Significant Cars

626 N Park Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204
5
5 out of 5 stars
3views

Used 1987 Cadillac Allante Base

58,842 miles
For Sale:$8,500

$4,000(-32%)price drop

Estimated payment:$193/mo.
$0 trade-in, 10% down payment, 48 months, Great credit score

Value ChartA visual chart indicating the fair price range is between $6,400 and $7,600, while the current price is $8,500.$6,400 - $7,600$8,500
  • Priced at $8,500, this vehicle is $900 above the high end of its fair market value of $7,600.

  • The current fair market price range is between $6,400 to $7,600.

  • It has 58,842 miles, which is 10,758 (15%) below the median mileage of 69,600.

Note: This is an estimate based on a variety of factors (experimental feature). It is intended to provide a fair market value range to help guide your buying decision.

View Full Value Report

SequenceDatePrice ChangeCurrent Price
1.2/23/2025 (a year ago)$12,500
2.6/27/2025 (9 months ago)-$4,000 (-32.0%)$8,500
  • Car
  • Convertible
  • Spacious Front Legroom
  • Condition
    Used
  • Mileage
    58,842miles
  • Generation
    1(1987 - 1993)
  • Trim
    Base
  • Drivetrain
    Front Wheel
  • Transmission
    4-Speed Automatic
  • MPG
    15 city22 highway
  • Exterior Color
    Silver Metallic
  • Interior Color
    Red
  • Upholstery
    Leather
  • Doors
    2
  • Max Seating
    2
  • Max Towing Capacity
    0lbs.
  • Final Assembly Point
    Hamtramck, Michigan
  • VIN
    1G6VR3177HU101794
  • Starting MSRP
    $54,700

Engine4.1L V8 Gasoline 170hp

  • Fuel Type:Gasoline
  • Max Horsepower:170 hp @ 4300 rpm
  • Power to Weight Ratio:20.56lbs/hp
  • Max Torque:235 ft.lbf @ 3200 rpm
  • Displacement:4.1liters
  • Block Type:V
  • Cylinders:8
  • Aspiration:Naturally Aspirated
  • Fuel Induction:Fuel Injection
  • Cam Type:OHV
  • Valves:16

Message from the seller

The Cadillac Allanté is a two-door, two-seater luxury roadster marketed by Cadillac from 1987 until 1993. It used a Cadillac chassis and running gear with a body built in Italy by coachbuilder Pininfarina. It was expensive to produce with the complete bodies flown to Detroit for final assembly. To maintain luxury market position in the 1980s, Cadillac sought an aspirational model that would combine the prestige of a European design with the renown of a European coachbuilder - to help Cadillac compete with Mercedes and Jaguar. It would become the first modern-era two-passenger Cadillac roadster, and the first to wear the Cadillac name since the Cadillac Series 355 roadster of the 1930s. Cadillac General Manager Bob Burger sent engineers in 1982 to Italy to meet with designers and coachbuilders, to explore a partnership with Cadillac. According to program manager Ed Anderson, the team identified Pininfarina as their top choice, and Cadillac chose them to design the Allanté, under the direction of Sergio Pininfarina, working with a team of designers including Mario Vernacchia. At GM, Chuck Jordan was torn because delegating the design to Pininfarina implied that GM's 3,000 internal designers were unable to pen the design. GM stylist Wayne Kady along with Vice President of Design, Irv Rybicki, fought to have the design crafted in house, Kady later saying GM leadership had decided to go with an Italian design even before Cadillac's designers began work. Burger later told the in-house designers the company was looking for a car with a designer name to it. It's like Levi's, it's that tag on the back of the jeans. All Allanté models featured a fully electronic instrument and control panel, which was angled towards the driver, without knobs or manual controls, The nameplate Allanté was selected by General Motors from 1,700 computer generated potential names.[4] Originally designed to compete with the Mercedes-Benz SL and Jaguar XJS, the Allanté initially featured a slightly modified variant of the 4.1 L V8 used across Cadillac's model line. The front-wheel drive Allanté roadster had a transverse multi-port fuel injected variant of GM's aluminum 4.1 L (250 cu in) HT-Cadillac 4100 V8, along with roller valve lifters, high-flow cylinder heads, and a tuned intake manifold. The suspension was independent strut front and rear, with Bosch ABS III four-wheel disc brakes. A removable aluminum hardtop, Delco-GM/Bose Symphony Sound System (a $905 option on other Cadillacs), the industry's first power retractable AM/FM/Cellular Telephone antenna, and a complex lamp-out module that substituted an adjacent lamp for a burned-out bulb in the exterior lighting system until the dead one could be replaced were all standard. The only option was a cellular telephone, installed in a lockable center console. The base price was $54,700 ($146,700 in 2023 dollars). This very nice Allante has been in the seller's care for roughly a decade. Used on Sunny Summer days only, the soft top was put up for the first time under his ownership for this photo shoot. Having covered only 58,000 miles from new the car is in very nice condition exhibiting minimal wear on the leather seating surfaces, the paint and brightwork are all in very good to excellent condition. This is a well cared for car that has always been garaged. Finished in the desirable and striking Sliver over Red color combination with Red side moldings, this is a very nice looking car. Complete with all accessories including an auxillary Wind Deflector, Original Owner's Manual, Tools and a Shop Manual, this Allante has it all.

