mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

World’s Nicest 1985 Cadillac Seville Sits In The GM Heritage Center

The second-generation Cadillac Seville isn’t a very celebrated model from the luxury automaker’s past, so we were a bit surprised to find out that General Motors decided to make space for one in the GM Heritage Center, where it sits alongside iconic models like the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham and the 1968 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham.

While not one of Cadillac’s most beloved vehicles, the Seville is still an interesting museum piece, as it featured unique exterior styling with a short, “bustle back” rear deck inspired by Cadillac designs from the 1930s. The GM Heritage Center refers to the vehicle as having “statement styling” due to this dramatically tapered rear end. The second-generation Seville was also one of the last vehicles designed by Bill Mitchell, who led the GM styling department from the late 1950s until his retirement in the late 1970s.

Standard equipment on the Cadillac Seville in 1985 included power disc brakes, power steering, air conditioning, bumper guards, radial white sidewall tires, seat back recliners and rear-seat reading lamps. Oddly, the second-generation Seville was also the first American car to have a standard diesel engine, with GM using  the Oldsmobile-developed LF9 5.7-liter diesel V8 in the front-wheel drive luxury sedan. A 4.1-liter V8 and a 6.0-liter V8 were also available. The only available transmission was a four-speed automatic.

The second-generation Cadillac Seville wasn’t really a hot seller, unfortunately. Sales hovered between 20,000 and just over 39,000 units between 1980 and 1985, reaching their highest point in 1984, when Cadillac managed to sell 39,997 examples of the sedan. Due to these relatively low sales numbers, along with a lack of interest in the car, we feel quite confident saying the GM Heritage Center probably has the world’s nicest Cadillac Seville. This car has been perfectly kept, spending a pampered life in GM’s secretive personal collection, has some of the shiniest chrome trim we’ve ever laid eyes on. We’re curious how many miles this showpiece has on the odometer and if it was ever actually owned or driven.

Check out the GM Heritage Center’s dedicated landing page for the 1985 Cadillac Seville at this link, where you can view some more photos of what just may be the world’s nicest example of the seldom seen sedan.

Subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. Although not the most popular and controversial, this has to be (IMO) one of the most daring and classy looking Cadillac’s of the past 30-40 years. I’ve owned a couple of these exact models, and in fact owned a 1985 in that same color. Purchased it with almost 100K on the odo and drove the car a couple years. Took it on a long trip from IL to the west coast and back. Extremely quiet, comfortable, and would get 25 mpg (yes, it was the 4.1 v8). This is a car you could easily put 800 miles on in a day and not feel exhausted! You can’t say that about many cars today.

    Reply
    1. Hi Dan
      Do you still own this particular vehicle ? I would love to fine one in this exact same color and year . Do you have any suggestions where I should look to locate one ?
      Thanks
      Bruce
      978-835-7455

      Reply
      1. I got a 1985 Seville 86.000 miles

        Reply
      2. keep dreaming!

        Reply
      3. I have a 1985 Seville I would like to sell. It’s got 96,000 miles runs great

        Reply
  2. Bill Mitchell knew how to create cars and he created them with class, it’s sad that he died almost 32 years ago, such a class act and this car is still one of the most beautiful cars Cadillac has ever seen.

    Reply
    1. Mitchell “retired” as GM Design Chief in July,1977.

      Irv Rybicki became Vice President of General Motors Design in August of the same year…so this would have likely been “penned” under Irv’s influence.

      Reply
      1. Wrong. This was Mitchell’s last car launching in 1980 along with updated B and C Body cars and the X Cars that also premiered at the same time. All one has to do is look at them and there is a clear delineation between the last Mitchell cars and the first Rybicki cars which were the 1981 J-Bodys, including the Cimarron, and the 1981 FWD A-Bodies. The Rybicki cars have a most modest European-like visage and an awkwardness to them that Mitchell would not have allowed.

