I am no stranger to the large late-seventies American automobile, having once had a woodgrained Ford Country Squire wagon as my daily driver in the waning 1990s. This was a fantastic vehicle from a utility standpoint, and I enjoyed having it, but it was definitely an ironic enjoyment. “Ha ha, not only am I driving a station wagon, but it is the geezeriest wagon imaginable!” A delight to all, but it got old quick.
Since then, I’ve gone full hoon with a Mustang GT and bit the practicality bullet with a Honda Civics and Toyota Camrys and my current RAV4, but I think I’m ready to open my heart to another big American sedan – unironically, this time. Especially if I can find a score as sweet as the ’79 Cadillac Seville that Jerry O’Connell brought to Jay Leno’s Garage. (If you’re trying to call up Jerry from the ol’ memory bank, he’s best known for his kid acting in 1986’s Stand By Me and a ton of TV gigs, including the starring role of Quinn Mallory in Sliders. Remember Sliders?)
Anyway, Jerry picked up his Seville for $12,000, and it is one fine specimen. Here’s the episode (click here if you don’t see the embed):
Says Jerry,
I always buy pre-owned cars. I buy them pretty much exclusively on Craigslist. That’s sort of the app that really works for me.
I set a distance from my house. Usually about 50 60 miles. I won’t go further than that. I don’t like to pay for shipping and all that. And also, I like to test drive them.
I always go I make my wife or a witness come just in case it’s a shady uh business dealing.
My search is always 1960 to 1991. I’m currently 52 and my wife has a theory that I only look for cars that rich people owned when I was a child, because it sort of fulfills me.
Shoot, just talking about the car looks fun:
Jerry’s Seville is in spectacular shape – “I washed it before I came in,” notes Jerry – though the engine compartment received precisely zero attention, which I respect. I feel like cleaning a 47-year-old engine compartment is just asking for trouble, somtimes the grime is holding stuff together.
Jay was amused by the un-concours of it all. “It’s the dustiest engine compartment I’ve ever seen. Were you driving in the desert or somewhere?” What stands out to me is how this looks like the engine bay of every model kit I built as a kid, and all the room between the grille and engine. It’s not quite the “you can stand in there” gap of peak personal-luxury-coupe American iron, but still, that’s quite a chasm compared to today.
Of course, the interior’s a nice place to be, especially with that beaded seat cover. You might think it was a touch added by the previous owner, but no: Jerry added that himself. “I had to get the beaded seat … the seat is torn a little bit underneath. So, I put the beads on there.” It’s perfect, I love it. Are beaded seat covers comfortable? I’ve yet to have the pleasure.
Don’t sleep on this fun detail: fender tell-tales so you can see what’s going on with your headlights and turn signals without having to lower your eyes from the windshield. Torch wrote about these at the old site, and they’re such a fascinating touch. They’re not the sort of thing anyone needs, but I know I’d get a kick out of seeing those tiny lights wink on with the headlights, high beams, and turn signals. They look like LEDs, but they’re actually fiber optics! Neat.
But most of all, it’s just a gorgeous machine. Take it in. The Bishop agrees:
See, I actually like the vinyl roof, though it’s no must-have. I also think the wire wheelcovers, though corny, look terrific. Anytime I see a Cadillac of this era on anything but wires, it just looks wrong.
As for driving a 1979 Cadillac Seville, well, yeah, it’s not exactly a “what’s see what she can do” type of car. Good. A Mustang GT kind of brought out the a-hole in me; I’m sure I’d be untouchably chill in that Seville (rhyme unintended), basking in the soft sounds of 10cc or England Dan and John Ford Coley, just letting the world roll by from my 60mph perch in the right-hand lane.
Just imagine how soothing this ride is. Never mind that the bump the Seville is still reacting to was struck a full mile back in the rearview mirror; you’re not feeling a thing in there. Just tires singing, steering with one finger, and probably plenty of wind noise. But it’s not bad at 60.
So upright. So chromed. So hood-ornamented.
Yeah, I’m looking at Craigslist right now. I’m ready for the Seville life.
Top graphic images: Jay Leno’s Garage/Youtube
My understanding is that it is difficult to change a typo in a headline that is also a URL, but his name is Jerry O’Connell, not Jerry Connell.
An EV swapped luxo barge coupe or convertible in excessive velour or pillow top leather seats is on my dream garage list
I’m getting there but not quite there. I’m still in ironic mode.
Peter – what’s one thing you think you would miss from the RAV4?
I had a 1988 Olds Delta 88. . .it was the wrong car at the wrong time for me. But now, I wish I still had that car back.
My theory of sitting in one place until I become cool again is looking pretty solid.
Dad bought Mom a ’78 Seville for Christmas one year, it was only a few years old. Dad had slightly wider tires on it with double rack wires, and the fuel injected Oldsmobile engine at least felt like it had some scoot for the time.
It was a sharp looking car then, and still today, in my opinion. I got to drive it a few times on my learner’s permit, it really was a cool car.
I bet this thing will be on the road longer than the average 2019 car.
My favourite Cadillac of my lifetime!