With its angular ‘Arts & Science’ design language, and a two-seat layout that was highly unusual for a Cadillac in the mid 2000s, XLR was always a distinctive car. But not even the high performance XLR-V variant could turn heads like this incredible XLR Godfather Roadster.
And it really is incredible. Obviously we’ve only got the pictures to go on, so we can’t attest to the fit and finish, but Palazzi Motorcars of Kingsville, Ontario, clearly put a ton of effort into turning the XLR into a 1930s-style convertible.
Tony Palazzi and his team didn’t only replace much of the bodywork, adding flowing fenders, a classic upright grille and fake exhaust manifolds; they even added length to the wheelbase ahead of the A-pillar to give the Roadster the right cab-backwards proportions. According to the person selling this 2008 example on Bring-a-Trailer, the transformation would have set the owner back almost $80,000.
Related: Can You Believe There’s A Cadillac XLR Hiding Under This?
But even if you are part of the niche community who has a soft spot for throwback cars like this, the Excalibur from the 1970s or the weird fake C1 and C2 Corvettes made out of newer models, it’s impossible not to look at these pictures and conclude that this one just doesn’t work. And it all comes back to that Cadillac design language. Like many cars of its time, including the Mercedes R230 SL it desperately wanted to beat, the XLRs is shaped like an arrow, with lines that plunge towards the front bumper to give it an athletic look. The XLR was based on the C6 Corvette, after all, so it was meant to be a genuine sports car of sorts.
But when you start adding straight sections of bodywork ahead of the A-pillar it makes it look like the car has snapped in half. Maybe if Palazzi had reskinned the doors to get rid of the swage line it might have worked, but he didn’t, and it doesn’t, at least to our eyes.
Still, it has covered only 11,000 miles (18,000 km), meaning the 320 hp (324 PS) 4.6-liter Northstar V8 is barely run-in, and it retains all of the stock XLR amenities, including a retractable hardtop and Magnetic Ride Control suspension. The Carfax also records no history of damage, though we think that’s probably open to interpretation.
If you like the idea of this custom XLR and aren’t put off by the idea of people asking you if the frame has collapsed every time you park up, get your bids in before the auction ends on October 13. You can check out the full listing here.
