Cadillac Coupe DeVille

The Cadillac Coupe DeVille (or Cadillac Coupe de Ville) was a two-door coupe that was manufactured by the Cadillac division of General Motors from spring 1949 to autumn 1993. In pop culture, his name has been frequently used in music or movies.

Model history

Coupe DeVille (1949-1953)

Cadillac Coupe DeVille (1950 )

The Coupe DeVille Cadillac led one in the spring of 1949. It was part of the 62 series and Cadillacs first hardtop coupe.

The Prestige model was one of the most expensive models of the Series 62 and cost U.S. $ 3497, -. It was luxuriously appointed with leather upholstery and chrome strips incorporated in the headliner that should remind you of the bow of a convertible top. In the first year, the Coupe DeVille sold 2,150 times; 1950 already double the number has been reached and 1951 quadrupled sales the first year.

1961 was the Coupe DeVille Cadillac 's most popular model with over 20,000 sales per year.

The naming of the Cadillac DeVille models always followed the same pattern: the two-door with steel roof always welcomed Coupe DeVille and the four-door Sedan DeVille. The convertibles were always described as DeVille, since they were neither saloons coupes. After setting the two-door were the names of the remaining four-door only DeVille.

Furthermore designated DeVille from the beginning and for many years a special equipment package for the basic model in the range 62 (later Calais ) and not a specific body shape. In other words, you could certainly buy a four-door Cadillac, who was not a Sedan DeVille and no related decorative fonts had on the vehicle sides.

Coupe DeVille (1954-1956)

Cadillac Coupe DeVille (1954 )

In the spring of 1954, the cars were given an extended wheelbase by 77 mm, a panoramic windshield and a more elongated body with a flatter bonnet. The words " Coupe DeVille " could be read on the C-pillars. The 5.4 -liter V8 engine rose to 230 hp (169 kW).

In the following year there were only minor changes. Besides a more powerful engine under the headlights parking lights were attached. Also new were the tubeless tire.

In 1956 he had a new, larger V8 engine with 5,981 cc displacement, the (210 kW) gave 285 hp at 4,600 min -1. The body remained largely unchanged. The Coupe DeVille was the Sedan DeVille, a four-door hardtop sedan, set aside. The Sedan DeVille would be two-door counterpart eventually survive.

Rear view

Sideview

Front bumper

Cadillac Coupe DeVille (1956 )

Coupe DeVille (1957-1958)

Cadillac Coupe DeVille (1958 )

In early 1957, the wheelbase has been extended by 12 mm, and the cars were equipped with an X-shaped frame, the improved torsional rigidity. The front has been redesigned with twin headlamps and at the rear there were deep set, dual tail lights. The engine output increased to 300 hp ( 221 kW) at 4,800 min -1.

In model year 1958, there was little change. The grille had a slightly altered form, and on the tail fins appeared the name "Cadillac". The engine output increased again slightly.

In the fall of 1958, the production of the third generation ran out.

Coupe DeVille (1959-1964)

Cadillac Coupe DeVille (1959 )

In early 1959, the DeVille series has been revised and published as a separate " Series 63". In the new model, the rear wheels were covered by the fenders and the front car was slimmer. The tail fins were designed and wore pointy tail lights in rocket form. In addition, the wide rear bumper in the grill design was still on the side taillights, reminiscent of the outlets of rocket nozzles. New was the 6.4 -liter V8 engine with 325 hp ( 239 kW).

In 1960 there was little change, only simpler evaded the missile -shaped taillights, vertically aligned ovals.

In 1961, a flatter front again. Originated before the grille still under the twin headlights, so this set now its limit dar.

1962, the grill was once again flat and received a wide, chrome, horizontal center bar.

1963 there was a completely new grille that was divided horizontally. The dual headlights, still arranged side by side were smaller and among them were parking lights and indicators arranged. The tail fins were smaller and the oval taillights participated in an elongated, vertical shape.

1964 there was little stylistic changes, but a new engine with 7,030 cc, the (250 kW) gave 340 hp at 4,600 min -1.

1964 was also the first time a Cadillac convertible the lettering and the name " De Ville ". Until then, the convertibles were running either under the name of Series 62 or it was Eldorado convertible.

The Coupe DeVille grew as the other Cadillac models, between 1949 and the early 1970s and grew considerably also on engine performance. 1973 had the car a wider wheelbase to 102 mm, 432 mm were longer and become more than 400 kg heavier. Your V8 engines were grown from 5.4 liters engine capacity to 7.7 liters.

Interior

Rear view

DeVille (1965-1970)

Cadillac Coupe DeVille (1965 )

In the spring of 1965, the Coupe DeVille was completely redesigned but retained its wheelbase of 3,289 mm. The cantilevered tail fins disappeared and were replaced by small vertical fins and the rounded body lines were replaced by a clear, angular styling. There was also a new rear bumper and high, oblong taillights. In front the adjacent double headlights were replaced by superimposed, which enabled an even wider grille.

