Italian-American: 1993 Cadillac Allanté
The Cadillac Allante (Allanté) was an attempt by an American company to cash in on the allure of the European import; think Chrysler TC by Maserati or AMC Eagle Premier — but subtract total abject failure. Okay, that isn’t entirely true, the early HT V8 powered Allante (1987-1992) was a total pile of crap, but if you wait for a 1993 model with the Northstar V8 you might just find it an enjoyable experience. Find this 1993 Cadillac Allanté here on eBay
bidding for $3,000 reserve-not-met with 3 days to go, located in Rockville, MN.
The Allanté was known as the vehicle with the longest production line in the world, with its Pininfarina designed body assembled by Italians in Cambiano, Italy and then shipped airfreight (I can hear the bean counters at GM losing their shirts over this) to Detroit where an American V8 was shoved up front and the interior covered in cow skin.
This 1993 Allanté is powered by the Northstar V8 – a 32
Valve all-aluminum dual overhead cam 4.6 liter tour-de-force that pumped
out 295 horsepower and 290 ft-lbs of torque. Performance was decent for 1993, with 60mph dispatched in 6.4 seconds, but this wasn’t a drag strip queen, it was a boulevard cruiser with a soft top.
Get one of the 4,670 Northstar powered Allantés before it becomes a classic. tips@dailyturismo.com
I just remember Kelly Bundy on Married with Children bouncing around as she introduced "the neeewwww Allanteeee".
All is good until the electronic dashboard goes south…..don't as how iknow.
All is good until the electronic dashboard goes south…..don't as how iknow.
I'm sure there will be dissenters but I thought the North Star was considered a POS..
Yes and no. Depends on several things.
Mainly no, especially in this car. Much like the Fiero, they killed it when they had finally gotten it mostly right.
Re: early northstars. 2 guys in the local pcar club have these, a 92 and a 93. Apperently the 92 motor is good but the 93 northstar suffers chronic head BOLT and subsequent head gasket failure regularly. GM used fine thread bolts instead of studs. Hard runs will pull the bolts out requiring an engine out timesert repair. If you are proactive, and install a aftermarket stud kit, it is still an engine out repair. Either way, expensive. The non working convertible motors is also very expensive. The dealers says he has driven it for two years, then why hasn't he popped for the $30 relay?? Buyer beware. Now saying all that, they are very capable cruisers. Wanting a off the beaten path convertible, here ya go.
The car that killed the Fiat Spider.
Ive had nothing but good luck with the 4.9, they have similar characteristics of a small block. Torque, decent mileage, and dead reliable. Even when leaking oil everywhere they seem to run forever.