Cadillac's Original Import-Fighter

"Bob" (WentWest) 11/10/2015 at 11:20 • Filed to: Cimarron, Cadillac, Edsel

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1988 Cadillac Cimarron

“Cadillac’s embarrassment,” they said, “the perfect example of badge engineering gone wrong.” “Kill it… kill it with fire,” shouted others, “THIS WILL BE THE DEATH OF US ALL!” OK, maybe I made that last quote up but it effectively captures the near fury generated whenever discussing Cadillac’s version of GM’s 10,000,000-selling J-platform compact car. Was it deserved? I say, partially.

1982 Chevrolet Cavalier

That’s right, more than 10,000,000 “J-cars” were built and sold worldwide making it the fifth best-selling platform in automotive history. Why is there so much animosity towards the car GM built as a sporty import fighter?

Development on the J-car began in 1976 with the first versions hitting the road in 1981. Variants included 2- and 4-door sedans, convertibles, 3- and 5-door hatchbacks, and a 5-door station wagon and were produced as recently as 10 years ago as the Pontiac Sunfire. Exotic overseas J-cars were built in strange, far-off lands and marketed as Opels, Vauxhalls, Daewoos, Holdens, and even Isuzus and Toyotas! WHAT? Yes, GM developed the J-car as a product that would appeal to a global audience while eliminating “duplication of engineering effort;” hence Cadillac Cimarron.

No Laurel Wreaths for the Cimarron

With the oil embargo and efficient import cars selling briskly, it was decided to rush the Cadillac version into production sooner than expected and it went on sale beside its stablemates as a 1982 model. It wasn’t fooling anybody. In fact, even Cadillac seemed embarrassed as it was marketed as “Cimarron, by Cadillac.” Poor little guy!

GM in the 80’s: “What Are Ergonomics?”

Still recovering from the “ahead-of-its-time” and troublesome variable displacement “8-6-4” engine offered in the Fleetwood the year prior, the Cimarron debuted with an anemic straight 4-cylinder engine (the first 4-cylinder available in a Cadillac since 1914) that could only muster 88 horsepower. The embarrassingly slow diesel offered in the much heavier Seville that same year produced a paltry 105 horsepower along with plumes of black smoke and unearthly engine noises that stained the reputation of diesel engines for years. It was certainly NOT a good year for Cadillac engine offerings. In an effort to appeal to the new generation of sporty import buyers, Cadillac equipped the car with a manual transmission. It had been nearly 30 years since Cadillac buyers had seen a manual in a new model.

Full Leather in this 1987 Manually-Equipped Model

With a teeny tiny engine, the “import-fighter” hope was absolutely crushed. With a manual transmission, existing Cadillac owners were left asking through clenched jaws, “what is this thing here? I couldn’t possibly be asked to row my own!” The exterior had an interesting front-end but was nearly indistinguishable from its plebian Cavalier cousin and the interior was simply an obvious attempt to put lipstick on a pig. Things were not looking good. Fittingly, deservedly, bad things were written about the Cimarron. Even notoriously optimistic Motorweek had a hard time finding anything !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Unfortunately, these earlier cars are probably what people remember when someone refers to Cadillac’s J-car.

This 1988 Sports the Rare Caspian Cloth / Leather Interior

Later models were fitted with a higher-level of standard equipment, more Cadillac-like styling, and the true enthusiast could still order the car with a 5-speed manual. The now standard 6-cylinder put its more refined, V-8-powered stablemates (the Allante, De Ville, and Eldorado) to shame in acceleration times. MacPherson suspension pieces, stabilizer bars, supportive seating options, and a tachometer (available with both the digital and analog clusters) should have improved the appeal of this once-benign car but the legacy of the Cadillac Cimarron had already been written. The car was discontinued in 1988 with just 6,454 produced that year.

