1976 CDV Cadillac

Coupe DeVille, a name that had been around for over two decades, was advertised as "America's favorite luxury car."

• The mid-1970s edition had a vinyl cabriolet roof with chrome accent strip at the leading edge, and a squarish quarter window (considerably larger than most such windows at this time).
• Sedan DeVille continued the pillarless hardtop that had been part of the GM tradition for years, but would soon be doomed to extinction.
• Sedans also featured narrow sail-shaped fixed windows in the roof quarter panels.
• DeVille's crosshatch grille was dominated by a framed set of vertical bars, peaking forward slightly at the center.
• An upper horizontal bar above the grille mesh held a Cadillac script at the side and swept down alongside the grille, then outward to wrap around the fenders just above the bumpers.
• Quad rectangular headlamps met wraparound cornering lamps.
• Set into traditional tall housings at rear fender tips were vertical inward-facing and outward-facing side lamps.
• Horizontal taillamps were below the deck lid; backup lamps in toward the license plate housing.
• Script nameplates were on rear quarter panels, just above the bodyside molding.
• New Magnan ribbed knit upholstery came in six colors; Merlin Plaid or Manhattan velour each in two.
• Eleven leather combinations were available.
• Distinctive simulated-rosewood appliques and laminates highlighted doors and dash.
• 50/50 seats had individual fold-down center armrests.
• The standard 500 cu. in. V-8 (whose days were numbered) could have either a four-barrel carburetor or fuel injection.
• The special-edition Coupe DeVille d'Elegance now carried standard opera lamps behind the quarter windows, which were optional on other DeVille coupes.
• D'Elegance hoods omitted the customary "V" and crest, substituting a distinctive stand-up see-through ornament along the chrome windsplit.
• Styling highlights included dual accent stripes on front and sides of hood, door surfaces, and rear deck (in choice of eight colors).
• Interiors contained new loose-pillow style 50/50 seats in two-toned Magnan ribbed knit cloth (four colors).
• A "DeVille d'Elegance" script was on the instrument panel and sail panels (coupe only).
• The package also included wide brushed-chrome lower door moldings, and bodyside moldings with colored vinyl inserts to match the vinyl roof color.
• Coupe DeVille's Cabriolet roof option, with Elk Grain vinyl padded vinyl top, added for 1976 a decorative Cadillac crest on the sail panels.
• Also part of the package: a standup see-through hood ornament, chrome roof moldings, and French seam around the backlight (i.e., rear window).
• Cabriolet roofs had been available on Coupe DeVille since 1974.