Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertibles, Sedans/Saloons, Cadillac
Cadillac CTS convertible: American coachbuilding at its finest
While Cadillac busies itself with a 2-door version of the new CTS sedan, the folks over at Coach Builders, Ltd have been busy taking their tops off. The boulevardier CTS gets an insulated, hydraulically-powered roof fitted with a heated glass rear window and cloth headliner. The top also comes in several colors. Judging by this pic, it also looks like a fair bit of work has gone into making the car look good with the top down. No word on what happens to trunk space, however.
It'll cost you more than a few quarters -- $19,000 gets the job done in eight weeks -- but that's the price of exclusivity, right? It's also employs a manual release, but these things happen when you're a style pioneer. We'd like to see pics of the car with the top up, because we wonder if this could be the first cloth-topped Caddy truly fit for the younger set.
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
dwightB 10:32AM (4/29/2008)
Looks GREAT! At least in that one pic. :)
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Franz 11:54AM (4/29/2008)
Nice. I love the idea of a four door convertible. Remember the ASC Helios from a few years back? (Chrysler 300C drop top concept) I still can't believe they haven't made that car yet. I would buy one in a heartbeat.
Helios concept: http://www.autoblog.com/2005/04/11/chrysler-really-really-wants-to-keep-making-money-off-the-300c/
Sam 12:35PM (4/29/2008)
I think im falling back in love with american car companies, this and the zr1, just show the beauty in the american car.
bye bye mercedes and bmw...
Flashpoint 2:36PM (4/29/2008)
The 4 dorr CTS coupe will fair better than the Helios for the simple fact that its a shorter car with a strong frame. It will probably be like the Sebring convertible.
Problem with long cars like the 300 is the torsion forces can damage the body via twisting. The 300 can't simply be chopped down because its body requires its top to help hold it together.
henrykrinkle 10:33AM (4/29/2008)
Nice. But the wheels suck.
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Red 10:40AM (4/29/2008)
I was thinking the same thing. Those horrible chromies are fighting to ruin the entire idea. Minus those and this is pretty nice.
Mr. Oak 10:44AM (4/29/2008)
I am curious to know what was done to reinforce the structure. Four door convertibles are a rarity for a reason. The weight of the back door, and what to support it with. A very clean conversion from where I sit, but I would need to see what's under it's skin.
...and those wheels does suck.
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AZMike 10:50AM (4/29/2008)
if anyone has ever seen a Coachbuilders LTD. conversion, they are absolutely top quality; much nicer than what any auto manufacturer does.
I've driven the DTS convertible, both the roll-bar and non-roll bar version. even on bumpy roads or railroad tracks, there is no cowl shake with either version. this is really surprising, considering the size of the car.
Coachbuilders LTD. built many Eldorado convertibles from 1992-2002. besides being gorgeous, it's amazing to see how high their resale values are.
AZMike
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kris 11:00AM (4/29/2008)
$19,000 doesn't sound that bad at all, actually. Considering these tuner cars that show up for an extra $65K and drop 2 tenths from a 0-60mph time, $19,000 for a chop job seems fine. Youth steers me away from a 4-dr convertible, though. I'll wait until the coachbuilders chop the roof of the CTS Coupe, already a beauty.
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erich 11:02AM (4/29/2008)
Death trap......
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TriShield 11:04AM (4/29/2008)
Isn't this the same outfit that made the 300C into a convertible as well?
I remember how utterly striking that car was and wished Chrysler could have produced it. I have no doubt they would have sold very well.
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JJ 11:12AM (4/29/2008)
Wow...does everyone who works in the Aftermarket industry these days love ugly chrome wheels or something?
I remember when people used to have style when it came to chrome wheels....for a 19k job, they could of at least ponied up for some nice Chip Foose wheels or something.
I have a soft spot for the Nitrous Foose Wheels...
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jamie 11:38AM (4/29/2008)
I can see myself going topless in one of those.
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The Other Bob 12:18PM (4/29/2008)
Dang.
Yar 12:26PM (4/29/2008)
I bet you're a man.
jg 11:40AM (4/29/2008)
I've never seen a four door convertible without a carload of SS officers in it.
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010111 9:42AM (4/30/2008)
what about JFK?
Justin 3:03PM (4/30/2008)
"what about JFK?"
And we all see how THAT turned out.
Torrent 12:24PM (4/29/2008)
If this goes into production (which I doubt) I'd buy like 2. And I want the 4 door, not the 2 door, although both choices would be nice.
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MattKelly 2:16PM (4/29/2008)
Now THAT is a hot car. And I like the four door version as well.
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