Model year production was curtailed by labor disputes and peaked at 188,537 units. The new models were introduced September 29, 1970. For the first time ever, Cadillac built cars outside of Detroit, Michigan. Some 1971 Coupe and Sedan DeVilles were built at a GM Assembly Division (GMAD) factory in Linden, New Jersey. Sales, for calendar 1971, hit a new high of 267,868 units. Hints of a forthcoming downsized Cadillac line were heard in Detroit.
1971 Cadillac Coupe de Ville
For 1971, there were five models: Calais (two-door hardtop coupe and four-door hardtop sedan), DeVille (two-door coupe and four-door hardtop sedan), Fleetwood Sixty-Special (four-door brougham), Fleetwood Seventy-five (four-door sedan, four-door limousine, and commercial chassis used in hearses and ambulances, etc.), and Fleetwood Eldorado (two-door hardtop coupe and two-door convertible)
I. D. NUMBERS
1971 Cadillac Coupe de Ville
Vehicle identification numbers were stamped on the top of the instrument panel this year and were visible through the windshield
The original engine serial number was the same as the vehicle identification number
The first symbol was a number “6” to indicate “Cadillac”
The second and third symbol represented the series code number
“82” for Calais
“83” for DeVille
“93” for Eldorado
“80” for Fleetwood 60 Special
“81” for Fleetwood 60 Brougham
“97” for Fleetwood 75 Limousine
“98” for Commercial chassis
The fourth and fifth symbol represented the Fisher Body Division Code
23 = 4-dr luxury sedan
33 = 4-dr limo sedan
47 = 2-dr hardtop coupe
49 = 4-dr hardtop sedan
67 = 2-dr convertible
69 = 4-dr sedan
90 = commerical chassis
The sixth symbol was a number “1” for 1971 model year
The seventh symbol was a letter to represent the assembly plant
Q = Detroit, Michigan
E = Linden, New Jersey
The next six numbers beginning with 100001 at each assembly plant was the sequential serial number
CHASSIS
Model
Wheelbase
Overall length
Tires
Commercial chassis
4001mm
–
L-78 x 15
Seventy-Five
3848mm
6281mm
Sixty-special
3378mm
5812mm
Eldorado
3208mm
5629mm
All others
3302mm
5735mm
SPECIFICATIONS
FLUID CAPACITIES
Engine
V8 472cc (7.7L)
V8 500cc (8.2L)
Crankcase
4 or 5 qt
5 qt
Crankcase with new filter
5 or 6 qt
6 qt
AutomaticTransmission after draining
25 or 26 pt
26 pt
Drive Axle
5 or 4.5 pt
4.5 pt
Fuel tank
26 gal(US)
24 gal(US)
Cooling with heater
21 qt
20 qt
Cooling with A/C
21 qt
20 qt
Heavy duty Cooling
25 qt
22 qt
GASOLINE ENGINE TUNE-UP SPECS
Engine V.I.N Code
R
S
Engine type
V8-472cc(7.7L)
V8-500cc(8.2L)
Fuel delivery
4 bbl
4 bbl
Manufacturer
Cadillac
Cadillac
Original Spark plug
R46N
R46N
Gap
0.035 in.
0.035 in
Distributor Point Dwell
30°
30°
Distributor Point Gap
0.016″
0.016″
Ignition timing (BTDC)
8°
7½°
Intake valve opens (BTDC)
18
18
Fuel pump pressure
6 psi
6 psi
Idle speed
600 rpm
600 rpm
ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR SPECS
Part #
1100911
1100908
1100694
1117144
Field current @ 12 V
2.2 – 2.6
2.2 – 2.6
2.8 – 3.2
4.0 – 4.5
Output
42 amps
55 amps
63 amps
145 amps
Regulator Field-Relay: Air Gap
0.015″
0.015″
Solid State
Solid State
Regulator Field-Relay: Point Gap
0.030″
0.030″
Regulator Field-Relay: Volts to Close
1.5 – 3.2
1.5 – 3.2
Regulator Air Gap
0.060″
0.060″
Regulator Point Gap
0.014″
0.014″
Regulator Volts @ 75°
13.5 – 14.4
13.5 – 14.4
13.8 – 14.8
13.5 – 14.4
BATTERY AND STARTER SPECS
Engine
V8-472cc (7.7L)
V8-500cc (8.2L)
Battery Ampere Hour Capacity
74
74
Battery Volts
12
12
Battery Terminal Grounded
Neg.
