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1970sCadillacYear In Review
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Cadillac History 1972

Cadillac Models & History  1972

For 1972, there were five models offered: Calais (two-door hardtop coupe and four-door hardtop sedan), deVille (two-door coupe and four-door 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)

1972 Cadillac

In 1972, Cadillac marked its 70th anniversary with a refined line of cars that would set sales records. Cadillac built 267,787 cars which included a black Eldorado that President Nixon gave to the Soviet leader, Leonid Brezhnev. Introductions of the 1972 line took place in September, 1971 with production continuing until July 7, 1972. Calendar year production peaked at 266,780 cars and model year output hit 267,787 units. It was a record breaking year.

I.D. NUMBERS

Character Type Indication
First number “6” to indicate production by Cadillac
Second letter indicates the series as follows:

  • C=Calais
  • D=DeVille
  • B=Brougham
  • L=Eldorado
  • F=Fleetwood 75
Third & fourth numbers indicates the body type:

  • 47=Coupe
  • 49=Sedan
  • 67=Convertible
  • 69=Brougham
  • 23=6 pass Limo
  • 33=9 pass Limo
Fifth letter Engine:

  • R=472 cid
  • S=500 cid
Sixth number Model year.

  • 2= 1972
Seventh letter Manufacturing point.

  • Q=Detroit, MI
  • E=Linden, NJ
Eighth – thirteenth numbers The sequential production code

The GM serial numbering system changed slightly this year to incorporate an alphabetical series code and a new alphabetical code designating engine type. The serial number was again located on top of the instrument panel where it was visible through the windshield.

STYLE

Model Name Model No. Body/ Style No. Body Type Seating Factory price Shipping weight Production total
Calais 682/C C49-N 4-dr HT Sedan 6 pass. $5938 4698 lb 3875
Calais 682/C C47-G 2-dr HT Coupe 6 pass. $5771 4642 lb 3900
DeVille 683/D D49-B 4-dr HT Sedan 6 pass. $6390 4762 lb 99,531
DeVille 683/D D47-J 2-dr HT Coupe 6 pass. $6168 4682 lb 95,280
Fleetwood Sixty-Special 681/B B69-P 4-dr Brougham 6 pass. $7637 4858 lb 20,750
Fleetwood Seventy-Five 697/F F23-R 4-dr Sedan 6 pass. $11,948 5620 lb 995
Fleetwood Seventy-Five 697/F F33-S 4-dr Limousine 9 pass. $12,080 5742 lb 960
Fleetwood Seventy-Five 698/Z 69890Z Commercial chassis – $- – lb 2462
Fleetwood Eldorado 693/L L67-E 2-dr Conv. Coupe 6 pass. $7681 4966 lb 7975
Fleetwood Eldorado 693/L L47-H 2-dr HT Sport Coupe 6 pass. $7360 4880 lb 32,099

ENGINE

Engine type Overhead valves. Cast iron block
Main bearings Five
Valve lifters Hydraulic
Displacement 472 cubic inches (7.7 litres)
Bore and stroke 4.300 x 4.060 inches (109 mm x 103 mm)
Compression ratio 8.5:1
Brake horsepower (net SAE) 220 at 4400 rpm
Brake horsepower (gross SAE) 345 at 4400 rpm
Torque 365 ft. lbs @2400 rpm
Oil pressure 35 psi
Carburetor Rochester four-barrel Quadrajet Model 4MV

CHASSIS

Model Wheelbase Overall length Tires
Commercial chassis 157.5 in – L-78 x 15
Seventy-Five 151.5 in 250 in
Sixty-special 133 in 232 in
Eldorado 126.3 223 in
All others 130 in 229 in

DRIVETRAIN OPTIONS

Cruise control $92
Controlled differential (except Eldorado) $56
Eighty-Amp generator $41
Heavy-duty cooling system $56
Exhaust emission system, required on all cars built for California sale $15
Trailer Towing package (Eldorado) $62
Trailer Towing package (all other models) $92
Trackmaster $205

