A Nova by any other name?

ELR, Cadillac’s forthcoming ERV (extended range vehicle) or PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), will retail for a whopping $76,000. Not really all that much for a Cadillac encroaching on Tesla’s territory but one must question if it will be worthy of carrying the mantle of the marque known as “The Standard of the World.”  Truth be known, the ELR is a slick version of Chevy’s Volt at twice the price.  It’s built in the same factory from the same basic parts as the Volt but, somehow, it’s a Cadillac. That’s mainly because GM says it is and, on a certain level, the price proves the assertion.

A Chevrolet masquerading as a Cadillac is not a new phenomenon.  Back in 1975, Cadillac designers and engineers transformed the lowly Chevy Nova into the lordly Cadillac Seville. Yes, the original Seville, angular challenger to Mercedes Benz’s ongoing luxury car blitzkreig is, at its heart, a Nova with a 350 V8, borrowed from Oldsmobile.  The compact — at least by mid-1970s standards — Seville was built on a modified X-body platform on which the Chevy Nova was based.  Yet, Seville was accepted on its own merits.  It was introduced in the wake of the ’73 – ’74 oil embargo and its smaller size conveyed the impression that it was more economical than its bigger Caddy brethren. This was despite the fact that it was priced higher ($12,500 in 1975 dollars = $54,260 in 2013 dollars) than any of them, save the Fleetwood limousine.

Charge more and get less was a winning formula for the “internationally-sized” Seville, a smashing sales success.  First generation Sevilles, before they were subjected to “bustle back” styling, are still appealing in a very upright, formal way,  offering a crisp, dignified presentation from any angle, all of which, except the wheel arches, are right angles.  In essence,  it’s a rectangle on top of a rectangle but is elegant in its own rectitude.

Damn the aerodynamics!

We encountered two well preserved Sevilles, one rendered in “Amberlite Firemist” (gold) and the other “Firethorn Metallic” (maroon), at rest and in motion.  Underneath the gloss and tufting lurk two Novas but these Chevys have been convincingly transformed, Cinderella-style, into belles of the ball.

Padded roof? Check. Opera lights? Check. 1970s “eleganza” accessories present and accounted for!

It remains to be seen if the ELR will ever be able to shake its humble Volt origins but history says it’s a distinct possibility.

This promo film from the King Rose archive tells the whole story in 7 minutes with nary a mention of Nova underpinnings but “epoxy encapsulated bolts” are certainly highlighted.

Seville’s dignified design is timeless so adding one to your fleet, such as this 1976 with only 40,000 miles, is certainly worthy of serious consideration.

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