Cadillac Models & History 1979

  • Appearance changes for DeVille/Fleetwood included restyled taillamps and a revised front-end look, plus new interior trim.
  • This year’s grille had many more horizontal and vertical bars in its simple crosshatch pattern, designed to accentuate the traditional Cadillac front end look.
  • “Cadillac” script returned this year to the wide upper grille bar (driver’s side).
  • A thin molding above the grille extended outward, over the headlamps, to wrap around each fender.
  • Quad rectangular headlamps were outboard of twin vertical rectangular parking lamps.
  • The crosshatch grille pattern repeated itself in either side of the license plate.
  • In familiar Cadillac style.
  • Front fenders held large cornering lamps with clear and amber lenses.
  • Seven new two-tone body color combinations were available for DeVille (and Fleetwood Brougham), with color-coordinated accent striping.
  • New brushed chrome wheel covers showed the Cadillac crest on a black background.
  • Also new: seatbelt chimes, a standard AM/FM stereo radio with digital display, dome light with dual spot map lamps, and optional electrically-controlled outside mirrors.
  • Interiors were upholstered in Durand knit cloth (six colors) or genuine leather.
  • Standard fittings included power door locks and windows, six-way power seat, and automatic climate control.
  • The standard 425 cu. in. (7.0-liter) V-8 had new EGR riser tubes.
  • A fuel-injected, 195-horsepower version was optional.
  • The Olds-built 350 cu. in. diesel V-8 became optional in mid-year.
  • Special editions for 1979 included a Custom Phaeton Coupe and Custom Phaeton Sedan, both offering styling touches intended to remind observers of the “classic” convertibles.
  • Features included brushed chrome moldings with flush-mounted opera lamps and the Cadillac crest; reduced-size quarter windows; a sporty convertible-like roof; “Phaeton” script on each rear quarter panel; wire wheel discs; accent striping; 45/55 Dual Comfort front seats with leather seating; and leather-trimmed steering wheel.
  • Phaeton editions came in three color combinations: Cotillion White with dark blue roof and white leather inside; Slate Firemist with black roof and antique state gray leather upholstery; or Western Saddle Firemist with dark brown roof and antique saddle leather seating.
  • Also on the option list was the DeVille d’Elegance, with new soft Venetian velour upholstery (in choice of four colors) on pillow-style 50/50 seats.
  • It also had Tangier carpeting, special door pull handles, and “DeVille d’Elegance” script on the glove box and exterior.
  • Coupe d’Elegance had opera lamps: sedans had three roof-mounted assist straps.
  • Both bodies had side moldings and accent stripes.
  • Coupe DeVille also came with a Cabriolet roof treatment, including chrome crossover roof molding, in 17 Elk Grain vinyl colors.
  • A French seam surrounded the back window and a Cadillac script and crest identified the Cabriolet model.
Model Number Style Number Body Type Seating Factory Price Shipping Weight Production Total
6C D47 2-door Coupe 6 $11,139 4143 121,890
6C D69 4-door Sedan 6 $11,493 4212 93,211

 

ENGINES

 

Feature Base engine Optional fuel injected engine Optional diesel engine
Type 90-degree, overhead valve V-8. Cast iron block and head
Displacement 425 cu. in. (7.0 liters) 350 cu. in. (5.7 liters)
Bore & stroke 4.082x 4.06 in. 4.057 x 3.385 in.
Compression ratio 8.2:1 22.5:1
Brake horsepower 180 @ 4000 rpm 195 @ 3800 rpm 120 @ 3600 rpm
Torque 320 lbs.-ft. @ 2000 rpm 320 @ 2400 rpm 220 lbs.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
Main bearings Five
Valve lifters Hydraulic
Fuel supply 4 Bbl. carburetor electronic fuel injection Electronic fuel injection
VIN Code S T N

 

CHASSIS

 

  • Wheelbase: 121.5
  • Overall length: 221.2″
  • Height: 54.4″ (coupe); 55.3″ (sedan)
  • Width: 76.5″
  • Front Tread: 61.7″
  • Rear Tread: 60.7″
  • Standard tire: GR78 x 15-B SBR wide WSW
TECHNICAL

 

  • Transmission: Turbo Hydra-matic transmission standard on all models; column shift.
  • Gear ratios: (1st) 2.48:1: (2nd) 1.48:1; (3rd) 1.00:1; (Rev) 2.07:1.
  • Standard axle ratio: 2.28:1
  • Hypoid rear axle
  • Steering: Recirculating ball
  • Front suspension: independent with ball joints and coil springs, stabilizer bar
  • Rear Suspension: four-link coil springs, link stabilizer
  • Brakes: front disc, rear drum
  • HEI electronic ignition.
  • Fuel tank: 25 gal.
DRIVETRAIN OPTIONS

 

  • 425 cu. in. V-8 Fl engine ($783)
  • 5.7-liter diesel V-8 engine later in model year ($849)
  • Heavy-duty cooling system ($49)
  • 80-amp alternator ($54)
  • Engine block heater ($21)
  • California emission equipment ($83-$150)
  • California fuel economy equipment ($65)
  • Limited slip differential ($70)
  • High altitude pkg. ($35)
  • Electronic level control ($160)
  • Trailering package ($49-$103)
OPTION PACKAGES

 

  • DeVille Cabriolet ($384)
  • DeVille Cabriolet w/Astroroof ($1522)
  • DeVille Cabriolet w/sunroof ($1312)
  • DeVille d’Elegance ($725)
  • DeVille Custom Phaeton ($2029)
CONVENIENCE/APPEARANCE OPTIONS

 

  • Astroroof (w/full vinyl roof): ($998).
  • Astroroof (painted): ($1163).
  • Sunroof (full vinyl roof): ($798).
  • Sunroof (painted roof): ($953).
  • Cruise control ($137).
  • Controlled-cycle wipers: ($38).
  • Rear defogger, grid-type ($101).
  • Six-way Dual Comfort power passenger seat adjuster ($125-$160).
  • Power driver’s seat recliner ($122).
  • Power passenger seat recliner with six-way adjuster ($221-$280).
  • Power passenger seatback recliner, bench seat: ($122).
  • Tilt/telescope steering wheel ($130).
  • Automatic door locks ($121).
  • Illuminated entry system: ($62).
  • Fuel monitor ($31).
  • Theft deterrent system ($137).
  • Trunk lid release and power pull-down: ($85).
  • Opera lamps: ($66).
  • Twilight Sentinel: ($56).
  • Guidematic headlamp control ($91).
  • Trumpet horn ($22).
  • Remote-control right mirror: ($40).
  • Electric remote left mirror w/thermometer ($90).
  • Lighted thermometer on left mirror ($28).
  • Lighted vanity mirror, passenger ($52).
  • Electronic-tuning seek/scan AM/FM stereo radio with 8-track tape player ($195); w/8-track and CB ($480); w/cassette ($225); w/CB ($380).
  • Two-tone paint, partial Firemist ($361).
  • Firemist paint ($171).
  • Padded vinyl root: ($225).
  • Front bumper reinforcement ($9).
  • Chrome accent molding: ($90-$105).
  • Accent stripes: ($56).
  • Door edge guards ($13-$20).
  • License frame: each ($10).
  • Dual comfort front seats: ($208).
  • Leather seating area ($330-$350).
  • Carpeted rubber front floor mats ($33-$36); rear $16).
  • Trunk mat ($13).
  • Turbine-vaned wheel covers ($59)
  • Aluminum wheels ($350)
  • Locking wire wheels: ($569-$628).
  • Locking wire wheel covers ($189-$292).