Hmm…what can’t we say about this? The 70s just wouldn’t die, and influenced this 1983 model year beauty, which is way beyond the usual convertible conversion. The front overhang is genuinely epic
An ad for a an aftermarket, custom convertible with no photos of the top down and no mention of it working? Shouldn’t be a problem…
Click for Craigslist ad, while it lasts
Apparently, more than one of these was built, as Hemmings featured one a while back – not sure how we missed that one.
Yet again, interiors are just too expensive to modify. Or, was the message that the 1983 Cadillac Eldorado was perfect? Grant GT steering wheel is a bit offensive here, but the Hemmings one appears to have a similar wheel – maybe that was the interior upgrade package?
Engine compartment is surprisingly clean.
Ad text with keywords left in for effect (long live the 909):
Only a Master Can Create… a Masterpiece
-Pierre Cardin
This is a 1983 Cadillac Evolution 1 Convertible designed by Pierre Cardin. It was ordered by GM in 1983 and built by American Custom Coachworks (ACC) of Beverly Hills. ACC built the convertible top based on a Hess & Eisenhardt design/specification at the same time the body was being rebuilt as an Evolution 1. This car is the only Evolution 1 convertible ever built that seats 4 passengers as far as I know. I also believe this car is the last Evolution 1 built since most of the Evolution 1s were built between 1980-1982. This car was built before the “official” Cadillac Eldorado Convertible came out in 1984.
GM ordered this car and kept it as a display vehicle from 1983 until 1986. It was sold to the first owner here in Downey, California (near Los Angeles) in 1986. The second owner purchased it around 1987 and currently stores it indoors in Colton, California (near Riverside). A new buyer would be the third owner. I’m not counting GM as the first owner because they were the original vehicle manufacturer and didn’t “sell” it until 1986. The California Title list this vehicle as being sold “new” in 1986.
This car has been well maintained its entire life. It runs and drives like it’s brand new. It’s perfect. It passes California Smog as required every two years. The mileage is 49, 804.
This car has never been in bad weather… snow, ice, salt, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, monsoons, etc. Look at the photos.
The Pierre Cardin Evolution 1 was supposed to be limited to a production run of 300 according to the official sales brochure. Each one was supposed to be “numbered” and “signed” (whatever signed means). A few internet sites claim that, in reality, about 100 were actually produced during 1981-1982. This 1983 Evolution 1 is not numbered or signed as far as I know.
Every Evolution 1 I’ve ever seen is a Coupe. This is the only 4-passenger Evolution 1 Convertible I know of. I’ve heard about a 1980 Evolution 1 that was a 2-passenger Convertible, but I don’t know if that exists for sure or not. One website claims only 4 Pierre Cardin Convertibles were ever built.
This Evolution 1 has the Pierre Cardin Optional Chrome Spoke Wheels.
1983 Cadillac (Eldorado) Pierre Cardin Evolution 1
California Car, Sold New in 1986.
Richard Holmes (909)XXX-XXXX.
keywords: 93 94 95 96 LT1 RWD Batteries, Switches, 13″ Daytons, Lowrider, Cadillac Kings, pimp, bitch, slut, hoe, whore, skank, prostitute, tramp, tramp stamp, and low-rise jeans. Not Buick Roadmaster, Estate Wagon or Chevrolet Caprice.