Cimarron Cadillac Moels & History 1985
Cadillac’s compact received a major revision for 1985 but went on sale a little later than usual. Production of the 1984 models was extended into autumn 1985, to take advantage of the existing Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, which were to grow more stringent for the coming year. An optional V-6 engine finally arrived for mid-year models, to deliver a much-needed performance boost. The new 173 cu. in. (2.8 liter) high-output V-6 with fuel injection was built by Chevrolet.
Cimarron sales continued sluggish, but style and performance alterations were made to try to draw some younger customers. The restyled body also was intended to give Cimarron more of a Cadillac look. Prices began just under $13,000, well under other Caddies but a good deal higher than Chevrolet’s Cavalier and the other J-bodied GM models.
Stabilizer bars grew longer this year, and front springs became stiffer. Outside, Cimarron’s front end grew by almost 5 inches. The new crosshatch grille reached out to black inner surfaces for headlamp bezels, which were positioned differently from before. Styled aluminum wheels were available for the first time, as an option.
Standard transmission was a five-speed manual gearbox, with three-speed automatic or four-speed manual optional. Standard equipment included
- air conditioning
- AM/FM stereo radio with power antenna
- center armrests
- overhead assist handles
- power brakes and steering
- bumper guards and rub strips
- digital clock
- power door locks
- electric defoggers (rear and side window)
- halogen headlamps and foglamps
- tinted glass
- electric remote mirrors
Inside were leather reclining bucket seats (driver’s side six-way power adjustable), a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, tachometer, power windows, and power trunk release. All that and more helped to justify Cimarron’s hefty price tag.
Cimarron D’Oro added fine-line gold accent stripes on beltline, hood center and rub strips; gold-accented grille and wheels; foglamp covers; lower bodyside accent moldings; saddle leather seats; plus gold-tinted hood ornament, steering wheel spokes and horn pad emblem. D’Oro bodies were either red or white, with plaques on front fender and dash.
STYLE
| Model | Series Number | Body/Style Number | Body Type | Seating | Factory Price | Shipping Weight | Production Total |
| Cimarron (Four | 6J | G69 | 4-dr Sedan | 5 P | $12,662 (4-cyl) / 13,522 (6-cyl | 2630 lb | 19,890 |
ENGINES
| Type | Inline. OHV Four-cylinder | 60-degree, overhead-valve V-6 |
| Block and Head | Cast iron block and head | Cast iron block and head |
| Displacement | 121 cu. in. (2.0 liters | 173 cu. in. (2.8 liters |
| Bore & stroke | 3.50 x 3.15 in. | 3.50 x 2.99 in. |
| Compression ratio | 9.3:1 | 8.9:1 |
| Brake horsepower | 88 at 4800 R.P.M. | 125 at 4800 R.P.M. |
| Torque | 110 lbs.-ft. at 2400 R.P.M. | 155 lbs.-ft. at 3600 R.P.M. |
| Main bearings | Five | Four |
| Valve lifters | Hydraulic | Hydraulic |
| Fuel supply | Throttle Body Injection | Multi-port fuel injection |
CHASSIS
| Wheelbase | 101.2 in. (2571 mm |
| Overall length | 177.9 in. (4518 mm |
| Height | 52.0 in. (1321 mm |
| Width | 65.04 in. (1652 mm |
| Front Tread | 55.4 in. (1406 mm |
| Rear Tread | 55.2 in. (1401 mm |
| Turning Diameter (wall-to-wall | 38.8 ft (11.8 M |
| Turning Diameter (curb-to-curb | 35.3 ft (10.8 M |
| Curb weight with standard engine | 2538 lb (1151.4 kg |
| Standard Tires | P195/70R13 SBR |
| Wheels | Aluminum Alloy 13″ x 5.5″ |
| Seating capacity | 2 front/3 rear |
| Front headroom | 38.2″ (971 mm |
| Rear headroom | 37.6″ (954 mm |
| Front legroom | 42.2″ (1072 mm |
| Rear legroom | 34.3″ (871 mm |
| Front hip room | 49.1″ (1247 mm |
| Rear hip room | 49.0″ (1245 mm |
| Front shoulder room | 53.1″ (1348 mm |
| Rear shoulder room | 53.1″ (1349 mm |
DRIVETRAIN
| Feature | Standard on 4-cyl | Standard on 6-cyl | Optional |
| Transmission | Five-speed, floor shift manual | Four-speed manual | three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic (THM125C |
| Gear ratios | (1st) 3.92:1; (2nd) 2.15:1; (3rd) 1.33: 1; (4th) 0.92:1; (5th) 0.74:1; (Rev) 3.50:1 | (1st) 3.31:1: (2nd) 1.95:1; (3rd) 1.95:1: (4th) 0.90:1; (Rev) 3.42:1. | (1st) 2.84:1; (2nd) 1.60:1; (3rd) 1.00:1; (Rev) 2.07:1 |
| final drive ratio | 3.83:1 | 3.65:1 | 3.18:1 |
| Steering | rack-and-pinion, 14:1 | ||
| Front suspension | Touring, with MacPherson struts | ||
| Rear suspension | semi-independent, trailing arms, coil springs, stabilizer bar | ||
| Front Brakes | disc, 9.724″ x 0.866″ (247 x 22 mm | ||
| Rear Brakes | drum, 7.874″ x 1.771″ (200 x 45 mm | ||
| Fuel tank | 13.6 US gal (11.3 Imp gal) (51.5 liters | ||
DRIVETRAIN OPTIONS
OPTIONAL PACKAGE
CONVENIENCE/APPEARANCE OPTIONS
BROCHURE INFORMATION
The following lines appeared in the Cimarron brochure for 1985:
The Cadillac of smaller cars
Meet an agile, mobile, new-style Cadillac.
Cimarron … the Cadillac of smaller cars.
What does buying a smaller car that’s a Cadillac mean to you?
It means a heritage of quality.
Innovation.
Comfort.
Styling.
Performance.
Engineering.
Plus that certain sense of well-being you expect — and get — from a Cadillac.
When you look over the 1985 Cimarron, you’ll discover why we say
this is one smaller car that is a definite move up.
Cimarron. The Cadillac of smaller cars.
Best of all … it’s a Cadillac.
Commitment to Excellence
At General Motors, a lot of new thinking has gone into our products. New thinking aimed at completely satisfying you, the customer. Our designers and engineers are making history in aerodynamic design, computer aided technology, fuel efficiency and safety.
As further proof of our goal of totally satisfying you, at GM dealerships we are implementing a “Commitment to Excellence” Delivery Procedure.
The program includes a thorough new-vehicle inspection by both the service technician and the salesperson; a full tank of fuel; plus a follow-up survey based on your impression of the delivery process.
With a commitment like that, you’ve got a lot of excellent reasons to “Look at GM Today.” See your dealer for complete details.
Here is the fresh new look of the 1985 Cimarron. The front end says Cadillac in many special ways, and affords Cimarron a sleek new silhouette. Add the new available grooved lower-body accent molding, 14″ wheels and tires shown here (they’re standard on Cimarron D’Oro), and you create a stunningly new appearance. However, appearance isn’t all that’s new
Slip into and enjoy the redesigned body contoured front bucket seats with lateral and lumbar support in the new standard Sierra Grain leather seating areas, or choose the new Ripple cloth and Sierra Grain leather seating area combination, at no extra charge.
Cimarron — with comfort for five — is a move up.
