Cadillac Models & History 1971

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) 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 11516 in. (1.671875″) 11516 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 1132 in. 14 in.
Pump Rod 1132 in. 1132 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 38°N – 38°P 38°P – 38°N
Camber LH wheel Pref.
Camber RH wheel Range 38°N – 38°P 1/8°P – 5/8°N
Camber RH wheel Pref. ¼°N
Toe-In 0″ 18 in. – 14 in.
Steering Axis Inclination 11°

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
    • The name AMX is applied to the top-line Javelin
    • Hornet adds a Sportabout wagon and the hot SC/360
  • Top American Automobile Corporations for 1971


1. General Motors3,724,791
2. Ford2,482,303
3. Chrysler1,440,175
4. AMC244,758
5. Others707


  • Top model year production for 1971
Ford2,054,351
Chevrolet1,830,319
Plymouth702,113
Pontiac586,856
Oldsmobile567,891
Dodge551,386
Buick551,188
Skylark162,380
Sportwagon12,525
Gran Sport9,170
LeSabre153,835
Estate Wagon24,034
Centurion29,398
Electra 225126,036
Riviera33,810
Mercury365,310
AMC244,758
Gremlin53,480
Hornet73,784
Javelin26,184
Ambassador14,617
Ambassador DPL26,035
Ambassador SST35,542
Cadillac188,537
Calais6,929
DeVille135,426
Eldorado27,368
Fleetwood Brougham15,200
Series Seventy-Five3,614
Chrysler175,118
Lincoln62,642
Imperial11,558
Checker600
Avanti II107