Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely stunning and exceptional example of this original custom 1 of 1 built 2 Door Coupe for the renown and legendary Mary Kay Ash, founder of the world renown 'Mary Kay Cosmetics', and owned by her until 2022 when it was sold from the Mary Kay Museum, with only 13, 254 original miles, to only its second ever owner, a renown southern California collector.
This is a 1981 Cadillac Seville sedan custom converted by the coachbuilders 'Grandeur Motor Car Corporation' of FL, with no expense spared at a cost of over $70K (over $237K adjusted for inflation according to the CPI calculator in 1981!) into a 2 door coupe with spare wheel holder and which still boasts very low mileage and which is in beautifully kept and all original condition with its 6. 0L V8 Fuel Injection engine with only 14, 802 original miles to date!
This car has a very rare 'Sterling Silver Metallic' (color code 16) over "Sable 'Starlight' Black" (color code 19) striking two-tone exterior paint with a matching all original and sumptuous 'Light Gray' leather interior and a host of other features which were optional and/ or unavailable on the base Seville.
This is not just any Mary Kay car, this should be considered "the" Mary Kay car! There is a nameplate on the glove compartment commemorating the build and the car is fully documented. The car was also featured in the movie "Mary Kay Ash, Hell On Wheels" A unique and historic vehicle ready for the most discerning of collections.
Obviously always garaged with no history of any accidents or damage and owned and driven by only two obviously very careful and mature non-smoking driver's since new - never abused - babied all the way! The original factory 'Sable Black over Sterling Silver' two-tone color paint is extraordinarily striking! The original 'Light Gray' leather seats and matching carpets and dashboard with wood inlays interior are in immaculate condition throughout with virtually no signs of wear and every option is working.
The Cadillac Seville was introduced as 1976 model and was Cadillac's answer to the rising popularity of European luxury imports as Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW. GM planners were becoming concerned that the division's once-vaunted image as the standard of the world" was fading, especially among the younger generation of car buyers.
In 1980 Cadillac's 425 engine was replaced with the L61, which was the same basic 472 family engine de-bored to 3. 8 in but retaining the 472 and 425 engines' 4. 06 in stroke for a total displacement of 368 cu in. The reduction in displacement was largely an effort to meet CAFE requirements for fuel economy. Throttle-body fuel injection was now standard on Eldorado and Seville when equipped with the 368. Cadillac referred to this new TBI (throttle-body fuel injection) system as Digital fuel injection (DFI); this particular induction system was later adopted by other GM divisions, except on Oldsmobile V8s, and was used well into the 1990s on GM trucks. Power output dropped to 145 hp at 3600 rpm and torque to 270 lbft at 2000 rpm in DEFI forms as used on the front-wheel drive Seville and Eldorado. This engine was standard on all Cadillac's except the redesigned Seville, in which it was optional.
For the 1980 model year, the Seville's K-body platform became front-wheel drive, based on the E-body Eldorado, Buick Riviera, and Oldsmobile Toronado. The totally all new model redesign featured independent rear suspension and Cadillac's new 368 cu in (6. 0 L) L62 V8 with Digital Fuel Injection was a no-cost option except in California, where the fuel-injected Oldsmobile 350 remained available as a no-cost option. The engine was an Oldsmobile-sourced 350 cu in (5. 7 L) V8, fitted with a Bendix/ Bosch electronically controlled fuel injection. The car had more interior space and trunk volume and the radical humped deck lid which was almost horizontal crease before tapering down to wide tailights was a razor-edged known as "bustle-back" rear styling which drew inspiration from the English coachbuilder Hooper & Co.'s "Empress Line" and the Vanden Plas and Rolls Royce designs from the early 1950s, which were considered a dramatic, modern take on the mid-'30s style of trunk/ body integration.
In addition, long hood/ short deck proportions were inspired by luxury cars of the 1960s. The Seville's "statement" styling was one of the last vehicles designed by Bill Mitchell, appointed by Harley Earl in 1936 as the Cadillac's first chief designer. It was swiftly imitated by the Lincoln Continental sedans and the Imperial coupes.
This one of a kind 2 Door custom coach built model must be seen to be believed and driven to be fully appreciated - the car drives as good as it looks with Cadillac's famous smooth and luxurious ride - no shakes or rattles and the considerable power of it's 6. 0 litre Fuel Injection V8 engine with only 14K original miles purring almost imperceptibly under the hood!
The car has been recently comprehensively serviced at our local mechanics at 14, 342 miles in August 2023 with the engine being extremely strong and responsive with no oil leaks, the transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the temperature always remains cool. The car has drives virtually like a new car with 4 all new and correct white wall tires and cold factory air conditioning. The car also boasts a clean Carfax report to confirm both the mileage and ownership history and can be viewed for free on the link to our Carfax account on our website.
This is one very luxurious, stylish and comfortable car with no rivals in its era in its class and this being a one of custom conversion to a 2 door coupe with no expense spared is the ultimate collectible - the real deal for a grand touring or long distance cruising in both luxury and comfort!
This must surely be one of the finest and obviously very rarest of example's of this low mileage and well maintained 1981 Cadillac Seville 6. 0L V8 2 Door Custom Coupe with DEFI with MPG dash display with on board diagnostics available on the market anywhere today!
