The Cadillac Allante was Cadillac's first venture into the ultra-luxury roadster market and was sold from 1987 through 1993. The name is pronounced "ah-lon-tay". Originally designed under the code name "Callisto", the Allante was intended to restore Cadillac to its position as a credible competitor to the Mercedes-Benz SL. Its chassis and engine were originally taken from the Cadillac Eldorado, though it also shared components with the Buick Reatta, Riviera and the Oldsmobile Toronado.

The body of the Allante was designed and built in Italy by Pininfarina of Ferrari fame. The completed bodies were shipped to the USA in specially equipped Boeing 747s, 56 at a time; at Cadillac's assembly plant in Hamtramck, Michigan the body was mated to the chassis. This led to a few interesting nicknames, such as "The Flying Italian Cadillac" and "the world's longest assembly line." 21,430 Allantes were built.