillac customers in California, Florida, and NY were invited to view and critique prospective design studies at private dealership parties. It really hit with the Cali crowd.
GM decided to highly equip them to recoup the advanced engineering costs invested which elevated the price over other models giving them cachet. It took a while before Fisher Body hid the roof seams adequately enough so the Tuxedo Grain vinyl roof could be made an option.
Cadillac service departments gave them as loaners to customers having their standard sized cars serviced. Women didn't want to return them and many initial deals were made that way.
Cadillac should have stuck with that iconic design. The Sable Black & Platinum Elegante and San Remo models are my favorites.
Thank you for featuring this story.
I owned a 77 Seville 10 years. By far my favorite car I've ever owned. Paid $1100 for it in 1996. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
My favorite Cadillac. The '79 Seville was a car ahead of its time.
When I was aged about 6 my parents bought a new ordered from the dealer ‘78 Seville Elegante with real wire wheels black and silver over gray interior. I have many fond memories of that car not including throwing up in the back seat as a kid and feeling really, really bad about it. After a couple of years they switched to wire wheel covers on steel wheels since the spokes of the wire wheels kept snapping. It was a looker at the time. My parents friend’s wife who drove a Mercedes coupe loved my Mom’s car much to the chagrin of husband. They ended up trading in Seville in ‘84 for Biarritz which was comfortable but nearly as peppy as the old 350. My mom was not happy about getting rid of the car at the time and still talks about it. They still have the wire wheels in their attic. It was their favorite Caddy although everyone loved the ‘87 Allante’. I must admit for long trips nothing beat their ‘90 DeVille. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Brought back a lot of memories. I do think if they went with the Diplomat platform and sucked up training on the higher tolerances it would have been better for Cadillac and GM as a whole into the 80s. Cheers.
EVERYONE loved these things at the time. I liked the look of the Versailles even though it was clearly a Ford Granada platform. Nobody saw the Nova platform under the Seville skin. The Chrysler M body LeBaron of the time - even using Imperial badging was a decent much cheaper alternative as well. As a kid not understanding the pricing at the time I liked them all. With 'grown up' eyes it's easy to see why Seville won big. And why LeBaron with Imperial eagle hood ornaments were fairly common as well. Sheer look was and is great. The cars of my youth.
I never would've guessed it was a Nova either. Those Versailles served as donors, with their 9 inch disk brake rear ends.
The Seville had a Cadillac instrument panel, not a Nova instrument panel. The Versailles had a Ford Granada instrument panel, the only thing that was changed was the speedometer, it had the Lincoln metallic silver background, but the gas gauge had a black background, straight from the Granada parts bin.
Ford did strengthen the Granada body, for the Versailles, with extended rails from the front to the back rails, and additional cushioning on the front shock towers.
@@Ascotman I have read that the amount of sound deadening, carpet thickness/length, paint quality and that Lincoln engines were hand balanced with only the best fitting parts ... and of course rear disc's. So it would have been an appreciably different experience behind the wheel than a typical Granada. But of course the eyeballs don't lie ... and that was a huge problem given the asking price. Hence anyone but Ford loyalists probably would've picked the Seville ... or that much cheaper 80-81 Chrysler LeBaron with the Imperial water fall grill and Imperial hood ornament (assuming the Chrysler bankruptcy du jour didn't scare them off).
To admit the '77-79 Diplomat resembles the Seville even more than the LeBaron. Like the Seville based on the Nova, these two were based on the Aspen.
Parents owned a 79 model, I remember sitting in the back seat sliding around on that too soft leather. Luved the car , it made a statement.
Rare Classic Car and Automotive History go hand in hand
I had a 77 midnight blue, so comfortable. OneTouch steering, fantastic bucket seats. One of the most favorite cars I ever owned.
one of my all-time favourite us old-timers ...so soo classy ... it seems underrated since almost nobody talks about it...
I was a 19 year-old car salesman for a Cadillac dealer at the time this car came out. I think I was the only person who liked the car in the whole dealership! I have owned five '70's Cadillacs, but never a Seville. This car is on my list to acquire when the opportunity arises. It is a true beauty! Thanks for such an informative video. It brought back a lot of pleasant memories!
