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WW2 years

Late extra(10/2000): The compiler of The (new) Cadillac Database© admits to being less familiar with Cadillac models from 1970 and later. Many of you have asked for more information and photos regarding these later models.  I am pleased to inform you that there are other sites on the Web devoted also to Cadillac history and particularly to what I call "modern" Cadillacs, i.e. those built after 1970.  So, for additional, pertinent information about Cadillacs from 1970 and later, please visit these excellent, informative sites:

John Barach's excellent Cadillac history pages.

1980

A.H.A. (Toronto, Canada) Renaissance coupe on Seville chassis, custom crafted for Cadillac owners who are looking for something even more distinctive than the Seville sedan.

    
Optional fender skirts add to the classic image; this car, according to the
manufacturer, is destined to become a classic in its own time

    
Optional flared [sic] fender skirts:  right

    
These three rows: manufacturer's proposed 2-tone paint schemes

American Custom Coachworks [ACC] (USA)  custom Seville Paris Roadster Convertible for those who want to drive a "different" Cadillac.In a letter of January 25, 1995, Virgil Budnic of ACCC told Doug Hone a CLC member who owns one of these convertibles that approximately 80 were built of which one-third went overseas.

   

    
This one was for sale on e-Bay in April, 2003 [LH photo went "funny" on me ...damned computer again!]
[ more (better) pictures in "1983" section ]

    

   

    
This survivor was offered for sale on the Internet in 2/2006

    
It was relisted in Nov., 2008

    
The Media ad at right appeared in Automotive News for October 6, 1980

American Custom Coachworks [ACC] (USA)  custom Seville Paris Eldorado coupe. One report suggests that only 500 of these conversions were made available by this Beverly Hills group.

    
This survivor was offered for sale on Internet in October, 2003

 

American Sunroof Corporation, ASC ( USA): Cadillac Eldorado convertible.

         

 

American Sunroof and Wayne Cadillac (PA, USA): Cadillac Seville 2-door sedan from Heinz Prechter, claimed by Internet vendor [2/2004] to be the only one of its kind known to exist! This car was produced to promote Cadillac to build 2 door Sevilles. 

    

    
[ Photos:  Internet, 4/2004 ]

 

Baker, Dick & Tony [see Custom Coach, Lima, OH, below] 

Cardin, Pierre (France) As the brochure says:  Only a Master can Create a Masterpiece.  Cardin's Evolution 1, built on the 1980 Eldorado chassis, is indeed a beautiful looking automobile.  This model  combines the best of American engineering and technology with the sophisticated looks and craftsmanship of one of France's premier fashion stylists. Thirty coats of lacquer, no less, individually cut and sewn seats, hand finished dash and steering wheel of the finest woods, 22K gold interior accents, English virgin wool carpets, Waterford crystal decanter set and pewter flask all gave the Evolution 1 its true distinctiveness.  Production was to be limited to 300 units.  Precise production figures are not available but estimated to be around 100 units. Production time at the Detroit factory premises was approximately three months. The base price, FOB Detroit, was $58,000, rising to $63,000 for a fully-equipped car.

     
Left:  handcrafted interior of Evolution 1;  right,  Monsieur Cardin with his creation

    

    
This survivor was offered for sale on Internet in October, 2003

[images ]

Up for sale on Craig's List in November, 2008, this is car #9, built specifically for Jack Webb
of the "Dragnet" TV series; the color is Champagne and the leather trim is 2-tone walnut brown

Caribou Motor Company (Grover City, CA, USA) According to one of its own advertising flyers, in 1986, this company built Cadillac pickups since 1954, combining the luxury of a regular automobile in a pickup. The designer and engineer behind most Caribou pickups is Lou Schorsch. A power operated tail gate was a first on the 1986 version. These conversions were available through Cadillac dealers or directly from the Caribou Motor Company, on Coupe de Ville models from 1974 to 1986. The company boasted in 1978:  Every Caribou is a show car that stands out for years to come as one of America's truly practical automobiles. The Caribou is the ultimate passenger car pick-up. Cadillac standards are used throughout the construction of your Caribou, along with numerous inspections, to maintain  the highest quality possible. To order your Caribou, you must use your [own] automobile. Select the finest car you can find. Try to avoid using a wrecked or damaged car. It's best to start with the best. Orders were taken with a 50% deposit, the balance being due on delivery. The advertised costs in 1986 were as follows: conversion from a 1974-76 Cadillac Coupe deVille, $10,500, from a 1977-79 Coupe deVille, $12,500, and from a 1980-86 Coupe de Ville, $14,500.

Coach Design Inc. (Westlake Village, CA): Conversion from 1980 Eldorado. Owner/vendor believed only 7 of these conversions were made on the 1980 Cadillac chassis. This San Remo Dovado is definitely a  limited edition model. The conversion work cost more than the original Eldorado. Total price was $40,000.  Chassis was strengthened in many places. This model was sold only through official Cadillac dealers.

