Associated Press Report on an Iranian Mechanic's Initiative to Restore American Cadillacs

An Iranian mechanic has revived the memory of old Cadillacs by restoring 'Seville' models that were once assembled in Iran. The Associated Press has published a detailed report on the initiative of this mechanic named Khosrow Dahaghian. The Cadillac Seville was assembled in Iran before the 1979 revolution, representing luxury in this oil-rich Middle Eastern country. General Motors had partnered with an Iranian company to manufacture these sedans, selling them at 2.5 times the price in the U.S. Khosrow Dahaghian restores these cars by collecting various parts of old Sevilles, a process that is becoming increasingly difficult due to the scarcity of parts and U.S. sanctions imposed because of Tehran's nuclear activities. Dahaghian told the Associated Press, 'The Cadillac in Iran was the most luxurious and unique car ever assembled in Iran. It was the first time this car was assembled outside of American soil. At that time, I can say no other brand could compete with it in every conceivable aspect.' For the uninitiated, the Seville might seem an odd choice for a popular antique car with its almost boxy frame and wooden interior. However, this car belongs to an era when American buyers were looking for smaller luxury cars from Europe. Cadillac was known for its large cars, but the Seville was a significant shift in General Motors' production line, attracting drivers with its appealing body and fuel efficiency. The Seville featured a powerful eight-cylinder engine, beautiful interior design, electric seats, locks, and automatic windows. A base model Seville sold for about $12,500 when it hit the market in 1975, equivalent to over $70,000 today. General Motors produced nearly 57,000 Sevilles in 1979 alone. At that time, Iran was the only country outside the U.S. manufacturing Cadillacs. General Motors established GM Iran, which produced the Seville and other vehicles from so-called 'knock-down' kits from Detroit. The Seville represented the most luxurious vehicle assembled in Iran under the supervision of American engineers. When introduced in Iran, Sevilles were priced at about $35,000, more than what American drivers paid, partly due to higher import duties. According to The New York Times, one of General Motors' executives said in 1977 about Iranians, 'As soon as they have money, they buy Levi's jeans and Cadillac Sevilles.' It is unclear how many Cadillac Sevilles were manufactured in Iran. Saeed Shabiri, the editor of a car magazine in Tehran, estimates that there are over 2,600 vehicles. According to Michael T. Albano, a spokesperson for Cadillac in the U.S., about 2,500 Cadillac Sevilles were made in Iran. The 1979 revolution led to the overthrow of the U.S.-backed Shah and the establishment of a religious government in Iran. After the revolution, Americans and General Motors left Iran, but the assembly of Cadillac Sevilles from leftover knock-down kits continued for several years. The government nationalized the General Motors factory in Iran, creating Pars Khodro, which still exists today. General Motors eventually received about $20 million from the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal, established as part of the Algiers Accord, which coincided with the release of American diplomats held hostage by revolutionaries at the U.S. embassy in Iran. Saeed Shabiri estimates that about 60 Cadillac Sevilles are still operational in Iran, with over a hundred other vehicles having been retired. This is where Dahaghian and his colleagues come into play. He started this project in 2013, inspired by a reality TV show on the former MTV network, in his garage in Rodhen, about 45 kilometers from downtown Tehran. He fully repairs and restores old Sevilles, returning them to the roads as beautiful, stylish, and unique cars. However, this restoration is not easy and can take up to a year and a half in some cases. Dahaghian says, 'I don't sell this artwork to just anyone; the buyer must appreciate this piece of art.' A restored Seville can now fetch up to $40,000 in Iran, which is considered a fortune given the collapse of the national currency. Iran has closed its market to foreign cars. This means that a car like the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class can cost $400,000. Michael T. Albano states that General Motors currently does not sell cars to Iran to comply with U.S. sanctions, but 'if economic conditions change, General Motors will assess market conditions and business priorities.' He added, 'We were not aware of the restoration of these cars in Iran, but we are not surprised, as the appeal of Cadillac among young customers continues to grow worldwide.'