Before The Celestiq, These Were The Most Expensive Cadillacs Ever Built

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In lawsuit you hadn't heard, Cadillac's latest flagship exemplary is called nan Celestiq, and it has a starting value of $340,000. For nan costs of a humble house, buyers get a hand-built EV that offers opulent luxury and ultra-modern technology, which includes a 655-horsepower dual-motor setup that's tin of rocketing nan fastback from zero to 60 miles per hr successful little than 4 seconds. 

In summation to its atmospheric MSRP, nan accumulation process of nan Cadillac Celestiq is besides very different from immoderate different conveyance successful nan automaker's portfolio. This allows customers to outfit their Celestiq pinch bespoke personalization. One specified action is nan unsocial sourcing of materials. For instance, customers tin incorporated wood from a character successful their very ain yard.  

After getting complete nan lavish touches, nan eye-watering value tag sewage america wondering which Cadillac models were astir costly earlier nan Celestiq deed nan scene. To reply this question, we decided to return a look astatine nan astir costly exemplary of each decade since nan 1950s. To clarify, we're talking original MSRPs, not auction prices. 

Back successful nan precocious 1950s, Cadillac reportedly mislaid money connected each Eldorado Brougham it sold. This includes nan 1959 model, which had a value tag of complete $13,000, making it nan astir costly Cadi of nan decade adjacent to nan '57 and '58 models. For reference, nan second-most costly Cadillac successful 1959 was nan Fleetwood 75 limousine, which had an original MSRP of conscionable nether $10,000.

The 1959 Eldorado Brougham had an moreover higher costs of accumulation owed to nan truth that these cars had been shipped overseas to Pininfarina successful Italy for hand-crafted assemblage work. With nan Italian craftsmanship completed, nan cars were past shipped backmost to nan states. It's nary wonder, then, that only 99 units were produced for 1959.

If we were moving disconnected of caller transaction prices alternatively than original MSRPs, these old-school Brougham sedans would apt still make nan list. Earlier this year, a '58 exemplary crossed nan artifact for complete $190,000. That said, it apt would've been outshone by nan Biarritz two-door convertible. According to Hagerty, a 1959 Brougham is weighted astatine astir $165,000 versus $278,000 for a Biarritz of nan aforesaid year, contempt nan truth that nan erstwhile is overmuch much exclusive. 

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As we mentioned, the Fleetwood 75 nameplate held nan position for nan second-most costly Cadillac successful nan '50s. As we move into nan '60s, nan Fleetwood moves to nan apical of nan database of astir costly Cadi models successful a decade. Well, benignant of. 

In 1969, nan guidelines value of a Fleetwood 75 limousine was a hairsbreadth nether $11,000. That overmuch coin provided occupants pinch a luxuriously comfortable cabin, courtesy of features for illustration automatic aerial conditioning and a self-leveling suspension system. 

Technically, nan aforementioned Eldorado Brougham was still nan astir costly Cadillac successful nan 1960s pinch its sticker value of $13,075. However, only 101 of those were sold earlier nan nameplate was put to bed. As such, we figured nan Fleetwood deserved immoderate nickname since it held nan title for nine-tenths of nan decade. That's not to return distant from nan Eldorado, which was regarded arsenic nan top-of-the-line exemplary for folks who didn't person chauffeurs.

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Ah, nan '70s. The golden era of American muscle whitethorn person been coming to a close, but nan Fleetwood 75 limo was continuing its reign arsenic nan astir costly exemplary successful Cadillac's portfolio. 

Initially, we thought nan Eldorado would return this decade, particularly aft a celebrated YouTube video led america to judge that it was nan astir costly Cadillac backmost successful 1977. Although nan Eldorado Biarritz was considered to beryllium nan luxury automaker's flagship model, its sticker value of astir $13,000 successful 1977 was little than nan value of a Fleetwood 75 limousine of nan aforesaid year, which was astir $18,500. This was still existent successful '79 moreover though nan Eldorado's MSRP grew to almost $17,500 erstwhile equipped pinch nan Biarritz leather package, arsenic nan Fleetwood 75 limo's value swelled to complete $22,500. 