   
[ Photos:  Internet, 12/2005 ]

 

Custom Classics (Harper Woods, MI, USA) Custom Eldorado, alleged to be one of seven built. Purchased new in 1980 and cut into three pieces; hood lengthened 21 inches; doors stretched too. Custom hood and deck, rear Opera window, custom grille. The original owner was Carl Larsen, 1/3 owner of Trico [windshield wiper blades] Company. Enthusiast David Link believes that more than seven were built. In 1980 this conversion retailed for $49.5K.

    

         

 

Custom Coach, Lima, OH (USA) Father and son team, Dick and Tony Baker sent me in 2007 a CD-ROM containing photos of many of the conversions he and his late father did on the Cadillac chassis. Many of the pics are digital copies of Polaroids, hence the mediocre image quality.

         

         

         
Two different conversions from Eldorado coupe to Eldorado pickup by the Lima, OH-based customizer
[ Photos: © 1980 and courtesy Tony Baker ]

 

Insbrook Manufacturing & Marketing, Inc. (Florida, USA) Insbrook Edition convertible coupe on Seville chassis [although the correct pronunciation of this Austrian ski resort is "Insbrook", the correct spelling is Innsbruck]. The conversion for a full-size edition cost $14,800 and the suggested retail price was $43,900. Described as a timeless classic creation that combines the Cadillac tradition of engineering excellence and the Insbrook tradition of hand-crafted perfection. Buyers had the distinction of being one of the very select elite in the community. This manufacturer uses the same logo [stylized world globe] and general product brochure presentation as Global Coach & Armor Manufacturing, Inc., also located in Florida.  Were these companies affiliated ? Were they possibly both a part of the wider American Standard Coach Builders group?

 

GM [Cadillac] (USA) Aurora show car (the name was subsequently adopted for an regular Oldsmobile production model

Gucci, Aldo (Italy/USA) gave his own special designer's touch to the 1980 Seville and Brougham models.

     

    

         
Above three rows: this survivor was offered for sale on Internet in 2004

 

Hess & Eisenhardt (USA) [see 1978 and 1979, above]  Another short run of the Le Cabriolet model was made again this year.  A couple of them found its way to Europe. Also check out this site in the UK, devoted to these Hess & Eisenhardt custom jobs.

    

    
Here's another that was offered for sale on Ebay in May 2008

        
This one found its way to France

              
Possibly later editions (1982-83)

Not quite sure of the year and identity of this one.  Any ideas?

 

Hess & Eisenhardt (USA) : [Also check out this site in the UK, devoted to these Hess & Eisenhardt custom jobs.]

    

 

Regal Coach (USA): The Eldorado Connoisseur Coupe was advertised at the time by Jim Winton, at an Atlanta, GA, phone number. It was described as being handcrafted by masters for the finest luxury in motoring.

    
Compared to other custom jobs of this era, the fake Cadillac Goddess replicates the 1930-32 model instead of 1941

         
This 2nd car was offered for sale in 2009 for $100 short of $20K
[  Photos:  Internet ]

Here is another of the same breed

 

Sunrise Automobile Corporation (USA): this pick-up conversion was advertised for sale by auction on the Internet, in October, 2002.  The vehicle was said to be one of  four Cadillac Coupecheros built by this company, referred to by the vendor as "one of the nations oldest coach builders."

         

   
[ Photos: Internet, 10/2002 ]

 

[Unknown, USA] Custom Eldorado coupe with Lake pipes [not quite sure of year, but looks '79-80 to me]

 

[Unknown, USA] Two custom station wagons are illustrated below

 

 

[Unknown, USA] Custom Cadillac pick-up truck. This "extreme" custom lives in Houston, TX. It is owned by Database visitor, Adam Maldonado who reports: This Cadillac is dropped low and features it all. Some of the modifications include: Full Kandy Paint, Full Radical Upholstery, 4 Hydraulic Pump Setup, Walk Through, Cut and Modified Moon Roof, Wrap around Glass engraving and Blasting, Up Graded 90 Moldings, CC 5th and Grille, etc...  How do you keep out the rain, Adam?

    
Hydraulics,  mini-wheels and exposed rear-mounted engine

    
Left: low-rider; right Aztec-inspired etchings on sun-roof  (as viewed from inside the car)

    
Left: Aztec design (viewed from outside); right: is this something else, or what?
[ Photos: courtesy Adam Maldonado, the owner ]

 

[Unknown, USA] Custom Seville bustle-back with T-Top (unfortunately, the image does not show off to advantage this car's interesting design feature.