Neg.
Starter, Lock Test, Amps
Not Recommended
Not Recommended
Starter, Lock Test, Volts
Starter, Lock Test, Torque
Starter, No-Lead Test, Amps
70 – 99
70 – 99
Starter, No-Lead Test, Volts
9
9
Starter, No-Lead Test, RPM
7800
7800
Starter, Brush Spring Tension
35 oz. min.
35 oz. min.
GENERAL ENGINE SPECS
Engine V.I.N Code
R
S
Engine type
V8-472cc(7.7L)
V8-500cc(8.2L)
Manufacturer
Cadillac
Cadillac
Fuel delivery
4 bbl
4 bbl
Horsepower
375@4400
365@4400
Torque
525@3000
535@2800
Bore x Stoke
4.300 x 4.060
4.300 x 4.304
Compression Ratio
8.8:1
8.5:1
Oil pressure
35 – 40 psi
35 – 40 psi
CRANKSHAFT SPECS
Engine type
V8-472cc(7.7L)
V8-500cc(8.2L)
Main Brg Journal Dia.
3.250
3.250
Main Brg Oil Clearance
0.0003 – 0.0026
0.0003 – 0.0026
Shaft End-play
0.002 – 0.012
0.002 – 0.012
Thrust on No.
3
3
CONNECTING ROD SPECS
Engine type
V8-472cc(7.7L)
V8-500cc(8.2L)
Journal Dia.
2.5000
2.5000
Oil Clearance
0.0005 – 0.0028
0.0005 – 0.0028
Side Clearance
0.008 – 0.016
0.008 – 0.016
PISTON AND RING SPECS
Engine type
V8-472cc(7.7L)
V8-500cc(8.2L)
Piston-Bore Clearance
0.0006 – 0.0010
0.0006 – 0.0010
Ring Side Clearance: Top Compression
0.0017 – 0.0040
0.0017 – 0.0040
Ring Side Clearance: Bottom Compression
0.0017 – 0.0040
0.0017 – 0.0040
Ring Side Clearance: Oil Control
None (side sealing)
None (side sealing)
Ring Gap: Top Compression
0.013 – 0.025
0.013 – 0.025
Ring Gap: Bottom Compression
0.013 – 0.025
0.013 – 0.025
Ring Gap: Oil Control
0.015 – 0.055
0.015 – 0.055
VALVE SPECS
Engine type
V8-472cc(7.7L)
V8-500cc(8.2L)
Seat Angle
45°
44°
Face Angle
45°
44°
Spring Test Pressure
160 lb @ 1.50 in.
160 lb @ 1.50 in.
Spring Installed Height
115⁄16 in. (1.671875″)
115⁄16 in. (1.9375″)
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Intake
0.0005 – 0.0025
0.0005 – 0.0025
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Exhaust
0.0010 – 0.0025
0.0010 – 0.0025
Stem Diameter: Intake
0.3415 – 0.3425
0.3415 – 0.3425
Stem Diameter: Exhaust
0.3415 – 0.3420
0.3415 – 0.3420
TORQUE SPECS
Engine type
V8-472cc(7.7L)
V8-500cc(8.2L)
Cyl. Head Bolts
115 ft.lb
115 ft. lb
Rod Brg Bolts
40 ft.lb
40 ft. lb
Main Brg Bolts
90 ft.lb
90 ft. lb
Crankshaft Damper or Pulley Bolt
Press fit
Press fit
Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolts
75 ft.lb
75 ft. lb
Intake Manifold
30 ft.lb
30 ft. lb
Exhaust Manifold
35 ft.lb
35 ft. lb
CARBURETOR SPECS
Carb ID
7041777 (4MV)
7041766 (4MV)
Float Level
11⁄32 in.
1⁄4 in.
Pump Rod
11⁄32 in.
