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When Cadillac Met Gucci: The 1979 Seville Styled to Couture Level

Cadillac Mets Gucci
Source: Gentlemans Journal

Picture this: a full-bodied 1979 Cadillac Seville, but not just any Seville—this one flaunts Gucci’s signature green-red-green stripe, gold-plated insignias, and a custom vinyl roof embossed with the iconic double-G monogram. This was luxury on steroids, created for only the boldest few.


Imagine cruising through Beverly Hills, the sun glinting off golden emblems, Gucci monogram shimmering on the doors and even headrests—this car screamed “I’ve arrived” before you even touched the ignition. It wasn’t just transportation; it was an attitude.


How the Collaboration Happened

In 1979, Cadillac offered a Gucci Edition of the Seville, reportedly limited to around 300 units, though some say fewer than 200 were produced. The transformation wasn’t done in Cadillac’s own factory—it was executed by International Automotive Design Inc. in Miami, who took stock Sevilles and turned them into high-fashion chariots.


Aldo Gucci, then head of the fashion house, pushed for the collaboration to solidify Gucci’s luxury presence in the American market.


Gucci Touches Inside and Out

The upgrades were more than skin deep. Among the standout features:

  • Gucci-striped pinstripe across the trunk and body

  • Gold-plated Gucci “G” emblems on the C-pillars, wheels, hood ornament, and fenders

  • Monogrammed vinyl roof embossed with the double-G pattern

  • Interiors draped in Gucci bullion fabric or monogram headliners, with matching armrests and headrests

  • Exclusive Gucci luggage set included in the package


The Price of Couture on Wheels

The Gucci Seville wasn’t just a visual statement—it was a financial one. Priced around $23,000 USD (about $9,000 more than a standard Seville), it even cost more than Cadillac’s own Fleetwood limousine. For late-70s America, that was a serious leap into the world of high-end fashion.


Cultural Impact & Legacy

At the time, it was one of the earliest high-profile collaborations between a luxury fashion house and an automaker—predating modern partnerships like Versace-Lamborghini or Hermès-Bugatti. It also tapped into the era’s “pimpmobile” culture, where cars became flamboyant extensions of personal style.


Today, the 1979 Cadillac Seville Gucci Edition is a unicorn in the collector’s world. Fewer than a dozen are believed to survive, making it as rare as it is flamboyant.


The Gucci Seville represents a moment when car design wasn’t just about performance or comfort—it was about making an entrance. Tacky to some, magnificent to others, it was unapologetically extra. And that’s exactly what made it unforgettable.


References:


The Uncommon Breed


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