    

 

[Unknown, USA] These "wild" low-riders may not appeal to vereyome's taste, including mine, but the work involved needs to be recognized, for what it's worth

        

 

[Unknown, USA] Kit car conversion on 1979 (?) Cadillac 60 Special chassis #6B696A9150152  (for sale on Internet, November 2003). Not recognizable as a Cadillac from the outside but has original engine, drive train, dash and interior.

    

    

 

Trivia: About "chopped" Eldorado coupes made into convertibles, enthusiast Tim Stephens of Belgium wrote, in May 2003: In 1980, in Melbourne, I made a nuisance of myself at Chapel Engineering, the largest and (many say) best right-hand-drive convertors in Australia - operating from 1967 to 2000, by hanging around as a teenager/Cadillac nutcase-in-general.  They had two of these (possibly H&E) convertible conversions in the shop - undergoing "re-conversion".  One was triple-black with chrome wires, the other white, with an almost electric-blue leather interior and white top, and chrome wires.  The cars were imported by the owner of Seaworld on the Gold Coast, in Queensland, and converted there using bevel-drive gearboxes for the steering conversion (steering box remained on the left of the chassis).  The conversions were somewhat sub-standard, hence the cars' appearance at Chapel in Melbourne (Chapel's boss Eric Schlifelner lamented that the trunk lids wouldn't stay up when the tops were down!!)  I have photos of both dating from 1980, and another set of the white car from a car show in Melbourne circa 1987/88.  The black one turned up for sale sometime in the early 1990s, again in Melbourne, but I'm unaware of its present whereabouts.  These two, to my knowledge, were the only two imported to Australia that were "chop-top" convertibles - the remainder in later years being the 1984 & 85 "factory" convertible conversions.

 

1981

American Standard Coach Builders ASC (USA) offered six and nine-passenger estate carriages like this Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham de Elegance [pardon the awful French!] Paris station wagon. These were conversions on the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham 4-door cars;  the rear roof portion was raised and a full rear door was added. A chrome roof luggage rack was also part of the package. The rear roof was vinyl-covered. Premium chrome wire wheels were optional. Note the wind deflector above the rear window. Retail price was about $54 000. Very elegant!  One of these cars was offered for sale, in Sweden, in March 2000 for 100.000 Swedish Kronor [color photo, below, from Internet]

    

This one was found on Internet, 10/2004

 

American Custom Coachworks, Ltd (ACC) (Beverly Hills, USA) Custom Seville  Paris roadster.  This is described by the vendor as a very rare piece of art made in the oil boom era of 1981!  It was given as a gift to my uncle by the previous Governor of Arizona, Rose Mofford for his assistance to the state. My brothers and I inherited the vehicle and we are sure there is someone out there who would give her a nice home. More pictures of the interior to come. All 100% original. The interior is unreal! Everything is in perfect condition minus the upholstery on the roof which is separating and sags in a few places. There is an enclosed wet bar in the middle of the two seats that can be chilled or heated with two cut glass tumblers and matching decanter. This is a real classic! The vendor added: Back when the NAFTA agreement was first being discussed (over ten years before it was signed) there were eight of these cars custom built and given as gifts to the governors of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, as well as to the governors of the four bordering states with Mexico, Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, and what was then Nuevo León. The governor of Arizona was a personal friend of my uncles and gave the car to him and told him all about the history.

(PHOTOS???)

 

Baker, Dick & Tony [see Custom Coach, Lima, OH, below] 

Bayliff Coach Corporation, Lima, OH, USA:   Custom 1986 Cadillac "Baywood".  Someone brought this to my attention. It was described as:  an extremely rare and unusual piece of American history! Cadillac only built 50 Baywoods each year for just a few years. I asked if anyone had more information on this model; I got a very helpful reply from enthusiast and owner, Patrick J. Martin.  Here's what Patrick wrote:    I know about the Baywood. Cadillac had nothing to do with the car [other than having built the base model used for the re-trimmed car].  It was solely a project of the Bayliff Coach Corporation of Lima, Ohio, USA.  Bayliff was an automotive conversion and customization company that would do whatever the customer hired them to do.  They, however, also endeavored to build, promote, and sell products of their own design.  The Baywood (the name obviously comes from Bayliff and Fleetwood), was simply their idea to fit then-new Cadillacs with a classic era-inspired vertical grille. I do not know how many Baywoods were built, but I'm sure it was few, maybe a couple dozen at the most.  They didn't really catch anyone's eye.  I have a promotional brochure from Bayliff for the Baywood. The Baywood that is pictured on your site has been customized by unknown sources even farther than Bayliff orginally did on the car.  Bayliff took stock Cadillacs and merely customized them with the vertical grille.  The pickup body conversion on the car on your site is not Bayliff's work. Bayliff is most known for building modern era Packards during the 1980s.  I own one of those.  Most were heavily customized Buick Rivieras, but a few were also Cadillac based.  I'm attaching a photo of a Bayliff-Packard sedan that was built from a 1981 Sedan deVille.  The Bayliff-Packards were much better received than the Baywood, and a couple hundred of the Packards were built. .

