Cadillac History 1981

Cadillac Moels & History 1981

The biggest news for 1981 was actually an ’82 model: the new subcompact Cimarron, introduced in the spring. (More on that in the next section.)

The second biggest was the new variable-displacement gasoline engine, developed by the Eaton Corporation a standard in all models except Seville. Depending on driving conditions, the innovative V8-6-4 engine ran on four, six, or eight cylinders, switching back and forth as needed. The object, of course, was to conserve fuel in the wake of rising gasoline prices. A microprocessor determined which cylinders weren’t necessary at the moment. Then it signaled a solenoid-actuated blocker plate, which shifted to permit the rocker arm to pivot at a different point than usual. Therefore, selected intake and exhaust valves would remain closed rather than operate normally. Valve litters and pushrods traveled up-and-down in the normal manner, but unneeded valve pairs stood idle. When running on four, displacement grew back to eight as soon as you stepped on the gas to pass, demanding maximum power — an assurance to those who might wonder if a four-cylinder Cadillac powerplant was good enough. The system had been tested (and “Proven”) in over half a million miles of driving. Cadillac claimed that the “perceived sensation” during displacement changes was “slight.” because no shifting was involved.

Another feature: push a button and an MPG Sentinel showed the number of cylinders in operation; push again to see instantaneous miles-per-gallon. Though the principle was not new, having been experimented with during World War II, the new engine was hailed as a dramatic answer to the economy problem for large passenger cars. Expanded self-diagnostics now displayed 45 separate function codes for mechanics to investigate. Imaginative but complex, the V8-6-4 brought more trouble than ease to many owners and didn’t last long in the overall lineup. Although it lasted for only a year, limousines kept it for several years longer.

On another level, Buick’s 252 cu, in. (4.1-liter) V-6 engine, introduced late in the 1980 model year, continued for a full season as an economy option.

Cadillacs now carried an on-board digital computer capable of making 300,000 decisions per second. It could even provide continued operation of the car if critical sensors malfunctioned, making an instantaneous substitution — even turning to a built-in analog computer if the digital electronics collapsed. To improve emissions, the new Computer Command Control module used seven sensors to monitor exhaust, engine speed, manifold air pressure, and coolant temperature, then adjust the air/fuel mixture.

“Answering Today’s Needs with Tomorrow’s Technology” was the logical theme of the full-line catalog. Though technically impressive, 1981 was not a year of significant change beyond some new grilles and other cosmetic alterations. Oldsmobile’s 350 cu. in. diesel V-8 was available in all six models: Fleetwood Brougham coupe and sedan, Coupe and Sedan DeVille, Eldorado, and Seville. A new light went under the hood. Rust-prevention measures touched over 100 specially treated areas, including pre-coated metals. Overdrive automatic transmission was now available with the V-6 engine on Fleetwood Brougham and DeVille. A memory seat option returned the six-way power driver’s seat to one of two selected positions.

.I.N. DATA

• All Cadillacs had a new 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 number begins with a “1” to indicate the manufacturing country (U.S.A.), followed by a “G” for General Motors and a “6” for Cadillac Division.
• The next letter indicates restraint system:
  • “A” manual (standard)
  • “B” automatic.
• Symbol five is a letter denoting car line and series:
  • “S” Seville
  • “B” Fleetwood Brougham
  • “D” DeVille
  • “F” Fleetwood limousine
  • “Z” commercial chassis
  • “L” Eldorado.
• Digits six and seven indicate body type:
  • “47” 2-door coupe
  • “69” 4-door four-window sedan
  • “23” six-window, eight-passenger sedan w/auxiliary seat
  • “33” six-window formal limousine w/aux. seat and center partition; “90” commercial chassis (no body); “57” Eldorado coupe.
• Next comes an engine code:
  • “4” V6-252 4-bbl.
  • “N” V8-350 diesel
  • “6” V8-368 4-bbl.
  • “9” V8-368 DFI.
• The next symbol is a check digit.
• Symbol ten indicates model year (“B” 1981).
• Symbol eleven denotes assembly plant: “9” Detroit; “E” Linden, New Jersey (Seville/Eldorado).
• The final six-digit production sequence number began with 100001 for Detroit-built models: 600001 (Eldorado) or 680001 (Seville) for those built in New Jersey.
• An identification number for the V-6 engine was on the left rear of the block; on the V8-350, a code label was on top of the left valve cover and a unit number label atop the right valve cover.
• Other engines had a unit number on the block behind the left cylinder head, and a VIN derivative on the block behind the intake manifold.
• A body number plate on the upper horizontal surface of the shroud (except Seville, on front vertical shroud surface) showed model year, build date code, car division, series, style, body assembly plant, body number, trim combination, paint code, modular seat code, and roof option.

SPECIFICATIONS

FLUID CAPACITIES

GASOLINE ENGINE TUNE-UP SPECS

ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR SPECS

BATTERY AND STARTER SPECS

GENERAL ENGINE SPECS

CRANKSHAFT SPECS

CONNECTING ROD SPECS

PISTON AND RING SPECS

VALVE SPECS

TORQUE SPECS

CARBURETOR SPECS

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECS

HISTORICAL NOTES

1981 Cadillac Notes

• Introduced: September 25, 1980.
• Edward C. Kennard was general manager
• Robert J. Templin was chief engineer
• Wayne Kady was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
• L. B. Pryor was general sales manager
• Model year production: 253,591 (including 13,402 1982 Cimarrons built during the 1981 model year).
• The total included 30,440 cars with V-6 engine and 42,200 diesels.
• Calendar year production: 259,135.
• Calendar year sales by U.S. dealers: 230,665 for a 3.7 percent market share.
• Model year sales by U.S. dealers: 226,427 (including 8,790 Cimarrons built before September 1981).
• Historical Footnotes: “Cadillac is class,” the full-line catalog declared, echoing a theme that had been used for decades.
• “Class” seemed to take many forms by the 1980s.
• In addition to the customary funeral/ambulance adaptations and stretch limos from various manufacturers, two conversions came from Wisco Corporation (in Michigan): a Renaissance Coupe DeVille and a Seville Caballero.
• Cadillac production figures

Cimarron17,602 Fleetwood/de Ville series149,715 (increased 13,078) Eldorado60,643 (increased 7,958) Seville28,631 (decreased 10,713) Series 751,200 (decreased 1,162)

1981 Automotive Notes

• GM news:
• Ford news:
• Chrysler news:
• AMC news:
• Other makes news:
• Top American Automobile Corporations for 1981

1. General Motors4,133,392 2. Ford1,395,594 3. Chrysler791,258 4. AMC137,236 5. Others3,385

• Top model year production for 1981

Chevrolet1,673,093 Ford950,301 Oldsmobile873,678 Buick856,996 Skylark262,328 Century144,267 Regal240,200 LeSabre82,877 Electra75,317 Riviera52,007 Pontiac489,436 Plymouth393,633 Mercury375,756 Dodge340,899 Cadillac240,189 Seville28,631 DeVille109,245 Eldorado60,643 Fleetwood Brougham39,800 Fleetwood Limousine1,870 AMC137,235 Spirit44,619 Concord55,187 Eagle 5022,943 Eagle 3014,486 Lincoln69,537 Chrysler56,726 Checker2,950 Excalibur235 Avanti II200 Alfa-Romeo197,287 U.S. Alfa-Romeo sales2,294 American Turbo Coupe40

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