| Allanté History |
| Road & Track called the Allanté “the best front-drive car in the world.” The January 2000 issue of Car Collector Magazineincludes the Allanté on the list of ten future classics, concluding that “it is a car that 20 years down the road will become one of the few American models from the late 20th century worth having been put away.”
The Allanté is arguably the most beautiful automobile ever to wear the Cadillac crest. The Allanté was made in Turin, Italy by the world-renowned automaker: Pininfarina. It was transported in special pods on Alitalia and Lufthansa Boeing 747s from Italy to Detroit. Known as the “airbridge,” it was the longest automobile assembly line in history. The Allanté was then mated to its American-made engine and transmission on its own line at the Hamtramck factory. At 99.4 inches, the Allanté has the smallest wheelbase of any Cadillac since 1908. It is a two-seat convertible with a removable hardtop. The Allanté was made for seven model years, from 1987 to 1993. While the body style remained the same, with the exception of minor modifications, the Allanté has three different engines. The 1987-1988 models has a 4.1 liter, 16 valve, 170 HP, V8; the 1989-1992 model has a 4.5 liter 16 valve, 200 HP V8; and the 1993 model has the 4.6 liter, 32 valve, 295 HP Northstar V8. All of the engines were modified from their standard Cadillac equivalent. In 1992, General Motors lost $24.2 billion, more than any other business on the planet. GM opted not to ante up the $240 million to retool the Pininfarina factory. Cadillac lost the automobile that set the design standard for its entire line. After more than ten years since its introduction, Allanté owners are still asked about their new Cadillac, proving the classic styling of Pininfarina is timeless.
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