        For the 1980 Seville, Mitchell himself was said to have been inspired by the Hooper-bodied Rolls Royce models and famously replied to questions about whether he had stolen design inspiration from those cars that it is better to “steal from a bank than a grocery store”. He obviously admitted to copying but implied that he’d stolen from the best. In a post-retirement interview before the launch of the car, he said, in effect, ‘Wait till you see the next Seville. It is going to shock you’. The ’80 Seville was definitely Mitchell’s last significant work.

        As far as Wayne Kady is concerned, yes, he is credited with penning the final design but it was Mitchell who set the tone, established a direction and wanted a Cadillac with the glamour of the old Rolls Royce models and specifically liked and pushed for the bustle trunk design. So if Wayne Kady was the actor, it was Mitchell that did the directing.

        Reply
      2. Actually, the second generation 1980- 1985 bustleback Seville was, in fact, designed by Bill Mitchell and Wayne Kady. Do the research. You will see

        Reply
      3. Situation is Such the Cadillac SeVille was penned by yours truly behind the walls of Jackson Prison. I am General Motors anonymous designer.

        Reply
    2. Though this car wasn’t styled by Mitchell, he approved it and even guided and influenced it, but by the time you’re the head of styling, you’re really not “styling” anything anymore, you’re approving things…….

      Reply
      1. Wayne Katy penned this Seville.

        Reply
        1. Yes and it was one of the last cars approved by Mitchell. These would have all been pretty much locked in styling wise by 1977. The E-coupes were introduced in the summer of 1978 as 79’s.

          Reply
  3. I simply love the unique styling of the 1980-85 Cadillac Sevilles and am not at all surprised that an example is kept within the GM prized collection. The rear end styling speaks ‘prestige’ and this unique styling lead the field.

    GM should also add to their collection an excellent example of a 1979-85 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz with its brushed stainless steel roof and lovely formal rear end treatment.

    The early 1980s Cadillac Seville and Eldorado were better cars than most understand or appreciate. As the years roll by and examples become harder to find in excellent condition those surviving examples will become popular and valuable collector cars.

    Reply
    1. They probably have one or two of those too, its a pretty big collection…..

      Reply
    2. Absolutely right Carl. The quality and execution of the ’79-85 E-Body and 80-85 K-Body cars was excellent. I personally think they represent a high-water mark for GM. I know in general quality was not high in that era and I know they were compromised by hastily-made engine changes (Oldsmobile 350 Diesel, V8-6-4, and the HT4100) due to an energy crisis and a sudden consumer focus on fuel efficiency. However, in terms of body, suspension, interior, and material quality, they were all excellent.

      Reply
  4. “The second-generation Cadillac Seville wasn’t really a hot seller, unfortunately. Sales hovered between 20,000 and just over 39,000 units between 1980 and 1985”

    I have to disagree with this, this was a decent seller for the most expensive sedan in the line up, I know today we don’t bat an eye when 200,000 $399 leasemobile 3 series or A classes are sold, but this was a different era, back then you had to actually HAVE money to buy an expensive luxury car. This did sell on average less than the 76-79 Seville but it was considerably more expensive too.

    Reply
  5. Those low sales numbers weren’t because of the styling , this was a high priced luxury car when Cadillac wasn’t trying to be a German nock off . It wouldn’t pass today’s standards but in the day it was what the upper middle class would drive .
    I think it’s a great looking car for the era when designers actually put pen to paper and computer design would come much later .

    Reply
  6. Give me some chrome polish by the gallon. Looks nice.

    Reply
  7. When I visited the GM collection, back 2011. I made a point of spending some time looking at this very 1985 Seville. I did this because in Australia, where I live, I own a factory black with red interior 1983 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz which apart from the single exception of the sun roof, has every correct factory / dealer option including the factory Delco-Bose radio, memory drivers seat and power reclining on both front seats. In addition this car has also had a mirror image conversion to right hand drive.

