In Iran, a restorer brings back to life famed Cadillac Sevilles once assembled in the country

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In Iran, a skilled restorer is reviving the renowned Cadillac Sevilles that were once manufactured in the country.

Gently gliding out of a showroom near Iran’s capital, a sleek and polished 1978 Cadillac Seville in a dark blue shade captured the attention. The driver carefully inserted the accompanying 8-track tape, filling the air with the nostalgic tunes of a bygone era.

During the pre-1979 Islamic Revolution period, the Sevilles assembled in Iran epitomized luxury in the country. General Motors had collaborated with an Iranian firm to produce these sedans, pricing them at two-and-a-half times the cost in America, capitalizing on Iran’s flourishing oil wealth.

Presently, Khosro Dahaghin dedicates himself to restoring these iconic vehicles, meticulously examining every detail of the Sevilles in Iran. However, the task has grown more challenging over time due to the scarcity of parts, aging vehicles, and the impact of U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran’s nuclear program.

Wearing a necklace adorned with the iconic Cadillac crest, Dahaghin expressed his passion for the cars: “The most luxurious and special car assembled in Iran was Cadillac Iran. It was the first time this car was manufactured outside U.S. soil. During that period, no other brand could rival this car in any imaginable aspect.”

At first glance, the Seville may appear unconventional as a highly sought-after vintage car, with its somewhat boxy frame and wood-accented interior. Nevertheless, it marked a significant shift for Cadillac during a time when American consumers increasingly favored smaller luxury cars from European manufacturers. The Seville’s fuel efficiency and handling attracted attention, diverging from Cadillac’s reputation for large, finned vehicles of the past.

Buyers of the Seville enjoyed a robust fuel-injected V8 engine, a plush interior, power seats, and automatic door locks and windows. When it entered the market in 1975, the base model Seville sold for $12,479, equivalent to over $70,000 in today’s currency. In the 1978 model year alone, General Motors produced nearly 57,000 Sevilles.

At that time, Iran was the sole location for Cadillac production outside of the United States. General Motors established General Motors Iran Ltd., which assembled the Seville and other vehicles using kits shipped from Detroit. Under the supervision of American engineers, the Seville became Iran’s most luxurious domestically assembled car.

Due to higher import duties, the Sevilles were sold for approximately $35,000, exceeding the price paid by American consumers.

According to estimates from Iran’s car enthusiasts, the exact number of Sevilles produced remains uncertain. Saeed Shobeiri, the editor-in-chief of Machine Magazine in Tehran, mentioned figures reaching over 2,600, while Michael T. Albano, a Cadillac spokesperson in the U.S., believed around 2,500 were manufactured.

However, the 1979 Islamic Revolution led to the overthrow of the American-backed shah and the establishment of Iran’s theocratic government. Americans and General Motors departed the country, but Sevilles continued to be built for several years using remaining kits as Iran nationalized the GM Iran plant, giving rise to Pars Khodro, the manufacturer that still operates today.

As part of the Algiers Accords, which secured the release of the U.S. Embassy captives in Iran, General Motors received around $20 million from the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal. Currently, Shobeiri estimates that about 60 Sevilles are still roadworthy, while over 100 others are inoperable.

This is where Dahaghin and his team step in. Since 2013, Dahaghin has been restoring Cadillac Sevilles at his garage in Roudehen, located around 45 kilometers (30 miles) east of downtown Tehran. His inspiration came from the former MTV reality show “Pimp My Ride.”

In his garage, Seville frames are positioned outside, featuring the prominent Cadillac crest. Inside, Dahaghin meticulously examines every curve of a car’s body. Those yet to be worked on display signs of rust and age, while a prominent V8 engine sits alongside.

Dahaghin explained, “Over time, these cars became broken and worn out as a result of poor usage and lack of proper maintenance. Some of them were destroyed. Now, we restore these cars after years, and when they are back on the streets, they are both incredibly beautiful and unique compared to other cars.”

However, the restoration process is far from easy. Each vehicle takes up to a year and a half to complete according to Dahaghin’s meticulous standards. Finding components can also pose challenges, with some occasionally being hand-carried into Iran by individuals traveling abroad.

Dahaghin stated, “I will not sell this work of art to anyone who makes an offer. The buyer must genuinely appreciate the value of this masterpiece.”

In Iran today, a fully restored Seville can fetch prices as high as $40,000, according to classic car specialist Mohammad Khorshidizadeh. This is a significant sum considering the current exchange rate of the Iranian rial, which stands at 492,000 to $1. However, since the re-imposition of sanctions following then-President Donald Trump’s unilateral withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, Iran has closed itself off from the foreign car market. As a result, vehicles like the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class can command prices of $400,000.

General Motors currently does not sell cars to Iran in compliance with U.S. sanctions. However, Cadillac spokesperson Michael T. Albano remarked, “Should economic situations evolve, GM will assess the market situation and our business priorities.”

Albano expressed a lack of surprise regarding Iranians restoring old Sevilles: “We were unaware. However, not surprised. Cadillac’s appeal among young customers continues to increase around the globe.”

For enthusiasts of classic cars and Iranian automotive history, like 29-year-old Arsalan Asgharzadeh, who recently purchased a refurbished Seville from Dahaghin, nothing compares to the experience of driving a vintage Cadillac.

Asgharzadeh stated, “If you experience driving a Cadillac, you will always want to drive a Cadillac.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about restoration

More about restoration

• The Cadillac Seville in Iran: A Car Restorer’s Passion
• Iran’s Classic Cadillac Sevilles
• The Rise and Fall of the Cadillac Seville
• GM’s Cadillac Seville in Iran
• Iran Car Enthusiasts’ Machine Magazine
• Cadillac Official Website