    

         

Bayliff-Packard sedan, built from a 1981 Sedan deVille
[ This image: © 2009 and courtesy Matrick J. Martin, its owner ]

 

Cardin, Pierre (France and USA) custom Eldorado coupe, Evolution I. Introduced in 1980, this custom creation was again available in 1981 and possibly 1982. In October 1981 the inventory still included these cars: #7 (color Warm Cognac, brown on brown interior, blackwalls - probably the car used for the brochure and publicity shots below - reduced price was $28,000), #13 (Wesselton White, creme de la creme interior, whitewalls, bar - $37,500), #26 (Warm Cognac, brown on brown interior, whitewalls - $38,000), #32 (Glace d'Argent, red on red interior, whitewalls - $42,000), #36  (Glace d'Argent, red on red interior, whitewalls, video, bar and remote starter - $50,000), #37 (Blue Empire, blue on blue interior, whitewalls, video, bar and rain sentry - $44,000), #42 (Wesselton White, red on red interior, video, TV, bar, remote starter, whitewalls - $50,000), #45 (Champagne, brown on brown interior,  whitewalls, video, TV, drinks server - $50,000), #46 (Glace d'Argent, red on red interior, whitewalls, video and drinks server - $50,000) and #47 (Wesselton white, red on red interior, whitewalls, video, TV, drinks server - $50,000). Optional extras: (1) refrigerated computer beverage server - $2,000, (2) video cassette player - $3,000, (3) telephone - $3,000, (4) remote starter - $250, (5) rain sentry - $225 and (6) page alert alarm system - $178. Around 1982-83 I saw #12 for sale for $49.5K by Simon Motors of Indio, CA [also for sale and for the same price was a 2-door, bustle-back Seville Opera coupe]. Car #3 has survived; it is owned by enthusiast Jacob Bartlett and may be for sale [contact: jakeandniki@hotmail.com].

    

    

         
[ Photo far right:  Pierre Cardin, the French stylist ]

              
This is car #9 of the 1981 Cardin production run; it was up for sale on Ebay in November, 2008

 

Caribou Motor Company (Grover City, CA, USA) According to one of its own advertising flyers, in 1986, this company built Cadillac pickups since 1954, combining the luxury of a regular automobile in a pickup. The designer and engineer behind most Caribou pickups is Lou Schorsch. A power operated tail gate was a first on the 1986 version. These conversions were available through Cadillac dealers or directly from the Caribou Motor Company, on Coupe de Ville models from 1974 to 1986. The company boasted in 1978:  Every Caribou is a show car that stands out for years to come as one of America's truly practical automobiles. The Caribou is the ultimate passenger car pick-up. Cadillac standards are used throughout the construction of your Caribou, along with numerous inspections, to maintain  the highest quality possible. To order your Caribou, you must use your [own] automobile. Select the finest car you can find. Try to avoid using a wrecked or damaged car. It's best to start with the best. Orders were taken with a 50% deposit, the balance being due on delivery. The advertised costs in 1986 were as follows: conversion from a 1974-76 Cadillac Coupe deVille, $10,500, from a 1977-79 Coupe deVille, $12,500, and from a 1980-86 Coupe de Ville, $14,500.

Custom Coach, Lima, OH (USA) Father and son team, Dick and Tony Baker sent me in 2007 a CD-ROM containing photos of many of the conversions he and his late father did on the Cadillac chassis. Many of the pics are digital copies of Polaroids, hence the mediocre image quality. This one has got to be the "ultimate" in conversions, seeing as it is based on Pierre Cardin's costly 1980-81 Evolution (above)

This RARE piece of automobilia is a conversion of Cardin's own conversion,
from Evolution coupe to custom pick-up truck by Custom Coach of Lima, OH

 

Gaines (USA) custom, stretched limousines and armored vehicles

   

    
[ Sample interiors of some Gaines' stretched limousines ]

 

Global Coach & Armor Manufacturing, Inc. (Florida, USA) custom Seville and Eldorado convertible conversions; these cost $10,800 and the suggested retail price, $39,900 for the shortened Seville edition, below.

    

 

Global Coach & Armor Manufacturing, Inc. (Florida, USA) custom  Alpine Edition convertible on  Eldorado chassis; the basic conversion cost for this full-sized edition was $12,800 and the suggested retail price was $41,900.

    
Above two rows: a surviving car in the New Millennium
[ Photos:  Internet ]

 

Global Coach & Armor Manufacturing, Inc. (Florida, USA) custom El Ballero convertible on  Eldorado chassis. The cost of this conversion was $22,000 and the suggested retail price was $50,900 !

