Deville Cadillac Models & History 1976
Coupe DeVille, a name that had been around for over two decades, was advertised as “America’s favorite luxury car.”
1976 CDV Cadillac
- The mid-1970s edition had a vinyl cabriolet roof with chrome accent strip at the leading edge, and a squarish quarter window (considerably larger than most such windows at this time).
- Sedan DeVille continued the pillarless hardtop that had been part of the GM tradition for years, but would soon be doomed to extinction.
- Sedans also featured narrow sail-shaped fixed windows in the roof quarter panels.
- DeVille’s crosshatch grille was dominated by a framed set of vertical bars, peaking forward slightly at the center.
- An upper horizontal bar above the grille mesh held a Cadillac script at the side and swept down alongside the grille, then outward to wrap around the fenders just above the bumpers.
- Quad rectangular headlamps met wraparound cornering lamps.
- Set into traditional tall housings at rear fender tips were vertical inward-facing and outward-facing side lamps.
- Horizontal taillamps were below the deck lid; backup lamps in toward the license plate housing.
- Script nameplates were on rear quarter panels, just above the bodyside molding.
- New Magnan ribbed knit upholstery came in six colors; Merlin Plaid or Manhattan velour each in two.
- Eleven leather combinations were available.
- Distinctive simulated-rosewood appliques and laminates highlighted doors and dash.
- 50/50 seats had individual fold-down center armrests.
- The standard 500 cu. in. V-8 (whose days were numbered) could have either a four-barrel carburetor or fuel injection.
- The special-edition Coupe DeVille d’Elegance now carried standard opera lamps behind the quarter windows, which were optional on other DeVille coupes.
- D’Elegance hoods omitted the customary “V” and crest, substituting a distinctive stand-up see-through ornament along the chrome windsplit.
- Styling highlights included dual accent stripes on front and sides of hood, door surfaces, and rear deck (in choice of eight colors).
- Interiors contained new loose-pillow style 50/50 seats in two-toned Magnan ribbed knit cloth (four colors).
- A “DeVille d’Elegance” script was on the instrument panel and sail panels (coupe only).
- The package also included wide brushed-chrome lower door moldings, and bodyside moldings with colored vinyl inserts to match the vinyl roof color.
- Coupe DeVille’s Cabriolet roof option, with Elk Grain vinyl padded vinyl top, added for 1976 a decorative Cadillac crest on the sail panels.
- Also part of the package: a standup see-through hood ornament, chrome roof moldings, and French seam around the backlight (i.e., rear window).
- Cabriolet roofs had been available on Coupe DeVille since 1974.
STYLE
Series No. |
Body Style |
Body Type |
Seat |
Factory Price |
Shipping Weight |
Production Total |
6C |
D47 |
Click to supersize 2-door Coupe DeVille |
6 |
$9067 |
5025 |
114,482 |
6C |
D49 |
4-door Hardtop Sedan DeVille |
6 |
$9265 |
5127 |
67,677 |
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
Wheelbase |
130.0 in. |
Overall length |
230.7 in. |
Coupe Height |
53.8 in. |
Sedan Height |
54.3 in. |
Width |
76.4 in. |
Front Tread |
61.7 in. |
Rear Tread |
60.7 in. |
Standard tires |
GR78 x 15-B 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
Fuel-injected V-8 engine |
$647 |
Heavy-duty cooling system |
$40 |
80-amp alternator |
$45. |
California emission equipment |
$50 |
Limited slip differential |
$61 |
Trailering pkg. |
$85 |
Automatic level control |
$92 |
OPTION PACKAGES
1976 SDV Cadillac
Brougham d’Elegance |
$885 |
Coupe DeVille Cabriolet |
$329 |
Coupe DeVille Cabriolet w/Astroroof |
$1288 |
Coupe DeVille Cabriolet w/sunroof |
$1104 |
DeVille d’Elegance |
$650 |
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS
Astroroof for full vinyl roof |
$885 |
Astroroof (painted) |
$985 |
Sunroof for full vinyl roof |
$701 |
Sunroof for painted roof |
$800 |
Cruise control |
$104. |
Controlled-cycle wipers |
$28 |
Rear defogger, grid-type |
$77 |
Six-way dual comfort power passenger seat: |
$131 |
Six-way power front lounge seat |
$131 |
Power passenger 50/50 seat w/recliner |
$221 |
Manual driver’s 50/50 seatback recliner |
$65 |
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 |
Padded vinyl roof |
$163 |
Accent stripes |
$42 |
Door edge guards |
$7-$11 |
License frame |
$7 each |
Expanded vinyl upholstery |
$47 |
Dual comfort 50/50 front seat |
$185 |
Dual comfort 60/40 front seat |
$123 |
Leather upholstery |
$220-$235 |
Front shoulder belts |
$36 |
Air cushion restraint system |
N/A |
Carpeted rubber floor mats, front/rear |
$38-$47 |
Turbine-vaned wheel covers |
$45 |
Wire wheels on d’Elegance/Talisman |
$122 |
Stowaway spare tire |
NC |
Keyword: Deville Cadillac History 1976