2008 Sports and More Auction

1993 Cadillac Allanté Convertible

Last year for Allanté 1987-1993
17,000 Original Miles
Soft top convertible, two-seater
Cherry red color exterior, Black interior leather
Automatic Transmission
V8 4.6L Northstar Engine-1993 models only
Air conditioner has been converted from Freon
New battery
Excellent condition
Body handcrafted in Italy, flown over on a 747
1st Owner sold for $65,000, 2nd owner donating to St. Leonard
See for yourself…April 1-25, 2008
Displayed in the Showroom at Voss Village Cadillac
650 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd., Rt 725 just east of the Dayton Mall

View Pictures

About the Cadillac Allanté

The Cadillac Allanté was Cadillac's first venture into the ultra-luxury roadster market and was sold from 1987 through 1993.

Development and production

Originally designed under the code name "Callisto", the Allanté was intended to restore Cadillac to its position as a credible competitor to the Mercedes-Benz SL. Its chassis and engine were originally taken from the Cadillac Eldorado, though it also shared components with the Buick Reatta, Riviera and the Oldsmobile Toronado.

The body of the Allanté was designed and built in Italy by Pininfarina of Ferrari fame. The completed bodies were shipped to the USA in specially equipped Boeing 747s; at Cadillac's assembly plant in Hamtramck, Michigan the body was mated to the chassis. This led to a few interesting nicknames, such as "The Flying Italian Cadillac" and "the world's longest assembly line." Only 21,000 Allantés were built.

Specifications

The car was originally specified with a port fuel injected version of Cadillac's aluminum 4.1 L HT-4100 V8. The car originally used an independent strut-based suspension system front and rear. Four-wheel disc brakes were also standard.

Power was up in 1989 with the new 4.5 L 4.5 V8 which produced 200 hp (149 kW) at 4300 rpm and 270 ft·lbf (366 N·m) at 3200 rpm. The 1989 Allanté also received a new speed-sensitive damper system called Speed Dependent Damping Control, or SD²C. This system firmed up the suspension at 25 mph (40 km/h) and again at 60 mph (97 km/h). The firmest setting was also used when starting from a standstill until 5 mph (8 km/h). Another change was a variable-assist steering system.

Few other changes were made until 1993, the final model year. Introduced in early 1992, the 1993 Allanté received the 4.6 L Northstar DOHC V8. This engine was initially rated at 290 hp (216 kW), but Cadillac upped the rating to 295 hp (220 kW) at 5600 rpm by the time the first models were sold. Torque output was 290 ft·lbf (393 N·m) at 4400 rpm. A new unequal-length control arm rear suspension, shared with the Seville and Eldorado, was also introduced that year, improving handling. Also new for the small Cadillacs was Road Sensing Suspension, an active damper management system, and improved disc brakes. Other changes for the Allanté included a variable-assist power steering rack, deeper front spoiler, and single-piece side windows.

A 1992 comparison test of the Northstar-powered Allanté by Car and Driver placed it above the Jaguar XJS V12 convertible and the Mercedes-Benz 300SL. Although the car got big points for its new engine, it was criticized for its handling, which was the result of its front wheel drive layout. Ultimately, it was the rapid rise in the retail price of its competitors that won the test for Cadillac. At that time, the Allanté's $64,843 as-tested price seemed a bargain compared with the $71,888 Jaguar and $90,335 Mercedes-Benz.