My father bought a brand-new Seville in 1976. I was enthralled with that car. I thought the side profile was absolutely beautiful, as well as the rear 3/4 very beautiful. The rear window surround was reminiscent of Rolls-Royce. I thought it looked wonderful. The smaller size was unprecedented for Cadillac, as was (at least in my then 12-year old existence) a Cadillac with no fender skirts. It was an exceptionally beautiful car, the bookend of the career of the massive car-design genius Bill Mitchell, whose work at GM began with the 38 Sixty Special. If you compare the profile of the Sixty Special and the Seville there is a correspondence. I don’t think it’s accidental.
I have one for sale 8500 original miles.
I had a 1977 Seville and I loved it. I was in college and unfortunately I drove it into the ground. I floored it everywhere I went and eventually the transmission failed. I didn’t want to spend the $500 to fix it and moved on to a turbo Mazda. What a mistake. I spent a fortune keeping it going. My Cadillac had 40000 miles on it when I got it in 1989 from an older gentleman who had the newer Cadillac models in his stable. He wanted $3500 for it and I got him down to $2500. The car was the beautiful brown with tan leather interior and orange pin stripes. It had a factory sunroof and CB radio. It was in stunningly great condition. It had the wide whitewalls and wire wheel hubcaps. It is to this day my favorite car ever. I had a 2008 Escalade with the 403 horsepower 6.2 engine that I lost in a divorce a close second.
Adam, thank you very much for this video. I LOVE these Sevilles. I'll take one in any color, but my first choice would be a black and silver Elegante version. I wanted one of these Seville's from the moment they came out. I was a young teenager back then, and begged my dad to get one. But, he thought they were just too small, so brought a 76 Coupe deville instead. That car didn't last too long (it was stolen) so when the 1977 models came out, dad ended up buying a 1977 Fleetwood Brougham (white with baby blue leather, which was my moms choice of colors). I liked the Brougham a lot, but still though the Seville was just so much better looking.
I'd love to get one now.!
I have a 1979 Seville that is clean and has the Elegante real spoke rims. The 350 rocket has 90,000 miles and I have duels on it. I am in the process of updating the fuel injection. They are beautiful smooth riding cars.
Love this channel. You're doing it right brother.
You have sold me on the Seville with your video sir! I found one with less than 5,000 miles on it and even though it's been repainted the mileage is correct! Thank you for taking the time to make this and I hope you have a great day. Keep them coming!
This is my absolute favorite Of all Cadillacs! I need this in my start up collection
I had one of those Mustang II models--a California emissions car, with the notch back. It was capable of doing 106mph in the Nevada desert, which was spinning the 2.8 L German V-6 to 5500rpm. Being a 74, it had the infamous seat belt interlock system, which caused no small consternation among my passenger friends.
I had installed a CB radio in it, and it did indeed help avoid tickets. Channel 19 was the magic channel. Didn't always work, but that's another story.
Very informative, BTW.
Breaker breaker one nine!
I heard that the 75s with the 302 had a cat converter on only one bank.
@@mcqueenfanman That’s true and do did the Gran Torino’s.
Have a 1981 C10 with Hydroboost brakes. Was a diesel and now a 350 small block. Left the Hydroboost brakes that are amazing. Rebuilt the unit after looking for one and not being find one for my year. Works great now.
I LOVED the Seville!
Keep it rare classic cars. No need to rebrand
Great video
I've always admired the late 70s Seville essentially due its success at repackaging of the preceding era cars into a smaller foot print. In short, the late 70s Seville were a well proportioned RWD car from a 2022 point of view that allowed the former owner of a Detroit land yacht to store a few more boxes of clutter at the front of their garage. Honestly, its a good looking car even today.
My favorite improvement - There is way less front end overhang than some other early 1970s downsized personal luxury cars. -
To eek out some extra interior shoulder room, the side door panels are nearly vertical.
