The Cadillac Allante was the Most Expensive GM Blunder Of The 80s - and a Unique and Interesting Car

SOLD There are very few cars that can boast the story of the Cadillac Allante - a vehicle designed by Pininfarina, and built by a joint US-Italian team, utilizing Boeing 747s to fly the parts in one direction, and the semi-assembled cars back to Detroit. Known as the "Allante Air Bridge," it can certainly be viewed as the longest assembly line in history (with apologies to the Nash-Healey), and a very unique occurrence amidst large car manufacturers.
Cadillac wanted to be the standard of the world again, and take on cars like the Mercedes-Benz SL and Jaguar XJ-S, that were cutting in to its market share. The result was the Allante - a two-seat roadster built to world class standards that cost nearly twine as much as any other offering from Cadillac at the time - with a sticker of $54K, the Allante was a $120K car in 2020 dollars - a very ambitious price tag for any GM product of the 1980s.
GM hoped to sell 8000 cars a year - what would have been half of the luxury convertible market in the US. Coming up against Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and BMW, this goal is remarkably arrogant, and it's of little surprise that most sales years failed to realize half of that. While the Allante could have had the quality and engineering to compete strongly, bad decisions based on rushed production and corporate schedules sabotaged the effort - electrical demons and leaky tops plagued the first two years of production, not to mention front wheel drive and an anemic engine. By the time 1993 rolled around, and the Allante was all but sorted out, it was too late, and the project was quashed.
All of that said, the cars today represent a real value in the collector market, and very few cars with a story this interesting and statistics like the Allante's can be bought for such reasonable money. Most people have forgotten these cars, and showing up in one tends to bring interested questions and even appreciative looks - Pininfarina's design still looks fresh and lovely today. Love them or hate them, one can't deny that we'll probably never see a project as ambitious as this one from a large manufacturer anytime soon.

[@Austin86646]

Bill, you are perfect for the vast amount of people who can’t stomach watching Doug Demuro.

[@UnionPacific1997]

Is he really that bad

[@ianberry5562]

@@UnionPacific1997 the constant jerky movements and inflection to every word could definitely irritate people. Also his focus on quirks and features is polarizing

[@RobJaskula]

@@ianberry5562 He also repeats everything he says, he says everything twice.

[@straightchad8059]

@@RobJaskula what irks me most is Doog like to compare older / classics to modern cars and rates them with low marks . Can you imagine a 1994 Mercedes S-class is lower rate than a 2016 Honda accord or vw golf just because the S-class didn't have some latest buttons and features ?

[@vulekv93]

@@UnionPacific1997 Doug is a complete moron. He knows surprisingly little about cars, he will often mock a design or a feature of the car without having any idea why certain things were done. he's a simpleton.

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

I love that you are annoyed by just about everything. Just like me. These videos are like therapy for me.😀

[@lucascarreviews]

I get annoyed rlly easily also. lmao.

[@justinmoorenyc]

Oh my gosh, me too! He cracks me up! 🤣😅

[@johnhamilton8664]

@@justinmoorenyc Me too !!!!!

[@evansergio8000]

I realize I am kinda off topic but does anybody know of a good place to stream newly released tv shows online ?

[@otisbraxton4653]

@Evan Sergio Flixportal =)

[@jasem6311]

😂😂😂 the “cup holders to rest your cocaine in the 80s”!!! GOD I LOVE YOU AND I MISS THE 80s!!! 😂😂😂 God I love you!!!!!

[@driver4011]

80s the best......great music, movies , parties, more open space , cheap to live, n America was still America....oh , and the coolest cars.

[@JB-zo7ln]

@@driver4011 Very true and very well said.

[@jamesboardman8859]

The cup holders were actually located in a "secret" compartment located in the center console area, under a flap, between the lockable console storage bin, and the hidden ashtrays. You lifted the flap, and the collapsible cup holders fell forward on a hinge. You reversed the process to stow them away.

[@adamcampbell8794]

Bill is the greatest, well informed and honest to a fault. I owned a 1990 Allante for 5 years loved it. I got alot of looks and pulled over a few times. She was our weekend cruiser, we only put around 5k in 5 years of summers but she was reliable and fun to drive. I like how Bill knew some of the history of the vehicle, here's another little tidbit the Allante was the first production car with traction control.

[@Z3stySalad]

There needs to be a KZbin channel dedicated to bill having tangents on whatever the hell is on his mind. I’d subscribers a heartbeat lol

[@janickgoudeau6126]

Bill could totally have a separate channel and site for his ideas and philosophy etc. Almost like a talk radio etc.