11⁄32 in.
Choke Unloader
0.300 in
0.300 in
Fast Idle Speed
1925 rpm
1925 rpm
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECS
Feature
Eldorado
Full size
Caster Range
½°N – 1½°N
1½°N – ½°N
Caster Pref.
1°N
1°N
Camber LH wheel Range
3⁄8°N – 3⁄8°P
3⁄8°P – 3⁄8°N
Camber LH wheel Pref.
0°
0°
Camber RH wheel Range
3⁄8°N – 3⁄8°P
1/8°P – 5/8°N
Camber RH wheel Pref.
0°
¼°N
Toe-In
0″
1⁄8 in. – 1⁄4 in.
Steering Axis Inclination
11°
6°
HISTORICAL NOTES
1971 Cadillac Notes
George R. Elges was general manager
Carl A. Rasmussen was chief engineer
Stanley Wilen was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
F. T. Hopkins was general sales manager
Cadillac production figures
Calais6,929 (decreased 12,893)
Sedan de Ville69,345 (decreased 21,159)
Coupe de Ville66,081 (decreased 9,962)
Eldorado27,368 (increased 3,526)
Series 6015,200 (decreased 3,451)
Series 753,614 (decreased 1,008)
1971 Automotive Notes
In August, US President Nixon announces a 90-day freeze on wages and prices as well as an end of the excise tax on automobiles
Horsepower ratings drop as more emission-control standards are introduced so that emisions are now 80% lower than in cars built before 1963
A closed fuel system used on all cars to control the evaporation of fuel from the tank or carburetor
Sales of muscle cars drop because of federal safety rules and emission regulations coupled with increased insurance rates and high purchase price
US Federal Highway Administration approves standard color combinations and symbols for warning signs
Automakers attempt to create a catalytic converter to meet projected emissions standards
In Los Angeles, over 5000 fleet vehicles are converted to burn propane and natural gas
The Silver Eagle electric car sets a speed record of 146 mph
Consumer advocate Ralph Nader publishes a new book titled, What To Do With Your Bad Car: An Action Manual For Lemon Owners
GM news:
GM lowers compression ratios, but other automakers wait until 1972
GM engines run on regular or no-lead fuel; likewise for some Chrysler and AMC cars, but not Ford
Edward N. Cole was president of GM
James M. Roche was chairman of the board at GM until the end of the year
GM buys a share of Isuzu
GM station wagons boast a “disappearing” clamshell-type tailgate
Some GM cars get maintenance-free batteries
Chevrolet introduces the sub-compact 97-inch wheelbase Vega
The Vega alloy engine with silicon cylinder liner is a failure and the body is prone to rust
Pontiac introduces the compact: Ventura II as a Nova clone
On July 16, Pontiac builds its 15,000,000th car
Full-size Buicks are stretched up to 5799mm (228.3 inches)
Buick introduces the restyled “boattail” Riviera with “Max-Trac,” a computerized anti-wheelspin system
Oldsmobile issues its last true 4-4-2 models
Eldorao is restyled and adds the first front-drive Eldorado
Ford news:
Ford outsells Chevrolet by over 200,000 units
Ford introduces the 84.2-inch wheelbase sub-compact Pinto which sells well over 1/3 million
Ford adds the sporty Maverick Grabber option package
Ford introduces a four-door Maverick which is 178mm (7 inches) longer than the two-door
The new Mustang is both bigger and heavier
This is the only year for the Mustang Boss 351
Ford station wagons feature a tailgate wiper-washer
Ford features automatic temperature-control air conditioning
Lincoln-Mercury market the Ford-powered DeTomaso Pantera
Chrysler news:
Chrysler buys a share of Mitsubishi
Plymouth outsells Pontiac to move into third place
Last year for Plymouth’s GTX muscle car
Dodge introduces the compact: Demon as a Plymouth Duster clone
Dodge produces its last convertible: a Challenger
Both the Challenger and Charger R/T models are in their last year. The name won’t be revived until the next century
Imperial is first to feature four-wheel anti-skid braking system
AMC news:
The Rebel “The Machine” and the two-seater AMX are dropped from the lineup