    
Features of this custom conversion include one-piece reinforced hood, side mounts with authentic
wire wheels (6 wheels included), elegant custom grille, stainless steel windshield header cap, reinforced
chassis and body, full power top mechanism, plush interior headliner, acrylic lacquer custom paint

 

Global Coach Corporation (Florida, USA) custom  Formal Sedan, based on the front-drive Seville

 

Global Coach Corporation (Florida, USA) custom  Eldorado

 

Grandeur Motor Car Corporation (USA) Opera coupe, based on the front-drive Seville; this two-seater coupe design, according to the manufacturer, is only for select and discriminatory owners who stand apart from the crowd and who want to reaffirm their commitment to automotive grace and style... One of these was offered for sale by auction at the Kruse venue in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in January 2000.  It was bid to just $3,800 but found no buyer.

    
This conversion  was produced during more than one year

    
These two pics are from a factory promotional item published in 1981

I believe this convertible edition is from the same manufacturer

An elegant survivor on the Internet

    
...and here's another

    
These 2 rows:  Coupé version with oval quarter windows
[ Photos:  Internet ]

Possibly another Opera coupe from Grandeur Motor Car Corporation

 

Hess & Eisenhardt (USA) Eldorado custom convertible [Also check out this site in the UK, devoted to these Hess & Eisenhardt custom jobs.] This conversion cost over $40K ...in 1981!  It is believed around 20 were built.  Hess and Eisenhardt were factory approved to convert coupes to soft tops, sold by official Cadillac dealers.  H&E added more framing support (over the ASC conversion, for example); they actually welded in supports on the frame.

     

Above:  a survivor
[Photo:  courtesy Frank Perch of the CML]

 

Taifun's Gold-Plated Eldorado: (restored in Austria) [for more information, please visit this Web site: http://prodtz.vtz.net/sk8/tayfun/tayfun.html

         

[Unknown, USA] custom Seville roadsters (2); Chad Ueker of the CLC writes: has anyone heard of a 1981 Cadillac Biarritz Seville Roadster? It is a 2 door car that has a golden plaque on the dash that says '1 of 5 in the world'. I is also supposed to have appeared on the T.V. show 'Dallas'. Could it be one of the two models below, Chad? Only the four-door model (below, left) differs from the Insbrook conversion on the Seville chassis by Global Coach Corporation. The color scheme of the car on the right, below,  is reminiscent of the 1982 Seville Paris roadster, a similar conversion by American Custom Coachworks, Ltd (see below).

[Unknown, USA] custom Eldorado Classic coupe. About this and the car below it, I received these clues, in March 2004, from Database visitor and Cadillac enthusiast, Eric I. Spoutz, President of the Eric I. Spoutz Collection of Fine Art:  After reviewing the "Dream Cars on Cadillac Chassis 1980-84" section, I noticed that you have photos of two vehicles which are rather reminiscent of conversions produced in Turin, Italy during the late '60's, through the early '80's by Stutz... As you may be aware, Stutz which was incorporated in the State of New York in 1968 produced "conversion automobiles" typically based on Pontiac Chassis. These cars evolved in the the "automobile of the stars" with celebrities, and dignitaries alike commissioning construction (i.e. Elvis Presley, Liberace, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Mohamed Ali, Joe Frazier, etc...) ... It is my belief that the following vehicles [this one and the next] are either Stutz conversions, or at least strongly Stutz inspired.

 

[Unknown, USA] Seen for sale en e-Bay in February 2003 was this retro-"Packard" built  on a Cadillac Fleetwood coupe chassis.  This car was featured in Special Interest Auto Magazine [date unknown!)

 

[Unknown, USA] Seen for sale at auction by the Kruse organization, on e-Bay, in April 2003, this car (lot #931) was described as a custom built Mary Kay Opera Coupe. It resembles very much a conversion by the Grandeur Motor Car Corporation (some of these are shown above).  So-called "Mary Kay" cars usually are painted "shocking pink"; not this one. Perhaps Mary ordered this one for herself; she may have wanted her own car to be different from those of her high-volume producers.

This one was for sale on e-Bay in April, 2003

 

[Unknown, USA] Seen for sale on EBay in May, 2008, this one falls into the category commonly called "Pimpmobiles".

             
Note shaggy sheepskin interior trim and twin moonroofs

 

[Unknown, USA] Cadillac's "last" convertible was built in 1976 ...then brought back into production, briefly, in 1983-84.  Meanwhile there was still a public demand for the luxury soft-top.  That demand was met be a few individal coach-builders who converted this stock Eldorado coupe, inter alia.

        

              

 

[Unknown, USA] These Cadillac station wagon conversions have always been in limited demand by "the man who has everything".  Few were built.  Some survived better than others.

