Most car fanatics agree that the late 1970s and early 1980s were a low period for American cars. As Detroit struggled to meet the demands of higher fuel efficiency and overseas competition, cars made in the USA lost their sizzle. A second-generation Cadillac Seville recently offered on eBay is an example that countered that trend.
1980 Cadillac postcard for the Bustleback Seville
Cadillac had tried to restore some of the excitement with its compact luxury automobile, the Seville. The brand described it as “internationally sized,” based on dimensions that aped the newly-popular German competition.
In addition, when Caddy unveiled the second-generation Seville in 1980, it sported an unusual styling feature guaranteed to stand out from the crowd. It introduced a slanted rear trunk line, often called the “bustleback.”
This ‘85 model, recently offered on eBay for $7,555, is a pristine example with less than 30,000 miles on the odometer.
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2nd Generation Seville: Right-Sized Luxury
The first generation Seville introduced in 1975 was a rear-drive model based on the Chevy Nova. Starting in 1980, the second-gen Seville — like car for sale on eBay—was based on the front-drive Eldorado.
In front of the rear doors, the Seville’s upright grille and chiseled lines look like nearly any other car of the era. But things get funky in the trunk area, which has a slant that recalls luxury cars of the 1950s.
The second-generation Seville was surprisingly advanced for the time, with Cadillac’s HT 4100 aluminum-block V-8 under the long hood. Admittedly, this engine wasn’t exactly potent at 135 horsepower delivered from about four liters.
On the other hand, it was lightweight, quiet, and smooth. Perhaps more importantly for luxury buyers, the interior space was good despite the downsizing. The front-wheel-drive layout gave the Seville a flat floor front and rear.
Improbably Clean
The odometer reads 29,000 miles, which helps explain the excellent condition of this 37-year-old Cadillac. The paintwork and interior look stunning. The seller notes that he replaced the plastic filler panels between the bumpers and the body panels. (These often crumble over the years.)
From appearances, it’s hard to believe that anyone ever sat on these seats. The deep blue leather looks virtually untouched. The plastics and wood-look dashboard look similarly pristine, as do the carpets.
Under the car, there is evidence of miles covered in Ohio. A bit of surface rust lingers in a few places. But it’s not bad at all. The seller mentions that undercoating likely applied by the original dealer is a bit worn from the years, contributing to the low price. New shocks will be needed soon, too, and the air conditioning requires work. But for the price, we’d be happy to button up these minor issues.
After all, the market has precious few of these 1980s icons left. Start streaming any movie from the decade, and you’re likely to see a wealthy driver behind the wheel of a bustleback Seville. What goes around comes around. And the 1980s are red hot and fashionable these days.
So if you’re a fan of the Radwood revival, check out the bustleback ‘85 Cadillac Seville recently offered on eBay.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.