Of course, present-day request for these 2 models of this vintage does not bespeak nan original pricing. According to Hagerty's valuation tool, nan mean value for a '78 Fleetwood 75 Formal Limousine is little than $10,000. Comparatively, a guidelines '78 Eldorado goes for astir $13,000 connected average, while a Biarritz gets astir $17,000. JD Power shows an moreover larger discrepancy for nan '79 exemplary year, pinch an mean unit value of $2,175 for nan Fleetwood and $12,050 for nan Eldorado. These differences successful today's worth are apt why astir folks deliberation nan Eldorado was nan pricier exemplary backmost erstwhile these vehicles were new. 

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For nan 1980s, we spot another Pininfarina-designed conveyance crowned arsenic nan astir costly Cadillac exemplary of nan decade. The Allante's looks, however, aren't astir arsenic fetching arsenic nan Eldorado Brougham's. While nan second is simply a spot iconic, nan erstwhile is alternatively forgetful.

Regardless of subjective impressions astir its attractiveness, aliases deficiency thereof, nan Cadillac Allante was objectively expensive. In 1989, its lofty sticker value was complete $57,000. That's not excessively acold disconnected from nan value of 1 of nan champion Cadillacs you tin bargain today: nan CT4-V Blackwing (though your chance to do truthful is coming to an extremity since Cadillac is sidesplitting nan CT4 and current-generation CT5 aft 2026). 

It seems Cadillac learned a instruction successful logistics aft its first collaboration pinch nan Italian builder, arsenic this clip astir nan bodies of nan conveyance were first produced overseas and past flown to Detroit for last assembly, resulting successful a one-way travel alternatively than a information trip. In nan '80s, nan astir powerful motor stuffed nether nan hood was a 200-horsepower 4.5-liter V8. Then, successful '93, Cadillac upped nan ante and went pinch nan 4.6-liter Northstar V8 which produced astir 300 horsepower and almost an adjacent magnitude of torque. Front-wheel burnouts for nan win. 

Despite nan hardware upgrades, nan Allante really isn't nan astir costly exemplary offered by Cadillac successful nan '90s. Spoiler alert: it's not nan Escalade either. 

It's existent that nan Escalade was nan astir costly Cadillac exemplary produced astatine a GM factory; however, it wasn't nan astir costly Cadillac you could buy. That correct goes to nan Fleetwood Limited, which had a guidelines MSRP of astir $51,000 compared to $46,525 for nan Escalade. Notably, only 467 Fleetwood Limited units were produced for nan 1999 exemplary year.

Although nan Fleetwood Limited was produced by a civilization coachbuilder retired of Lima, Ohio, it was offered for waste by prime Cadillac dealers passim nan state who besides warrantied and serviced nan DeVille-based model. One of nan galore modifications made to nan level during nan coachbuilding process included stretching nan wheelbase to astir 120 inches, which resulted successful an wide magnitude of almost 222 inches and provided a half-foot of other abstraction for occupants successful nan backmost seat. 

The accrued dimensions weren't nan only changes made, arsenic nan process besides included much lavish touches to nan interior. Such enhancements see a woody penning array for nan rear seat, a fold-away TV equipped pinch a VCR, and hands-free compartment telephone capability. Today specified tech is wholly obsolete, but successful 1999 this was arsenic bully arsenic it got. 

One facet that wasn't changed, though, was nan powertrain. As such, nan Fleetwood Limited stuck pinch nan Northstar V8, an engine that gets specified a bad rap owed to a litany of issues. That makes nan adjacent introduction connected this database a small spot awkward.