    I genuinely believe my factory black with red leather interior RHD ‘83 Eldorado Biarritz would rate as the best or at one of the best examples in the world! They are simply lovely cars and the black exterior / red interior really does the trick.

    Reply
    1. I remember when this car came out. You either loved it or hated it. I was of the latter.

      I was more first gen Seville fan, I would love to fine a clean one today and put a trans am springs and sway bars under it and keep the rest stock.

      80 to 90 was an era of some real bad designs and ideas. The Lemans Bonneville, the K car, EXP and down sized fwd GM full size cars.

      To me Mitchell like Earl began to lose their edge near retirement. Bills best work was in the 60’s.

      They even had to convince him to put the bird on the TA by painting his SD455 black and gold like his John Player motorcycle.

      Reply
      1. The 80’s did have a move to more utilitarian designs in many cases, like the K and X cars cars designed out of the arab oil shocks from the 70s, though even through that was a tough era, GM still made some pretty cars, the 3rd gen F body, the C4, Fiero by the late 80s GM had regained a lot of the lost styling mojo from the “look alike” cars of the mid 80’s, most of the stuff that came after Chuck Jordan became head of Styling was very pretty.

        Reply
        1. Yes it was an era of decline but there were a couple bright spots.

          John Schinella was over most of them. He was under Chuck and was over several programs like the Fiero.

          Reply
      2. I have a very clean one if your are interested. 27K original miles Exterior and Interior excellent shape.
        I’m original owner and kept good maintenance through the years New tires, brakes and battery.
        Needs some or all of exhaust system replaced and no doubt other relatively minor mechanical issues.

        Reply
  8. The only way I can see to make this better would be the two-tone Elegante package.

    Reply
    1. @Ford Guy:

      Very true. But another super great looking one was the deep red (almost a cranberry color) with no top and the white leather! There was a Cadillac ad with that exact car pictured. Absolutely stunning.

      Reply
      1. Agreed Dan. Unfortunately this was a really underappreciated effort by Cadillac, particularly for the era it was produced in. I think my favorite setup would be a two-tone gray on burgundy Elegante.

        Reply
  9. Mitchell’s styling influence is greatly missed in today’s GM.

    Reply
  10. My mom had the same car an 86 seville, royal blue with a vinyl blue top. I was too small at the time to know but it also has a fake wheel tire mounted onto the truck was that an option or something? I remember riding it in as a kid it was a cloud digital dash and seats as comfy as clouds.

    The doors felt like they weighed 150 lbs each this article brang back some great memories

    Reply
    1. @Eric,

      Was your mom’s maybe a 1985 (if this same body style)? If a 1986, it would have been the 3rd gen much smaller and boxy design that went from 1986 to 1991. In 1992, they went to the 4th gen and last of the great Seville names.

      The fake spare tire on the trunk was an after-market thing and not a factory option. Personally, I never liked them or the over-sized RR style grille. But then I’m a person who likes things factory without mods. But there were a lot of people out there who did like those things in an effort to “stand out”. In today’s market, it’s now black rims, etc. Still not a fan of those either.

      Reply
      1. Your right may have been a 85, i was born in 1990 and we had that car until I was 12. It’s a fond memory of my Childhood. Oh really that tire thing was aftermarket lol I never really understood what would a fake spare be doing on a car. Thanks for clearing that up

        Reply
      2. 1998 5th generation was still a Seville too, the name lasted through 2005 when the STS replaced it .

        Reply
  11. Live to dream.. GM CEO Mary Barra decides to rename the 2021 Cadillac CT5, the Cadillac Seville.

    Reply
    1. It’s obvious that the author of this piece doesn’t like the 1980 to 1985 Cadillac Seville. For sure the car has a polarizing design derided by some but to say that it is “surprising” that GM would have it in their Heritage Center collection takes that bias a bit too far and, I think, wrongfully projects it upon the company. It seems to me that GM very much appreciates the car.