  • Comfort & Seating:

    • Power Seats
  • Convenience:

    • Automatic Climate Control
  • Entertainment:

    • Premium Audio
  • Exterior:

    • Heated Mirrors

  • Air Conditioning

    • Front air conditioning: automatic climate control
    • Front air conditioning
  • Audio System

    • Premium brand: Bose
    • Cassette
    • Antenna type: power
    • Radio: AM/FM
  • Brakes

    • ABS: 4-wheel
    • Power brakes
  • Comfort Features

    • Steering wheel trim: leather
  • Convenience Features

    • Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic
    • Center console
    • Cruise control
    • Power steering
    • Memorized settings: driver seat
    • Multi-function remote: trunk release
  • Instrumentation

    • Digital instrument panel
    • Clock
    • Gauge: tachometer
  • Mirrors

    • Side mirror adjustments: power
    • Side mirrors: heated
  • Roof

    • Convertible roof: power
  • Seats

    • Front seat type: bucket
    • Upholstery: leather
    • Driver seat power adjustments
    • Passenger seat power adjustments
  • Security

    • Anti-theft system: alarm
    • Power door locks
  • Tires and Rims

    • Wheels: aluminum alloy
    • Wheel diameter: 15 inch
  • Windows

    • Window defogger: rear
    • Power windows

The 1987 Cadillac Allanté: A European-Styled American Dream

The 1987 Cadillac Allanté was a bold statement from Cadillac, aiming to blend American luxury with European performance and styling. This two-seater convertible was designed to compete with established luxury imports and offered a unique proposition in the American market.

Highlights

  • Engine: The 1987 Allanté was powered by a 4.1-liter HT4100 V8 engine. This overhead valve V8, while not the most powerful on the market, offered smooth and refined operation. It produced 170 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque, providing adequate, though not exhilarating, acceleration for a luxury grand tourer.
  • Safety Features: Cadillac equipped the Allanté with a suite of safety features for its time:
    • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): This system prevented wheel lock-up during hard braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control and reduce stopping distances on slippery surfaces.
    • Automatic Seat Belts: While not as sophisticated as modern airbags, the Allanté featured automatic seat belts that moved into place once the door was closed, aiming to enhance occupant safety.
    • Power-Assisted Steering and Brakes: These features provided a lighter and more responsive feel to the driver, contributing to overall vehicle control.
  • Trims: For 1987, the Allanté was offered as a single, well-appointed Convertible trim. This singular focus meant that nearly every desirable luxury and comfort feature was standard, emphasizing the exclusive and premium nature of the vehicle.
  • Notable Aspects:
    • European Design and Manufacturing: A significant distinguishing factor was that the Allanté's body and interior were designed and manufactured in Italy by Pininfarina, a renowned Italian design house. The completed bodies were then shipped to the United States for final assembly by Cadillac, earning it the nickname "The Global Car."
    • Retractable Soft Top: The Allanté boasted a power-operated, multi-layered cloth convertible top that, when retracted, disappeared completely into a well behind the passenger compartment, creating a clean and elegant profile.
    • Front-Wheel Drive (FWD): This was a departure from traditional rear-wheel-drive luxury sports cars, offering a different driving dynamic and packaging advantage.
    • Digital Dashboard: The interior featured a then-modern digital instrument cluster, adding to the futuristic and upscale ambiance.
    • Detachable Hardtop: A body-colored, detachable hardtop was available as an option, allowing for year-round driving comfort and a coupe-like appearance.

What to Expect

Owning a 1987 Cadillac Allanté is typically an experience focused on cruising in style and comfort. It was designed as a grand tourer, meant for relaxed, long-distance journeys rather than aggressive cornering. Expect a smooth, quiet ride with a plush interior.

Maintenance on an Allanté can be a significant consideration. As a luxury vehicle with European components, parts can be more specialized and potentially more expensive than those for mainstream American cars of the era. Finding qualified mechanics familiar with the Allanté's unique design and Pininfarina influence might also be a challenge. Regular maintenance, including fluid changes, brake inspections, and attention to the convertible top mechanism, will be crucial to keeping it in good working order. The HT4100 V8, while generally reliable, is known for its aluminum construction and can be susceptible to overheating if not properly maintained.

Insurance premiums for a classic luxury car like the Allanté can vary. While it may not have the same performance pedigree as some sports cars, its luxury status, unique design, and convertible nature can factor into insurance costs. It's advisable to get quotes from insurers specializing in classic or collector vehicles.

Potential Considerations

When considering a 1987 Cadillac Allanté, potential buyers should be aware of several factors:

  • Performance: The 4.1-liter V8, while smooth, is not particularly powerful. Acceleration is adequate for its intended purpose, but it won't impress those seeking sporty performance.
  • Handling: The front-wheel-drive platform and the focus on comfort mean that the Allanté's handling is more geared towards stability and ease of driving than sharp, agile cornering.
  • Electronics: Like many luxury cars of the 1980s, the Allanté can have complex electronic systems. Issues with the digital dashboard, climate control, or power accessories can arise over time.
  • Convertible Top Mechanism: The intricate power convertible top is a significant feature but also a potential point of failure. Ensuring it operates smoothly and without leaks is important.
  • Age and Condition: As a vehicle from the 1980s, the condition of any 1987 Allanté will heavily depend on its previous ownership and maintenance history. Rust, wear and tear on the interior, and aging rubber components are all possibilities.

Overall Summary

The 1987 Cadillac Allanté remains a distinctive and stylish American luxury convertible with a European soul. It offered a unique blend of American comfort and flair with Italian design. While its performance may not be as exhilarating as some competitors, its comfortable ride, well-appointed interior, and striking Pininfarina styling make it a desirable choice for those seeking a classic cruiser with a unique story and a touch of international sophistication. It represents a bold chapter in Cadillac's history, demonstrating their willingness to venture into new territory to capture the luxury import market.

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Listed on February 23, 2025 (a year ago)
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This Used 1987 Cadillac Allante Base is available for drivers in Indianapolis, Greenwood, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, Greenfield, Brownsburg ...