[@tiko5876]

ZestySalad these videos are great. Hope he doesn’t stop up anytime soon.

[@TheSimonhammond]

I think Bill is pissed because he missed the Cocoon spaceship?

[@BenCreasy]

@@TheSimonhammond LOL

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

I'm with you Zesty! I'd subscribe to that channel in a second!

[@bodyloverz30]

I think the Allante is stunning to this day! To me, it is the best American car of the 80's, bar none.

[@m30bluedemon]

My grandpa died and he had a 1990 allante and its mine now

[@yamahonkawazuki]

could listen to this guy ramble for hours. its hilarious

[@sethhuber25]

Same

[@Solar55]

"The new Allan-taay !! " ... Kelly Bundy. 👍

[@blex5579]

lol, i remember taht one...

[@perryegolson833]

Best comment anywhere on KZbin!!!! LOL

[@performancegroup310]

Haha this car always reminds me of that.

[@adamhoffman6938]

The bundy bounce gave me a boner as a young lad

[@jameslandi4688]

I was a very happy owner of a '90 Allante--- drove it cross country, and put nearly 100,000 miles on it over a decade. The Boise radio was the only annoying issue. Almost purchased another one recently, but fell in love with the XLR--- with the hardtop convertible and 340 hp, it's truly a standout. Thanks Bill for these highly entertaining videos .

[@WankelRX]

XLR is stunning... Lucky man

[@SnepperStepTV]

Cadillac should have been making a Corvette all along. I love the idea of the XLR but anything after 2000 isn't made for me. Les Dunham really had his finger on the pulse when he made his Corvarado in the 1970s.

[@nickharbachewski9698]

Thank you Bill, there’s a lot of stress in the world right now and to see this interesting car and hear your ramblings helped

[@revolvingtoto007]

I have the 1987 4.1v8, with 93.800km, all orginal, still runs great after all these years 😃

[@kgbeezr75]

I truly love this guy.

[@davidnelson7149]

The Allante is a pretty car, and I think we can believe that the Italians understand pretty, at least from a design perspective.

[@TheYip12]

First off--I love your content and watch all of your videos! The corona virus jokes were hilarious!! I’m in Pittsburgh, Pa and I own a 1993 Allante in Montana Blue. It has a navy roof (so yes, not all were black....although Montana blue was a 93 year only color and GM only made 146 of them). Keep up the good work!

[@TheYip12]

....for 93, my window sticker reads $62,870....only option were the $1,195 chrome wheels (mine has it), $495 for the digital dash (mine has the analogue gauge cluster), last option was the telephone. Not sure what that costed.

[@ajnchicago1]

Yeah, joking about a deadly & rapidly spreading pandemic is hilarious.

[@TheYip12]

ajnchicago1 relax! Bill is just joking it’s not that serious!

[@Michael_Lorenson]

You nailed it, I think. The 4.5 version isn't as sexy as the Northstar, but it's less trouble by far, and it makes a proper noise. That seems like the one to have. A Northstar is almost certain to blow it's head gaskets at some point, possibly even at very low mileage, and usually long before this expensive engine should have a terminal problem. It's a head bolt weakness problem. Better bolts are available, but the process is difficult and costly. And there can be a lot of 'while we're in there' expenses involved, too.

[@timtresch4848]

Northstar reliability, performance etc aside, they make a beautifully exotic 32 Valve, Twin-cam V8 exhaust note that maintained a distinctly American v8 rumble.

[@Michael_Lorenson]

@@timtresch4848 Yes, and the head gasket problem _can_ be solved with ARP studs. So if you really want a Northstar, at least there is a reliable solution the problem.

[@MrMenefrego1]

Don't you just love auto detailers, Bill? lol... Truly a breed unto themselves.

[@terjetytland884]

I like your untypical and honest way of showing a car.

[@wileecoyote5749]

Reminds me when Al Bundy's daughter tried out to be spokesman.

[@thunderbird66613]

I remember that episode. Kelly is trying to say Alante over and over. lol

[@Lincolntowncoupe]

Allante! *_Jiggles_*

[@billace90]

Excellent video, beautiful Caddy. But Bill’s rant on the “semi-________ detailer” as funny as ever! Lol!

[@Guido.Fawkes.1]

The wealthiest guy I ever met had one of these. He owned a seafood distribution company in SoFlo. He could’ve had a much nicer car, but liked his Allante. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@aliengoth]

I had three allantes when I live in Maryland and zero now that I live in Florida I can tell you that it is one of the best Beach cars ever there is such a sense of a patient driving to the beach with the top down it is a wonderful car

[@davidnelson7149]

Good man Bill. Always enjoyable to watch your very comedic assessment, not just of cars but of life. Keep it up Old Chum. Greetings from England.