    

    
The upper survivor appears to be in fine condition; the same cannot be said of this one

1982

American Custom Coachworks, Ltd (ACC) (Beverly Hills, USA) Custom Seville  Paris roadster. I have a photographic file of some thirty different conversions and stretched limousines from this Beverly Hills group, dating from the period 1982-86. These include, for 1982,  the Seville Roadster [two versions], Eldorado Paris Convertible, Eldorado Opera Coupe, Eldorado Opera Glamour coupe, Seville Paris Limousine,  52-inch Extended Body Limousine, Paris (extended body) Limousine, 50-inch Van Cleef Series, 60-inch Van Cleef Series,   56-inch Fleetwood Brougham extended body Limousine, Formal Stretch Limousine, Van Cleef IV Series, FWD C-Body extended body stretched Limousine, FWD 60-inch C-Body extended body Van Cleef Series stretched limousine, Van Cleef Series Limousine,  Formal 46-inch stretch extended body Limousine, Fleetwood Brougham Stretched Limousine, Paris IV Series Limousine, FWD C-Body extended body stretched Limousine,  56-inch Van Cleef Series stretched Limousine.   In the same photographic product catalog is an Eldorado Convertible by Armbruster-Stageway from Fort Smith, Arkansas. All very confusing.

These cars are described as very exciting, elegant, sporty, beautiful and superb custom built motor cars that are custom coach crafted at our manufacturing facilities throughout the United States.  In their photographic brochure they state in addition:  we are the largest custom coach building manufacturing firm in the United States and have 11 manufacturing plants located from the West Coast to the east Coast and are very diversified in our custom conversions. In the past year we were responsible for thousands of custom coach built units being manufactured exclusively for new car dealers throughout the world. The quality of our workmanship is unsurpassed by anyone, and our cars are without a question of a doubt, the nicest, and most beautiful custom coach built conversions dealers have ever had for resale to the public. 

         
Seville Roadster, a personalized, 2-pass. touring car designed and styled for individuality and excellent roadability; the   base Seville is shortened by 16", with a wheel base down to 99",;no rear seat, heavily reinforced frame, HD touring suspension, power top, full custom headliner, leather-covered steering wheel, enhanced sound system, color-coordinated deck straps; options include 2-tone paint, custom front grille and either Michelin or Vogue tires

    
Possibly an earlier or later version of the same model, this one has no body side strip

    
Custom Eldorado convertible

    
Above two rows: Custom Eldorado Opera Glamour Coupe

    
[ Above 2 rows:  stretched Cadillac limousine ]

Armbruster Stageway (USA): (???) Although it appears in the photographic product records of American Custom Coachworks, Ltd. [see above], this car is identified as a Cadillac Eldorado convertible by Armbruster/Stageway of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Features include all standard Cadillac equipment plus door guards, front license provision, power trunk, locking wire wheel covers, tilt and telescope steering wheel, cruise control, AM/FM stereo cassette, leather seating areas, 6-way power passenger seat, power seat recliners and lighted vanity mirrors. The conversion itself includes quarter windows, clearview rear window, padded top with headliner and electric top. Available optional equipment includes: Barritz [Biarritz?] chrome pinstriping, European luxury cloth top, rear continental kit with bumper extension, custom grille, 2-tone paint, car entirely repainted, glass rear window and Perma Pub bar.

    

     
In some of these photos may be seen the optional
custom grille and the Continental kit with bumper extension

 

Caribou Motor Company (Grover City, CA, USA) According to one of its own advertising flyers, in 1986, this company built Cadillac pickups since 1954, combining the luxury of a regular automobile in a pickup. The designer and engineer behind most Caribou pickups is Lou Schorsch. A power operated tail gate was a first on the 1986 version. These conversions were available through Cadillac dealers or directly from the Caribou Motor Company, on Coupe de Ville models from 1974 to 1986. The company boasted in 1978:  Every Caribou is a show car that stands out for years to come as one of America's truly practical automobiles. The Caribou is the ultimate passenger car pick-up. Cadillac standards are used throughout the construction of your Caribou, along with numerous inspections, to maintain  the highest quality possible. To order your Caribou, you must use your [own] automobile. Select the finest car you can find. Try to avoid using a wrecked or damaged car. It's best to start with the best. Orders were taken with a 50% deposit, the balance being due on delivery. The advertised costs in 1986 were as follows: conversion from a 1974-76 Cadillac Coupe deVille, $10,500, from a 1977-79 Coupe deVille, $12,500, and from a 1980-86 Coupe de Ville, $14,500.

Grandeur Motor Car Corporation (USA) Opera coupe.  One of these was offered for sale by auction at the Kruse venue in Scottsdale, AZ, in January 2000 [lot #657].  It was bid up to just $13,000 and was not sold.

