When did Cadillac lose it's prestige?

[DGW]

John Walkers caddy's are the best. Also, I want the 4 door vdub truck in the background.

I always though a 59 caddy convertible would be a great car. I envisioned it being like driving the queen Mary on the streets.

[campbellcj]

For me somewhere around '74 they lost any appeal they may have had previously.

[pksystems]

When they started using computers to design them and they all look like cardboard boxes? (all straight lines)

[slow&rusty]

Another fairly recent Cadillac failure that diluted the brand....and helped with the nails on the coffin. They thought they could take on Mercedes and the R107 SL..but lost miserably..and don't get me started on the XLR nonsense.

[fastfredracing]

Did any one mention the 4100 motor yet?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Just like every American car company, the wheels started coming off in the '70s. They've all been steadily sliding downhill until recently. My 2004 SRX was a very good SUV, and I lust for a new CTS-V wagon. The STS and DTS are still a joke though.

[audiman08]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Just like every American car company, the wheels started coming off in the '70s. They've all been steadily sliding downhill until recently. My 2004 SRX was a very good SUV, and I lust for a new CTS-V wagon. The STS and DTS are still a joke though.

No love for the STS-V? Sure, it looks similar to the STS on the outside...but the specs are amazing on such a heavy car; 469 h.p./439 lb-ft. torque, 0-60 in less that 5 seconds, strengthened chasis, bigger breaks, German interior...it seems like a great sleeper. I'm not sure why they stopped making them, I guess the average STS buyer didn't care for a hot rod version.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by audiman08

No love for the STS-V? Sure, it looks similar to the STS on the outside...but the specs are amazing on such a heavy car; 469 h.p./439 lb-ft. torque, 0-60 in less that 5 seconds, strengthened chasis, bigger breaks, German interior...it seems like a great sleeper. I'm not sure why they stopped making them, I guess the average STS buyer didn't care for a hot rod version.

They phased out the Northstar

The replacement will make a ruckus

[1990C4S]

Maybe when accounting started calling the shots over engineering?

[Tim Hancock]

Dad had a pristine white 1975 Eldorado. I caught some major hell when a neighbor squealed on me for joy riding in it when I was 14 and my parents were away on vacation. I don't know what engine was in that thing, but that car was pretty d@mn quick for a long heavy car. Every once in awhile I search the classifieds for an identical car to restore for him.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Dad had a pristine white 1975 Eldorado.... I don't know what engine was in that thing, but that car was pretty d@mn quick for a long heavy car.

500 cubic inches of Caddy Big Block baby!!! Largest production engine in a passenger car for many years before and after

[audiman08]

A '75 Eldo with a 500 would be nice, but a little too 70s Superfly for me. I'd take a 4th generation though.



Or a '58, like Sinatra's:

[kaisen]

Cadillac of the Rat Pack era were COOOOL

Cadillac post-Sinatra, not so much

[Tim Hancock]

Dad's '75 looked like this random picture, but it was always absolutely perfectly detailed inside and out. The interior was nearly all white but had black/checkered cloth inserted seats. (As gaudy as that sounds, I remember it as being luxurious)

[audiman08]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Dad's '75 looked like this random picture, but it was always absolutely perfectly detailed inside and out. The interior was nearly all white but had black/checkered cloth inserted seats. (As gaudy as that sounds, I remember it as being luxurious)

At least it was a Coupe...it seems like they made more convertible Eldos of that generation. The fact that it's a coupe and still has a good Cadillac engine totally redeems it's looks.

[sammyg2]

when did cadillac lose it's prestige?

1958

I used to have a girlfriend that had an eldo biarritz. Long time ago, prolly 1985. it was a 1983 or so she bought brand new.

The thing was falling apart by the time it hit 40k miles.

Headliner falling down, electrical problems, you name it. What an over-priced POS.

[MRM]

Originally Posted by audiman08

A '75 Eldo with a 500 would be nice, but a little too 70s Superfly for me. I'd take a 4th generation though.

There is no such thing as too much Superfly!

[john walker's workshop]

[dondarnell]

I do not understand the critism of Caddillac here. Current Caddies, at least the CTS and Escalade, are the best Caddies ever made. I moved from a 05 Audi to a 08 CTS and there was no comparision, and the cars cost pretty much the same (43k). My only complaint was that the AWD in the Caddy was not as seamless as the Audi, but Audi has been doing that for a while. If the sourness is directed at GM's finacial troubles, then one must have overlooked Porsche's 11 (!!) near collapes, and BMW's several near failures, just to name a few. Where's the love for America's premiere brand?

And, no, not defending my car, traded it for a 2010 Camaro. AND, I don't work for GM, even indirectly.

[HardDrive]

Let me ask you this: What is Cadillacs racing history?

Come on Don, I'm from Detroit/Ann Arbor. Folks in 313 greatly over estimate peoples loyalty (or even knowledge) for American brands. People are looking for brand legitimacy. You can't just build that overnight, regardless of the car. It takes generations.