[@805NAVE]

Oh yesssss Bill doing an Allante?!! My prayers have been answered!!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Never paid attention to this model. But the next day after watching this video I saw one on the road in upstate NY! Same color, top down 😎

[@mayhem111]

Im not driving to Florida for a car but love your videos. Im just a car guy who appreciates your honesty.

[@fitfogey]

Looking back at this, Bill single handedly got us through covid lockdowns.

[@johnnywadd3020]

speek fur ur self

[@laserdisque]

I love the Allante! It is a truly gorgeous car, in my opinion, and you have a lovely example there.

[@williammarik6159]

i like that F-150 truck in the back round.

[@achmeez]

I know. Noice!!!!

[@markb3756]

Such a gorgeous car! Always wanted one.

[@adamgoodman5887]

Bill is an icon. An angry disturbed. Icon. And he’s great.

[@202tupper]

Mercedes did... (etc with the top) "but then Cadillac went and made it complex in a way that probably would have made BMW jealous..." god bless dude, love y'all and the stuff that comes when you speak

[@nickytheanimal2413]

My dad just gifted me one in white, truly a piece of art

[@fitfogey]

You gotta love working for Bill. At 4:25 his detailer comes driving up in the beater and Bill goes off. You know later on the detailer guy is gonna have words with Bill too but Bill welcomes it. Moments of levity bring Bill pain. Pissed off coworkers and general misery are sources of light for this man. We love him for that.

[@stevemurathe417]

'They set it up in a way that the average 85 year old could manage maintainence' 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@craigbarber4140]

".........if you ever had to drive to Canada, God forbid...."

[@randolfo1265]

With Florida in the condition its in right now... That drive to Canada looking pretty good

[@ephraimfink9010]

These were beautiful. Gawd Bless Cadillac

[@robertl.3074]

I absolutely love your reviews of your vehicles and your vehicles. Please keep doing this. The Cadillac Allante is amazing

[@robbywells7050]

I love this car

[@KoldingDenmark]

For quite a number of years I was a long distance customer of Moritz Cadillac in Dallas/Arlington. Their manager in Parts was very nice and supplied me with parts shipping it over to me. During one of my visits to the shop I asked if I could go for a test drive in a Allanté, as I was pretty sure I would never see one here. They let me do that. It was a nice experience. To my knowledge there is one or two in the country now. Wonder how they managed to get them in.

[@tonymaglio9376]

I'm rewinding and watching some of the older ones. All good.

[@timmarquez713]

Gorgeous car, it really is! It’s too bad it wasn’t more successful. The styling really has stood the test of time, a few minor updates and it could be a 2022 model!

[@unconbentional2044]

There was an Allante in the movie "Terminal Velocity" They dropped it out of an airplane with the girl locked in the trunk. Charlie Sheen had to jump after it and rescue her.

[@NEO_RedPill_2024]

Wow you took me back..It was the same color in the movie as well if memory serves.

[@ryansrides9714]

Great review, gorgeous Cadillac!! Thank you for showing us!!

[@PicturePerfect08]

Good video I appreciate all the history you provide. Very educational bravo

[@doug9066]

I remember these Cadillac's which I have a Matchbox version in the same color.

[@rjscott6116]

You're a lucky boy, and I wish I could trade you! Seriously, I'd love that little matchbox, to the point of buying it a case, and resting it on my book shelf, forever to be finger print, finger oil, and contamination free. Very cool 😎.

[@benscampers1818]

Lol @ the rant on the detailer 😂😂

[@jodysmith8048]

I always thought the 90's Eldorado looked very similar to the Allante

[@roberthenson8208]

Just love the commentaries, and your show!!

[@rodrigozauli6573]

Do we need to shut down the hole damn thing? Lol... loved this!

[@anthonybertone2336]

Oh God Bill needs a vacation on a private island all by him self for at least a month,just love the video, bill makes my day every time

[@lucascarreviews]

I actually also review cars, when i get back in to my reviews when it's safe, should i review a 1990 Allante?

[@Flies2FLL]

The Northstar V8 was NOTORIOUS for head gasket failures! GM used very fine threaded head studs which in time slowly pulled from the block, allowing combustion gases to get past and burn the head gaskets. There is a way to fix this problem permanently by modifying the block with Chevy LS head studs, but this is about a $5000 modification. This is the reason that you hardly see Northstar powered Cadillacs anymore, and if you do run across one for sale, often they sell for $3000 or less in perfect condition.