CONVENIENCE OPTIONS

Automatic Climate Control $523
Automatic Level Control $77
Rear window defogger (Eldorado) $36
Rear window defogger (other models) $31
Eldorado grid type rear window defogger $62
Door edge guards in 2-door $6
Door edge guards in 4-door $9
Power door locks for 75s $115
Power door locks for others $69
Power door locks with electric seat back release in coupes and convertibles $69
Dual Comfort seat in DeVille & Eldorado $103
Front and rear floor mats twin type in 75s $10
One piece front and rear floor mats for Eldorado $19
Twin type floor mats in other models $16
Soft Ray tinted glass $57
Convertible hard boot $40
Bumper impact strips $24
License frame(s) $6/1; $11/2
Remote control right mirror (standard on 75s) $26
Brougham and 75 opera lamps $51
Firemist paint $128
AM/FM pushbutton Radio $183
AM/FM signal-seeking stereo Radio $320
AM/FM radio with tape $406
AM/FM stereo signal-seeking with rear control in 75s $410
Full vinyl padded top for DeVille, including “halo” on Coupe DeVille $152
Custom Cabriolet Eldorado Coupe roof $360
Full vinyl Eldorado padded top $157
Power seat options $89-115
Shoulder belts in convertible front seat or rear seat all models $31
Tilt and Telescope steering wheel $92
DeVille/Eldorado/Brougham sun roof with vinyl or padded roof mandatory $610
Sunroof with Eldorado Coupe Custom Cabriolet treatment $1005
Remote control trunk lock $56
Trunk mat $8
Twilight Sentinel $40
Expanded vinyl Calais upholstery $41
Expanded leather upholstery in DeVille/Brougham $169
Expanded leather upholstery in Eldorado coupe $179
White sidewall L78-15 tires in 75s $47
White sidewall L78-15 tires in other models $41

SPECIFICATIONS

FLUID CAPACITIES

Engine V8 472cc (7.7L) V8 500cc (8.2L)
Crankcase 4 qt 5 qt
Crankcase with new filter 5 or 6 qt 6 qt
AutomaticTransmission after draining 8 pt 11.9 pt
Drive Axle 5 pt 4 pt
Fuel tank 27.5 gal(US) 27.5 gal(US)
Cooling with heater 21.3 qt 21.3 qt
Cooling with A/C 21.3 qt 21.3 qt
Heavy duty Cooling 21.8 qt 21.8 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° 8°
Intake valve opens (BTDC) 34 34
Fuel pump pressure 5¼ – 6½ psi 5¼ – 6½ psi
Idle speed 600/400 rpm 600/400 rpm

ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR SPECS

Part # 1100940 1100558 1100937 1100557 1101015 1117144
Field current @ 12 V 2.8 – 3.2 2.8 – 3.2 4.0 – 4.5 4.0 – 4.5 4.0 – 4.5 4.0 – 4.5
Output 42 amps 42 amps 63 amps 63 amps 80 amps 145 amps
Regulator Field-Relay: Air Gap 0.015″ 0.015″ Solid State Solid State 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 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 65 – 95 65 – 95
Starter, No-Lead Test, Volts 9 9
Starter, No-Lead Test, RPM 7000 – 10500 7000 – 10500
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 220@4000 235@3800
Torque 365@2400 385@2400
Bore x Stoke 4.300 x 4.060 4.300 x 4.304
Compression Ratio 8.5:1 8.5:1
Oil pressure 35 psi 35 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. 168 lb @ 1.50 in.
Spring Installed Height 115⁄16 in. (1.671875″) 115⁄16 in. (1.9375″)
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Intake 0.0010 – 0.0027 0.0010 – 0.0027
Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Exhaust 0.0012 – 0.0027 0.0012 – 0.0027
Stem Diameter: Intake 0.3420 0.3418
Stem Diameter: Exhaust 0.3418 0.3416

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 7047231 (4MV) 7047232 (4MV)
Float Level 15/64 in 23/64 in
Air Valve Spring 1/2 turn 1/2 turn
Pump Rod 11⁄32 in. 11⁄32 in.
Primary Vacuum Break 0.140 in 0.205 in
Choke Rod 0.090 in 0.090 in
Choke Unloader 0.312 in 0.015 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

1972 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
Calais7,775 (increased 846)
Sedan de Ville99,531 (increased 30,186)
Coupe de Ville95,280 (increased 29,199)
Eldorado40,074 (increased 12,706)
Series 6020,750 (increased 5,550)
Series 754,377 (increased 763)

