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 |
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6C | D47 | 2-door Coupe | 6 | $11,139 | 4143 | 121,890 |
6C | D69 | 4-door Sedan | 6 | $11,493 | 4212 | 93,211 |
ENGINES |
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Feature | Base engine | Optional fuel injected engine | Optional diesel engine |
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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 |
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- 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 |
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- 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 |
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- 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 |
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- DeVille Cabriolet ($384)
- DeVille Cabriolet w/Astroroof ($1522)
- DeVille Cabriolet w/sunroof ($1312)
- DeVille d’Elegance ($725)
- DeVille Custom Phaeton ($2029)
CONVENIENCE/APPEARANCE OPTIONS |
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- 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).