[@ItsaRomethingeveryday]

Our 90 Eldorado has a 4.5 That is untouched with 275k on it and it runs perfectly, Liked vid and car

[@Sixfoot8m]

Wow I found the guy who screamed "get out of my yard" when I was a kid 😂

[@bcfairlie1]

Handsome car, particularly in red

[@MrSurf2]

Hi there im in the uk but i love all of Bills video s somehow he seems to have an english sense of humour i also love his cars when i visit the states when this virus has gone im going to visit auto europa

[@alpappalardi7044]

So today i read GM is switching to making respirators . Now we are going to have bigger problems

[@irreplaceablejamnation8208]

Hopefully they're not made with Northstar parts.

[@MSX98FMDnB]

Man, I love Bill's personality.

[@jmsmikey]

Bill for President!!! Omg you are so awesome! Greetings from Las Vegas (which has recently completely shut down)

[@morgankarlsson3526]

I must say i love your videos and comments 😍 best wish from 🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪

[@bobgomez9481]

Bill's 80's cocaine comments are always classic.

[@davidschluter6639]

No mention of the optional removable hardtop. Still love the review.

[@hotroddave7597]

One year later still kool ⚡️⚡️

[@94Cobra123]

What was the bigger flop? The Allante or Chrysler’s TC by Maserati? I would say the Chrysler.

[@TheVintageApplianceEmporium]

Did JR have one of these in Dallas?

[@TheVintageApplianceEmporium]

Oh my god, just got to the bit where you said JR drove one! I knew I was right!!! :D

[@carforumwanker]

MY ride for 3 months around Savannah ! Value for money it was incredible

[@jackjohnson7396]

It was a pretty bid deal when it came out. Saw the first in a Vegas casino hall, remember looking at it around 87? Long time ago.

[@sayrerowan734]

I wouldn't be surprised if the CD player and esp the tape deck still worked. That was one beautifully maintained car for it's mileage.

[@crazytrain7114]

There is a group of guys in Bridgeport Ct that meets at the BK every Friday, among them are 2 Alante's, a TC by Maserati, a couple of LeBaron convertibles and a Toyota Previa van, completely pimped out, neon, the whole 9 yards. I hope they are still around this Summer, I gotta talk to these cats!

[@ajay-xjs]

I like it, I’m new to North America and never seen one of these before but it’s survived the passage of time very well, still looks stylish.

[@codyg4318]

Lol, you are awesome. They very first Mercedes glk video I searched on KZbin for my gf was yours. HILARIOUS 😂 😂😂

[@curtchase3730]

We finally sold our '91 CadiMac Allante early summer 2019 after owning it for nearly 13 years! Looked just like the one in video, same wheels, red, MINT shape. Purchased it by first owner for $14,000 with about 49,000 miles on it. Spent over $1800 in repairs and new Vogue Gold pinstriped Tyers. Always garaged the whole time we had it. got a whopping $4500.00 for it with 56,000 miles! They are worthless now. Was always scared to death as to what is gonna break next. It was peppy. The engine had instant R's when I stabbed the gas peddle. Got near 30MPG's. Ya, the rag top was a pain to work. Glad it's gone.

[@lancedukel3436]

Lol.😀 Cadimac.

[@bp8956]

Just spotted a nice hard top convertible in my buddies tow yard and was instantly drawn to it

[@NYWF]

I loved your review and commentary. You are a very funny man and would be great at stand-up comedy!! I have been a fan of the Allante since it was introduced in 1986 as a 1987 model. I now want to see some of your other videos- you had me laughing at your comments throughout this one!!!

[@schwarzistmeinname5559]

You speak my mind because of this stupid corona virus 🦠. Greetings from Germany Bill Stay healthy

[@drippinglass]

I hope you are safe over in Germany my friend. Greetings from USA! 😀

[@schwarzistmeinname5559]

@@drippinglass Thank you my friend! I will try my best to stay healthy. 😎 It's crazy right now. I hope you are safe and healthy as well! Greetings back to the USA! 🚘

[@keithcarlos3397]

Opinions are like........over 13,000 deaths, sure they thought it was “stupid”

[@SShysterFraudstein]

@@keithcarlos3397 13,000 obese boomers with a litany of preexisting conditions out of 7 billion people worldwide.

[@JohnDrivesAnything]

You should have way more subscribers and views then Doug Demuro. You're actually entertaining.

[@acnconstruction]

Liberace is alive and doing car reviews in Florida

[@jamesfrench7299]

Glad I watched this. The Italian influence is very evident, yet looks American on it's detailing such as the grill, taillights and steering wheel. Very clean design and reminiscent of a Maserati Quattraporte. Nice tour.