Grandeur Motor Car Corporation (USA) I believe this manufacturer also made the Paris coupe, below

[ Photo:  Internet, 12/2001 ]

 

Moloney (USA) Stretched Cadillac Seville ...and others

 

[Unknown, USA] Convertible conversion on Cimarron chassis

 

[Unknown, USA] This from enthusiast Richard Fagley from Idaho:  I really enjoy the Cadillac pictures on your website. I may have a new one to add to your collection. I presently have an '82 Cadillac Eldorado that has been mated with an El Camino - "Cadimino". It was professionally done in Houston, TX, I think. I bought it on e-bay from a guy in Houston, flew down, and drove it home to Idaho. I use it regularly to support my remodeling projects and it rides like a dream because it has the Eldorado suspension. I hope you enjoy the attached pix.

    

          
[ Photos:© 2005 and courtesy of the owner ]

 

[Unknown, USA] Possibly a custom convertible job on the "Opera" coupe.

 

[Unknown, USA] This mildly customized Eldorado Biarritz caught my eye on Internet

         

 

1983

American Custom Coachworks (ACC) (USA): [see also previous section for 1982] Stretched (15") Eldorado Opera Glamour coupe with faux sidemounts [this one was offered for sale on e-Bay in March, 2003].

    

    
Front end extended approx. 16",  dual front fender mounted simulated tires, half landau padded roof, custom landau top bars, rear privacy window, rear trunk deck custom belt treatment, custom front grille, simulated fur lined trunk, dual custom pinstriping; options included: fur-type carpeting in cockpit, fog-lights or driving lights, burglar alarm, electric moon roof and sun shade, special 2-tone paint finish
[ Photos:  Internet ]

 

Armbruster Stageway (USA): (???) Although it looks very much like a conversion by the Grandeur Motor Car Corporation, or one by American Custom Coachworks, Ltd., this car was identified on e-Bay (the Internet auction site) as having been converted by the Fort Smith (AR) company who specialized in stretching Cadillacs and other limousines. The ad said that he car had been featured also in the movie, Gone in 60 Seconds [I have no recollection of it]. The front of the car has been extended by 16" and there are faux sidemounts on either side as well as a faux Rolls Royce hood ornament and luggage straps across the trunk. The roof saddle and "B" pillars are wider than seen on the very similar conversion by ACC.

Cadillac Motor Car Division, GM (USA) [?] This roadster package was available on a Seville base

 

Cardin, Pierre (France) This car was offered for sale on e-Bay, in 2001; the dash carries the signature of the French couturier on the glove-box lid.  The model was described as El Ballero and resembles closely  a model proposed in 1981 by Global Coach Corporation. There are indications that it is a conversion from a 1983  Eldorado.  Does anybody know about this Cardin model? Enthusiast Tim Stephens from Belgium write in May 2003: I've just remembered the Pierre Cardin Eldorado.  Its dash plaque says Number 002 and it is owned by Kate Willett in Healesville (outer Melbourne suburb) - originally dark metallic brown, it is now white, still left-hand-drive and was imported around 1989 and in "ordinary" condition.  It ceased running about 6 years ago owing to fuel-injection problems, then the owner divorced and the car has just sat there, ever since (to my knowledge). 

     

     
Glove box (right) carries Pierre Cardin logo and signature

 

Caribou Motor Company (Grover City, CA, USA) According to one of its own advertising flyers, in 1986, this company built Cadillac pickups since 1954, combining the luxury of a regular automobile in a pickup. The designer and engineer behind most Caribou pickups is Lou Schorsch. A power operated tail gate was a first on the 1986 version. These conversions were available through Cadillac dealers or directly from the Caribou Motor Company, on Coupe de Ville models from 1974 to 1986. The company boasted in 1978:  Every Caribou is a show car that stands out for years to come as one of America's truly practical automobiles. The Caribou is the ultimate passenger car pick-up. Cadillac standards are used throughout the construction of your Caribou, along with numerous inspections, to maintain  the highest quality possible. To order your Caribou, you must use your [own] automobile. Select the finest car you can find. Try to avoid using a wrecked or damaged car. It's best to start with the best. Orders were taken with a 50% deposit, the balance being due on delivery. The advertised costs in 1986 were as follows: conversion from a 1974-76 Cadillac Coupe deVille, $10,500, from a 1977-79 Coupe deVille, $12,500, and from a 1980-86 Coupe de Ville, $14,500.

Davis Auto Body (USA) This from e-Bay (Internet), October 2000: 1983 Cadillac DeVille pick-up truck, converted professionally by Davis Auto Body, Atascadero, CA. Hinged lid in truck bed lifts to reveal spare tire storage. Color is creamy yellow, with vinyl top. Front and back seats have seat belts for four. Power front seats and tail gate.

