2005 Cadillac Escalade Collectors Edition

　　When the Escalade was introduced in 1999 to compete directly with

　　the luxury Lincoln Navigator, they were an overnight status symbol

　　despite the features it shared with the Yukon. Cadillac was

　　invigorated by the model which was loaded with standard features

　　and an MSRP price of only 3,000 more than the Yukon. By the second

　　generation in 2002, Cadillac was already making big changes that

　　disjoined it from the Yukon and created an air exclusivity, on

　　average selling just 35,000 units per year in the U.S. for 2005,

　　2006, and 2007.

　　For consignment, a 2005 Escalade thats been family owned for the

　　past fourteen years and has the optioned Collectors Edition and

　　Select Edition packages which added different wheels, navigation

　　and a number of other features well touch on. For the full list,

　　see the original window sticker in the photo section. But this

　　Caddy also benefits from some performance modifications that

　　include a supercharger, some internal components and Wilwood brakes

　　to bring all that power to a stop. Ever wish GM would have built a

　　3-row Typhoon? Well, this might be as close as you get.

　　Exterior

　　The big SUV is decked out in Raven Black and a blacked out mesh

　　grille is a nice addition for a stylized front end. The massive

　　flush HID low beam headlight assemblies give the Escalade its

　　individuality and the lighting is enhanced by four LED

　　fog/auxiliary lights mounted in the opening of the chin spoiler.

　　Chrome door handles and the Escalade badge are the only things not

　　black on the side of the vehicle and the spokes of the 20-inch

　　Black Rhino wheels allow viewing of the red Wilwood brake calipers.

　　Aftermarket clear-lens LED tail lights replace the standard red

　　ones and provide some modern flair. The paint, including on the

　　roof, is in great shape with the exception of some scuffs,

　　scratches and a sideswipe below the midline of the truck and on the

　　bumpers themselves.

　　Interior

　　Beautifully appointed in Shale leather, its immediately apparent

　　that this is no Yukon. Everything is stepped up just a bit

　　beginning with door panels where perforated leather mixes with faux

　　wood, plastic, and tan carpet creating a warm welcome point.

　　Inside, the front bucket seats, also in Shale leather, are extra

　　stuffed, inviting and tall. The drivers side shows a bit of wear

　　but not unexpected for a vehicle with 100,006 miles. The second row

　　consists of bucket seats flanking the extended custom console and

　　houses the amp. Pumping out the tunes for all 3 rows is a Sony head

　　unit that has a back-up camera, DVD screens, Bluetooth capability

　　and navigation. The factory speakers have been replaced as well and

　　a 4 channel amp feeds to the factory sub behind the rear seat. The

　　removable third row is a split bench with seating for three but

　　probably spent more time folded down as indentations from seat belt

　　buckles are evident. The four spoke steering wheel is capped with

　　plastic woodgrain and wrapped in black leather. The gauge cluster

　　is large and vibrant, and the odometer and info readout is

　　displayed in familiar GM digital blue. Faux wood applique augments

　　the dash and spills down to cover the center console where we find

　　a clock, cupholders, a lighter and some storage. The leather

　　armrest doubles as a bin lid. Second row passengers get heated

　　seats, A/C controls, a fold down screen, and audio controls with

　　headset input. The tan carpet covering the floor is in good

　　condition and as is the headliner which also is where you find an

　　overhead console with lights and A/C controls. Whew! Thats a lot

　　of stuff, but its a big vehicle with many features!

　　Drivetrain

　　And speaking of features, how about the 6.0 liter LS V8, a

　　legendary engine in its own right but massaged here with a Comp

　　Cams camshaft with .522i/.529e lift, 114 degree lobe separation and

　　a 112 centerline. Bolted on top is a Magnuson TVS 1900 Radix

　　Supercharger with a liquid to air intercooler bumping the

　　horsepower to an estimated and astounding 460 horsepower. In this

　　class of vehicle, unless youre sitting in a Callaway tuned Tahoe

　　at the red light next to this beast, dont even try it. The

　　transmission is a 4L65E 4-speed automatic that transfers power to

　　all four wheels and 3.73 gears at both ends. The power disc brakes

　　have been upgraded to Wildwood 6-piston calipers with 2-piece

　　16-inch rotors up front and 4-piston calipers with 14-inch rotors

　　in back.

　　Undercarriage

　　We found the lost city and its under this truck! Theres a lot of

　　real estate under here so lets talk about what we see. Standard

　　driver quality under here, meaning theres typical surface rust on

　　uncoated metal surfaces. A big gas tank on the port side holds 26

　　gallons. The exhaust pipes meet at a single Magnaflow muffler then

　　pair off down the length of the truck and exit via two chrome tips.

　　A transfer case turns two driveshafts and sits between two cross

　　braces. The oil and tranny pans are dry but we notice some

　　unidentified dampness towards the front. Torsion bar suspension

　　occupies the front while a four link with coil springs handles the

　　ride in the back.

　　Drive-Ability

　　Borat said it best when he exclaimed I have a chair, I have a

　　chair, King of the castle, King of the castle!, and indeed sitting

　　on these lofty leather buckets has a regal vibe. We should mention

　　that utilizing the running boards to get up to royal heights is a

　　necessity. Once here, we gleefully started the black beast up and

　　headed on our way. The ride is softened by the big wheels and

　　275/55R20s and hastened by the whistling supercharger. Good

　　acceleration for 5000+ pound truck with all the comforts of home. A

　　quick loop and back to the garage, satisfied that this is a good

　　runner with working brakes.

　　A logbook with copious notes and the original window sticker

　　accompany this truck which is fun and versatile and has a presence

　　like few other SUVs. If youre in the market for a big, powerful,

　　family SUV with a third row, consider this modified Escalade.

　　1GYEK63N95R274871

　　1-USA

　　G-General Motors

　　Y-Cadillac

　　E-6001 To 7000 GVWR

　　K6-Escalade

　　3-4 Door Cab Utility

　　N-6.0L V8 LQ9 345hp

　　9-Check Digit

　　5-2005

　　R-Arlington, TX Assy Plant

　　274871-Sequential Unit Number

　　Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and

　　collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate

　　controlled 336,000-square foot showroom thats more than 8

　　acres!. The largest single location consignment dealer of classic

　　and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,

　　Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the

　　I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit

　　or call us at 888 . Contact us

　　anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in

　　person.

　　With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and

　　we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host

　　Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends

　　in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and

　　automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune

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