      Remember that GM sold off many of the cars from this collection to raise money during the bankruptcy days but they obviously didn’t sell off this car. Among the other things I would cite for that contention would be the Cadillac Roll commercial from 2009. The ad launched the Cadillac tagline “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit” and celebrated Cadillac’s then 107 year history. For the ad, GM selected roughly one highly significant car to represent each of the 11 decades of Cadillac history. For the decade of the 1980’s, the model of choice was the 1985 Cadillac Seville. In fact, the car used in the ad appears to be the very same Academy Gray Seville that today remains in the Heritage Center. That doesn’t seem like a model that “isn’t celebrated” to me. Actually, with the ad, they very much celebrated the flamboyant bustle-trunk sedan from their past. car; they gave it a starring role in a big-budget ad campaign.

      The ad can be viewed at the link below and was one of Cadillac’s best ever in my opinion.

      Reply
      1. They sold off cars from their collection, but they still have way way way more cars than can even be displayed in the Heritage Collection at once.

        The cars that were sold were not anything significant, the 1 millionth Saturn, the 1st Cutlass Calais, a bunch of Corvette engineering cars that were pretty much stock but EX vin’d etc etc interesting but not really on the same level as a Firebird III turbine car……

        Reply
      2. Man, I love the look of the ’67 Eldorado

        Reply
    2. And the ct6 would have been Fleetwood brougham or brougham

      Reply
  12. STS to me stands for. Seville Touring Sport Cadillac always keep names of vehicles now engines IDK so much Northstar engines ouch to the wallet,lol I’m a Fleetwood guy had many 84,87,96 and parked in yard 94 Fleetwood brougham Gold leaf edition .

    Reply
  13. I remember Mitchell singing its praises a year or two before it was revealed–and then my disappointment. I though the ’79 Eldo was far superior, despite being so similar in shape to the Riviera and Toronado.

    This is one of the few sedans that would look better with rear fender skirts and a narrower track.
    These wirewheel discs are just too prominent for me. The real ones on the Elegante were better but still distracting. The body lines need to be the center of attention.

    Reply
    1. Reply
  14. IMO this car was where the real decline of Cadillac started. By that I mean it’s controversial styling, sky high price and worse the drivetrains being used. For 1980 the std engine was the highly troublesome 105 HP 5.7 diesel. The much better 6.0 liter Cadillac sourced DFI V8 was an option followed mid year by a Buick carbureted 4.1 V6 but they were tied to the old THM325 3 speed transmission that did no favors for mileage and power. For 1981 the 6.0 liter V8 was dissected by Eaton corp and given a complex at the time variable displacement 8-6-4 setup that gave owners nothing but problems and operated in a crude vibratory manor unlike anything a cadillac owner ever experienced. The 5.7 diesel and 4.1 Buick V6 were still offered with the latter the best engine offered that year all still tied to the older 3 speed transmission.

    For 1982 another turd was foisted upon the public, the hastily rushed to market HT4100 V8 to replace the troublesome 8-6-4 in the main lineup. With 125 HP and 190 torque it made a stunning 20 less LBS FT of torque than the credit option Buick 4.1 V6 and worse was highly troublesome for owners right out of the gate! Was this the same “Standard of the World” that gave us the far superior cars of the 50’s to 70’s? It was a pretty sad day when a lesser Olds Tornado or Buick Riviera has superior and more reliable drive-trains than more expensive Cadillacs. This turd engine remained as std with slight power and torque increase for 1983 now up to 135/200 right up to 1985 after which this car was downsized and turned into a real joke.

    Yes the 1986 Eldorado/Seville were introduced looking like fancier versions of an Olds Calais N body using the same basic HT 4100 V8 down to only 130 HP in FWD guise. It wasn’t until 1988 that GM started taking things a bit seriously enlarging and improving the V8 to 4.5 liters with a much needed power boost and styling changes that should have been used right out of the gate. Too little too late as the decay had already started and the Northstar and FWD only mess thereafter sent Cadillac into a slow death spiral that it still hasn’t recovered from.

