1969 1969 Cadillac Tarragona

Basic Information and History

This car was manufactured in only three copies by a company in California, USA, and is the only remaining drivable example. Complete documentation from the manufacturing process is available through previous reports, including a copy of the contemporary automotive magazine Colorod, which is included with the car. The car has also been featured in a report in Power Magazine, issue 8 from 2020.

In the early 1970s, the car was converted into a pickup by Interscania in Venice, California. Of these Cadillac Tarragonas from 1969–1970, only three were produced under a collaboration agreement with GM's Cadillac Motors division.

The car has garnered attention in automotive media, including Colorod, Power Magazine, and a forthcoming feature in Wheels Magazine. This is now the only rolling example. Originally, the car was painted in a solid brown color but was repainted in its current blue flake about 20 years ago. It is equipped with 20-inch Coysfälgar wheels. The engine and transmission are original, featuring a 472ci engine and a TH400 transmission.

Equipment and Options

The equipment includes power windows, electrically adjustable seats, a tiltable steering wheel, power steering, Hi-Jackers in the rear, and a tow hitch. The engine is equipped with headers, forged connecting rods, a slightly more aggressive camshaft, and an Edelbrock carburetor (not yet confirmed).

Condition

The condition of the body is assessed as very good, without dents or serious door dings. There is a small rust spot at the bottom of the left front fender, behind the wheel. The blue flake paint is considered to be in good condition despite being around 20 years old. However, there is a crack at the front edge of the left side of the roof and a previous repair visible on both sides, just behind the doors.

The windshield shows some wear but is free from chips or similar damage. The side windows, made of Lexan, have some scratches. The chrome is generally in good condition, but both the front and rear bumpers have minor defects. The emblems and lens glass are in very good condition. The wheels have minor defects on the inner edge near the spokes' attachments, but the tires are in good condition.

The interior is generally in good condition. There is a small hole on the right side of the seat and normal wear on the entry sill. The dashboard has a crack on the upper edge, and the ashtray is missing. The headliner is in very good condition, and the steering wheel shows only minimal wear. There is normal wear on the buttons and controls, but the cruise control, AC, and fan are not functioning.

The engine was renovated about 10 years ago and has run approximately 15,000 km since then. The automatic transmission and drivetrain are in good condition, as are the brakes, with no parts needing replacement.

Service History

The current owner has recently performed the following maintenance: oil and filter have been changed, new spark plug wires and spark plugs installed, and new points and condenser have been fitted. The carburetor has been adjusted for optimal performance. The car was last inspected on May 12, 2017, and is thereafter exempt from inspections.

Summary

The car was converted to a pickup in the early 1970s by Interscania in Venice, California. Of these Cadillac Tarragonas from 1969–1970, only three were manufactured under a collaboration agreement with Cadillac Motors, a division of GM. The car has been highlighted in automotive media, including magazines like the contemporary Colorod and Power Magazine. A feature will also soon be published in Wheels Magazine.

This is the only remaining drivable example. The car was previously painted in a solid brown color but was repainted in its current blue flake color about 20 years ago. It currently rides on 20-inch Coysfälgar wheels. The engine and transmission are according to original specifications: a 472 cubic inches engine and a TH400 transmission. The engine was renovated about 10 years ago, and since then, the car has driven approximately 15,000 km.