Noble Nova: 1976 Cadillac Seville 58K Survivor – SOLD!

January 16, 2022 Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

January 8, 2022 Update – While preparing for our latest Malaise Monday features, we came across a new listing that replaced this 1976 Cadillac Seville’s original expiring Craigslist ad.  Originally asking $19,500, the private seller reduced their price to $12,900 to encourage a quick sale. The revised asking price now matches the Collector Car Marketplace’s #1 “Excellent” appraisal, so that should help the seller’s cause.

Cadillac’s problem of attracting younger buyers is not a recent phenomenon.  In fact, it dates back to the mid-seventies when they recognized the growing popularity of smaller, luxury imports produced in West Germany.  Realizing their traditional “bigger is better” design philosophy was lost with these buyers, Cadillac launched its “international-sized” Seville.  We just spotted this 58K original mile, black over red leather, 1976 Cadillac Seville originally listed in December 2021 on Craigslist in Anaheim, California. The seller reports the car to be a one-owner example, but we’re not sure whether he is in fact the same person.

Currently offered for $19,500 illustrates how well the design has stood the test of time for forty years and counting.   Checking the Collector Car Market Review Online Valuation Tool confirms the asking price is optimistically set $6,500 higher than this guide’s #1 “Excellent” estimate of $12,900.  Conversely, the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool reveals the seller’s as falls between this guide’s #2 “Excellent” estimate of $12,800 and its #1 “Concours” appraisal of $21,800.

As stylish as Cadillac’s new “internationally-sized” Seville was, few people realized how well the division’s engineers were able to hide the car’s Chevrolet Nova roots. The Seville’s unibody construction included a bolt-on subframe with a rear suspension based on the rear-wheel-drive 1968–74 X-body (Nova/Ventura) platform. It also featured a rear differential with thicker front subframe bushings similar to the second-generation F platform used in the Camaro and Firebird. Substantial re-engineering and upgrades from these humble origins earned it the unique designation “K-body” within GM.

Also shared with the X-body platform was part of the roof stamping and trunk floor pan (for 1973 and newer vehicles). Cadillac stylists added a crisp, angular body that set the tone for GM styling for the next decade, along with a wide-track stance giving the car a substantial, premium appearance. A wide chrome grille flanked by quadruple rectangular headlamps with narrow parking and signal lamps just below the header panel, while small wrap-around rectangular tail lamps placed at the outermost corners of the rear gave the appearance of a lower, leaner, and wider car. The taillight design was similar to that used on a rejected Coupe DeVille concept.

Seville engineers chose the X-body platform instead of the German Opel Diplomat in response to GM’s budget restrictions—executives felt re-engineering an Opel would be more costly. Another proposal during development was a front-wheel-drive layout similar to the Cadillac Eldorado. This proposal was also rejected because of budget and production capacity constraints.

Introduced in mid-1975 and billed as the new “internationally-sized” Cadillac, the Seville was almost 1,000 pounds (450 kg) lighter than the full-sized Deville. The Seville was thus more nimble and easier to park, as well as remaining attractive to customers with the full complement of Cadillac features. More expensive than any other Cadillac (except the Series 75 Fleetwood factory limousines) at US$12,479, the Seville was modestly successful. It spawned several imitators including the Lincoln Versailles and the Chrysler LeBaron. To ensure the quality of the initial production run, the first 2,000 units produced were identical in color (Georgian silver) and options. This enabled workers to “ramp up” to building different configurations. Total 1976 Seville production was 43,772 vehicles.

The King Rose Archives YouTube Channel provides this vintage 1975 Cadillac Seville launch footage:

We don’t come across very many first-generation 1976 Cadillac Sevilles and when we do, none are ever as nice as this example.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“This is a classic Low mile 58k ( documented )
1 owner – all original Caddy
In showroom near mint condition –
daily driver condition being offered to highest bidder call for details

1976 Cadillac Seville
1 owner – non smoker – garage kept
Accident free not even a door ding
ALL ORIGINAL 58k miles documented

5.7 liter EFI / 350 V8 engine
Every available options for this including
Factory Sunroof *
everything in working condition

Most desirable and rare color combo
* SABLE BLACK / red pinstripe
* FIRE THORN RED Leather Interior
* Black Vinyl Top
***
ULTRA RARE -Vintage Kelsey Hayes style
US mag 40 spoke wire wheels
Have been on the car since it was in the
showroom floor / New COKER whitewall radials

Paint finish is as glass with no flaws !!!

Classic highly desirable model Top of all caddy collectors wish list of cars –

Extremely well maintained – serviced at the same place since new – * just serviced and inspected

Car is nice as your ever gonna find one
And the color combo just makes it even more stunning this car stood out in the crowd when it was new it was in the Cadillac dealer show room floor – CAR IS TURN KEY – and amazing

Pictures do no Justice + nicer in person !!!
Original owners pride and joy belonged to car clubs and was car enthusiast“

Show or go: what would you do with this 1976 Cadillac Seville?  Comment below and let us know!