[@thethomasj1795]

I am looking to buy one of these now. They hit rock bottom about a year and a half ago and are now starting to creep up. Although, after the new normal sets in, I imagine prices will slide on them again. Anyone looking for one of these should avoid the '87 and start at '88. The sweet spot being 1989-92. People rave about the Cadillac 4.5 and 4.9 litter. They dismiss the fact that those motors are still HT series engines that started as the ill-fated HT4100 4.1 litre and grew up into one of the best motors Cadillac ever produced.

[@joey1127]

I remember in 1991/1992 when these cars were really HOT. My Dad wanted one so bad (one of his co-workers had an '88). He and my Mom went to Hubacher Cadillac in Sacramento only to find that they had a waiting list for the car you had to get on. At this point, the car was fitted with the 4.9 V8 as the Hook n' Tow 4100 & better 4.5 were now gone. He got to take the demo for a test drive and loved it...but sadly, he did not get on the list...he didn't want to wait 3 months for a car that he couldn't drive but would have to put down $1,000 up front just to be on the list (Civil Servant with a family). They ended up getting a '91 Eldorado touring coupe and that was a fun little car. Put over 200k miles on that sucker before donating it. Yes, it was VERY HIGH maintenance to say the least.

[@villet271]

I owned a red Buick Reatta which was Buick's halo car in 1990. Nice if they were taken care of. The Allante looks conservative compared to Reatta. They were rivals in 1990.

[@mdsveda]

IF it had been RWD and had a 5 speed manual it could have competed with BMW, Audi and Mercedes. Lexus got it right with the LS400

[@jeffjackson9679]

You make a good point on the engine. The Northstar was much faster, but it was unreliable (head gasket issues), and very expensive to work on compared to the pushrod 4.5 liter. And honestly, are you really going to be able to really enjoy that 300hp V8, with all that torque steer going on?

[@willisapril]

JR Ewing drove one on the later seasons of Dallas

[@crankychris2]

I rather liked this one, really it's not that bad of a car for it's time. They sell nationwide for only $5-10,000, and most have less than 75K miles (6/10/21 CarGurus). Red is the most common color, light blue metallic the rarest.

[@davidbroxterman3388]

Nice video. But, the commentator continues to state that Allante started in 1986 and that this is a 1987 model. Allante was made from 1987 through 1993. And this car in the video is obviously a 1991 or 1992 model. See the air bag in the steering wheel and the CD player? Otherwise, thanks for posting. Brought back many memories.

[@roylcraft]

I get the feeling you have a fear of BIRDS.

[@galil_6863]

I understand that people hated the car when it was new because it was overpriced, but why the hell are people still hating on it today? There's literally nothing wrong with the car other than its original MSRP...

[@LynxStarAuto]

GM managed to complicate the top in a manner to make BMW jealous 🤣

[@abo79dawood]

Nice video good night in Egypt 🕊😃🌻🌼⚘

[@805NAVE]

I just finished watching the latest Roadkill episode where they thrashed a Pink Mary Kay allante in the desert 🤣

[@askadad7355]

I have always wanted one. Still do.

[@ENDTIMEsVideoLibrary]

The Corona Virus guy with a sign comments and the cocaine holder dash door got me!!.

[@Bridging_the_Political_Divide]

Measured against cars of the time, these were a big-time car for sure. Of course when the Northstar arrived in 1993, it became a world class car. A 93 Allante is a phenomenal car.

[@BLACKOMAMBO]

Those gauge look absolutly brilliant, Hyundai should make something like that with their retro futurist cars

[@benjaminsmith2287]

It's a pretty car. Cadillac didn't do their homework to make a serious sports convertible to take on Mercedes, Jaguar, BMW and the like. But Pininfarina drew a beautiful car and at least the dashboard of this car was ambitious and interesting. Today, Cadillac builds their niche of driver's sedans. It worked because they spent time proving in on German tracks to make a true driver's chassis. Plus they have the Escalade.

[@nerdyaviator732]

This guy hates the weather like I do

[@joeleonardo5119]

every single time i hear Bill, gasp, huff and puff, complain about about anything or bitch about something, whining and moaning and cursing it absolutely cracks me up, along with sarcastic, dry humor 🤣 😂

[@IOWPCV]

Nice story thanks bill !

[@harveysmith270]

2 relatives of mine both healthy and in their 30' s died of Covid 19 just this week . Pretty sure they wouldn't have taken a relaxed view of the virus . With that said , Allante was the coolest new car I have ever owned in my life .

[@russelltullis2570]

Did they get the yearly flu shot before covid ?