The squared off rear roof line was almost a necessity given how close the rear seat back is to the rear glass. It allows for a longer trunk deck.
With regards to rear overhang, there needed to be some or the trunk space would have been minuscule. In my opinion Cadillac did the rear of the car right. It still looks good in 2022.
Not to mention the styling was ahead of its time. The design accurately predicted the boxy "sheer" styles of many 80s vehicles. I'd love to find a nice one with the Elegante package
Great observations and great channel. This is the car that got me into cars as a teenager, when my parents acquired a lightly used '76 Seville in '78, black exterior with red velour interior. I learned to drive in it as well. If only I had the knowledge and resources then that I have now, that car might still be in the family today. I miss it a lot. I have too many cars and not enough space, so getting another one now is not a priority, unfortunately.
When one first sat in a '76 Cadillac, the first thing you though to yourself was that this is was the first time you had ever seen full size luxury car interior trim and amenities in a small car.
I am for the name change of the channel. Your automotive history knowledge is astounding.
Cadillac Seville "bustle back" now there's an iconic car !
I have been a dealer automotive service technician for gm since 1986 and I must say that I do indeed have an appreciation for your videos.
That was a beautiful car and still is.
I remember seeing a '77 Seville in that mint green when I was a teen and was in love with it!!! This car is still a sharp looking after 45 years!
My friend had one he bought from a lady down the street from him, it was nice, leather, power everything, 8 track tape player that worked!! I drove it, 70s luxo-barge feeling, I'm sure he wish he still had it.
I really enjoy your vids. Auto history is fascinating in a number of ways, one example would be the big recession of 1957 to 1958 as car sales took a huge nose dive from the high sales figures of 1955. My parents bought a 1976 Cadillac Seville and it proved to be a decent car but they really didn't feel that car was up to the quality standards of the mid 60s cars they used to have. Their Seville was the gas powered Olds 350 and really was very reliable. After that car they went to Mercedes Benz 300 diesel powered cars and were very satisfied with those cars. They always felt that the best car they ever had was the 1956 Chevrolet wagon and the 1967 Pontiac Bonneville that was a 4dr hardtop with the 428 equipped with A/C, AM/FM, manual A/C, P/W. P/Locks, P/Antenna, manual seat and it was Gulf Turquoise with the matching morokide vinyl interior and no vinyl top. It was a very impressive car in all respects and without a doubt the best car they ever had. Keep on with your car reviews because no one else adds the interesting details about the GM executives and other noteworthy details about the history and people responsible for that history of design and production. Thanks for your vids
My Dad bought a new silver '76 Seville. It was a great car! I don't remember it ever being in the shop. He kept it about 10 years.
Slowest car I've owned was my first, a 77 Firebird with a 3.8 V6. Man it was gutless. Keep those videos coming, you got me wanting to buy a classic that I can actually afford.
I'm surprised Chevy even HAD a V6 in '77. Thought it was either the 250 I6 or a 350, 400 or 454 V8 back in the day. In fact I thought the first Camaro/Firebird came with the new body style of 1982...
@@wilsixone it was a Buick 231 engine. I think the Camaros were still using Chevy 6 cyl.
I first fell in love with this car when I walked to elementary school with my siblings. One of the houses we passed had a pair always sitting in their driveway and I fell in love with its design and it sparked my interest in Cadillac. I eventually bought an 83 coupe deville once i graduated high school...but always wanted the Seville.
I love your description of passing in the 1979 Seville Diesel. Momentum is your friend!
This was a fun video. I remember when the Seville was introduced in 1975. I was living in Ontario Canada at the time. I drove down to the local Cadillac dealership and was very impressed. It looked like a up to date modern Rolls Royce. The car just had class. Of course I was a teenager which meant the Seville was just a dream. My dad and mother drove Caddy's and I tried to talk my parents into getting a Seville but they were of the big car mindset. I have a real soft spot for Cadillac. I've owned many cars including European and Japanese. I always go back to Cadillac. All my Cadillacs have been "V" models. My latest is a CT6-V Black Wing. I think it's the best full size Cadillac ever to come out of Marque. It's a fantastic car. I also have a couple of Lexus LS models. Those cars are beautifully engineered. The fit and finish is first rate. However, The Black Wing doesn't take a back seat to them. It's that good. GM is mostly run by engineers now. Cheers!!!
