Back in July of last year, we covered a custom Cadillac ATS-V convertible built by Convertible Builders LLC, which was for sale at Cadillac of Naperville in Illinois, just outside of Chicago.
The custom-built ATS-V Convertible caught our eye, as General Motors had previously planned to build a droptop ATS Coupe before deciding against the idea. In a way, this was a cancelled GM product that had been realized by the aftermarket. But over a year later, Cadillac of Naperville has yet to sell the ATS-V convertible, a sign that GM may have made the right call in cancelling the ATS convertible program before it could get off the ground.
The car, a 2017 model year ATS-V finished in Crystal White Tricoat and sporting a Jet Black interior, is currently listed for sale on Cadillac of Naperville’s website. The dealer was previously asking over $100,000 for the car, but that price has been lowered to $99,000. The listing indicates the base price of the car was $79,000, with the custom folding soft-top conversion tacking an extra $20,000 onto the asking price.
That’s a ton of money for a compact performance car—especially one that has been extensively modified by an aftermarket shop. That’s not to say Convertible Builders LLC, in business for over 40 years, does poor-quality work. A 2018 Jalopnik deep-dive on the car indicates the company added significant reinforcements to the chassis for rigidity and took its time to ensure passengers could still use the back seat, but spending six-figures after tax on a custom car isn’t something most people are comfortable with. Furthermore, the ATS-V has now ended production, so this car is quickly becoming out-of-date—especially so in the fast-moving luxury car space.
As a reminder, the ATS-V was offered exclusively with a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter LF4 V6, which was good for 464 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. Power was sent to the rear wheels via a standard six-speed manual transmission, while an eight-speed automatic was offered as an option (this car is an automatic). Cadillac claimed it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and top out at a supercar-rivaling 189 mph.
Check out additional information and photos for Cadillac of Naperville’s custom Cadillac ATS-V convertible at this link. We’re also curious to know what you think someone will eventually end up paying for this custom creation, so feel free to make a prediction in the comments.
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Comments
Now we know why they did not make one factory. This is one case removing the top did not improve the looks.
It looks as bad as the Audi tt upside down bathtub….
Did I say FUGLY…
Poor color choices and unflattering photos aren’t helping. How can we make this car look stubbier?
Fugly with or with out top, that’s a Cadillac ???
@Scott ZL1 then why the hell are you here then?? gtfo
Matt
You would be hating life when this 60 year old man hands you your a$$ . On my worst day !!! Learn some respect kid….
Cadillac’s ATS and CT4 replacement shares the Alpha platform which Chevrolet uses for the Camaro; but while there is a Camaro convertible, Cadillac decided to opt out on the structural upgrades needed because they fear there would be no real interest just like the CTS coupe and sports wagon.
Cost prohibitive even when it was model year new. MOST Caddy buyers would have bought a we’ll equipped CT6 or current gen Escalade… Not the small ATS for 100gs plus. I think it was silly to make a V in that car. The CTS V was really all they needed. And as for the new CT4 and CT5 and even XT6… Bye bye Cadillac, from me and my money. They are both vile. Beaten with the ugly stick repeatedly. I am crossin’ the pond for a German next time I buy a new car… early next calendar year and will be an Audi A6.
Cadillac Is dying a slow death accelerated by the last now gone manager’s archaism and or stupidity. Wanting to make Cadillac into MB or BMW by keeping retail prices up is beyond comprehension or logic.
They’re not doing that at all. They’re pricing under the competition, and between segments. They’re not delirious about who or what or where they are. The current batch of models positions the brand perfectly to capitalize on the available opportunity.
Alex,
You sound brainwashed wtf.
Thought you’re better than that…
No one has answered the question on what someone will pay for it, so I thought I’d take a stab. In this case, time hasn’t healed the wound, just made it worse. I think most potential buyers would look at it as a used car even thought its still has the MSO – like a really old demo. And, as with most customized cars you rarely, if ever, get full value for the mods when it is sold as a used vehicle. Bottomline, I think it will (should) sell for around the same price as other low mileage ATS V coupes on the market with a small bump for the professional mods and full warranty (if not voided by the mods). I checked the latest Manheim MMRs for ’17 ATS Vs and it looks like good condition, low mileage units are trading in the mid $40s at auction. There are so few transactions, Manheim wouldn’t even estimate a retail price so I checked NADA.com and it estimates ’17 ATS V couple clean retail at $51K which maybe a little high, but not totally out of line since this one is literally, “like new.” So, baseline retail is $50K. Throw in $5K for a warranty and ballpark guess of $10K for mods and your at $65K. All of that said, I’d say a fair ask could be $69K knowing you need to take any offer above $50K and move on with your life. Or, just give it away to a charity auction and take the tax write-off, hoping that some boozed up benefactor buys it for their trophy spouse or spoiled kid so they feel better about themselves but don’t have to drive around in that ugly step-child of a perfectly decent Cadillac.
Looks like they went out of their way to make this one ugly. Odd, since convertibles usually look better than their fixed roof counterparts. GM could do better than this, especially considering their long legacy making desirable droptops. Wish that Cadillac would offer a cabrio to compete with the Mercedes C-Class and similiar Audi and BMW models. Sunbelt markets on both coasts still demand this kind of car.
They are better off just holding a raffle…this car will never sell!
I would say that it’s NOT that someone doesn’t want a convertible, BUT the PRICE I would imagine is WHY it’s still at the dealer!