...and this question (or answer technically) ever pops up:
Question: This was the first front drive car to feature a transversally mounted V-8 engine.
Answer: The 1985 Cadillac Deville.
Cadillac downsized the Deville for 1985 and used the GM C-body platform shared by the Oldsmobile 98, 88 and Buick LeSabre and Park Avenue. There might be a couple other C-body cars that I'm forgetting about. However, the Cadillac was the only one that got the infamous 4.1L engine. It is not an understatement to say that this aluminum engine is one of the biggest pieces of shit ever conceived. It is right up there with the Olds 350 diesel, Ford 3.8L and Cadillac V-8-6-4 variable displacement engines. All these engines, including the Cadillac 4.1L, warrant their own discussions.