Adam, I really enjoy your older car reviews, and look forward to every one of them. Two of my recent favorites have been the Mercury Marquis and the Pontiac Bonneville although I never owned either of them. Two cars I did have were a 1963 Buick Riviera and a 1978 Seville. Although I've owned many vehicles, these two stand out in my mind as the best looking of the different cars I've owned.
I had a 64 Rivi in that fuchsia like color and a 79 Seville in copper tone. I too loved them the best
I quite enjoyed this video, particularly as I owned a 1979 Seville (not diesel) for seventeen years and 179,000 miles. The first generation Seville is what I would term as a luxurious ‘close-coupled’ 4-door sedan. Mine never missed a beat.
I love the inclusion of Automotive History to your channel title. It makes sense, you've been a huge knowledge boost for those who haven't experienced or read on these vehicles. It feels good to know someone is really giving us the privilege of seeing their collection, and their perspective on these wonderful machines.
I like what you're doing with the channel. The porch chats are enjoyable and the low mileage beauties you're collecting are quite remarkable. The triple black Continental really struck a chord with me. My folks had a brown '70 coupe that got totaled in a collision with the whole family in the car (I was around 8 or so), followed by a triple red '76 Mark IV. My memory of the Mark was that the Accel button on the cruise control would just about throw your head back when pressed, something my 16 year old brother loved to demonstrate when we were alone in the car. They traded that for an '81 Subaru GL hatchback. When I turned 16 (1985) I bought a '64 Mercury Monterey fastback coupe from the original owner for $999. It wasn't a low miler, but it looked like new with fresh blue paint and perfect white vinyl interior. I loved that car. I could always outrun my best friend in the '70 LTD his folks had bought new.
My favorite Cadillac, a beautiful automobile.
Love the first generation Seville! Ended up with a 26k 85 Eldorado. Love driving the car. The engine is in line rather than transverse so there is no "pull". Great car, the Seville.
I still remember when I saw one for the first time in 1975 in Beirut Lebanon, it had Nova size and it was the most expensive Cadillac back then.
Like yourself I am 6-1” owned a 79 Seville and loved it! Mine was a transfer from diesel to gas but remained registered as a diesel,Yes! Saved registration costs! To this day I like yourself wish I held onto my Seville . Enjoyed the video!!!
Hello Adam! In 1979 the gasoline situation looked bleak, with fears of the 1973-ish gas lines seemed to be coming. We thought about a Honda car, but my aversion to Japanese cars let us to a diesel Saville. Honey Beige, I believe it was, without the padded roof. $20K out the door was frightfully expensive. My wife at the time financed the entire car, which would soon be a plus for me. After about a year of owning the Seville, she decided she’d rather live with someone else, and took the Caddy with her😄👍😄.
The Caddy was a magnificent automobile. Smooth, very comfortable, very quiet, and with decent fuel mileage. As the diesel’s shortcomings became widely known, the value of the car dropped extremely. It was worth less than she owed on it. Too bad, she chose her path. Had I been involved with the car, I would have installed a gas Saville gas engine in it, and had a better car.
I am in awe of the research that goes into these vehicles. Highly impressive. The details are spot on dead correct. Kudos. The first gen Seville was the best imo
I had one of these to drive while my new Turbo Trans Am pace car was getting it’s first turbo replacement. The Pontiac dealership was also a Cadillac dealership and they had just taken the 1979 Seville in on trade. I guess they figured that that they could detail after I returned it. Well for some reason (parts delay…? ) my car was out of service for about 2 weeks so I got a lot of seat time in the Seville. At first, as an 18 year old with a new Trans Am, I was less than thrilled. After 2 weeks I almost hating giving up the Seville. It was so quiet and smooth and surprisingly quick. It was silver/silver over silver. Body/vinyl top/ interior which I think was like the photo car for ads and brochures. It was very attractive and much more pleasant to drive than my mom’s 77 Coupe de Ville which was not a bad driving Luxor barge.
