1980 CADILLAC SEVILLE

For 1980, Cadillac redesigned its top-line Seville with a curious mixture of present-day and 1930s styling themes. The rear end has a neoclassic "bustle-back" trunk which generated a lot of controversy. The '80 Seville was built on the Eldorado chassis and used (for the first time) the front-wheel drive, all-independent suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes. As a result, the Seville had better handling with greater ride control and a little more room.

Billed in the full-line catalog as "quite possibly the most distinctive car in the world today ... and the most advanced," the all-new Seville was nothing if not dramatic. A total redesign gave buyers more interior space and trunk volume, along with the radical body shape. The side view was the most striking, even on the standard Seville with its straight bodyside molding. The humped deck lid began almost horizontal, but hit a distinctive horizontal crease before tapering down to wide taillamps.

Small lenses were inset into the new one-piece, high-strength back bumper: two at the rear and two at the sides. Surprisingly, the taillight lenses were not vertical (a traditional Cadillac approach) but horizontal -- much the same as a Buick. The license plate sat in a deeply recessed housing.

On the deck lid were Cadillac's wreath and crest, plus the Seville script. Both emblems were repeated on the back roof pillar. The Seville script was also on front fenders, just below the thin bodyside molding. Chrome rocker moldings were tall and strong.

Designed by Wayne Cady, the bustleback body and long hood suggested more than a nodding acquaintance with the impressive old razor-edge styling used on Hooper and Vanden Plus Rolls-Royces in the 1950s. Not everyone loved Seville's bustleback shape, with sloping rear end and "boot" trunk, but it drew considerable attention.

Wheelbase was 114 inches; length almost 205 inches; overall dimensions not much different from the 1979 edition. Running gear and front-drive chassis were shared with the other luxury E-body coupes: Eldorado, Buick Riviera, and Olds Toronado. But Seville hardly resembled its mechanical mates. Up front, the squared-off look was similar to earlier Sevilles. The front end was lower, and the car weighed 300 pounds less than before. The new yet traditional grille consisted of narrow vertical bars and a wide horizontal header bar with "Cadillac" script at the side, plus a stand-up wreath and crest at the hood front. The windshield sat at a sharp angle. Rounded, flared wheel openings housed new all-weather radial tires on new cast aluminum wheels with brushed-chrome centers.

Bodies came in a choice of 16 acrylic lacquer finishes with accent striping (plus two-tone treatments). Dual Comfort 50/45 front seats were offered in six shades of Heather cloth.

Going beyond appearance, Seville was also described as an "electronic wonder." The new version was viewed as a "test" for other GM vehicles. Among other details, Seville was the first to offer a diesel as "standard" powerplant (except in California). The optional engine was a 6.0-liter gasoline V-8 with single-point fuel injection (heavy on digital electronics), which gave better cold-start performance and lower emissions. Front-wheel drive kept the floor flat, to add roominess.

Sevilles had a new four-wheel independent suspension and disc brakes all around. All models featured the following:

electronic level control
new electronic climate control
electrically-controlled outside mirrors (heated, with lighted thermometer)
cruise control
a rear defogger
tungsten-halogen high-beam headlamps
Twilight Sentinel
side window defoggers
tilt/telescope steering wheel
Soft Ray tinted glass
a new high-pressure compact spare tire
cast aluminum wheels
illuminated entry system
new dual-spot map lamps/courtesy lights

Seek/scan radios were improved. Inside was an accessible center-console instrument display with digital MPG readouts.

Stepping up a notch, an Elegante option made Seville's profile even sharper and more distinctive, as a sweeping French curve separated the two-tone upper and lower body colors. The full-length beltline molding swept downward aft of the back door, into the bustle-shaped back end, and the upper color tapered to a point at the base of the humped deck lid. Chrome-plated "Elegante" script was on the sail panels. Also included was accent striping and a stand-up wreath/crest on the hood. Elegante came in three color combinations: Sable Black with Sheffield Gray Firemist, Sheffield Gray Firemist with Norfolk Gray, or Canyon Rock with Desert Sand Firemist. Other features were

a leather-trimmed steering wheel
40/40 Dual Comfort front seats
leather-topped console with space for umbrella.

