Cadillac history 1979

1979 CADILLAC DEVILLE

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).

PREVIOUS: History of the 1978 Cadillac NEXT: History of the 1979 Cadillac Seville NEXT: History of the 1979 Cadillac DeVille NEXT: History of the 1979 Cadillac Eldorado NEXT: History of the 1979 Cadillac Fleetwood NEXT: History of the 1979 Cadillac Overview NEXT: History of the 1980 Cadillac

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May 11, 2000; March 8/03