Conceived by Luigi Chinetti, Jr., the son of Luigi Chinetti, the successful Ferrari's US dealer and the founder of the North American Racing Team (N.A.R.T.), an official arm of Ferrari. The Cadillac N.A.R.T. was designed to provide Chinetti’s clients with a luxurious, sophisticated, high performance four seat automobile that could be built in limited quantities at a reasonable cost. Coachwork designed by Luigi Chinetti, Jr., executed by Zagato. The styling of the concept reflects the Zagato geometric car designs of the 70s.
Work on the Cadillac N.A.R.T. Concept began in 1969. It was based upon the simple but ingenious concept of relocating the front wheel drive Cadillac Eldorado power train to behind the rear seats to create a mid-engined layout, then using other standard Cadillac assemblies for the front suspension. Powered by a 400 hp 500 cu. in. overhead valve V8 engine, four-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel independent suspension with torsion bars, four-wheel disc brakes.
All the comfort and convenience features expected by buyers of Cadillacs, or of top of the line Ferraris for that matter, were provided including power steering, power brakes, power windows, climate control air conditioning and an AM-FM signal seeking stereo. The side windows drop below the fender tops, giving the driver and passengers great visibility. High visibility also has another aspect: it allows the occupants of this distinctive and rare automobile to be recognized as they pass by in comfort and safety and at speed. Fitted with pop up headlights over shallow parking lights recessed in the full width grille, from the front there is no mistaking the Cadillac N.A.R.T for anything but the high performance luxury coupé that it is.
This prototype was displayed at the 1971 Turin Auto Show by Zagato. It was reportedly well received by potential buyers, but Chinetti’s Ferrari business had come to require their full attention and a second prototype for further development work was never built. This is the only example of the Cadillac N.A.R.T. ever built. (rmauctions.com)
(Photos from idrive.kz, autowp.ru, finecars.cc, carstyling.ru,
conceptcarz.com & oldconceptcars.com)