In 2009, an Escalade ESV Platinum Edition had a guidelines MSRP of astir $86,500. This was beautiful high, but nan sticker value connected nan XLR-V supercharged hard-top convertible was moreover higher astatine much than $104,000. We're judge sticker daze had thing to do pinch nan XLR-V's underwhelming income success, arsenic little than 2,200 were built and sold during nan span of 4 exemplary years. For reference, little than 14,500 regular XLRs were sold during its life cycle, which spanned nan 2004 done 2009 exemplary years.

We did telephone retired nan Northstar V8 for its problematic reputation; however, nan hand-built, supercharged 4.4-liter portion recovered nether nan hood of nan XLR-V doesn't thin to suffer from nan aforesaid woes arsenic nan earlier, people aspirated Northstar V8s. It besides makes 440 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque. So, while nan regular XLR is rightfully connected nan database of cars you want to bargain but are excessively frightened to own, nan supercharged XLR-V should beryllium a little intimidating venture.

In summation to this stout powertrain, nan XLR-V besides offered different mechanical enhancements complete nan non-V XLR, including larger brakes borrowed from nan Z51 Corvette, a beefier suspension setup pinch retuned Magnetic Ride Control, a powerfulness steering fluid cooler, and auxiliary motor and transmission lipid coolers. Exterior refinements were besides included successful an effort to make nan XLR-V guidelines retired erstwhile compared to its much pedestrian counterpart, specified arsenic "XLR-V" and "Supercharged" badging. 

The XLR-V was besides nan first-ever Cadillac to beryllium equipped pinch what nan automaker dubbed nan Adaptive Forward Lighting System, which adjusted nan headlamp up to 15 degrees based connected steering perspective arsenic good arsenic nan vehicle's speed. That said, my 2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X featured akin technology, and its MSRP was little than half of nan XLR-V's. Then again, it didn't connection Corvette-like handling pinch a supercharged V8. 

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For 2010 to 2019, nan astir costly Cadillac nickname would spell to nan Escalade ESV Platinum if we were utilizing guidelines pricing. The CTS-V was very adjacent behind, pinch nan erstwhile having a guidelines value of $97,295 for nan 2019 exemplary twelvemonth and nan second starting astatine astir $87,000. However, our investigation indicates that nan 2019 CTS-V could costs good complete $100,000, and perchance arsenic overmuch arsenic $110,000. The Escalade, connected nan different hand, only grew to astir $106,000 erstwhile we added disposable options to nan top-of-the-line ESV Platinum model. 

It's imaginable that nan figures are moreover person than we've estimated, resulting successful a tie. If that's nan case, we'd still springiness this spot to nan CTS-V, arsenic nan Escalade-V takes nan crown for nan pursuing decade (at slightest truthful far). 

For those who mightiness not beryllium familiar, nan third-generation CTS-V represented nan extremity of nan statement for nan nameplate, though it lives connected successful its indirect successor, nan CT5-V Blackwing. Like nan Blackwing, its propulsion was generated by a supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8, though it "only" made 640 horsepower astatine nan time. A much important favoritism is nan truth that this exemplary was only disposable pinch an automatic transmission, arsenic a manual was not offered. 

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When we utilized Cadillac's online configurator instrumentality to build retired our very ain 2026 Escalade-V ESV, we reached an MSRP of conscionable nether $196,000. We did nan aforesaid for a afloat loaded 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Le Monstre Edition, but we could only get it to astir $189,000 utilizing nan configurator tool. Bummer. 

Anyways, some models characteristic a hand-built, supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8, though nan 1 nether nan hood of nan heavier Escalade puts retired 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. Despite weighing complete 6,500 pounds, this behemoth tin rocket to 60 miles per hr successful little than 4.5 seconds acknowledgment to that blown V8 and an all-wheel drivetrain. In summation to its straight-line performance, nan Escalade-V ESV tin besides tow up to 7,000 pounds. That's 200 pounds little compared to nan regular-length Escalade-V, and 1,000 pounds little than nan regular Escalade ESV pinch rear-wheel drive. 

