1979 Cadillac DeVille

The Cadillac DeVille began life as a trim level before later becoming its own separate model. The first Cadillac to wear the name 'Coupe de Ville' was in 1949 as a pillarless two-door hardtop body style as a prestige trim level above the Series 62. It was its own separate model from 1959 through 2005.

The fifth generation of the Cadillac Deville was introduced in 1977, the company's 75th anniversary, and continued in production through 1984. These new DeVilles had a higher roofline, were narrower, shorter, and 1/2 ton lighter than the previous generation, but with increased headroom and legroom, and a larger trunk. They were the first DeVilles to be without fender skirts over the rear wheels. The 425 cubic-inch V8 engine offered 180 horsepower. Body styles included the two-door Coupe de Ville and four-door sedan de Ville.

Big changes were planned for 1980, so the 1979 models received few alterations. Changes included a new grille design with 'Cadillac' script on the header above the grille and a new lightweight aluminum hood. The interior trim was new, upholstered in Durand knit cloth available in six colors, or genuine leather. Power door locks, power windows, a six-way power seat, and automatic climate control were standard. There were new seatbelt chimes, an AM/FM stereo radio with a digital display, a dome light with dual spot map lamps, and optional electrically-controlled outside mirrors.

The standard 425 cubic-inch V-8 had new EGR riser tubes. A fuel-injected optional version had nearly 200 horsepower. The Oldsmobile built 350 cub-inch diesel V8 became optional mid-year.

Seven new two-tone body color combinations were offered, with color-coordinated accent stripes. New brushed chrome wheel covers were placed at all four corners.

Special Editions and optional packages included the Custom Phaeton, available on either the coupe or sedan with design features reminiscent of the company's past convertibles. It added brushed chrome moldings with opera lamps, reduced-size quarter windows, and a sporty convertible-like roof. It was distinguished with 'Phaeton' script located on each rear quarter panel and wire wheel discs were added to each wheel. Inside were 45/55 Dual Comfort front seats with leather seating and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. Three color combinations were available including Cotillion White with a dark blue roof and white leather, Western Saddle Firemist with a dark brown roof and antique saddle leather seating, or Slate Firemist with a black roof and antique slate gray leather upholstery.

The DeVille d'Elegance package had a new soft Venetian velour upholstery in four colors with pillow-style 50/50 seats. There was Tangier carpeting, special door pull handles, and identification script located on the glove box and exterior. There were opera lamps and sedans that received three roof-mounted assist straps. Other upgrades included the Cabriolet roof treatment, side moldings, accent stripes, and chrome crossover roof molding.

The 1979 Cadillac Deville coupe was priced at $11,140 and the sedan at $11,500. A total of 121,890 examples were coupes, and 93,211 were sedans.

The 1979 Cadillacs
The DeVille was the most attractively priced Cadillac for 1979 with prices that hovered around $11,200. The SeVille sedan listed at $15,650 and a total of 53,487 examples were sold. The Fleetwood Brougham was also a four-door, six-passenger sedan priced at $13,450 and 42,200 were built. The Eldorado was a two-door coupe priced at $14,240 and 67,436 were built. The Fleetwood Limousine was offered as an eight-passenger sedan and a formal limousine with the former priced at $20,990 and the latter at $21,735. Eight hundred and sixty-four examples of the Fleetwood Limousine were built as commercial chassis.

The SeVille and Eldorado were powered by a 350 cubic-inch, overhead valve V8 engine delivering 170 horsepower at 4,200 RPM and 270 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 RPM. The DeVille, Brougham, and Fleetwood used a 425 cubic-inch V8 engine delivering 180 horsepower at 4,000 RPM and 320 lb-ft of torque at 2,0000 RPM.

The SeVille had a 114.3-inch wheelbase, the DeVille and Brougham resided on a 121.5-inch wheelbase, the limousine measured 144.5 inches, and the Eldorado had a 113.9-inch wheelbase.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2019