Weekly Treasure: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

Originally launched as a sedan, the original plan didn't call for a coupe version until a Cadillac designer did some sketches. Simply eliminating the rear doors and shortening the overall length gave the design a whole new attitude. GM design, under the direction at the time of Ed Welburn, presented a series of follow-up designs and clay models to GM management and the decision was made to build the CTS coupe. The design was too good to pass up. A concept version came first to test the waters with the public and, not surprisingly, the reception was great.

So in 2009, the CTS Coupe arrived on the scene, and exactly one year later the CTS-V Coupe. The base car came powered by a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 304 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, but the V Series went above and beyond: a supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V8 with 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. Two transmission options were available, a six-speed automatic and six-speed manual.

Amazingly, Cadillac also offered the CTS Wagon andCTS-V Wagon, a result of then-VP of product Bob Lutz insistence on enthusiast models. The CTS-V Coupe was also enthusiast-focused, especially when equipped with the manual. It wasn't the most common choice, thus making surviving examples somewhat rare. Fortunately, Bring A Trailer has one for sale right now.

This 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe currently has a bid, as of this writing, of $19,999. It has only 18,000 miles on its clock and comes complete with complete service records.

What's cool about it is that it was used as a corporate vehicle for media and public events. It's painted Crystal Red Tincoat over a black leather and Alcantara interior. There are even Recaro sport seats. A Corsa sports exhaust system was also installed and the windows have been tinted. Now that Cadillac is shifting towards not only SUVs and crossovers but also EVs, the CTS-V Coupe, especially with the manual, is more precious than ever.