This would have been a great "Bet A Beer" topic.

I was convinced that there was no such thing as a 2009 XLR or XLR-V manufactured without fender louvers. Guess what there is such an animal!!!

A guy is selling a 2009 "V" Black/Cashmere without fender louvers, 6k miles and posted pictures.

THAT IS A REALLY RARE CAR!!!

Now if we can answer the question--Did production start out with no louvers and then they started putting them on or the reverse??? I am betting that they stopped putting them on toward the end of production.

At Rendezvous III, Cadillac had a few of the 2009 pre-production models on display. Some of them did not have the fender louvers. I was advised that the final decision to have them was not made until just prior to regular production. There are probably a few 2009's out there from the pre-production run that are without the louvers.

Jim:

I am still betting that these cars are at the end of the production run and no louvers were left in stock......

I'll have to see what the serial number is on this particular car.

Please say HI to Jean for me.

Oh yea I got a late 2008 "V" Black/ Cashmere instead of a 2009 because of the louvers.

Regards

Jerry

My 09 was built 9/11/08 and has the louvers. My understanding is that the big shots went back and forth about putting them on or not right up to the beginning of regular production. The early builds were a mix of with and without. I guess so they could see a variety or because they could not make a decision. My vote is for the latter... Anyway, at the last minute the head honcho said "put em on". When you consider the XLR-V (all model years included) is something like 3K ever built is rare. The number of 09's without louvers has to be less than 10. I don't think that fact will ever make them more of a valuable collector, but it's certainly a nice piece of trivia when it's time to sell.

Well having been lured into more than one "limited edition" vechicle purchase, I would say buy the car, drive it and enjoy it. If it happens to bring a premium when you sell it GOOD.

I agree with the 10 estimate, it has to be a real low number.

All of the 2009 Vehicle launch announcements and demos, advertising and pictures were set up with the louvers.

Regards

I have been away for a while, as I have had to focus on various other situations regarding Cadillac and it's marketing.

There was a lot of discussion back and forth as to the direction that the luxury market was going with the vents.

Because of this they had to be a handful of pre-production factory cars that were produced without the vents.

At the 2008 Rendezvous in Bowling Green we had a few of them there. The choice was already made to keep them on the vehicles, but we felt we would show them to individuals that participated.

Take a look if you havent seen them, just scroll through the photos. http://www.cadillacxlr-v.com/page12.html

Thank you
Allen

www.cadillac-XLR.com (http://www.cadillac-XLR.com)

THANKS ALLEN!!!

jamsto aka Jim said that he felt they were the preproduction cars.

We are happy to see you back!!

Regards

Jerry

I have been away for a while, as I have had to focus on various other situations regarding Cadillac and it's marketing.

There was a lot of discussion back and forth as to the direction that the luxury market was going with the vents.

Because of this they had to be a handful of pre-production factory cars that were produced without the vents.

At the 2008 Rendezvous in Bowling Green we had a few of them there. The choice was already made to keep them on the vehicles, but we felt we would show them to individuals that participated.

Take a look if you havent seen them, just scroll through the photos. http://www.cadillacxlr-v.com/page12.html

Thank you
Allen

www.cadillac-XLR.com (http://www.cadillac-XLR.com)

Who is "we"? I was under the impression that you were a car salesmen? I must have you confused with someone else. What is your job at Cadillac? Thanks!

Allen:

FWIW: For the record, Allen has been VERY HELPFUL to Cadillac, the Cadillac XLR Team and the XLR Forum over at last 6+ years.

He was involved in the design review aka "360 reviews" that Selected Cadillac Dealers and Salesmen were asked to join regarding the XLR due to his very high sales volume and satisfied customer feedback assessments.

He was instramental in getting the XLR Boutique to sign up as a XLR Forum Sponsor (they have recently had to withdraw due to the obvious financial issues at GM).

Although it has been reported that he is/was an owner or part owner in the XLR Boutique it simply isn't true. The Boutique was a part of his dealership (Steve Foley Cadillac and Rolls Royce, Chicago, IL) and now it isn't--as I understand. The Boutique has recently moved as a part of thier independence from Steve Foley Cadillac.

Allen was of great benefit in the XLR Forum Roundevous II (2007) and III (2008) by working on the event planning for several months with the various Forum members and Cadillac Marketing, Design and Senior Management.

Further as a result of his involvement, attendees were fortunate enough--in better financial times to be the beneficiaries of hard copy XLR Books, Hats, Shirts, GM Cadillac Dinners, Owner Feedback Forums at the Bowling Green Plant and essentially private plant and museum tours---all for free.

He was kind enough to act as chauffer and pickup the various GM Mangement members at the airport and return them for thier return flights. All of the planning, management and attendance at these activities were done on his own time.

Several members over the years had experienced some very stressful issues with their cars. Some were a Cadillac issues and some were self imposed. In fact one in particular occured during one of the members trips to Bowling Green. To my knowledge NONE of the members were customers of Allen's or Steve Foley Cadillac.

When Allen found out about it he stepped in and arranged to have repair parts waiting at a dealership for the person and technicians to correct the situation.

