Cadillac Models & History 1971
Model year production was curtailed by labor disputes and peaked at 188,537 units. The new models were introduced September 29, 1970. For the first time ever, Cadillac built cars outside of Detroit, Michigan. Some 1971 Coupe and Sedan DeVilles were built at a GM Assembly Division (GMAD) factory in Linden, New Jersey. Sales, for calendar 1971, hit a new high of 267,868 units. Hints of a forthcoming downsized Cadillac line were heard in Detroit.
1971 Cadillac Coupe de Ville
For 1971, there were five models: Calais (two-door hardtop coupe and four-door hardtop sedan), DeVille (two-door coupe and four-door hardtop sedan), Fleetwood Sixty-Special (four-door brougham), Fleetwood Seventy-five (four-door sedan, four-door limousine, and commercial chassis used in hearses and ambulances, etc.), and Fleetwood Eldorado (two-door hardtop coupe and two-door convertible)
I. D. NUMBERS
1971 Cadillac Coupe de Ville
- Vehicle identification numbers were stamped on the top of the instrument panel this year and were visible through the windshield
- The original engine serial number was the same as the vehicle identification number
- The first symbol was a number “6” to indicate “Cadillac”
- The second and third symbol represented the series code number
- “82” for Calais
- “83” for DeVille
- “93” for Eldorado
- “80” for Fleetwood 60 Special
- “81” for Fleetwood 60 Brougham
- “97” for Fleetwood 75 Limousine
- “98” for Commercial chassis
- The fourth and fifth symbol represented the Fisher Body Division Code
- 23 = 4-dr luxury sedan
- 33 = 4-dr limo sedan
- 47 = 2-dr hardtop coupe
- 49 = 4-dr hardtop sedan
- 67 = 2-dr convertible
- 69 = 4-dr sedan
- 90 = commerical chassis
- The sixth symbol was a number “1” for 1971 model year
- The seventh symbol was a letter to represent the assembly plant
- Q = Detroit, Michigan
- E = Linden, New Jersey
- The next six numbers beginning with 100001 at each assembly plant was the sequential serial number
CHASSIS
| Model |
Wheelbase |
Overall length |
Tires |
| Commercial chassis |
4001mm |
– |
L-78 x 15 |
| Seventy-Five |
3848mm |
6281mm |
| Sixty-special |
3378mm |
5812mm |
| Eldorado |
3208mm |
5629mm |
| All others |
3302mm |
5735mm |
SPECIFICATIONS
FLUID CAPACITIES
| Engine |
V8 472cc (7.7L) |
V8 500cc (8.2L) |
| Crankcase |
4 or 5 qt |
5 qt |
| Crankcase with new filter |
5 or 6 qt |
6 qt |
| AutomaticTransmission after draining |
25 or 26 pt |
26 pt |
| Drive Axle |
5 or 4.5 pt |
4.5 pt |
| Fuel tank |
26 gal(US) |
24 gal(US) |
| Cooling with heater |
21 qt |
20 qt |
| Cooling with A/C |
21 qt |
20 qt |
| Heavy duty Cooling |
25 qt |
22 qt |
GASOLINE ENGINE TUNE-UP SPECS
| Engine V.I.N Code |
R |
S |
| Engine type |
V8-472cc(7.7L) |
V8-500cc(8.2L) |
| Fuel delivery |
4 bbl |
4 bbl |
| Manufacturer |
Cadillac |
Cadillac |
| Original Spark plug |
R46N |
R46N |
| Gap |
0.035 in. |
0.035 in |
| Distributor Point Dwell |
30° |
30° |
| Distributor Point Gap |
0.016″ |
0.016″ |
| Ignition timing (BTDC) |
8° |
7½° |
| Intake valve opens (BTDC) |
18 |
18 |
| Fuel pump pressure |
6 psi |
6 psi |
| Idle speed |
600 rpm |
600 rpm |
ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR SPECS
| Part # |
1100911 |
1100908 |
1100694 |
1117144 |
| Field current @ 12 V |
2.2 – 2.6 |
2.2 – 2.6 |
2.8 – 3.2 |
4.0 – 4.5 |
| Output |
42 amps |
55 amps |
63 amps |
145 amps |
| Regulator Field-Relay: Air Gap |
0.015″ |
0.015″ |
Solid State |
Solid State |
| Regulator Field-Relay: Point Gap |
0.030″ |
0.030″ |
| Regulator Field-Relay: Volts to Close |
1.5 – 3.2 |
1.5 – 3.2 |
| Regulator Air Gap |
0.060″ |
0.060″ |
| Regulator Point Gap |
0.014″ |
0.014″ |
| Regulator Volts @ 75° |
13.5 – 14.4 |
13.5 – 14.4 |
13.8 – 14.8 |
13.5 – 14.4 |
BATTERY AND STARTER SPECS
| Engine |
V8-472cc (7.7L) |
V8-500cc (8.2L) |
| Battery Ampere Hour Capacity |
74 |
74 |
| Battery Volts |
12 |
12 |
| Battery Terminal Grounded |
Neg. |
Neg. |