1972 Automotive Notes

  • Sales for 1972 topped 8.6 million cars
  • US Congress revokes the price freeze and auto excise tax
  • Buzzers and warning lights remind occupants to fasten seatbelts
  • Almost all engines run on low-lead regular gasoline
  • Advertized horsepower and torque are published as “net” instead of “gross.” Although the much lower figure is a more accurate measurement, most people erroneously suppose that pollution equipment attributed to the lower figures.
  • As convertible sales declines, most automakers offer a powered or manually operated sunroof
  • The Automobile Manufacturers Association (AMA) in Detroit changes its name to the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association (MVMA)
  • Eaton Corp. tests air bags with human passengers
  • Prestolite introduces a maintenance-free battery
  • Fiberglass radial-ply tires are big sellers
  • GM news:
    • Edward N. Cole was president of GM
    • Richard C. Gerstenberg was chairman of the board at GM
    • GM cars get energy-absorbing bumpers — a year ahead of government requirements
    • Chevrolet takes back the lead over Ford by 174,000 units
    • Chevelle and Monte Carlo still offer the big 454 V-8, but the Monte Carlo SS departs
    • Last year for Chevelle SS option
    • Last year for Camaro SS and big block engine
    • Two Corvette show cars — the GT 2-Rotor and the Aero-Vette 4-Rotor — carry experimental Wankel rotary engines
    • Pontiac offers solid-state ignition systems to replace breaker points
    • Pontiac’s GTO is now a Le Mans option package
    • Firebird and Camaro sales continue to drop and GM worries about the future of performance cars
    • Oldsmobile moves from fifth to third followed by Plymouth and Pontiac
    • Last year for the Cutlass convertible, the 4-4-2 is just an appearance and handling option
    • Buick Skylark hardtop offered an optional sliding fabric sunroof
    • Buick GS455 returns, but the GSX is only an appearance package
    • GM tests an OBD (on-board diagnostic) system which will later become common
    • GM plans to install a Wankel rotary engine in the Vega for 1975, but it doesn’t materialize
  • Ford news:
    • Ford is the only automaker to offer new models: Torino/Montego, Thunderbird, and Continental Mark IV
    • 200 Mercurys with air bags go to Allstate Insurance as part of a pilot project
    • Ford adds a 3-door wagon to Pintos with a woody-look Squire option
    • The larger Torino gets body-on-frame construction
    • Ford sells nearly half a million Pintos
    • The Cobra muscle car is dropped
    • Mustang loses the big-block V-8s and discontinues the Boss 351
    • Thunderbird shares the structure with Continental Mark IV, but there is no sedan
    • Thunderbird has four-wheel disc brakes available with “Sure-Track” anti-lock braking
    • The White House gets an armor-plated 34-inch stretch Lincoln Continental
    • Ford signs an agreement to develop a Sterling external-combustion engine, but it doesn’t materialize
  • Chrysler news:
    • Chrysler offers solid-state ignition systems to replace breaker points
    • An electronic digital clock is standard on Imperials and optional on other Chryslers
    • Chrysler replaces the 383-cid (6.3 litre) with a 400-cid (6.6 litre)
    • Dodge and Plymouth replace the 426-cid with the 400-cid (6.6 litre), but keeps the 440-cid (7.2 litre)
    • Charger R/T and Super Bee are dropped
    • There are no more Plymouth convertibles or the GTX or big-block Barracudas
  • AMC news:
    • Ambassador offered only the SST and Brougham
  • Top American Automobile Corporations for 1972


1. General Motors4,837,449
2. Ford2,783,087
3. Chrysler1,554,983
4. AMC258,134
5. Others1,042
  • Top model year production for 1972
Chevrolet2,420,564
Ford2,246,563
Oldsmobile762,199
Plymouth756,605
Pontiac706,978
Buick679,921
Skylark225,346
LeSabre183,322
Estate Wagon28,968
Centurion36,435
Electra 225172,122
Riviera33,728
Dodge577,870
Mercury441,964
Cadillac267,787
Calais7,775
DeVille194,811
Eldorado40,074
Fleetwood Brougham20,750
Series Seventy-Five4,377
AMC258,134
Gremlin61,500
Hornet SST72,000
Javelin26,184
Ambassador14,617
Ambassador DPL26,035
Ambassador SST35,542
Chrysler204,704
Lincoln94,560
Imperial15,804
Checker850
Avanti II127
Excalibur65