1976 Cadillac Seville Custom - Sold at $7,500

430hp, 454 cu. in. Chevrolet LS6 V8 engine, Turbo 400 transmission. Wheelbase: 114.3"

In recent years, the sports sedan has enjoyed a strong revival as performance-minded buyers desire the very best in sports car and GT performance, handling, and looks with the practicality and drivability of a four-door car. Arguably, the predecessor to this unique automotive category is the Jaguar Mk II of the 1960s succeeded by such powerhouses as the BMW M5 of the mid to late 1980s. But, in the 1980s, while the European car companies and aftermarket tuners were busy turning grocery-getters into sports sedans, Cadillac's attention was, not unexpectedly, focused elsewhere ' on luxury in the American style.

The MacPherson Collection's 1976 Seville shattered the concurrent Cadillac mold. Built in 1983, it marked the first collaboration between Mr. MacPherson and the father and son team of Art and Mike Chrisman. In the early 1980s, as the sports sedan craze was beginning to gain momentum, Mr. MacPherson wanted to have a Seville built as a personal daily driver. So, Art built the 430-horsepower LS6 V8 motor, lowering the compression to 9:1 so it would run on regular pump gas, and installed it in the car. After driving and enjoying the car for a while, MacPherson brought it back to receive the full 'treatment'.

In keeping with the monochromatic, lowered European look that was becoming popular at the time, the Seville was built to meet this emerging trend. Steve Davis performed the metalwork and the Chrismans lowered the suspension. Mike then painted the car a custom mix of maroon lacquer by Stan Betz at Betz Speed and Color and blacked out the grille and bumpers. The car is complemented by a set of sporty alloy three-piece custom wheels by Gotti. What's more, the interior was upholstered in tan leather by Thornton's Auto Upholstery in Santa Ana and received a matching leather-trimmed Nardi steering wheel.

Specs & Details:

Auction Date: 14 June 2008
Sold For: $7,500
# Bids: 1
Engine: 8
Transmission: auto