    With that said I still enjoy seeing one of these in such gorgeous condition and can fully understand why they have one preserved in the Heritage center. Make mine a two-tone Elegante with alloy wheels and an 85 model as that was the better year for the 4100 engines.

    Reply
  15. I’d put that right up there with the bathtub Impala, some of the ugliest cars that GM has ever built. Looks like a tree fell on the back end. At least it wasn’t a re-badged Chevy as they are today.

    Reply
    1. I own this same model ( color,etc) and would like to sell it. Very good condition with only 27k miles. Needs some mechanical work but could easily be a show piece.

      Reply
  16. The HT motors was a rush out to public junk motor after the468 Cadillac motors i like the 425 350 olds or the 4.9. Cadillac finally got it together with the northstar motor

    Reply
  17. I took this to be one of the ugliest cars on the road it reminded me of a stagecoach the 1978 Seville should be on display in the very same color in the very same spot get it done tv

    Reply
  18. I had a black and grey Elegance. It was a 1981 with the V8-6-4. It was perhaps the nicest car I ever owned. I then got a 1986 Gran Marquis, followed by a 1990 Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo. I then got a 1994 Olds Delta 88, a 1998 Seville STS, 2002 Deville, a 2007 Lincoln MKZ AWD, a 2010 Fusion Hybrid. I’ve had other cars, ranging from a 2 door 1977 Plymouth Grand Fury, to a 1988 Isuzu Impulse Turbo, to a 190E and even a 2011 Fiesta. That Cadillac was very quiet and very comfortable compared to other cars I’ve owned. Even the 02 Deville’s ride paled by comparison. The Seville’s engine faced forward despite being front wheel drive. I also had a 1996 Chrysler Concord that was front wheel drive with the engine facing the front. My mid-life crisis car was the 1990 Taurus SHO, not a Corvette, even though I also had a 1990 Miata lol. The SHO took abuse until about 220,000 miles when I got rid of it. I don’t usually keep cars that long, but it was surprisingly well balanced. Another well balanced machine was a 190E that I brought back from Germany. I still have it and it runs, but the block is cracked. Im looking for a mechanic to put an SLK Kompressor engine in.
    As for trucks and SUV’s, it started with a 1977 Datsun king-cab pickup, 1990 F150, 1994 Ford Explorer, 1998 Jeep Cherokee, a 2000 Ford Explorer AWD and Expedition, 2005 Freestyle, 2008 Taurus X, 2013 F150. I’ve only had 2 vans, a 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager and a 2007 Honda Odyssey Touring. I don’t really care for any of the new cars. I drive a Hybrid right now and am looking at the new Maverick and an Aptera. The Aptera is the GM EV1 on steroids because it’s solar powered. I rent cars all the time and going them very lack luster. Most feel like the body wants to leave the frame. A friend of mine bought a 2019 Dodge Ram Long Horn cash, brand new. It had 34 recalls, most were for the transmission. My aunt had a 2018 brand new Suburban that had 3 no start issues within the first year of ownership. It had been in the dealership 7 out of the first 12 months of ownership and did not have 1500 miles on it yet. They wouldn’t let her trade it in even though it was paid for. I like old GM’s but won’t buy a new one. I like the Maverick’s concept, but loathe Ford now as well. I’ll never buy another Dodge product. I’m stuck looking for older cars that are low mileage, sometimes costing more than new. They’re not as safe in a wreck, but I can actually drive them. I like reliability and comfort with a hint of performance. A Lexus LS series has sounded nice…

