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I was selling Buicks in 1977 when GM downsized their full size cars.
I remember some people ranting on like it was the end of the world. They felt the downsized 1977's wouldn't be able to compare to its larger predecessors.
Well, I can tell you that a lot of good engineering went into those cars- right across the GM line.
Everyone who bought them seemed to rave about how good the downsized models were and quite a lot were sold.
So....while it's too big for me today... they were good cars back then.
I was selling Buicks in 1977 when GM downsized their full size cars.
I remember some people ranting on like it was the end of the world. They felt the downsized 1977's wouldn't be able to compare to its larger predecessors.
Well, I can tell you that a lot of good engineering went into those cars- right across the GM line.
Everyone who bought them seemed to rave about how good the downsized models were and quite a lot were sold.
So....while it's too big for me today... they were good cars back then.
Mikey
I'm not hatin on the 77 on up years as they still look nice in a classic Cadillac design sense, but no matter how good they might of been, there's no denying that they just weren't as smooth as far as the ride quality, in reliability, and performance is concerned as the older Cadillac's were.
The Pre 77 Cad's felt like tanks, they were strong cars, you never worried about anything really breaking on them as every part was heavy duty. I wouldn't hesitate taking a 75 Cadillac Deville across country with that huge 500 engine and Turbo 400 trans as I would on maybe a 83 Coupe Deville. Nobody has mentioned the cheap filler GM used on all those cars for the bumpers that cracked and fell apart that looked horrible. I don't understand why they used that cheap filler when rubber should've been in place like Ford used on the Lincolns in the 70's and 80's which worked great.
That's one thing that I notice the difference on, the Lincolns of similar vintage had better body sound insulation that Cadillac's. The sheetmetal and exterior trim was higher quality on the Lincolns during these times as well.
I do like the 80's Regals and Lesabre's, they're pretty cool lookin.
gad ill bet the mpg on the early Eldorados with the 500 V8 was atrocious
did the 1977s and after still have that engine or was it smaller?
Cadillac changed its engine to 425ci V8 in 1977 on all models except for the Seville, it has a respectable 180hp (carb versions) and 200bhp (fuel injection versions).
never forget the Seville when it came out in... was it the fall of 76 or was it before? and all those luxury cars based on compact chassis like the Lincoln Versailles and Chrysler LeBaron
never forget the Seville when it came out in... was it the fall of 76 or was it before? and all those luxury cars based on compact chassis like the Lincoln Versailles and Chrysler LeBaron
The Seville was introduced in mid-1975 but was classified by Cadillac as a 1976 model year. Base price: $12,479.
gad ill bet the mpg on the early Eldorados with the 500 V8 was atrocious
Enormously depends on driving style. The Quadrajet if used conservatively could get you around 15mpg hwy, 12 city with that engine. Too heavy on the throttle and you start opening up the huge secondaries. By today's standards that is low but the 472/500 is a monstrous motor with gobs of power, similar to the power train of a modern pickup truck V8 and the the MPG figures are not that far off from them.
The full size Cadillacs from '77 to '79 with the 425 CID V8 were much more reliable than the HT 4100 and V8-6-4 pieces of junk. If I remember correctly, the fuel injected 350 V8 in the Seville was based on an Oldsmobile engine.
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