1975 Cadillac DeVille

The Cadillac DeVille began life as a trim level and later a separate model dating back to the late 1940s, meaning 'town car' with the early models sporting a telephone in the glove compartment and a secretarial pad in the rear armrest. In 1959 it became a model within the Cadillac lineup, wearing large sharp tailfins with dual bullet taillights. As the 1960s progressed, the styling became more restrained and smoother.

General Motors completely redesigned its full-size models, including the DeVille, for 1971. The generous proportions set a record for interior width and would not be matched by any car until the arrival of the rear-wheel-drive, full-size GM models of the early-1990s. The DeVille rested on a 130-inch wheelbase and measured 225.8 inches in length. Its 472 cubic-inch V8 engine had overhead valves, a Rochester Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor, hydraulic valve lifters, a 10.0:1 compression ratio, five main bearings, and delivered 375 horsepower at 4,400 RPM.

The styling featured a V-shaped grille with egg-crate style inserts flanked on either side by round headlights set into square bezels that had slightly rounded edges. In compliance with federal safety standards, the bumpers were large and prominent. The DeVille signature script was placed on the front fenders and the bottoms of the rear fenders wore a bright metal beauty panel that was wider than the thin, bright metal rocker panel strips and was carefully integrated into the molding that traversed the bottom of the fender skirt. There were hidden windshield wipers, a Cadillac crest on the nose of the wide hood, full-length windsplints, and new indicator lamps on each front fender. Body styles included a Hardtop Sedan DeVille and a Coupe DeVille.

Minor front revisions were made to the 1972 DeVille and the parking lamps were relocated from the bumper to between the square bezel headlamps. The hood and deck lid now carried V-shaped emblems, and the DeVille signature script was placed on the rear roof panels. The 135,426 examples that had been produced in 1971 were greatly eclipsed by the 194,811 units produced in 1972, setting a sales record in the process. This record was short-lived, as 1973 push the bar even further, to 216,243 units.

The 1973 Cadillac DeVille wore new energy-absorbing bumpers, a widened grille with an intricate egg-crate design, and larger vertical rectangles contained the parking lamps between the wide-spaced headlamps.

The 1974 DeVille could be ordered with the optional 'Air Cushion Restraint System,' commonly known today as airbags. One bag was in the dashboard in front of the front seat passenger, and the other was within the steering wheel. This system proved unpopular with customers due to the expense, prompting Cadillac to discontinue it following the 1976 model year. Airbags would return to Cadillac products in 1990.

The 1975 Cadillac DeVille saw roughly 173,570 examples produced, accounting for over half of all Cadillac production. Body styles included a hardtop sedan and a hardtop coupe with prices of $8800 and $8600 respectively. Luxury-level options included the d'Elegance and Cabriolet packages. DeVille series rear fender name-plates, chrome underscores and luxurious interiors helped identify the Cadillac DeVille series. Pricing had begun at $8,800 but rose during the year as Cadillac increased the price of the vehicle.

The d'Elegance package had velour upholstery, front seatback storage pockets, deep pile carpeting, Deluxe padded doors, floor mats, see-through standup hood ornament, and vinyl tape accent stripes. This package was first introduced during the 1974 model year and would remain part of the DeVille series through 1984. In 1997, it became a separate model designation for the sedan.

New items added to the standard equipment list include power door locks, high-energy ignition, front fender lamp monitors, and steel-belted radial whitewall tires. Among the list of optional equipment included an Astroroof with a sliding sunshade that could act as an electrically operated sunroof or a transparent closed skylight. A traditional sunroof panel was also optional.

Styling changes were minimal, with a new cross-hatched grille with Cadillac script on the header. Sedans received thin opera windows positioned within the D-pillars. In the front, dual rectangular headlamp lenses flanked by rectangular cornering lights wrapped around squared-off front fenders.

The DeVille was powered by a 500 cubic-inch V8 engine, with electronic fuel injection becoming optional in March of 1975. The 500 CID V8, which replaced the previous 472 CID V8, had a cast-iron block, 8.5:1 compression ratio, a four-barrel carburetor, hydraulic valve lifters, and delivered 190 (SAE) horsepower at 4,000 RPM.

The DeVille continued to be popular in 1975 with 63,352 examples of the hardtop sedan and 110,218 of the hardtop coupe. The combined total accounted for approximately 66 percent of Cadillac's total production. The other 1975 Cadillac models included the Calais which had just 8,300 examples produced, the Fleetwood Brougham with 18,755 examples built, and the Fleetwood Seventy-Five with a production total of 2,999 units. The Seventy-Five had the largest footprint, with a wheelbase of 151.5 inches and an overall length of 253 inches, and the highest prices in the lineup, exceeding $14,200. The Fleetwood Brougham was priced at $10,415 and the Calais was in the low-$8,000s.

The styling introduced in 1971 would continue through 1976. For 1977 (Cadillac's 75th anniversary), the DeVille was downsized and its wheelbase was reduced to 121.5 inches and its length to 221.2 inches. The 1977 models were the first DeVille devoid of fender skirts over the rear wheels. The previous 500 CID V8 was replaced by a 425 CID V8 with 180 horsepower. The smaller size and engine meant a reduction in overall weight, which improved fuel economy and emissions.

Cadillac would continue to produce the DeVille until the mid-200s.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2013