Fleetwood Cadillac Models & History 1976
This would be the final year for the long Caddy limo and nine-passenger sedan (151.5 in. wheelbase and 252.3 in. overall), which weighed in at a whopping 5800 lbs. Their body style had first appeared for 1971. This year, like Fleetwood Brougham, they gained a new grille pattern plus revised cornering lamps with horizontal chrome trim. Base prices were $14,889 for the nine-passenger sedan and $15,239 for the eight-passenger limo. This model year, a total of 1,815 Fleetwood Seventy-Fives were built: 981 sedans and 834 limos.
Fleetwood remained the only American-built vehicle that was designed and built strictly as a limousine. Big Fleetwoods had two separate automatic climate control systems. Interior choices were Medici crushed velour fabric in black or dark blue, or light gray Magnan Knit in light gray. Full-width folding seats held three extra passengers. Passengers could use the control panel to raise/lower windows, turn on reading lamps, operate radio, or (in limo) raise/lower the center partition. Fixed quarter windows behind the rear doors were larger than those on Sedan DeVille. (Fleetwood Broughams had no such windows at all.)
Electronic fuel injection was optional on the 500 cu. in. (8.2-liter) V-8 engine. A cross-grain padded vinyl roof was optional. Seventy-Five models had new graphite-treated rear brake linings, reinforced shoes, and Hydro- Boost power-brake booster. They also boasted four cigarette lighters rather than the usual two.
STYLE
| Model | Series Number | Body Style | Body Type | Seating | Factory Price | Shipping Weight | Production Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fleetwood Seventy-five | 6D | F23 | 4-dr Sedan | 9P | 14,889 | 5746 | 981 |
| 6D | F33 | 4-dr Limo | 8P | 15,239 | 5889 | 834 | |
| 6D | Z90 | Commercial Chassis | N/A | N/A | – | 1,509 |
ENGINE
| Item | Carburetor engine | Fuel Injected engine |
|---|---|---|
| Type | V-8 90-degree, overhead valve V-8. Cast iron block and head. | |
| Displacement | 500 cu. in. (8.2 liters) | 500 cu. in. (8.2 liters) |
| Bore & stroke | 4.300 x 4.304 in. | 4.300 x 4.304 in. |
| Compression ratio | 8.5:1 | 8.5:1 |
| Brake horsepower | 190 @ 3600 R.P.M. | 215 @ 3600 R.P.M. |
| Torque | 360 lb.-ft. @ 2000 R.P.M. | 400 lb.-ft. @ 2000 R.P.M. |
| Main bearings | Five | Five |
| Valve lifters | Hydraulic valve lifters | Hydraulic valve lifters |
| Fuel distribution | 4 Bbl. Rochester M4ME | Fuel Injection |
CHASSIS
| Feature | Fleetwood Brougham | Fleetwood 75 |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 133.0 in. | 151.5 |
| Overall length | 233.7 in. | 252.2 |
| Height | 58.3 in. | 56.8 (56.6 limo) |
| Width | 76.4 in. | 76.4 |
| Front Tread | 61.7 in. | 61.7 |
| Rear Tread | 60.7 in. | 60.7 |
| Standard tires | GR78 x 15-D SBR wide WSW | HR78 x 15-D SBR wide WSW |
DRIVETRAIN
| Transmission | Three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic standard on all models; column shift (400 series) |
| Gear ratios | (1st) 2.48:1; (2nd) 1.48:1; (3rd) 1.00:1: (Rev) 2.07:1 or 2.09:1. |
| Standard final drive axle ratio | 2.73:1 |
| Optional axle ratio | 3.15:1 |
| Axle type | Hypoid rear axle |
| Steering | variable ratio power assisted |
| Front suspension | upper/lower control arms, coil springs, rod-and-link stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension | four-link drive, coil springs |
| Body construction | separate body and perimeter frame |
| Wheel size | 15 x 6 JK |
| Brakes | front ventilated disc. rear drum with power booster |
| Ignition | HEI electronic ignition |
| Fuel tank | 27.5 gal. |
DRIVETRAIN OPTIONS
| Heavy-duty cooling system | $40 |
| 80-amp alternator | $45. |
| California emission equipment | $50 |
| Limited slip differential | $61 |
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS
| Cruise control | $104. |
| Controlled-cycle wipers | $28 |
| Rear defogger, grid-type | $77 |
| Tilt/telescope steering wheel | $102 |
| Automatic door locks | $100 |
| Illuminated entry system | $52 |
| Fuel monitor | $26 |
| Theft deterrent system | $114 |
| Track master | $263 |
| Remote trunk lock | $68 |
| Opera lamps | $58 |
| Twilight Sentinel | $47 |
| Guidematic headlamp control | $54 |
| Trumpet horn | $19 |
| Remote-control right mirror | $30 |
| Thermometer on left mirror | $18 |
| Lighted vanity mirror, passenger | $44 – $60 |
| AM/FM stereo radio w/tape player | $239 |
| Signal-seeking AM/FM stereo radio | $147 |
| Signal-seeking AM/FM stereo radio w/weather band | $209 |
| Firemist paint | $146 |
| Door edge guards | $7-$11 |
| License frame | $7 each |
| Dual comfort 50/50 front seat | $185 |
| Dual comfort 60/40 front seat | $123 |
| Turbine-vaned wheel covers | $45 |
| Wire wheels on d’Elegance/Talisman | $122 |
Keyword: 1976 Fleetwood Cadillac history