So in summary, many of the members here who really know Allen think very highly of him and look forward to his continued participation in the Forum over the coming years.

In fact, I am again hoping to recruit Allen to help us on our Bowling Green Trip that is currently under consideration and which we hope you will consider attending.

If I can provide you with any further information please let me know via email or PM.

Thanks

Allen:

FWIW: For the record, Allen has been VERY HELPFUL to Cadillac, the Cadillac XLR Team and the XLR Forum over at last 6+ years.

He was involved in the design review aka "360 reviews" that Selected Cadillac Dealers and Salesmen were asked to join regarding the XLR due to his very high sales volume and satisfied customer feedback assessments.

He was instramental in getting the XLR Boutique to sign up as a XLR Forum Sponsor (they have recently had to withdraw due to the obvious financial issues at GM).

Although it has been reported that he is/was an owner or part owner in the XLR Boutique it simply isn't true. The Boutique was a part of his dealership (Steve Foley Cadillac and Rolls Royce, Chicago, IL) and now it isn't--as I understand. The Boutique has recently moved as a part of thier independence from Steve Foley Cadillac.

Allen was of great benefit in the XLR Forum Roundevous II (2007) and III (2008) by working on the event planning for several months with the various Forum members and Cadillac Marketing, Design and Senior Management.

Further as a result of his involvement, attendees were fortunate enough--in better financial times to be the beneficiaries of hard copy XLR Books, Hats, Shirts, GM Cadillac Dinners, Owner Feedback Forums at the Bowling Green Plant and essentially private plant and museum tours---all for free.

He was kind enough to act as chauffer and pickup the various GM Mangement members at the airport and return them for thier return flights. All of the planning, management and attendance at these activities were done on his own time.

Several members over the years had experienced some very stressful issues with their cars. Some were a Cadillac issues and some were self imposed. In fact one in particular occured during one of the members trips to Bowling Green. To my knowledge NONE of the members were customers of Allen's or Steve Foley Cadillac.

When Allen found out about it he stepped in and arranged to have repair parts waiting at a dealership for the person and technicians to correct the situation.

So in summary, many of the members here who really know Allen think very highly of him and look forward to his continued participation in the Forum over the coming years.

In fact, I am again hoping to recruit Allen to help us on our Bowling Green Trip that is currently under consideration and which we hope you will consider attending.

If I can provide you with any further information please let me know via email or PM.

Thanks

No thanks, I get it, he's a nice guy. I was just curious because the way he wrote his post it sounded like he was on the Cadillac management team or something.

Well in his mind he is.... He is one of the increasingly unique "company men to the end". He is a consumate believer in first class customer service.....for all Cadillac and XLR customers before, during and after the sale. WHAT A CONCEPT!!!!!!

I would hope you get to meet him and form a first hand opinion in the near future.

Best wishes

Jerry

Jerry, thanks for your comments on Alan. As an XLR owner that bought a used XLR from a non-GM dealership I want to state that Alan has been extremely helpful to me personally with answering questions - both by email and by phone, along with follow-up. All of this with no personal gain for himself. ...and I am sure that I am only one of hundreds the he has helped in this way.:cheers Thanks Alan! Jon

I have to say that I'm a little perplexed. There must be some history here that I'm not aware of. Based on his post saying that "he" and "we" did this and did that, I assumed he must be or has been a executive at Cadillac or something. I certainly meant nothing derogatory and thought it was a reasonable question.

I have to say that I'm a little perplexed. There must be some history here that I'm not aware of. Based on his post saying that "he" and "we" did this and did that, I assumed he must be or has been a executive at Cadillac or something. I certainly meant nothing derogatory and thought it was a reasonable question.
It is a very reasonable question and I know you mean nothing derogatory... so please don't give it another thought.

I think that in some corporate venues the "we" thing becomes normal dialog and is a result of all of those team building exercises and sales meetings.

How's your car doing???

Mines "In" for the chrome wheels exchange I mentioned awhile ago.

Regards

Jerry

It is a very reasonable question and I know you mean nothing derogatory... so please don't give it another thought.

I think that in some corporate venues the "we" thing becomes normal dialog and is a result of all of those team building exercises and sales meetings.

How's your car doing???

Mines "In" for the chrome wheels exchange I mentioned awhile ago.

Regards

Jerry

No problem.. The car is great and I just went over 3K miles and completed it's first oil service. Are you getting the stock chrome wheels like the ones I have on my 09? If so, your are going to love them. You live just up the road from me so be sure to let me know if there are any car events up there I may be interested in attending.

No mine is a 2008 "V" and will have the thinner spoked wheels in chrome. I like your wheels though and thought about getting them....or some Foose wheels but this was a part of the "buy deal" and came at a real good price.

I'll post a picture when I get everything done.

CAR EVENTS UP IN JAX-- I haven't seen many up here. There are the usual drive in's on the weekend. But you have some of the best down events where you are. I think Mothers Polishes did one not too long ago.

If I see one though I will let you know.

Regards

Jerry