Aside from its mechanical accolades, nan Escalade-V provides its occupants pinch top-shelf automotive luxury, offering everything from beforehand and rear self-opening and closing doors, to a 38-speaker AKG audio system, to nighttime imagination and Super Cruise hands-free technology. 

It seems nan Escalade-V is doing its champion to beryllium nan cleanable blend of nan sentiments down nan sayings, "you get what you salary for" and "you can't title a house, but you tin slumber successful a car." To that end, who cares if it costs arsenic overmuch arsenic a humble house?

Despite having somewhat little powerfulness than nan Escalade-V and being only rear-wheel drive, nan lighter weight and mini spot of other torque alteration nan Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing to scope 60 miles per hr successful little than 3.5 seconds erstwhile equipped pinch nan 10-speed automatic gearbox. As we mentioned, nan value of a afloat loaded, constricted version CT5-V Blackwing Le Monstre is wrong $7,000 of nan astir costly Escalade. That said, we should statement that this comparison includes 2025 pricing for nan CT5, and 2026 pricing for nan Escalade. 

For those who whitethorn not know, only 101 units of nan Le Monstre version were built for nan 2025 exemplary year. The constricted tally features exclusive equipment, specified arsenic bluish c fibre components, and adds $32,500 to nan sticker price. When building retired our exemplary for nan value comparison, we ticked nan container for nan highly desirable Precision Package, which includes a myriad of mechanical upgrades, including stiffer springs, stiffer suspension bushings, redesigned steering knuckles, tweaks to calibrations for nan Magnetic Ride Control and eLSD, positive nan c ceramic brake upgrade. 

For nan 2026 exemplary year, Cadillac is rolling retired nan "Curated by Cadillac" for nan CT5-V Blackwing, which allows customers to personalize their factory-ordered car pinch a broader scope of options. Such options see 160 different hand-painted exterior finishes on pinch unsocial interior materials and colors. According to Cadillac's vice president, John Roth, nan automaker is utilizing what it's learned from accumulation of nan Celestiq successful bid to connection this level of customization connected nan CT5-V Blackwing. 

Pricing for a 2026 CT5-V Blackwing done nan Curated by Cadillac programme starts astatine $158,000. In summation to its precocious value point, this exemplary will besides beryllium highly limited. For reference, Cadillac only built 21 units erstwhile nan automaker offered a akin programme for nan 2024 exemplary year. 

Like we mentioned before, Cadillac plans to discontinue some nan CT4 and CT5 aft 2026. Unlike nan CT5, however, nan automaker doesn't person immoderate plans for a CT4 replacement. As such, we felt nan astir costly CT4 exemplary deserved an honorable mention, which is nan 2025 CT4-V Blackwing Petit Pataud Edition. With a guidelines value of $88,590 and a constricted tally of conscionable 50 units, it's arsenic costly arsenic it is exclusive. 

However, overmuch to nan chagrin of CT4-V Blackwing advocates for illustration me, location are much than 10 of these up for grabs passim nan state correct now. Looks for illustration nan marketplace is unimpressed, which is understandable since these prices make nan smaller, little powerful CT4-V Blackwing costs astir arsenic overmuch arsenic nan CT5-V Blackwing pinch its large bad V8. 

Still, we tin admit nan truth that Cadillac named nan constricted version exemplary aft nan title car that ran a faster clip astatine Le Mans backmost successful nan day, on pinch nan truth that nan CT4-V Blackwing utilizes a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 that isn't shared pinch immoderate different exemplary successful GM's portfolio. Plus, it really is simply a amended regular driver than its bigger relative for nan aforesaid reasons that make it easier to wield astatine nan track. If you tin work together pinch each of these points, past you're halfway to doing thing arsenic silly arsenic spending $90,000 connected what is efficaciously an quality package for a capacity sedan that apparently nary 1 other wants to buy.