| Starter, Lock Test, Amps |
Not Recommended |
Not Recommended |
| Starter, Lock Test, Volts |
| Starter, Lock Test, Torque |
| Starter, No-Lead Test, Amps |
70 – 99 |
70 – 99 |
| Starter, No-Lead Test, Volts |
9 |
9 |
| Starter, No-Lead Test, RPM |
7800 |
7800 |
| Starter, Brush Spring Tension |
35 oz. min. |
35 oz. min. |
GENERAL ENGINE SPECS
| Engine V.I.N Code |
R |
S |
| Engine type |
V8-472cc(7.7L) |
V8-500cc(8.2L) |
| Manufacturer |
Cadillac |
Cadillac |
| Fuel delivery |
4 bbl |
4 bbl |
| Horsepower |
[email protected] |
[email protected] |
| Torque |
[email protected] |
[email protected] |
| Bore x Stoke |
4.300 x 4.060 |
4.300 x 4.304 |
| Compression Ratio |
8.8:1 |
8.5:1 |
| Oil pressure |
35 – 40 psi |
35 – 40 psi |
CRANKSHAFT SPECS
| Engine type |
V8-472cc(7.7L) |
V8-500cc(8.2L) |
| Main Brg Journal Dia. |
3.250 |
3.250 |
| Main Brg Oil Clearance |
0.0003 – 0.0026 |
0.0003 – 0.0026 |
| Shaft End-play |
0.002 – 0.012 |
0.002 – 0.012 |
| Thrust on No. |
3 |
3 |
CONNECTING ROD SPECS
| Engine type |
V8-472cc(7.7L) |
V8-500cc(8.2L) |
| Journal Dia. |
2.5000 |
2.5000 |
| Oil Clearance |
0.0005 – 0.0028 |
0.0005 – 0.0028 |
| Side Clearance |
0.008 – 0.016 |
0.008 – 0.016 |
PISTON AND RING SPECS
| Engine type |
V8-472cc(7.7L) |
V8-500cc(8.2L) |
| Piston-Bore Clearance |
0.0006 – 0.0010 |
0.0006 – 0.0010 |
| Ring Side Clearance: Top Compression |
0.0017 – 0.0040 |
0.0017 – 0.0040 |
| Ring Side Clearance: Bottom Compression |
0.0017 – 0.0040 |
0.0017 – 0.0040 |
| Ring Side Clearance: Oil Control |
None (side sealing) |
None (side sealing) |
| Ring Gap: Top Compression |
0.013 – 0.025 |
0.013 – 0.025 |
| Ring Gap: Bottom Compression |
0.013 – 0.025 |
0.013 – 0.025 |
| Ring Gap: Oil Control |
0.015 – 0.055 |
0.015 – 0.055 |
VALVE SPECS
| Engine type |
V8-472cc(7.7L) |
V8-500cc(8.2L) |
| Seat Angle |
45° |
44° |
| Face Angle |
45° |
44° |
| Spring Test Pressure |
160 lb @ 1.50 in. |
160 lb @ 1.50 in. |
| Spring Installed Height |
115⁄16 in. (1.671875″) |
115⁄16 in. (1.9375″) |
| Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Intake |
0.0005 – 0.0025 |
0.0005 – 0.0025 |
| Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Exhaust |
0.0010 – 0.0025 |
0.0010 – 0.0025 |
| Stem Diameter: Intake |
0.3415 – 0.3425 |
0.3415 – 0.3425 |
| Stem Diameter: Exhaust |
0.3415 – 0.3420 |
0.3415 – 0.3420 |
TORQUE SPECS
| Engine type |
V8-472cc(7.7L) |
V8-500cc(8.2L) |
| Cyl. Head Bolts |
115 ft.lb |
115 ft. lb |
| Rod Brg Bolts |
40 ft.lb |
40 ft. lb |
| Main Brg Bolts |
90 ft.lb |
90 ft. lb |
| Crankshaft Damper or Pulley Bolt |
Press fit |
Press fit |
| Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolts |
75 ft.lb |
75 ft. lb |
| Intake Manifold |
30 ft.lb |
30 ft. lb |
| Exhaust Manifold |
35 ft.lb |
35 ft. lb |
CARBURETOR SPECS
| Carb ID |
7041777 (4MV) |
7041766 (4MV) |
| Float Level |
11⁄32 in. |
1⁄4 in. |
| Pump Rod |
11⁄32 in. |
11⁄32 in. |
| Choke Unloader |
0.300 in |
0.300 in |
| Fast Idle Speed |
1925 rpm |
1925 rpm |
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECS
| Feature |
Eldorado |
Full size |
| Caster Range |
½°N – 1½°N |
1½°N – ½°N |
| Caster Pref. |
1°N |
1°N |
| Camber LH wheel Range |
3⁄8°N – 3⁄8°P |
3⁄8°P – 3⁄8°N |
| Camber LH wheel Pref. |
0° |
0° |
| Camber RH wheel Range |
3⁄8°N – 3⁄8°P |
1/8°P – 5/8°N |
| Camber RH wheel Pref. |
0° |
¼°N |
| Toe-In |
0″ |
1⁄8 in. – 1⁄4 in. |
| Steering Axis Inclination |
11° |
6° |
HISTORICAL NOTES
1971 Cadillac Notes
- George R. Elges was general manager
- Carl A. Rasmussen was chief engineer
- Stanley Wilen was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
- F. T. Hopkins was general sales manager
- Cadillac production figures
Calais6,929 (decreased 12,893) Sedan de Ville69,345 (decreased 21,159) Coupe de Ville66,081 (decreased 9,962) Eldorado27,368 (increased 3,526) Series 6015,200 (decreased 3,451) Series 753,614 (decreased 1,008)
1971 Automotive Notes
