Cadillac: 1976 Mirage

A long time back in 1975 to 1976 a Cadillac Coupe de Ville was made into a custom body pickup. It was an upscale El Camino. While the floor bed could carry flat plywood 4 x 8 sheets with the tail gate closed and the driver and the passenger in great comfort. A hidden storage area was at the end of the floor bed. It was used to store small articles of value out of view. The spare tire was also located there in the back. There was a metal cover that had a lock on it, just as a trunk would also have. Traditional Coach Works manufactured 204 Cadillac Mirage's. There were also several other companies that made pickup trucks from the front wheel drive El dorado and also from the standard Coupe de Ville. Traditional Coach Works built theirs to Cadillac standards and one could be ordered through a participating Cadillac dealer. The currant owner sold this 1976 Cadillac Mirage, it later was sent to get some very special work done on it. There was repainting to the gold leaf lettering, while the motor and the transmission never needed to be repaired it was in excellent condition.

The specifications on this 1976 Cadillac Mirage are:

1. Engine OHV V-8 500 cid/8.2 liter

2. Bore 4.3"

3. Stroke 4.3"

4. Horsepower 190 @ 4400 rpm

5. Carburetor 4 bbls

6. Compression 8.5:1

7. Electrical 12 volt

8. Fuel Tank 27 gallons

9. Cooling 23- 75 qt's

10. Tires: original: 235/75 x 15
radial: L 78 x 15

11. Frame perimeter type with boxed side rails

12. Suspension front: coil springs
rear: solid axle

13. Transmission 400 series turbo hydramtic

14. Final Drive 2.73:1

15. Price/New $19,000

The Mirage was made to fill the gap of pickup trucks. With the name of Cadillac behind it, this Mirage can mean more than just a pickup. With many safeties features, like that trip to town to pick up bales of hay can be made in style and in comfort.

With these few features are:

1. Air bags

2. Track master skid controls or ABS brake system

3. Automatic level control (that adjust the height to the carrying load)