Interiors were tailored in light beige or slate gray leather. The new simulated teak woodgrain instrument panel, with driver-only controls on the left, was said to have the look of Butterfly Walnut. Ads referred to "The Beauty of Being First" and dubbed Seville the car "that looks like no other car." William L. Mitchell, who retired as GM's design vice-president in 1977 but was responsible for Seville, insisted it was "destined to be tomorrow's style leader."

Model	Series Number	Body/Style Number	Body Type	Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
Seville	6K	S69	4-door Sedan	5	$19,662	3911 lb	39,344

PRICE NOTE: Cadillac announced a series of price rises during the model year. By summer. Seville cost $20,796

ENGNES

Feature	Base Diesel Engine	Optional Gas Engine
Type	90-degree, overhead valve V-8. Cast iron block and head
Displacement	350 cu. in. (5.7 liters)	368 cu. in. (6.0 liters)
Bore & stroke	4.057 x 3.385 in.	3.80 x 4.06 in.
Spark plug gap	.060" in.	.060" in.
Ignition Timing BTDC	10°	18° @1400 RPM
Curb Idle Speed	600 RPM	500 RPM (575 RPM Calif.)
Fast Idle Speed		1450 RPM (1350 RPM Calif.)
Fuel Pump Pressure		5-1/4-6-1/2
Compression ratio	22.5:1	8.2:1
Brake horsepower	105 @ 3200 rpm	145 @ 3600 rpm
Torque	205 lbs.-ft. @ 1600 rpm	270 lbs.-ft. @ 2000 rpm
Main Bearings	Five
Valve Lifters	Hydraulic
Fuel Supply	Fuel Injection	Fuel Injection
VIN Code	N	9

CHASSIS DATA

Wheelbase: 114.0 in.
Overall length: 204.8 in.
Height: 54.3 in.
Width: 71.4 in.
Front Tread: 59.3 in.
Rear Tread: 60.6 in.
Standard Tires: P205/75RI5 SBR wide WSW

TECHNICAL

Transmission: Turbo Hydra-matic transmission, column shift.
Gear ratios (1st) 2.74:1; (2nd) 1.57:1; (3rd) 1.00:1; (Rev) 2.07:1.
Standard final drive ratio: 2.41:1
Hypoid drive axle.
Steering: recirculating ball; power assisted.
Front suspension: independent torsion bars, link-type stabilizer bar
Rear suspension: independent trailing arm, coil springs, electronic level control
Brakes: four-wheel disc
Fuel tank: 23 gal.

DRIVETRAIN OPTIONS

6.0-liter Fl V-8 engine: ($266 credit).
Heavy-duty cooling system ($59)
100-amp alternator ($41-$59).
Engine block hearer ($22).
California emission equipment ($83-$250).
Sport handling pkg.: ($95).
Trailering package ($100-$118).

OPTION PACKAGES

Seville Elegante ($2934)

CONVENIENCE/APPEARANCE OPTIONS

Astroroof ($1058)
Cruise control ($147)
Rear defogger, grid-type ($170)
Power driver's seat recliner ($130)
Tilt/telescope steering wheel ($142)
Automatic door locks ($129)
Garage door opener ($125)
Theft deterrent system ($153)
Guidematic headlamp control ($72).
Front light monitor ($35)
Trumpet horn ($26)
Electric remote-control left mirror w/thermometer ($97)
Lighted thermometer on left mirror ($30)
Lighted vanity mirrors, pair ($112)
Electronic-tuning seek/scan AM/FM stereo radio with 8-track tape player ($195); w/8-track and CB ($480); w/cassette ($225); w/CB ($380); w/cassette and CB ($510)
Firemist paint ($201)
Door edge guards ($16-$24)
License frame: each ($1 1)
Leather seating area ($435-$595)
Carpeted rubber front floor mats ($35-$38); rear ($19)
Trunk mat ($15)
Cast aluminum wheels: NC on diesel Seville.
Locking wire wheel covers NC on Seville
Puncture-sealing tires ($105)

PREVIOUS: History of the 1979 Cadillac NEXT: History of the 1980 Cadillac Seville NEXT: History of the 1980 Cadillac DeVille NEXT: History of the 1980 Cadillac Eldorado NEXT: History of the 1980 Cadillac Fleetwood NEXT: History of the 1980 Cadillac Overview NEXT: History of the 1981 Cadillac

Sign My Guestbook

View My Guestbook

Books about Cadillac	History of LaSalle	Books on other automobiles

1977	1978	1979	1981	1982	1983

May 11, 2000; March 8/03