1979 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD

Brougham sedans had the same new front-end look and restyled taillamps as the less costly DeVille, and the same engine choices. New wheel covers of brushed chrome displayed the Cadillac wreath and crest on a dark red background. Dual comfort 45/55 front seats held three people. Upholstery was new slate gray Dante knit cloth. Genuine leather in eleven shades was also available. Tire pressure was raised to 32 psi, and engine recalibrated, to improve gas mileage. Brougham's suspension was retuned and body mounts were new. Inside were individual reading lamps and armrests. Broughams came with four-wheel disc brakes rather than DeVille's disc/drum combination. They also had a few distinctive styling touches to separate them from DeVilles. Pillars between front and rear doors tapered inward toward the beltline. Wide rocker panel moldings continued behind the rear wheels, stretching to the back bumper. Brougham d'Elegance carried new pillow-style seats in Dante and Roma knits plus plush Tangier carpeting. Three roof-mounted assist straps, a choice of standard or turbine-vaned wheel covers, accent striping, and d'Elegance nameplate directly behind the rear side windows completed the package. Leather seating areas were also offered.

About 2,000 limos, offered in standard or Formal form, found buyers each year. Both had the same new crosshatch grille as Fleetwood Brougham, along with new simulated woodgrain interior, a lower profile, and revised two-spoke steering wheel. Fleetwood remained the only American-built chassis for use in "professional" cars used by funeral directors and for ambulances. The basic limo seated eight; the Formal edition, seven. Both were powered by the 425 cu. in. (7.0-liter) V-8, which had to haul over 4,800 pounds of car around. Standard interior was dark blue Dante cloth, but slate gray and black were available. Front compartment of the Formal limo was black, with black leather in seating areas, separated from the passenger compartment by a sliding glass partition. Interiors were also offered in slate gray and black. All limos included two fold-down auxiliary seats. There was a dual accessory control panel for climate control and windows, along with new optional rear seat controls for the radio. An optional 8-track tape player put controls in the back.