Cadillac Deville1989

Cadillac Deville Moels & History 1989

The Cadillac Coupe de Ville and Sedan de Ville shared a distinctive new interior and exterior appearance as well as a more spacious passenger compartment and increased trunk capacity for 1989. The overall length of the coupe increased 5.8 in. to 202.5 in. while that of the sedan moved up 8.8 in. to 205.2 in. The sedan’s wheelbase was also expanded 3.0 in. to 113.8 in. The front overhang of both models increased 2.4 in. to 44.1 in. Their rear overhang was increased 3.4 in. to 47.2 in. New front sheet metal, grille quarter panels and hood were used. A new fascia was used to improve air flow. Both the front and rear bumpers made greater use of chrome and were fitted with an accent-colored rub strip. Bright headlight bezels and cornering lights were also featured along with a rear-mounted power antenna. At the rear a new deck lid, tail lamp and fascia were adopted. Highlighting the 1989 model’s profile were new rear wheel “eyebrow” openings and lower body side color accent moldings. The sedan, in addition to having new rear doors had an integrated center high-mounted stop light. If the sedan was ordered with the optional full padded vinyl roof, an electro-luminescent wreath and crest sail ornament was installed. Beginning with a new seat design with a Primavera cloth trim, numerous interior changes and revisions accompanied the 1989 de Ville’s larger and restyled exterior. Many changes were noticeable in the front seat. These consisted of wider headrests, a storage-type center armrest with a flip-open lid and a cup holder option, and manual driver and passenger seat recliners. The sedan’s rear compartment had raised rack bolsters with integral headrests, increased lower cushion length for improved thigh support and a reduced corner radius for fuller seat appearance and improved passenger comfort. Three-point shoulder belts were installed along with a raised rear package shelf/storage compartment. The sedan’s longer wheelbase provided additional interior space. Rear leg room was increased 3.0 in. to 43.3 in. Knee clearance increased 3.1 in. to 6.1 in. Trunk capacity was increased from 16.1 cu. ft. to 18.4 cu. ft. on the sedan and 18.1 cu. ft. on the coupe. The jack was relocated to a position under the trunk floor which now had a flat surface area. A new trunk trim, Tyger, replaced the Teton material used in 1988. A “Tiffany” carpeting was used for the trunk. The de Ville models now had new front and rear reversible and washable floor mats with a new retention device. A driver side express-down window was standard as were electrically operated outside car-colored mirrors, front license plate mounting provisions and an AM/FM stereo signal seeking radio with scanner, digital display, cassette player/ five-band graphic equalizer and extended range front speakers. A new Delco/Bose II Symphony sound system was optional as was a digital compact disc player integrated with the Bose II radio. Other new options included an electrochromic automatic day/night rearview mirror with three-position sensitivity switch and a heated windshield. Fifteen inch wheels with Michelin P205/70R15 tires-were standard. Aluminum touring wheels were now available as an option.

Cadillac loved to confuse buyers by using similar names for their cars. The Fleetwood and Fleetwood Sixty Special were upscale front-wheel drive DeVilles; but the “Fleetwood” Brougham was a rear-wheel drive units. The Fleetwood Cadillac was available as a coupe model as well as a sedan for 1989. Both versions shared the de Ville’s new sheet metal and added interior and exterior dimensions. Both Fleetwoods had new rear fender skirts. A fully padded vinyl roof was standard on the sedan. The coupe featured a standard formal cabriolet roof. The electroluminescent wreath and crest sail panel ornament were standard for the sedan. The Fleetwood’s seats were of a tufted design with elite cloth inserts with Primavera cloth bolsters. The new center armrest offered as an option for the de Ville was standard for the Fleetwood interior which also had the revisions provided for the de Ville. Except on those fitted with the Astroroof option, all Fleetwood sedans had new illuminated overhead vanity mirrors. The Fleetwood’s revised and enlarged trunk was identical to the de Ville’s. The Fleetwood also had the de Ville’s new f�br mats, driver’s express down window as well as its new mirrors and heated windshield options. The Fleetwood interior now had a real wood nameplate on the glovebox with “Fleetwood” in gold script. The interior trim was in high-gloss American walnut. Joining the standard features found on the 1989 de Villes were the Fleetwood’s remote release fuel filter door, trumpet horn, and wire wheel covers.

Cadillac described the 1989 Fleetwood Sixty Special as a “luxuriously equipped up-level sedan with all-new styling … [and] a unique and sumptuous seating package trimmed in ultrasoft leather:” In line with the de Ville and Fleetwood models, the Sixty Special (which was available in five additional colors, or 11 in all for 1989) had numerous new exterior sheet metal and styling components. It also had the larger trunk capacity and new comfort/convenience options. A full-padded vinyl roof was standard, as well as being listed as delete option. The electroluminescent wreath and crest sail panel ornamentation standard. The Sixty Special interior featured a new exclusive ITAL/Giugiaro seat trim style with “Ultrasoft” leather available in three colors. The front seat now had a unique “Split-Frame” arrangement that allowed independent vertical adjustment of the lower cushion relative to the seat back. Wider headrests were also used. The front seat’s electrically powered features now provided for triple-element lumbar supports, thigh supports, side bolsters, heated seat backs and cushions, headrests and slide-out storage drawer. The new center armrest used on the Fleetwood was also found on the Sixty Special as were the revised rear seats. The Sixty Special’s front armrest opened to the rear for rear seat access. The rear seat center armrest had a storage compartment. Map pockets were installed in the front seatbacks. Added to the Fleetwood trim was an identification plaque on the quarter panel and glovebox.

The 1989 Cadillac had a 17-symbol vehicle identification number (VIN) stamped on a metal tag attached to the upper left surface of the cowl visible through the windshield. The code was as follows:

• Anti-lock braking, $749.25
• engine block heater, $45
• aluminum alloy wheel, $480
• stylized aluminum wheels, $115
• De Ville Option Package B, includes door edge guards, front carpeted floor mats, six-way power passenger seat: $324
• De Ville Option Package C, includes items in Package B plus illuminated entry system, illuminated vanity mirrors, trunk lid power pull down, Twilight Sentinel: $739
• De Ville Option Package D, includes items in Package C plus remote release fuel filler door, manual driver seat recliner, trumpet horn: $894

Keyword: Cadillac Deville1989