1992 Cadillac Allante Convertible

Originally designed under the code name "Callisto", the Allanté was intended to restore Cadillac to its position as a credible competitor to the Mercedes-Benz SL. Its chassis and engine were originally taken from the Cadillac Eldorado, though it also shared components with the Buick Reatta, Riviera and the Oldsmobile Toronado.

 

The body of the Allanté was designed and built in Italy by Pininfarina of Ferrari fame. The completed bodies were shipped to the USA in specially equipped Boeing 747s; at Cadillac's assembly plant in Hamtramck, Michigan the body was mated to the chassis. This led to a few interesting nicknames, such as "The Flying Italian Cadillac" and "the world's longest assembly line." Only 21,000 Allantés were built.

 

The Allanté was initially priced at US$54,000, far above the price of any other contemporary Cadillac. Today's Cadillac XLR, also a convertible roadster, at roughly $70,000 is similarly priced at the top of the Cadillac range.