Question about Cadillacs in Japan.

[philr]

Originally Posted by MCGARRETT

I am kind of maxed out on storage already with my Trans Am, Estate Wagon, Eldorado and K5-Blazer, the last thing I should be looking for is another 5000lb white elephant, its a sickness!

If you find a Talisman, I could take care of your Estate Wagon! I'd also like to own a '74 Fleetwood Talisman or a '75 Electra Park Avenue.

Here are some pictures of a 1974 Talisman







The '75 Park Avenue also had all velour interior (including headliner), plush carpeting and a full lenght front console.

[t-rex]

Originally Posted by kgm777

First, the cloth in the photo of the Seville is very UNCadillac and very Nissan. It looks like it was reupholstered aftermarket.

The Cadillacs of the 70s had the best fabrics combined with leather accents as in this 1970 Fleetwood Brougham:

How'd they get my Uncle Shmooey-and-Aunt-Miriam's living room sofa into that Cadillac???

[MCGARRETT]

Thanks for the offer Philr, but the Estate Wagon is here for the duration!

Nice Talisman, who's is it? It's not only a Talisman, but a Talisman with ACRS!!, talk about super rare. There was a really nice 1974 Talisman on ebay a few months ago, I have the guys number, it's in NY, but I have not been tempted to call..... yet!

It was a sweet cream yellow 1974 Talisman with a factory sunroof, trackmaster and all the toys, low miles too, 36,000 or so.

Buick did offer a similar interior in the 1975-1976 Electra Park Avenue, though I think that you could get it either with or without the console.

[philr]

Originally Posted by MCGARRETT

Buick did offer a similar interior in the 1975-1976 Electra Park Avenue, though I think that you could get it either with or without the console.

The Park Avenue package included the console and a lot of goodies at the beginning of 1975. Among them were the auto climate control, AM-FM stereo tilt and telescopic steering and the positraction rear axle were standard on the first Park Avenues. For those who wanted ACRS, there was a credit for the tilt-telescope in the price of the ACRS as it wasn't possible to get tilt steering and ACRS.

Soon after it's introduction, the Park Avenue package was revised and only consisted of the 40/40 velour seats, the console, thicker carpet, velour headliner and a "halo" vinyl roof.
In the mid-1975 model year, the 40/60 seat without the console became available as an option to accomodate those who wanted six passenger seating.

In 1976, the console was offered at extra cost in the Park Avenue.

[suburbanfoo]

I miss the burgandy/maroon interiors. It use to be you could get so many different color options....blue, white, maroon, green! now its only 2 different types of tan and black...maybe a grey

[Htay7500]

Originally Posted by Whistler

The Japanese are not big fans of leather seats... even in luxury cars.

I think it had to do with the noise levels and the softness. leather can easily crap out and Japan isn't the only one... countries in Europe even prefered it. in one of cawimmer430s car show pics, there was an old benz shown with cloth seats. I think it works in other countries but here in the US, luxury automakers didn't want to cheapen their products since image is far too much an issue and bragging right.

[CJ Thunder]

I am not a big fan of leather and again car companies are taking away choices.

The cracked look, the heat, the feel, I love my plush seats. Maybe microfiber in my car, but thats is as far as I would go. They force it down our throats!

[kgm777]

It's a matter of profit. MB, BMW, Audi (for example) and other imported makes load almost every available option into the cars they sell in the US to boost revenue and profitability. There are many, many more options when buying a car in Europe for Europe. Check out what's available on manufacturers Web sites that are designed for countries other than the US (try British and Australian sites if you want it in the English language). The auto manufacturers assume US customers want all the fluff (and they assume we can afford it) when they could probably knock 25-40% off the price of the car without items such as leather and a sun roof. Of course, we assume that some items, such as power windows and locks are standard, when in fact, they may not be for the home market.