         

 

Jo-Jo La France (USA) Jo Jo LaFrance is the proud owner/builder of the world’s quickest and fastest 1983 Cadillac Eldorado Pro Mod machine, seen below: the Cajun Helldorado! The car still has the original mirrors, vinyl roof, headlights, marker lights, steel bumper and hood ornament. A Jim Oddy big block Chevy motor backed by an automatic transmission powered the first iteration of this Eldo. LaFrance says, “I am just a guy who had a dream and worked very hard to make it happen. I work during the week and spend my weekends with the car. I am a regular Joe, working for a living." Rod fans, click here for more on this super-Cad.  © Competitionplus 2002

    
This Eldorado is one mean-looking Mama!

 

[Unknown, USA ]

         

 

 

1983-1984?

Phaeton Coach Corporation (USA) The Dallas-based custom shop may have made these wagons in other years too. 

        

 

1984

American Custom Motorcoach Company (USA) Paris Opera coupe.  One of these was offered for sale by auction at the Kruse venue in Scottsdale, AZ, in January 1999 [lot #4019].  It was bid up to just $16,000 and was not sold.

             
This Seville Opera coupe was found on the Internet, 12/2001

 

American Sunroof Corporation Inc. (USA) Eldorado convertible (CA 12/91, p.15).

Caribou Motor Company (Grover City, CA, USA) According to one of its own advertising flyers, in 1986, this company built Cadillac pickups since 1954, combining the luxury of a regular automobile in a pickup. The designer and engineer behind most Caribou pickups is Lou Schorsch. A power operated tail gate was a first on the 1986 version. These conversions were available through Cadillac dealers or directly from the Caribou Motor Company, on Coupe de Ville models from 1974 to 1986. The company boasted in 1978:  Every Caribou is a show car that stands out for years to come as one of America's truly practical automobiles. The Caribou is the ultimate passenger car pick-up. Cadillac standards are used throughout the construction of your Caribou, along with numerous inspections, to maintain  the highest quality possible. To order your Caribou, you must use your [own] automobile. Select the finest car you can find. Try to avoid using a wrecked or damaged car. It's best to start with the best. Orders were taken with a 50% deposit, the balance being due on delivery. The advertised costs in 1986 were as follows: conversion from a 1974-76 Cadillac Coupe deVille, $10,500, from a 1977-79 Coupe deVille, $12,500, and from a 1980-86 Coupe de Ville, $14,500.

Custom Classics (Harper Woods, MI, USA) Custom Cadillac Seville

    
This car features a custom "CC" grille cap
[ Photos: CLC Self Starter ]

 

Global Coach & Armor Manufacturing, Inc. (Florida, USA) custom 

 
    

         
This one was offered for sale on EBay in May, 2007.  The vendor boasted: This 1984 Cadillac Eldorado El Ballero has so many custom features
it should be on an episode of Pimp My Ride or on a hit music video ...  He added :  there were only so many of these cars made
after Cadillac sent a select number of Eldorados to Florida Custom Coach - a company famous for their limousines - to have them stretched
into the El Ballero. This is erroneous information; the Cadillac Motor Car division of GM were NOT involved in any way with these conversions 

 

Grandeur Motor Car Corporation (USA) Opera coupe

 

    

    
[ Photos: Internet, 2014 ]

 

Gucci (Italy and USA)

    

 

Hess & Eisenhardt (USA) made these lovely convertible models under license from Cadillac who extended their full warranty to them [Also check out this site in the UK, devoted to these Hess & Eisenhardt custom jobs.]

               
The car on the right found its way to Switzerland

 

[Unknown, USA] Cadillac The Elusive Phantom custom Eldorado roadster owned by Edward and Sharon Ford. The engine is factory stock as is also the black leather interior trim; the general design is inspired by the Cord 810-812 of the 30s; the rear window design is inspired by the L29 Cord. David Carlow of Prototype Design and Development, Campbellford, Ontario, Canada participated in the car's design and construction.

    

 

[Unknown, USA] Cadillac custom   Eldorado.

 

[Unknown, USA] Cadillac custom  road monster on late, bustle-back Seville base.

 

[Unknown, USA] custom, prize-winning low rider

    

 

[Unknown, USA] Cadillac El Camino pick up (SS 5/94, p.21)

[Unknown, USA] custom pick up (SS 1/95, p.21)

[Unknown, USA] designer's drawing for angular coupe or sedan

 

[Unknown, USA] 1980s all hydralic "dancing car"  

These "dancing cars"  are popular among Latino car buffs in the south-western USA
[ Photo:  Internet, 2013 ]

 

Wisco  (USA) custom Seville "Caballero" 

         
[ images from 1984 Wisco product sheet ]

Pick one   >

WW2 years