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Classic looked like the 73 Cadillac in the grille?
Obviously the Cadillac is a more substantial car than the Caprice, but specifically in what parts and components? I'm sure the Cad weighs about 1000 lbs more than the Chev(but I'd bet that CR's would rate the Chev higher in overall quality and value than the Cad because in 73 the Caprice was rated much higher than the Electra 225 in overall quality and value)
Similarly would you say there is a big difference in a 73 New Yorker vs Imperial?
Yeah, I remember as early as 1971 Chevy boasted about the Cadillac-like grille. There was even a road test (that I have here somewhere) between a 71 Caprice 2dr and a 71 Sedan DeVille 4dr - if the test itself wasnt strange, it was strange they used a 2dr Caprice/4dr DeVille. I dont remember the details of the test, I will have to read it again. Oh, if my memory serves me well, a 73 Caprice sedan weighs about 4500 pounds... a 73 Sedan DeVille, about 4985 pounds, so there is only about a 500 lb. difference. My 73 Grand Ville (Pontiac) 4dr weighs in around 4610. I need to look that up too. Alot of parts were interchangable on these cars. Many in fact.
By 1973, the Caprice had even more of a Cadillac style grille. I have owned a 71 Caprice and a 72 Sedan DeVille. While the Caprice was a nice luxury Chevrolet, the Caprice was still well behind the DeVille... the Calais on the other hand... well, I think a 71 Caprice was more luxurious than a 71 Calais. The 71-72 Cadillac Calais (base) were plain on the inside... 73-74s were too, but not as much as the 71-72!
I am not sure about the quality... my 72 DeVille and 72 Electra both had a nice interior... squeak free. I seem to recall that my 72 Electra had a just as a quality of an interior than my 71 Caprice. I ironically now have a 72 Caprice wagon. Well made on the inside. All dash panels align nicely and there are no interior squeaks/rattles.
Here are some comparison photos for those that dont remember these cars.
Braking, 60-0 mph---------- 144.3 feet------------ 141.7 feet
Speedometer error--
- Actual 60 mph, car speedo 59 mph--------------- 58.5 mph
- Actual 80 mph, car speedo 79 mph--------------- 77 mph
Base price------------------ $6,533.00------------ $3,740.00
Price as tested-------------- $9,081.30----------- $5,550.35
That is really surprising that the Cadillac has better gas mileage than the Chevy yet it was 500 lbs heavier, the Chevy sure did have very good performance considering that 1971 was the beginning of the low compression powered motors, the Cadillac sure seemed having a hard time going from 30-60mph
That is really surprising that the Cadillac has better gas mileage than the Chevy yet it was 500 lbs heavier, the Chevy sure did have very good performance considering that 1971 was the beginning of the low compression powered motors, the Cadillac sure seemed having a hard time going from 30-60mph
The fuel mileage difference surprised me, too.
As for acceleration, the weight definitely held the Cadillac back, not to mention the engine being detuned (compression ratio for '71 was 8.5:1; for '70, 10.0:1; for '69, 10.5:1).
Motor Trend's test '69 Coupe de Ville ran 9.4 sec 0-60 mph and 16.5@83.8 1/4 mile. The high-compression, 375 hp engine helped! As did its lighter curb weight of 4,780 lbs.
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