22nd Mar 2017, 02:38
Wow, even Swedish cardboard surpassed Cadillac's finest leather! They should have flew the Allante up to Trollhattan.
And don't get me started on bolstering. Or general ergonomics, for that matter.
22nd Mar 2017, 15:46
Yes, it's true. There are many who like the cars on review. But yet there are others who try to compare them to Saab and Volvo, both of which have nothing in common as far as ride quality, body style, passenger room and comfort. The old school American luxury cars were always in a class of their own.
22nd Mar 2017, 16:37
We are in strange times when a 1989 Cadillac of any kind is called or referred to as a "classic".
23rd Mar 2017, 01:11
You can have a 50 year old car that's not a classic. You can antique an older car for the antique tags to exempt it. Classic is an iconic car like a 55-57 Chevrolet or 55-57 T Bird. Not just anything is a timeless classic. There's many more of course; these are 2 immediately well known examples.
23rd Mar 2017, 04:09
There are too many definitions to argue what a "classic" is. The car on review is a 1989 Cadillac Brougham, and in my opinion yes, it is a classic. The body style dates all the way back to 1980. Does Cadillac or anybody for that matter still make a body on frame rear drive V8 six passenger luxury liner? No.
23rd Mar 2017, 10:35
So how rare is this model? I think the word future classic may be confirmed more in years to come. I have owned what many would call immediately known classics, recognized by everyone. In the end the collector community, auctions and buyers can confirm your comment. Let's see if this model quickly appreciates and escalates in value in years to come. As it is now, any 89 in my area cannot even be admitted to classic car shows. It's too new. Maybe a production run of an exotic like a Porsche air cooled or a certain Ferrari may be in there. It would have to be a highly desirable late 80s model. Or be a landmark design. I don't see this one as yet.
23rd Mar 2017, 19:59
Simply put the car is too new. It's not like you could drive up to some local car show and ask to be placed in it because it wouldn't meet the age requirements of being at least XXX years old. Secondly, and this is where this gets more about opinion - the styling and uniqueness. There is not much with this model that is either remarkable nor memorable. It was made at the height of the slump the big three were undergoing where they had not quite figured out their stride in the new era of global automotive competition. So many of the designs of that era were so overly buttoned up and almost boring to some extent, with some rare exceptions.
But if I were to choose a "classic" from Cadillac from the same era, it would be the Allanté . Ever seen one of those? Even though the design is from 1986, it STILL looks amazing. Only 20,000 were ever made and that also makes them a relatively rare car too. I would have no problem with someone calling that car a "classic".
Another one that's more recent? The 1995-1999 Buick Riviera. Still a great looking car some 22 years later. Looks like an airplane on wheels and seemed like a true return to a classic design from the past.
24th Mar 2017, 09:34
If I were to pick a Cadillac, it would be a 1959 2 door Convertible. The largest fin Cadillac ever. That's a classic. Another way to put this is many would have to see a pic of a 1989 one to refresh any memory. I could have driven a 1989 Caravan to a show, but couldn't enter it.
25th Mar 2017, 03:45
The Allante? The car that got its own transatlantic flight, just to end up looking strikingly similar to the contemporary Eldorado? Odd choice, but if you have a penchant for irony...
25th Mar 2017, 15:37
The Allante is more or less an honorable mention. Yes it was a rare car built to compete with the SL series Mercedes; unfortunately nobody cared, sales were poor and Cadillac was forced to sell them for over $ five grand under the sticker price.
Also I don't understand why somebody would need to see a picture to remember a 1989 Brougham. Any gear-head or car enthusiast is going to remember what Cadillac's flagship car looked like. As I said before, it had a run from 1980-1992 virtually unchanged on the outside. This car was supposed to be discontinued after 1985 and that never happened. I love fullsize Caddys from the '60s - the '80s. One of my personal favorites is a 1979 Coupe DeVille with the Phaeton package.
25th Mar 2017, 21:34
These old Broughams demand a premium when you find them in excellent original condition. Most people are getting the wrong idea on these cars, since most have either been used well past their service life or 'donked' out. When you see an old 80s Brougham in excellent condition, they make a bold statement of elegance and style. I've seen them on eBay in the past listed between $15,000-$20,000 in excellent condition. I don't believe old Swedish cars are desirable to collectors because their cardboard box styling (Volvo) and UFO styling (SAAB) hasn't aged well. When was the last time anyone saw a Volvo 740 or SAAB 900? I haven't. I still see a 240 on very rare occasions and they look quite silly and out of place these days - like they are commemorating the Soviet Union or being used as a rural mail delivery vehicle.
26th Mar 2017, 15:43
Price a restored 1959 Cadillac Convertible today. Try Hemmings Motor News. That's a true classic without needing to explain or defend its status. Value doesn't necessary mean classic. Even cars that are future classics are not classic stage as yet.
28th Mar 2017, 09:21
I have personally owned older Cadillacs pre 71 and many other immediately recognizable sports cars. I would need a picture. From the 80s, honestly I do not see any domestic classics that can be described as such. I can think of a number of imports or special interest cars from that decade. To me using the word classic should mean an immensely popular, timeless design. Even car show promoters just put a cutoff year on their brochures. And anything shows. So you can have a 1955, complete frame off, restored, concours Chevrolet parked next to a LeBaron for an example.
28th Mar 2017, 18:59
I guess you never heard of a Buick Grand National, '83-'84 Hurst Olds with lightning rods, '83-'87 Monte Carlo SS? All limited production classics from the '80s. Maybe pictures of those cars will refresh your memory.
28th Mar 2017, 21:04
Yes, and they are not classic cars. Yet. And certainly not this specific review car. There is a world full of classics to buy however. Seek them out and buy. There are special interest ones on your list. I will be glad to share a few. Take off the Monte Carlo entirely, even the first gen 454 SS.
Here's Classics.... First and Second Gen Camaro, Chevelle, Nova SS, Chevy II, Corvettes pre 73. Preferably SS, Z/28, Yenko, Berger Bros, Baldwin Motion, factory to dealership. Some Paces. Grand National, replace with a pre 72 455 GS or GSX. Hurst Olds 68-72.
I kind of followed your list with known classics. Doesn't mean you picked bad cars. But not all are classics. Even a very desirable 96 Corvette GS low production isn't a classic. Not all new Challenger Hemis and Camaros today are classics, but may be someday. Ask some other people if I am far off the mark at a major car show or collector auction. I did my research before writing a big check. If you don't care about investment, just be careful to not overspend.
Lastly, as much as I like the Grand National on your list, the 80 mph speedometer needs to go. It is a pretty cool car; not a classic, but nicely engineered.
21st Mar 2017, 04:30
Please -- any Saab or Volvo of the same year had much better seats. Neither would induce seasickness in their passengers when faced with red lights or stop signs, either. Comfort does not allow for excessive nosedive or body roll like that of the Caddy.