    Reply
  19. I’ve always felt the first 2 Sevilles were very eye catching and elegant. I’ve always been a big fan of Continentals, my grandfather was a Ford exec his entire career, so I’m a bit biased. It was always a treat for a little boy to watch as those rear doors would open as I sat in the back of his Lincoln. But when the Seville was introduced, I thought they were just beautiful. I remember going to the Detroit Auto Show in 1980 and was very impressed. I remember when I was working at my first job, a coworker told me her friend had just plowed into a new Seville and totaled it. The woman driving the Cadillac jumped from her wrecked Seville and shrieked “YOU JUST TOTALED A $20,000 CAR!”. Those were the days. I even liked the 1980 Lincoln Versailles. It’s too bad you never see 1980’s Seville’s or Versailles’ anymore. My poor dad always wanted a new Lincoln, but my mom wouldn’t hear of it because they cost more than what they paid for their house. I made sure when he passed away the hearse was a Lincoln. He finally got his wish.

    Reply
  20. Love these under appreciated cars! But they should dump the 68 Brougham replacing it with a 66! The pinnacle of 60s luxury!

    Reply
  21. I have a unique “perspective” on this car. I was on the cusp of adolescence in 1980, a kid in an affluent neighborhood where my parents were, financially speaking, “very small fish in the big pond,” struggling to make payments on their Oldsmobile Cadillac lookalikes when neighbors had the real thing or exotic European sports cars, the occasional Rolls, and lots of Lincoln Town Cars (I was partial to the “Continental” with its round trunk detail– ask Freud about that one) and Jaguar sedans in their final curvy models that literally made me think they were miniature Rolls Royces.

    When I first started to see the Seville, they created a delightful visual shock I won’t forget. As a younger kid (toddler or barely past) I was fascinated by hatchbacks which my parents would never dream of getting; they were a bit like little spaceships to me just exotic compared to my parents’ conventionally 3-box-shaped cars. In my very early youth I assumed hatchbacks, being so “exotic,” must be too pricey for my parents, who tried to tell me they were actually cheaper, and undesirable.

    When the Seville started to appear. with their sloped unconventional back, my eyes seemed to register them as a magical synthesis of the “exotic” hatchback look and the uber-luxurious Cadillac. My eyes would pine for a glimpse of one of these, and I’d stare out the window of our Oldsmobile hoping for a “fix.” Naturally, I never stopped torturing my parents, “Why can’t we get a Seville?” When we were on a road trip, “spot the Seville” was of course the game that passed the time. But for me, more than a “game”, it was a hunger. And if had shiny, densely packed tiny spokes, I was agape.

    Reply
  22. I was in the 8th grade when the 1980-1985 generation Seville was introduced and it was a stunner. Had a couple of friends’ parents that owned this generation. I never thought the build quality was all that great, though. The interior design became much more refined in later years. It’s a beautiful car, one only GM could design. Bose radio was nearly $1k option though surprisingly rarely highlighted in ads for these. This was a pricey, major option. That Bose unit sounded great even by today’s audio standards. This gray Seville is a knockout and the cloth interior probably would hold up better than the leather, long term. I remember the Cadillac dealer near my home had at least a dozen unsold 1985’s into the spring of 1986. The leftover 1985’s were low option cars with cloth, no cruise control, cassette radio or Twighlight Sentinel; I was surprised at the number of base cars this dealer had. The dealer added that tacky cloth convertible looking roof to a few of these to sell them. If I bought a Cadillac in that era, I would want to have Twighlight Sentinel on my car, thank you.

    Reply
  23. My Brother in law was the proud owner of a 1985 Seville. I was stationed in Europe with the military and later the Foreign Service. Several times when I would come state side I used this wonderful AUTOMOBILE, this was such Fine, beautiful Cadillac. Often, I had some European Family members visiting here with me, they ALL could not believe how great this Cadillac drove and provided such comfort. Due to the rear end looking a bit like the Hooper bodied Rolls Royce upon seeing the Seville from the rear the first most thought it was a Rolls Royce, all loved this Cadillac and one Gentleman tried to buy it. I wish I had purchased one for myself.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel