Cadillac has held a special place in American hearts over the decades. While the modern-day models don’t bring in a lot of sales, the Cadillac of yore was different. Like other manufacturers, Cadillac is branching out and adapting to the times. EVs like the Cadillac Celestiq show the brand’s patch forward while models like the Blackwing series show the luxury brand knows performance. In fact, Cadillac, which once was known for making luxury, old-men’s barges, currently, makes some of the most driver-centric vehicles, a case in point being the CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing, both of which you can get with a manual.
Moreover, Cadillac has shown us many revolutionary concepts like the Ciel, Sxteen, and XP-840 Eldorado Fastback, and while those never made it to production, they testify to the brand’s outside-the-box approach to automobiles. From the garage to the track, and everywhere in between, Cadillac has a make and model for just about any need that comes to mind. Let’s take a look at a few of them that have been lost with time.
Updated November 15, 2023: We delved deeper into the brand’s heritage to give you even more obscure models from the Cadillac brand, some of which you may not have heard of.
We gathered performance data from the Automobile Catalog to provide accurate 0-60, top speed, and engine output figures for all models. For the rarer and more obscure models, we gathered whatever data we could find from various other sources, among which HowStuff Works (for Cadillac NART Zagato). Models in this list have been arranged based on production numbers, going from mass-produced to rare one-off builds and concept cars.
15 2014-2019 Cadillac ATS-L
Production: Mass-produced
Right now you’re probably thinking that you have seen this car before, but it’s unlikely unless you lived in China in the early 2000s. The reason you recognize it is that the L model is simply the long-wheelbase version of the ATS. It was only marketed in China, making it a bit of a rarity to see here in the States. The ATS-L had a starting price of 270,000 Chinese Yuan – that’s about $37,950 as per the current exchange rates at the time of penning this. Chinese customers love legroom as it symbolizes status, which explains why long-wheelbase models of compact cars are offered on the Chinese market.
2014 Cadillac ATS-L Specifications
Engine
2.0-liter DOHC inline-4
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Power
279 horsepower
Torque
295 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
0-60 MPH
5.7 seconds
(Sourced from Automobile Catalog)
The ATS-L is 85 mm (3.3 inches) longer than the standard Cadillac ATS. The ATS-L is, by no means, an exclusive model. It just isn’t available in the US or anywhere else that isn’t China for that matter. Cadillac intended for the ATS-L to be a mass-produced model, but it is unknown how many are made.
14 1996-2001 Cadillac Catera
Production: Around 95,000 Units
Some things are best left forgotten, but that certainly doesn’t apply to the Cadillac Catera. Built in by former GM subsidiary Opel, in Russelsheim, Germany, the Catera is, essentially, a German car sold as an American one. Consumer reviews on cars.com praise the car for being well-built and at an affordable price. With a front engine and rear-wheel-drive setup, the Catera was a bit more fun to drive than some of Cadillac’s other offerings at the time.
1996 Cadillac Catera Specifications
Engine
3.0-liter, DOHC V-6
Transmission
4-speed automatic
Power
200 horsepower
Torque
192 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
0-60 MPH
8.1 seconds
(Sourced from Automobile Catalog)
In Europe, the car was sold as the Opel Omega B (Vauxhall Omega in the UK). The most powerful engine you could get in the US was a 3.0-liter, L61 V-6, which was, exclusively mated to a four-speed automatic. The 54-degree engine produced 200 horsepower and was also put in the European models, under the X30XE internal code. What Catera lacks in performance, it more than makes up with dependability as many of these are still in service. At the same time, Catera’s engine bay is big enough for an LS7, in case you wonder.
13 2011-2013 CTS-V Wagon
Production: 7,000 Units
Much like other extreme wagons, such as the Dodge Magnum, the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon was a great vehicle for people who wanted to feel like getaway drivers while grabbing groceries. Unfortunately, this was a very small group of people and only a few thousand CTS-Vs made it into production from 2011 to 2013, despite having some impressive stats under the hood. It was quickly discontinued and never to be heard from again.
2010-2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon Specifications
Engine
86.2-liter supercharged OHV V-8
Transmission
6-speed automatic/ 6-speed manual
Power
556 horsepower
Torque
551 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
0-60 MPH
3.8 seconds
(Sourced from Automobile Catalog)
The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon was a sophisticated Muscle car that could rival supercars in a straight line while being a family-friendly alternative to having more than one vehicle. It was also offered with a manual transmission, although most owners went for the automatic.
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12 2014-2016 Cadillac ELR
Production: Less Than 3,000 Units
Not all Cadillacs were equally worthy of wearing the luxury carmaker’s badge, and the ELR is certainly one of the more questionable models. The brand’s first, luxury, Plug-in Hybrid nailed it in the design department, but not much else. The fact it shared a platform with the Chevrolet Volt did not aid its goal to take the luxury PHEV segment by storm. In the end, just 3,000 units were built.
2014 Cadillac ELR Specifications
Engine
1.4-liter inline-4 generator + 1 e-Motor
Transmission
CVT
Power
86 horsepower (generator)/ 207-233 horsepower (e-Motor)
Torque
295-373 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, FWD
0-60 MPH
7.8-6.4 seconds
(Sourced from Automobiel Catalog)
Cadillacs are, often, characterized by their big, torquey engines, but this one featured a 1.4-liter EcoFlex generator and an e-axle mated to a CVT. Performance was mediocre with 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) happening in 7.8 seconds. The last nail in the coffin of the Cadillac ELR was the $75,000 sticker price. Luckily, Cadillac’s more recent endeavors in electrification are much more in tune with the brand’s image.
11 2002 Cadillac Eldorado Collector Series
Production: 1,596 Units
The Cadillac Eldorado’s 12th generation was the last model we would ever see from the Eldorado. The 2002 Cadillac Eldorado Collector Series was a rare version of the generation that came with a signature look, a few upgrades, and even a unique number imprinted on the dash to tell you which of the only 1,596 you owned. For all its exclusivity, the Eldorado ETC Collector Series wasn’t anything truly special.
2002 Cadillac Eldorado Colelctor Series Specifications
Engine
4.6-liter DOHC V-8
Transmission
4-speed automatic
Power
300 horsepower
Torque
295 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, FWD
0-60 MPH
6.6 seconds
(Sourced from Automobile Catalog)
Like its more mass-produced versions, it came with the “wrong-wheel drive” and a “slushbox”. The Northstar V-8 would prove a solid platform (in its later versions), but this fact was appreciated, years after the car dropped out of production.
10 1938-1940 Series 90 Fleetwood Limousine
Production: 500 Units
This list would be complete without at least one limo, which Cadillac has always competed in the market for. Many “Caddy” models have been turned into limos and are well-known treasures we all have fond memories of – be it prom or a bachelor party. However, the 1938 Series 90 Fleetwood Limousine is so old at this point that it’s easy to forget about as time marches on. The engine is one of the most striking features as it was a 431 cubic-inch V-16, with a very unconventional, 135-degree V-angle.
1938 Cadillac Series 90 Fleetwood Specifications
Engine
7.1-liter OHV V-16
Transmission
3-speed manual
Power
185 horsepower
Torque
N/A
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
0-60 MPH
N/A
(Sourced from Automobile Catalog)
The engine produced peak power at just 3,600 RPM. As a proper Cadillac limousine, the Series 90 Fleetwood was a heavy beast. Depending on what body you chose, it tipped the scales at 5,200 to 5,700 pounds. Let’s enjoy this old boat for it is one of the first limos ever made and a fine example of one. Kinda makes one want to watch Downton Abby
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9 1957 Eldorado Brougham
Production: 400 Units
Magnificent behemoths like the 1957 Eldorado Brougham were forgotten to time for a good reason. The car was one of the most extravagant and expensive cars ever made – obviously aimed at Cadillac’s richer clientele. As a collector’s item, it is rare and hard to find, and only 400 units were made. The Brougham was big, roomy, and loaded with interior features that were groundbreaking at the time. The Brougham name, itself, was reserved for the more upscale versions of Cadillac’s lineup.
1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Specifications
Engine
6.0-liter OHV V-8
Transmission
4-speed automatic
Power
325 horsepower
Torque
400 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
0-60 MPH
10.6 seconds
(Sourced from Automobile Catalog)
While the ’57 Eldorado Brougham is all about luxury, it still packed a proper punch under the hood, thanks to a 365 cubic-inch V-8. Another novelty for the time was the four-speed automatic, in times when almost everyone still used three-speed systems. We wouldn’t see another Brougham like it until the 1965 Cadillac Sixty Special – a more well-known Brougham that is still collected today.
8 1975-1976 Mirage
Production: 240 Units
The Cadillac Mirage was basically a DeVille with a bed in the back, similar to the Ford Ranchero or the Chevy El Camino. If you like those, then you will absolutely love the Cadillac version. It makes a trip to the hardware store for some lumber a breeze. The inside was like that of a small hotel room, and it even came with a golf bag door. The basis for the Mirage was a fourth-generation Cadillac DeVille Coupe.
1975 Cadillac Mirage Specifications
Engine
8.2-liter OHV V-8
Transmission
3-speed automatic
Power
210 horsepower
Torque
360 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
0-60 MPH
~10.5 seconds
(Sourced from Automobile Catalog – 1976 DeVille Hardtop Coupe used as reference)
Being a smog-era car, the Mirage’s 500 cubic-inch V-8 didn’t make a ton of power, but it made up for it with plenty of low-end torque. The Mirage was built from 1957 to 1976 and can, easily, be considered the forebear of luxury pick-up trucks.
7 1953 Series 62 Ghia Coupe
Production: 2 Units
Only two Ghia Cadillacs were ever made, and they are some of the rarest cars on the planet. One of them sold for $1,430,000 in 2016. It pops up occasionally at various auto shows and is always a hit with Cadillac fans. The other one is a mystery – no one is quite sure where it is.
1953 Cadillac Ghia Coupe Specifications
Engine
5.4-liter OHV V-8
Transmission
4-speed automatic
Power
210 horsepower
Torque
330 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
0-60 MPH
12.6 seconds
(Sourced from Automobile Catalog)
As Leslie Kendall from the Petersen Automotive Museum explained, in front of Petrolicious, the dark-red example was originally a white car while the second example was blue, with minor differences. The basis for this exquisite coupe is a Series 62 Cadillac Eldorado. Count yourself lucky if you ever get the chance to lay eyes on this obscure Cadillac!
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6 1950 Cadillac Series 61 Le Mans “Le Monstre”
Production: 1 Unit
This ugly creature was Cadillac’s attempt at making a car that could win the Le Mans while paying zero attention to how it looked. The Le Monstre’s job was to reduce the car’s weight as well as drag from the wind. It was permitted to race thanks to the rules allowing car bodies to be changed as long as the engine and frame design remained unchanged. However, the car didn’t do so well during the race thanks to driver error.
1950 Cadillac “Le Monstre” Specifications
Engine
5.4-liter OHV V-8
Transmission
3-speed manual
Power
160-250 horsepower
Torque
400 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
0-60 MPH
(Sourced from Automobile Catalog)
Briggs Cunningham was behind the wheel at the time, and he refused to bring a shovel with him in the car as a precaution. He would soon regret this decision after getting stuck in a sand trap where he had to dig the car out with his bare hands. He also lost the use of the car’s highest gear which left it unable to show its true potential. He did finish the race, however, but the car was never used again.
5 1965 Cadillac XP-840 Eldorado Fastback
Production: 1 Concept Car
Cadillac’s unconventional designs date back to the Muscle car era in the 1960s. There were a few concepts that never went beyond the development stage, and one of the more ground-breaking ones was the 1965 Cadillac XP-840 Eldorado Fastback. Even today, the XP-840 looks like a spaceship with a design worthy of the Batmobile. This is especially true considering the retractable canopy, which was how you gained access.
1965 Cadillac XP-840 Eldorado Fastback Specifications
Engine
12.8-14.0-liter, OHV V-16
Transmission
3-speed automatic
Power
N/A
Torque
N.A
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
0-60 MPH
N/A
(Sourced from Automotive Heritage)
The lack of a rear window was offset by a rear-facing TV camera. The front section of the XP-840 was unusually long as it was meant to house a V-16 engine, believed to have been developed by merging two V-8 engines. The sole prototype is out there somewhere and while it never made it to production, many of its design features were incorporated in future models.
4 1970 NART Zagato
Production: 1 Prototype
Here we have a Cadillac that was designed by a legendary racecar driver – Luigi Chinetti. He had been racing Ferraris for years and wanted to create his own car. What we got was the 1970 NART Zagato. The project started in 1969, with General Motors supplying the chassis and 500 cubic-inch V-8 engine. NART stands for North American Racing Team.
1970 Cadillac NART Zagato Specifications
Engine
8.2-liter OHV V-8
Transmission
4-speed automatic
Power
400 horsepower
Torque
550 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
0-60 MPH
~7.0 seconds
(Sourced from Automobile Catalog – 1970 Eldorado Hardtop Coupe used as reference)
According to an old article from Brussels Oldtimers, Chinetti came up with the exterior design himself and commissioned Zagato to make a full-scale body out of aluminum. Unfortunately, Cadillac decided not to move past the concept phase and this car was buried before it could take its place in history. It popped up in an online auction back in 2015 and has not been heard from since.
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3 2002 Cadillac Cien
Production: 1 Concept Car
By all accounts, Cadillac Cien was one of the American concepts that never made it to production but should have. A mid-engine supercar from Cadillac that rivaled the likes of Ferrari and McLaren would have stirred up the segment, no doubt, and the Cien introduced some engineering decisions that are innovative even by today’s standards. For starters, the F22 Raptor-inspired design was an aerogel composite, which is also used for the monocoque chassis. Aside from the active aero, the 7.5-liter twin-turbo V-12 features cylinder deactivation to save on fuel when you don’t need the full power.
2002 Cadillac Cien Specifications
Engine
7.5-liter, DOHC V-12
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Power
750 horsepower
Torque
650 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Mid-engine, RWD
0-60 MPH
3.5 seconds
(Sourced from Cadillac)
The concept also featured a single-clutch, paddle-shift automatic and tipped the scales at just 3,307 pounds (1,500 kg). The lack of development funds was the only thing that stopped the Cien from entering production, leaving the Cien as a one-off prototype. It would have had an MSRP of around $200,000.
2 2003 Cadillac Sixteen
Production: 1 Prototype
When you think of a Cadillac, you probably think of a big, luxurious, stylish behemoth with a massive engine. In this regard, the 2003 Cadillac Sixteen was the perfect embodiment of the brand – a reminder that the brand can still work its magic in the luxury department. The Sixteen is a modern-day homage to the 1930 Cadillac V-16 but has more of everything. The new iteration weighed a whopping 5,005 pounds (2,770 kg), which is more than even the Rolls-Royce Phantom. The V-16 engine was equally substantial at 13.6 liters but also featured cylinder deactivation.
2014 Cadillac ELR Specifications
Engine
13.6-liter V-16
Transmission
4-speed automatic
Power
1,000 horsepower
Torque
1,000 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
0-60 MPH
3.5 seconds
(Sourced from Automobiel Catalog)
In true Cadillac fashion, vast amounts of leather and wood graced the interior. A fully-functioning car was built and featured in movies like the 2006 Click and 2011 Real Steel. Top Gear’s James May tested 2003 Sixteen, saying “This is exactly what a Cadillac should be”, and should be put into production. Sadly, Cadillac did not listen, and the 2003 Cadillac Sixteen was added to one of the best American concept cars that deserved to be mass-produced.
1 Cadillac Ciel
Production: 1 Concept Car
The Ciel was a very cool Cadillac that fell into obscurity before it even had a chance. It had a lot of interesting features beyond just being a four-door convertible with suicide doors and a neat look. It was also a hybrid. It had a nice twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter direct injection V6 that was able to dish out 425 hp as well as a hybrid system using lithium-ion battery technology. The Ciel, and its sister car – the Cadillac Elmiraj – were both designed by Niki Smart, a well-known British car designer.
2011 Cadillac Ciel Specifications
Engine
3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6 + 1 e-Motor
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Power
425 horsepower
Torque
N/A
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
0-60 MPH
N/A
(Sourced from Automobile Catalog)
Sadly, despite being loved at the show, they did not make it into production. The Ciel could usher the return of four-door convertibles, although its predecessors suffered from an inherent chassis flex issue. On the plus side, the Cadillac Ciel did get a spot in the Entourage movie.