Awesome
Yes...LOVE the history, back design stories and...Ads of the times for each model. Oh and the 75 Seville...probably the best American designed car and the epitome of the 70s..the Mark V second
My first car was mom’s 1976 Seville. I was 16. Silver with silver top, silver interior, Rolls grille and wire basket rims. Mom gave it to me when she got her 1979 Trans Am, of course chocolate brown. I loved that car. Thanks for the great video.
I had a 79 black silver for many years here in Switzerland.
Despite the leaking sunroof and repair intensive spoke wheels, it was the best car i ever had.
I have the fully loaded Elegante ,Digital dash ,trip computer, sunroof probably forgot something else
My Dad in 1980 bought the brown one with the diesel engine " because the sales guys made a deal , an smooth talked him ( my dad was not a car guy ,an didn't learn to drive till he was 33 taught by mom , being New York born an bred).. growing up, all we had was Cadillac, ) I learn to drive on this car , so I have a fondest for it , even thought it had Two engines replacement an left us stranded many times, Interesting after a few years of this , replaced it with the then new Maxima.. which he called "his baby cad"... as of both us kids were gone by then, it was more than fine size wise, an they never had a lick of problems with it. Still I think ,like you< that Cadillac was bench mark of tasteful design an in many way holds up to this day.
A friend of mine had the black and gray caddy he loved that car
Love the video, Adam! I'm indifferent on the channel name, but I thought I'd throw out an option: Rare Classic Cars and Their History.
I know from time to time, you discuss some elements not directed towards one particular car, but for the most part, your videos dive into the deep history of the particular car you are reviewing. Just a thought, just please don't change anything else with your channel; you've hit a home run!
Really enjoyed the Cadillac Seville video and your comments Alan.
ADAM FINALLY .....THANK YOU SO MUCH. !! I have been asking for you to do a video on this first generation Seville as I think it was one of the most Beautiful Cars ever made. As a Cadillac nut, this ranks as one of my favorites. When it first came out it was so revolutionary in design and look...the notch back roof line and the big wheel wells set it apart from any other car on the road. It truly was such a handsome and reliable Cadillac. Its profile could not be matched and the first EFI in an American Production passenger car was absolutely genius and new for the time. Truly, I believe, on of the most successful and beautiful American cars ever made. By the way yours looked GREAT, Silver and Black I believe were its best colors, period. The Olds 350 was bullet proof and the luxurious interior was Rolls Royce like. One of the best cars American has ever built. Thanks again for profiling this Gorgeous Car. !!!!!
I remember when we were kids, the family we perceived to be "rich" in the neighborhood brought home a brand new silver Seville. It looked "rich" and very stylish. She had a couple of them over the years and you could spot it a mile away in our little town. It was definitely a statement vehicle.
I was a kid when they first came out. I was very car model conscious. The first time I saw one was in the summer of 75 parked in a driveway in Beverly Hills. I was on a family trip and we were just driving around sightseeing. I was so fascinated because I had never seen anything like it. Considering the area, I thought maybe it was a Rolls Royce. I've always been of the opinion (in hindsight) that it was ahead of it's time design wise and this video validates that. Never once did it don on me that it was based on the Nova and I never knew that until recently. Now with that information, I can kind of see that when compared to the 75 and later Novas.
The lines on the rear fenders were just about the only styling feature the cars had in common (but I believe the stampings were different), though if you stripped off the vinyl roof of an early one, you'd find the Nova roof in there with a 3" extension.
Always liked the classy tightly drawn lines, and it set the GM corporate look for nearly ten years. My Dad who died a Caddie man, commented once at how popular they were in CA, not so much in the rust belt. He never had the 1st Gen but did have its successor circa ‘84.
That era of Seville was the most beautiful in my opinion.. Your slow diesal story reminds me of my Diesal Izuzu IMark that I had back in the 80s. I souped it up and made it look really sporty but it was Slow As Rocks! The Diesal engine saved me though when somebody tried to steal the car not realizing that it was a diesal and couldn't start it because they didn't realize that you needed to use the Manual Choke to get it going! I really don't miss that car at all..
Was working at a Cadillac dealership when we received the first Seville in late October of 1975. It was special ordered for the dealer's wife. Unfortunately it had difficulty starting and would not idle below 2 ,000rpm.
The Bendix fuel injection system was a mystery for our WW II generation of mechanics. Cadillac did provide a crude diagnostic tool at a hefty price that was about the size of a medium suitcase that was sorta helpful if you knew how to use it.
We delivered 5 or 6 Sevilles before we finally figured out what was wrong with the dealer's car. Finally got the needed part and he took the car home on Christmas Eve to his wife.
I always loved this generation of Seville and would buy a well preserved one if it comes along. Worse thing were to be if the FI failed. Would install a 4 barrel intake and distributor as some owners did back in the day. Thanks Adam for another great porch chat!
Someday I hope to own one of these beautiful cars.
I think the first Sevilles were the most elegant looking, with the best looking body. I really love how the seating compartment and roof were set back, just pleasing to my eyes.
This Cadillac brings back memories. In 1977 the neighbor across the street bought a brand new silver Seville. The owner was 22 year old Ricky, a Blackjack dealer who worked at the Riviera Casino on the strip. My mom was envious, I believe jealous and she ended up buying a new Lincoln Mark V.
I remembering instantly not liking what Cadillac did to the Seville when the Bussel backs came out. Good video, truly enjoyed it, thanks.
Hi Adam, love your channel. Another piece of information to add here is that the 1976-1979 Seville was also the only Cadillac that was ever produced outside of the US, at least until then. The GM-Iran division built these cars in Iran. After the 1979 revolution when the crazies took over the country, they built the last few of these cars based on the remaining spare parts. Some of these cars are still being driven on the streets of Tehran. My parents owned a silver one back in the early 1980s in Tehran. I was only 14-15 years old at the time, but had the spare keys for the car and I used to sneak out and take the Seville out for a quick joy ride. I can still remember how quiet and smooth the ride was. The only problem was with the electronic fuel injection and due to a lack of spare parts, some owners would just convert them to using a carburetor. During that period, GM-Iran also built the 1976+ Chevy Nova and Buick Apollo/Skylark.
Fascinating! When I saw a name ending with 'eh' I guessed we were getting a comment from a Persian. 😁
@@rightlanehog3151 Yes sir!
Best video yet in terms of history inclusion, design and engineering development etc. Keep it up!
Loved your video! I had a 1978 & a 1979 and loved them.
Timeless design, this Seville and the 79 to 85 Buick Riviera. Navy blue or that era yellow with white interiors would have been my go to choice. After 79 model year I would move over to the new Eldorado with the same color choices. The silver on silver would be a second choice for the Seville. Really well done presentation Adam.
I have a 1977 Seville now, it’s Naples Yellow, with 90,000 on the dash.
We have my father's 1978 Seville, 80k miles, always garaged, 350 Olds engine, with digital dash, sunroof/moonroof, white with white vinyl top, red leather interior, wire wheel covers, factory option sheepskin seat covers, automatic load leveling rear air suspension.
Rear passenger interior, opera reading lights are very special.
Remove the catalytic converter (bolt in flanges at both ends), replace with "catalytic converter test pipe", and performance increases, with nice throaty sound from low restriction muffler.
Car is fine handling on curve mountain roads.
Unique speed sensitive power steering. One finger parking, heavy feel at highway speeds.
Transmission shifts without any sensation.
Excellent stopping with 4 wheel disc brakes.
Very much designed to complete with the Jaguar XJ of the day.
Not 0-60 fast, but very smooth on freeway.
A fine automobile for that special "night on the town". ALWAYS receives long looks, admiration, and inquiries.
Frequently gets valet parked "up front"/display along side other exotic/expensive vehicles.
Truly becoming a classic if well cared for.
