04/07/2008 13:40. In the 1970s, Cadillac saw its reputation for technical leadership gradually being usurped by such marques as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar. To arrest this erosion, Cadillac launched its LTS (Luxury Two-Seater) project in 1982 to compete in the ultra-luxury, sporty car market. It became the Cadillac Allante, and its main target was the Mercedes-Benz 560SL.

The Allante was not only intended to showcase General Motors' technology, but to inject some new life into Cadillac's staid, vinyl-roof, wreath-and-crest image. And since GM had committed to front-wheel drive in the '80s, the Allante had front-drive, the only one in its class.

To accommodate the limited production quantities and add some European cachet, Cadillac contracted with Italy's famed stylist and coachbuilder Pininfarina to... // CanadianDriver