A Digital Cluster was Offered to Distance Itself from Other J-cars

Despite their reputation (or maybe in spite of it) you can still find low-mileage examples in relatively good condition thanks to the millions of cars sitting in junkyards offering interchangeable parts and the fact that many of them were hidden away in garages awaiting their weekly trip to church on Sunday. They are simple, cheap (now anyway), fairly tough, and when they break, parts are easily accessible. Looking for a low-cost sleeper? Find a turbocharged 3400 from a McLaren Grand Prix or a supercharged 3800-series III V-6. GM made various versions of the 90° V-6 until 2009 and drop into this little car’s engine bay with very little modification. The later LZ4 3500 is another evolution of the engine and is a popular source for J-car owners looking for increased horsepower. If my V-6 dies before the body rusts away, my family and I can finally enjoy one of the many benefits of badge engineering: A BIGGER ENGINE (and lots more torque steer)! Cimarron V-Series anyone?

When you remember the Cimarron I only ask you to include the later model years and to consider its sleeper potential.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Bob 11/10/2015 at 11:31

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There are very few more worth candidates for an LS swap than a Cadillac Cimarron.

It must be done...

dogisbadob > Bob 11/10/2015 at 11:41

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digital dashes are awesome

Justin Hughes > Bob 11/10/2015 at 11:46

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I started reading this with typical Cimarron hatred. I finished it convinced that the Cimarron was the ATS 30 years too early.

GM did it wrong with the Cimarron, and nobody was convinced. But the ATS proves that, if done correctly, there is a place for a smaller, sporty, wreathless Cadillac available with a manual transmission after all.

dogisbadob > Bob 11/10/2015 at 11:47

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Actually, the first “import fighter” Cadillac was the 76 Seville.

Also, rebadging small cars for more luxury and prestige isn’t inherently bad, as long as the underlying car is actually good. For example, the Infiniti G20 and Canada-only Acura CSX are awesome cars. There’d be nothing wrong with a Lexus-badged Corolla, either.

Would a Lincoln-badged Escort have been any better or worse than the Cimarron?

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > dogisbadob 11/10/2015 at 12:09

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If they work

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Bob 11/10/2015 at 12:14

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Great write up. These were a bit before me, but I’m used to hearing people talk endless shit about them. Sounds like a pretty forward thinking car and the best Cadillac could do with what they had to work with.

Also, I love that the 2.8L is considered the hi-po engine. We had an S-15 with one and it was awful. I mean, it would run forever... just very slowly.

Land_Yacht_225 > Bob 11/10/2015 at 12:30

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I always considered the Seville the original departure from ‘american’ style driving to competing with the Europeans.

http://jalopnik.com/must-read-what…

Bob > dogisbadob 11/10/2015 at 12:35

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You are right. The Seville was marketed as a luxury import fighter. The Cimarron was an even smaller, sportier import fighter.

yitznewton > Bob 11/10/2015 at 12:39

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Came for “Cadillac’s Original Imperial Fighter,” was disappointed.

Chariotoflove > Bob 11/10/2015 at 12:50

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Good historical perspective on a car that people tend to oversimplify. Thanks!

Your boy, BJR > Bob 11/10/2015 at 13:00

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The Cimmaron is a horrible pile of shit and sticking a V badge on one is a fucking travesty and insult to Cadillac’s legacy, much like the Cimmaron itself.

Bob > Your boy, BJR 11/10/2015 at 13:33

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(sp.: Cimarron)

Your boy, BJR > Bob 11/10/2015 at 13:51

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It genuinely doesn't matter because that car is so shitty and insignificant

Bob > Your boy, BJR 11/10/2015 at 13:56

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“...insignificant.”

ranwhenparked > Bob 11/10/2015 at 23:18

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Typical ‘80s GM. Launch a half-baked product to paltry sales and negative reviews, then, after several years of that, spend lots of money fixing most of the flaws and getting the product mostly right, then discontinue it.

If they had delayed the launch by a year or two and spent a little extra money on unique sheet metal and a more distinctive interior, the story would have been much different. I still don’t think the Cimmaron was ever destined for success, but it would have at least been less of a failure.

Your boy, BJR > Bob 11/11/2015 at 13:12

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Yes. Insignificant. The only use that car has is as a guide of why rebadging is a terrible idea.