1984 Cadillac Seville

The second-generation Cadillac Seville, introduced in 1980 and continuing through 1985, was one of the final designs by Bill Mitchell and featured distinctive bustle back styling inspired by pre-war Daimler designs. Luxury cars of the 1960s inspired the attractive long hood and short deck proportions and its front-wheel-drive configuration made it a rarity in the American marketplace. The first generation of the Seville was introduced in May 1975 as an early 1976 model. Seville production would continue through 2004.

The second-generation Cadillac Seville was based on the E-body Eldorado, Oldsmobile Toronado, and Buick Riviera with similar wheelbase size and length. It used an independent rear suspension and was the first American car to be powered by a diesel engine as standard equipment. The 1984 Seville was powered by a standard overhead-valve V8 with an aluminum alloy block, a 249 cubic-inch displacement, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and delivered 135 horsepower at 4,400 RPM and 200 lb-ft of torque. The engine was backed by a four-speed overdrive automatic and stopping power was by four-wheel disc brakes. The sole body style was a four-door sedan that had a factory base price of just under $22,500, an increase of approximately $1,000 over the previous year's model.

Standard equipment included air conditioning, power windows, steel-belted radial whitewall tires, door pull straps, rear reading lights, manual seatback recliner, and bumper guards and rub strips. The limited-edition Elegant package remained, now available in a single color instead of two-tone, and added $3,880 to the base price. The Elegant package added leather 40/40 dual comfort front seats with six-way power adjustment with recliners, Tampico carpeting, deluxe floor mats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, console, wire wheel covers, and chrome side moldings.

Cadillac produced 39,997 examples of the Seville in 1984, an increase of over 9,950 examples over the previous year and nearly identical to the number produced a year later.

An optional diesel-powered V8 displacing 350 cubic inches produced 105 horsepower at 3,200 RPM. This Oldsmobile-built powerplant had hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, and a 22.7:1 compression ratio.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020