1971 Cadillac DeVille

2 Door Hardtop

500 v8

Automatic

Clear

Gasoline

1971 Cadillac Coupe de VilleFourth generationOverviewModel years1971–1976AssemblyDetroit, Michigan, USA Linden, New Jersey, USADesignerBill MitchellBody and chassisBody style4-door hardtop[9] 2-door hardtop 2-door coupeLayoutFR layoutPlatformC-bodyRelatedCadillac Calais Buick Electra Oldsmobile 98 Buick Estate Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Pontiac Grand Safari Pontiac Safari Chevrolet Kingswood Estate Chevrolet Kingswood Chevrolet TownsmanPowertrainEngine472 cu in (7.7 L) OHV V8 500 cu in (8.2 L) OHV V8Transmission3-speed TH-400, automaticDimensionsWheelbase130.0 in (3,302 mm)Length1971: 225.8 in (5,735 mm) 1972: 227.4 in (5,776 mm) 1973: 227.8 in (5,786 mm) 1974–76: 230.7 in (5,860 mm)Width79.8 in (2,027 mm)Height1971–73: 54.5 in (1,384 mm) 1974: 54.6 in (1,387 mm) 1975–76: 54.3 in (1,379 mm)Curb weight4,900–5,400 lb (2,200–2,400 kg)1972 Sedan de Ville rear1972 Sedan de Ville interior1973 Cadillac Sedan de Ville1974 Cadillac Sedan de Ville1975 Cadillac Coupe de Ville1976 Cadillac Coupe de Ville As with all GM full-size lines, the De Ville was redesigned for 1971. The new GM full-size bodies, at 64.3 inches front shoulder room (62.1 inches on Cadillac) and 63.4 inches rear shoulder room (64.0 inches on Cadillac) set a record for interior width that would not be matched by any car until the full-size GM rear-wheel-drive models of the early to mid-1990s. Pairs of individually housed squarish headlamps were set wider apart. The V-shaped grille had an eggcrate style insert and was protected by massive vertical guards framing a rectangular license plate indentation. A wide hood with full-length windsplints, a prominent center crease and hidden windshield wipers was seen. A Cadillac crest decorated the nose and new indicator lamps appeared atop each front fender. A horizontal beltline molding ran from behind the front wheel housing, almost to the rear stopping where an elliptical bulge in the body came to a point and where thin rectangular side markers were placed above and below the chrome strip. The rear wheel openings were again housed in fender skirts. Taillamps were of the same type as before but were no longer divided by a chrome bar. Long horizontal back-up lamps were set in the bumper, on either side of a deeply recessed license plate housing. De Villes were set apart visually by thin bright metal rocker panel steps and signature script on the front fenders bearing the series name. The bottoms of the rear fenders were decorated with a bright metal beauty panel that was wider than the rocker panel strips and blended into the molding running along the bottom of the fender skirt. The standard engine remained the 472, still rated at 375 SAE gross horsepower and 365 lb·ft (495 N·m) of torque. In November 1971, a showroom-stock 1971 Coupe de Ville placed third in the annual coast-to-coast Cannonball Run, posting the highest average speed of the event, 84.6 mph (136.2 km/h) (excluding stops) and averaging 8.9 mpg-US (26 L/100 km; 10.7 mpg-imp). In 1972 a modest frontal revision placed more emphasis on horizontal grille blades. The parking lamps were moved from the bumper to between the square bezeled headlamps, which were now set wider apart. V-shaped emblems made a return on hood and deck lid. New standard features included a bumper impact system, automatic parking brake release, passenger assist straps and flow through ventilation system. New De Ville signature script was affixed to the sides of the rear roof panels. Sales reached a record 194,811. New energy absorbing bumpers were seen on all GM cars in 1973 and it brought styling refinements to De Ville. Grilles were widened and had an intricate eggcrate design. Larger vertical rectangles housed the parking lamps between wide spaced headlamps ehich had square bezels but round lenses. Bumpers ran fully across the front and wrapped around each end. Vertical guards were spaced much further apart at a point outboard of the grille. The rear end had a bumper with a flatter upper section housing an angled license plate recess. Border outline moldings vertically "veed" paralleled the fender edge shape at the rear bodysides. Single horizontally mounted rectangular rear side marker lamps were placed over and under the rear tip of the thin beltline trim. Cadillac script was seen on the front fender sides below the belt molding behind the wheel opening. This was the final year for hardtop Coupe de Villes, an irony since it was their introduction of the hardtop that made them such a sensation in 1949. Sales set a new record at 216,243.