1990 Cadillac Allante Low Mileage Convertible Roadster V8 New Top Runs Perfect

This particular example has been a well kept car with no expense spared on its maintenance. It is mechanically outstanding from the luxurious leather seats without so much as a single tear in them, to the recently serviced leak-free 4.5 Liter V-8 engine. The car boasts a BRAND NEW cloth convertible top (a $3,000 endeavor), new battery, window regulators, shocks, and the list goes on.

This example is priced right and ready for quick sale before the spring market hits. If you are interested, don't hesitate or you will lose out. I am happy to pick a buyer up at the Philadelphia Airport and they can drive the car home.

In the interest of transparency, I will list all flaws I have observed in my ownership below:

• Visor Mirror Cover Hinges are broken on both visors.
• Power Latch mechanism for the convertible top is not working. Motors are good, maybe a loose wire connection, Top opens and closes easily with the manual operation.
• Minor cracks in headlamps and taillamp lenses. All lights work and pass inspection, but want to disclose the details in case it sells to someone sight unseen.
• Passenger seatbelt buckle housing is missing. The seatbelt buckle still works.
• Driver's fender has been previously repainted and the color match is a shade darker, noticeable only in certain lighting.

The Allanté proved popular in Hollywood. J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) drove a silver Allanté in the later years of the hit TV show Dallas; Sylvester Stallone drove one in Tango and Cash, and an Allanté was driven by Joe Pesci in one of the Lethal Weapon movies.

Engine
The 1987-’88 Allantés used the HT 4100 4.1-liter V-8, an underpowered 170hp engine that suffered from weak intake manifold gaskets, which, in part, could lead to internal engine failure. From 1989 through 1992, a far better 200hp 4.5-liter V-8 was used, with reports of numerous 4.5 engines lasting more than 200,000 miles. “One 4.5 engine that we know of has gone 300,000 miles,” said Allanté expert Dick Hussey, who specializes in Allanté parts in Florida.

In contrast to other engines of the era, the 4.5 V-8 is easy to work on. Dick said the key to long engine life is regular maintenance, particularly changing the coolant, and taking care never to overheat the engine.

Transmissions

Several automatic transmissions were used through the Allanté’s production. From 1987 through 1992, a Turbo Hydra-Matic 440 F7 was used. We know of many TH 440s that have gone more than 200,000 miles without any trouble, so long as the fluid and filter were changed regularly. GM introduced the 4T80E, a stout four-speed automatic overdrive transmission, with a lock-up torque converter, for the 1993 Allanté. The final drive ratio came in at 3.71:1

Suspension
Unlike the Cadillacs of yesteryear, the Allanté utilizes a modern, road-hugging suspension design. The front featured struts located by one lateral link and one trailing link, coil springs, electronically-controlled shocks and an anti-roll bar. This system, called Speed Dependent Damping Control, debuted on the 1989 models and worked by firming up the suspension at 25 mph and again at 60 mph. The firmest setting also was used when starting from a standstill until 5 mph. Also introduced in 1989 was a variable-assist steering system.

The rear suspension was also independent, and incorporated unequal-length control arms, a toe-control link, fiberglass transverse leaf spring, electronically-controlled shocks and an anti-roll bar.

Interior

The interior was a comfortable two-seat arrangement swathed in butter-soft leather; the steering wheel and the shifter handle also were leather-wrapped. The only option from 1987 through 1989 was a telephone, and the 1988-’93 models could be had with either analog or digital instrument clusters, unlike the earlier models, which only came with digital instrumentation. In 1991, the Allanté received a 200-watt, eight-speaker Delco-Bose stereo system. In its final year, 1993, a newly redesigned console module featured dual fold-out cup holders.

Body/Frame
As mentioned earlier, the bodies were built in Italy and then flown to the Hamtramck, Michigan, facility for powertrain installation. The hood, trunk and hardtop were aluminum, while the remainder of the body had steel panels. The hardtop became an option in 1990 and lasted through the end of the line. Chrome wheels were optional in 1993 only. Changes for 1993 included a deeper front spoiler and single-piece side windows.

There were some extra-cost paint colors available in certain years. The rarest color of all is Pearl Flax, a light yellow. Other rare colors include Verde Flax, a teal shade, Polo Green, of which there are only 50 1992 specimens and 88 1993 examples, and Montana Blue, a 1993-only color. Dick said there are reportedly about 150 cars painted Montana Blue; our feature car is one of these. Other colors available were Pearl White, Arctic White, Champagne, Pearl Red, Bright or Euro Red and black. There were also a number of Mary Kay Pink Allantés built. Tom estimates that about 17 of the 1993 Mary Kay cars survive.