There was curved side windows and the sedans with B-pillars found their way back into the series Calais and DeVille. The coaches of the series 60 Special also got B-pillars, the hardtop sedans accounted for with six windows. The 60 Special got back also its exclusive wheelbase of 3,378 mm, while he had had in the years 1959 to 1964 only 3,289 mm wheelbase.

Although the sales figures for the 1965 Coupe DeVille revised elegant new records aufstellte, finished this model but only in second place behind the Sedan DeVille. In model year 1965 Coupe DeVille impressive 43 345 were sold with a hardtop and 19,200 DeVille convertible. Models 68357 - J to 68367 -F Coupe Deville factory cost between U.S. $ 5419, - and U.S. $ 5,639 as a hardtop coupe or convertible.

The hardtop there was an extra charge of U.S. $ 121, - with vinyl roof. The engine displacement was increased to 7.0 liters, and its power to 340 bhp (250 kW). All four DeVille models had little name tags on the rear fenders above the side moldings. The rear license plate sat in the middle of the clear, symmetrical rear of the vehicle.

In 1966 there were only cosmetic changes to the bodywork and the DeVille series differed in turn by the Tiffany -like model signs on the rear fenders above. The standard equipment followed the pattern of previous years. Cadillac signs and V-shaped moldings, front and rear were the identification.

During the model year 1966, the sales figures of the very popular Coupe DeVille for the first time exceeded the 50,000 mark, but were still below those of the four-door Sedan DeVille. All closed DeVille models had chrome frame and chrome capping strips on the side windows. An automatic level control was now standard. There were new motor mounts and a quieter, patented exhaust system. The hardtop weighed 2020 kg, 2014 kg, the Cabriolet.

The prices had increased over the previous year and ranged from U.S. $ 5339, - and U.S. $ 5555, -. As the model year 1966 ended in the summer, Coupe DeVille 50,580 had been sold.

1967 Coupe DeVille was significantly revised. Striking styling details were a strong, forward-leaning front of the vehicle, a long, structured body line and new rear fender with more than just a small hint of tail fins. The honeycomb-shaped grille stretched across the entire width of the vehicle and has now edged the third year of the stacked dual headlights. Rectangular parking lamps were found in outer ends of the grill.

Slightly different trim and a slightly more comfortable interior distinguished the DeVille models of the Calais models. There was also back the little signs with the model name in the Tiffany style of the rear fenders. Coupe Deville and Calais models were given a new elegant roof line, which was inspired by the Florentine show car of the 1964 World's Fair in New York.

Like the show car, the recessed glass of the quarter windows, the rear window made ​​her look like a sail.

The features list of the Coupe DeVille (model 1967) contained the same equipment as in Calais and additional power windows, rear cigarette lighter and two -way adjustable front seats. Additional advantages offered the Cadillac from 1967 with a pull-out fuse box and safety latch of the front seat backrests in two-door models.

Coupe DeVille (1971-1976)

Cadillac Coupe DeVille (1972 )

Up to and including model year 1973, the Coupe DeVille was a hardtop coupe, but in 1974 it became the coupe with B-pillars and the then modern small round windows behind the B-pillars ( " Opera Windows ").

The Sedan DeVille remained until 1976, a hardtop sedan. New rectangular headlights with pervasive wraparound turn signals appeared in 1975 and the grille was no longer recessed. The 7.7 liter engine ran out in 1975, so the 8.2 -liter V8 engine was the only one available.

Cadillac Coupe DeVille (1975 )

Coupe DeVille (1977-1984)

Cadillac Coupe DeVille (1977-1979)

When GM launched the new designs to its B- and C platforms in 1976, the DeVille and all other major GM models fell from 250 mm shorter and 340 pounds lighter. The new standard engine for the DeVille was the 7.0 -liter V8; from 1978, the 5.7 -liter V8 diesel Oldsmobile was available.

In model year 1977, the first generation of downsized Cadillac model range are technically identical DeVille and Fleetwood models, the latter were still the top models contained. The models differed substantially in their equipment and padding. These were the first DeVille models without covered rear wheels.

The big 8.2 -liter V8 engine was gone and was replaced by the 7.0 -liter V8. 1980 more this engine the even smaller 6.0 -liter V8; request was still the 5.7 -liter V8 diesel also available. Problems with the reliability of the 6.0 -liter unit led Cadillac to offer their own HT engine with aluminum block from 1982.

The " d' Elegance" package was offered on the Coupe DeVille and 1977. The three-chamber rear lights that attacked the vehicle corners were installed only in model year 1977 ( until 1987, she appeared again). The popular Cabriolet version of the Coupe DeVille was in the back half features a padded vinyl roof. We have sold this year 138 750 Coupe DeVille.

