1977 Cadillac DeVille

1977 was Cadillac's 75th Anniversary, and it saw the introduction of the downsized DeVille coupes and saloons. In the early 1970s, the automobile industry reacted to safety concerns of the late-1960s 'muscle car' movement and rising insurance premiums for high-horsepower vehicles. Cars grew larger and more luxurious until the oil crisis sent designers and engineers back to the drawing boards for lighter and smaller products. Luxury remained paramount, but fuel efficiency was integral to the formula. Throughout the industry, cars became smaller and employed a variety of weight-saving techniques and improved aerodynamic efficiency.

These new Cadillac cars had a higher roofline, resulting in a vehicle that was over nine inches shorter, four inches narrower, and 1/2 ton lighter than the previous year. It had a larger trunk and more leg and headroom. It had a new body, new suspension, new chassis, and an integrated design. These were also the first De Villes ever to be marketed without Spats over the rear wheels. The 500 cubic-inch V8 with 190 horsepower was replaced in 1977 with a 180 horsepower 425 cubic-inch V8 variant of a similar design.

In the front, the DeVilles wore a new grille with a horizontal crosshatch design with four horizontal and nine vertical divider bars. Located above the grille was the 'Cadillac' script nameplate. There were quad rectangular headlamps and large cornering lenses at the inner sides. The lights and the grille were the same height. The hood had a stand-up crest ornament.

The bumpers had dual rubber strip protective inserts. There were full rear wheel openings and vertical taillamps.

The interior featured a new instrument panel that had a 'central control area' which allowed easy access to air condoning, radio, and accessory controls. Standard equipment included variable-ratio power steering, whitewall steel-belted radial tires, cornering lights, power windows, and door locks, SoftRay tinted glass, three-speed wiper and washers, lamp monitors, digital clock, AM/FM radio with automatic power antenna, and vanity mirror. Options included wire wheel discs, opera lamps, and accent stripes.

Aberdeen cloth upholstery came in dark blue, medium saffron, claret, and light yellow-gold. Ribbed Dynasty cloth came in six colors. Leather was also available.

For buyers seeking more, Cadillac offered the DeVille d'Elegance special edition which added pillow-style 50/50 Dual Comfort seats in Medici crushed velour cloth in claret, dark blue, light buckskin, or medium saffron color.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2017