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)
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.
Cadillac I.D. Numbers: 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.
| 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; and 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 |
| MODEL DESCRIPTION | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model Name | Model Number | Body/Style Number | 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 |
| 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 |
| POWERTRAIN 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 |