In addition to a revised grille, there were model 1978 slim, vertical taillights that were integrated in the end caps of the rear bumper and also contained the rear side marker lights. ( Cadillac used this arrangement for many years, the DeVille to 1999 and the Fleetwood until 1996). New in 1978 was a ' Phaeton '' package for the DeVille. It contained a simulated convertible roof, special trim, imitated spoke wheels and the term " Phaeton " instead of the usual " DeVille " lettering on the rear fenders. Inside, it offered leather seats and a leather steering wheel. The package existed in the exterior colors " Cotillion White" ( with dark blue roof), " Platinum Silver" ( with black roof ) and " Arizona Beige" ( with dark brown roof). 1978 sold 117,750 Coupe DeVille.

Since 1980 major changes were planned, it was in the summer of 1979, just a little facelift, which included, inter alia, a new grille. The three models with 3,086 mm wheelbase were the same as in the previous year. The Coupe DeVille was after the abolition of Calais from 1977, the entry-level model in Cadillac and cost U.S. $ 11 728, -. The " Phaeton " package, there was still in white and silver and also in " Western Saddle Fire Mist" ( with leather interior in " Antique Saddle " and dark brown roof ). " Arizona Beige" was omitted.

In the movie Goodfellas - Three decades in the Mafia by Martin Scorsese is the Coupe DeVille (1979 ), which is driven by Henry Hill ( played by actor Ray Liotta ), equipped with a " Phaeton " package in " Western Saddle Fire Mist".

In the spring of 1980, there were proposed major changes, with the wheelbase and interior remained the same. The body however has been completely redesigned. The special equipment " Phaeton " ran out.

The Coupe DeVille now had complete chrome frame for the window; the chrome plastic grille saw the a Rolls -Royce -like and had vertical struts. This pattern reappeared at Brougham (1989-1992).

End of 1980, since 1914 there have been on request a 4.1 -liter V6 engine of Buick with four -barrel carburetor as saving motor, so the first time a motor with less than eight cylinders at Cadillac. Standard engine this year was the 6.0 -liter V8. The Coupe DeVille cost U.S. $ 12 899, -.

1981 Cadillac had big problems with 6.0 liter V8 GM engine. Despite many customer complaints Cadillac defended the micro-processor controlled motor and even offered extended warranties. There was again the 5.7 -liter V8 diesel from Oldsmobile. The Buick V6 with automatic transmission it was 1981 again, after he was offered only a short time in the spring of 1980. Cadillac had a new entry-level model now the Cimarron with front wheel drive in the program and the Coupe DeVille slipped up one level; it cost U.S. $ 13 450, -. The new grille consisted of small squares as 1979. Grill This design also appeared 1987/1988 again.

1982, there were few changes which have occurred in a turn, new grille (which until 1986 remained the same ), a revised Rücklicht-/Parklichtkombination and a new wheel design.

The biggest change, however, was the new 4.1 -liter V8 engine, which replaced the Chagrin 6 0 liter V8. This was back in 1982, but only for the Pullman limousine Fleetwood 75 The new engine had a digital fuel injection, free-standing cast iron cylinders in a cast aluminum block and a 4- speed automatic overdrive transmission was connected. On request, there was also the Buick V6 or V8 diesel from Oldsmobile. The Coupe DeVille now cost U.S. $ 15 249, -.

Coupe DeVille (1985-1988)

Cadillac Coupe DeVille (1985-1988)

By early 1985 the DeVille was downsized again and this time he lost 665 mm in length and 360 kg in weight.

He now had front wheel drive and was based on the new GM C platform. By 1986 there were diesel engines, either a 4.3 -liter V6 or the familiar 5.7 -liter V8.

For 1988, the new 4.5 -liter V8 engine replaced with 155 hp (114 kW) the old 4.1 -liter V8.

The end of 1988 also ended the Produktiomn the tenth series.

Coupe DeVille (1989-1993)

Cadillac Coupe DeVille (1989-1993)

Only a few changes were introduced in the spring of 1989 for the last generation. At a constant wheelbase of the car grew by 160 mm in length.

1991 replaced the larger 4.9 -liter V8 with 200 hp (147 kW) the previous 4.5 -liter V8.

The decreasing popularity of large coupes eventually led to the setting of the Coupe DeVille in the fall of 1993.

From autumn 1993, the DeVille model line consisted of two four-door sedans ( Sedan and Sedan Concours ). As of 1997, the series ran for eight years under the name of Cadillac DeVille (without the " Sedan " ), although there was the Concours version until 1999.

In autumn 2005 Cadillac DTS brought out, an acronym for " DeVille Touring Sedan ".

Trivia

The models from the 1950s, with their extravagant tail fins are probably the best known versions of the model. Models from this period appear again and again in movies and music videos and are also shown on stamps.