My dad was a salaried employee of Fisher Body in Flint who bought a new car and truck every year at ‘A Plan’ pricing.
He almost bought ordered a 76 Seville.
I remember the car would have cost $15,000! A big ticket item in those days
My dad had a slantback Seville with the gold package. It was awesome.
Loved this Cadillac the first time i saw one back in late 1975, have a total restored 1976 in the garage.
Your Diesel Seville description reminds me of many of our neighbours when I was in school. They had Mercedes w123 diesel sedans with a whoooping 88 hp, reached the speed of a shifting sand dune and owners said : better dead than hitting the brakes and loose momentum.
Plus, I was never late for school, when these diesel were cold there was no way sleep any longer.
Gunter, Germany
Thank you very much, I absolutely love the format. It gives the channel a whole new scope. Truly appreciate your effort. Love seeing the cars. Also enjoy seeing you drive around in the area where I used to live. Currently live in Wisconsin.
My dad bought a '76 Seville with the gasoline engine for my mother. It was Crystal Blue Firemist with a white top and powder blue interior. It was such a hit that she would not let my dad drive it. So, he bought a '77 in Damson plum over plum, with a plum interior. It was a wonderful car.
When they heard that Cadillac planned to enlarge the car they bought a '79 Seville in bronze with buckskin interior. The '79 had some annoying issues where it wouldn't start when hot, but easily started when cold.
I loved the lines of this model but couldn't afford a Caddy, so i bought a 1980 Olds Cutlass with a very similar body style. It came with a 283 V8 with the pollution gear on it. My wife tagged the car as our "Gutless Cutlass". Thanks for the insight on these cars history.
Marketing ploy: when a Caddy customer had his 'land yacht' serviced, the loaner was often a Seville; his wife would love its tidy size, easy shopping-mall parking etc. and not want to give it up. Clever! (Collectible Automobile)
Anyone else notice the seville concept at 11:48 looks remarkably similar to the early to mid 90s seville?
I know I've said it before, but I just love your presentations Adam. They typically bring me back to my childhood... plus I share your taste in cars . Keep up the great work. Obviously there are a lot of us out here who enjoy your posts very much!
Living in the small very tight knit black population of NE Portland Oregon back then, you all ways knew what the newest and best cars where by what the ship yard, Railroad, underworld preveors and Reverands drove, the 1976 to 79 Seville was a smash hit. My Moms boyfriend bought a yellow on yellow 1979 with the Cadillac wire wheels in 1982, I drove that one many times, and it was very nice ride indeed. I like your idea in the name change, your really delve into the subjects without telling me repetitive info. Thanks!
These Seville’s were Simple Elegance. Imagine a Seville would cost more than an Eldorado.
I don’t think I have ever talked with anyone that didn’t like theses cars. My mother’s friend had a 1977 all silver…..it’s was Beautiful.
My father leased a 78 silver seville !! Best car he ever owned. I did get to drive it a few times and it was an awesome car to drive !!! Great history lesson on this car !!!!
A wonderful overview of one of my (very few) favorite GM cars -- thank you for presenting it. These cars were an immediate hit in Marin County, CA when introduced, which was something for the time.
It was also a hoot to see that one was your first car!
Back in the 80's these Sevilles were coveted!!! I WAnted 1 so Dayummmm Bad!! I used to be @ movie usher in T Square Every Sunday this beautiful Seville would grace me with its Elagance!! I waz enamored ❤❤❤.
Great 👍 video as always!! You made my Sunday afternoon that much better!! Be safe friend!
Very good analysis of the creation and origins of the original Seville. I remember back then that was the luxury car to have, everyone wanted one!
Very good review on the Cadillac Seville "Game Changer Car!" Thanks for sharing.
It has a beautiful stance, so dynamic.
Love this video; thank you! A few months back, I bought a beautiful 1978 Seville in Seamist Green (same as Betty White’s!) over dark green leather interior. I’m slowly picking away at a few issues, but it’s a great driving and smooth running car. Quite a punching back among some people, but I have loved the first generation Seville since I was a kid.