- In August, US President Nixon announces a 90-day freeze on wages and prices as well as an end of the excise tax on automobiles
- Horsepower ratings drop as more emission-control standards are introduced so that emisions are now 80% lower than in cars built before 1963
- A closed fuel system used on all cars to control the evaporation of fuel from the tank or carburetor
- Sales of muscle cars drop because of federal safety rules and emission regulations coupled with increased insurance rates and high purchase price
- US Federal Highway Administration approves standard color combinations and symbols for warning signs
- Automakers attempt to create a catalytic converter to meet projected emissions standards
- In Los Angeles, over 5000 fleet vehicles are converted to burn propane and natural gas
- The Silver Eagle electric car sets a speed record of 146 mph
- Consumer advocate Ralph Nader publishes a new book titled, What To Do With Your Bad Car: An Action Manual For Lemon Owners
- GM news:
- GM lowers compression ratios, but other automakers wait until 1972
- GM engines run on regular or no-lead fuel; likewise for some Chrysler and AMC cars, but not Ford
- Edward N. Cole was president of GM
- James M. Roche was chairman of the board at GM until the end of the year
- GM buys a share of Isuzu
- GM station wagons boast a “disappearing” clamshell-type tailgate
- Some GM cars get maintenance-free batteries
- Chevrolet introduces the sub-compact 97-inch wheelbase Vega
- The Vega alloy engine with silicon cylinder liner is a failure and the body is prone to rust
- Pontiac introduces the compact: Ventura II as a Nova clone
- On July 16, Pontiac builds its 15,000,000th car
- Full-size Buicks are stretched up to 5799mm (228.3 inches)
- Buick introduces the restyled “boattail” Riviera with “Max-Trac,” a computerized anti-wheelspin system
- Oldsmobile issues its last true 4-4-2 models
- Eldorao is restyled and adds the first front-drive Eldorado
- Ford news:
- Ford outsells Chevrolet by over 200,000 units
- Ford introduces the 84.2-inch wheelbase sub-compact Pinto which sells well over 1/3 million
- Ford adds the sporty Maverick Grabber option package
- Ford introduces a four-door Maverick which is 178mm (7 inches) longer than the two-door
- The new Mustang is both bigger and heavier
- This is the only year for the Mustang Boss 351
- Ford station wagons feature a tailgate wiper-washer
- Ford features automatic temperature-control air conditioning
- Lincoln-Mercury market the Ford-powered DeTomaso Pantera
- Chrysler news:
- Chrysler buys a share of Mitsubishi
- Plymouth outsells Pontiac to move into third place
- Last year for Plymouth’s GTX muscle car
- Dodge introduces the compact: Demon as a Plymouth Duster clone
- Dodge produces its last convertible: a Challenger
- Both the Challenger and Charger R/T models are in their last year. The name won’t be revived until the next century
- Imperial is first to feature four-wheel anti-skid braking system
- AMC news:
- The Rebel “The Machine” and the two-seater AMX are dropped from the lineup
- The name AMX is applied to the top-line Javelin
- Hornet adds a Sportabout wagon and the hot SC/360
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1971
1. General Motors3,724,791 2. Ford2,482,303 3. Chrysler1,440,175 4. AMC244,758 5. Others707
- Top model year production for 1971
Ford2,054,351 Chevrolet1,830,319 Plymouth702,113 Pontiac586,856 Oldsmobile567,891 Dodge551,386 Buick551,188 Skylark162,380 Sportwagon12,525 Gran Sport9,170 LeSabre153,835 Estate Wagon24,034 Centurion29,398 Electra 225126,036 Riviera33,810 Mercury365,310 AMC244,758 Gremlin53,480 Hornet73,784 Javelin26,184 Ambassador14,617 Ambassador DPL26,035 Ambassador SST35,542 Cadillac188,537 Calais6,929 DeVille135,426 Eldorado27,368 Fleetwood Brougham15,200 Series Seventy-Five3,614 Chrysler175,118 Lincoln62,642 Imperial11,558 Checker600 Avanti II107
Keyword: Cadillac History 1971
