Cadillac Series 70

Cadillac Series 70

1940 Cadillac Series 75 limousine
Manufacturer General Motors
Production 1936–1976
1985-1987
Predecessor Cadillac Series 355
Class luxury car
Layout FR layout

The Series 70 (models 70 and 75) was one of Cadillac's full-size V8-powered cars produced from the 1930s through 1970s. It replaced the 1935 355-D as the company's mainstream car just as the much less expensive Series 60 was introduced. The Series 67 was similar to the Series 75 but produced on a longer wheelbase (139") for 1941 and 1942 only. The Series 80 (models 80 and 85) were the same as the Series 70 but used Cadillac's V12 engine rather than the new V8.

The short wheelbase Series 80 was produced for one model year only (1936). The long wheelbase Series 85 lasted one more year.

The short wheelbase Series 70 would cease production in 1938, but reappear briefly as the relatively expensive and exclusive Series 70 Eldorado Brougham 4-door hardtop from 1957 to 1958, while the long wheelbase Series 75 would make a final appearance in the 1987 model year.

Contents

1936–1937

First generation
Series 70/75

1937 Cadillac Series 70 2-door convertible
Model years 1936–1937
Body style 2-door coupe
2-door convertible
4-door sedan
4-door convertible
4-door limousine
Engine 346 in³ Monobloc V8
Wheelbase Series 70: 131 in (3,327 mm)
Series 75: 138 in (3,505 mm)
Commercial:156 in (3,962 mm)
Related

Cadillac Series 455
Cadillac Series 370
Buick Limited

Series 70 only:
Cadillac Series 65
Buick Roadmaster

Like the smaller car, the Series 70 was powered by the new 322 in³ Monobloc V8, though the bigger cars got the larger 346 in³ (5.7 L) engine. This 135 hp (101 kW) engine was both less expensive and more powerful, and the stylish body by Fleetwood should have made the Series 70 an instant hit. However, the high price ($2,500 and up) limited its appeal in the depression era. 5,248 were sold for 1936.

The 1936 Series 70 was available in three basic models:

All three models shared the same engine and 3-speed transmission. Minor body style changes were made for 1937.

Series 80

The Series 80 (models 80 and 85) was simply a model 70 or 75 with Cadillac's 368 in³ V12 engine. It was produced for 1936 and 1937 only. Output was 150 hp (112 kW).

1938–1940

Second generation
Series 72/75

1938 Cadillac Series 75 Imperial Touring Limousine
Model years 1938–1940
Body style 2-door coupe
2-door convertible
4-door sedan
4-door convertible
4-door limousine
Layout FR
Engine 346 in³ Monobloc V8
Wheelbase Series 72: 138 in (3,505 mm)
Series 75: 141 in (3,581 mm)
Commercial: 161–165 in (4,089–4,191 mm)
Related Cadillac Series 90
Buick Limited

The 1938 Fleetwood-bodied Series 75 used a 141 in (3,600 mm) wheelbase. It was available as a sedan, "Imperial", or "Formal Sedan". All Cadillacs shared the same 346 in³ L-head V8 that year, though the 75 generated 140 hp (104 kW) instead of 135 hp (101 kW) like the rest of the line.

Series 72

The Series 72 of 1940 was somewhat smaller than the 75. It was also a Fleetwood car, but rode on a 138 in (3,500 mm) wheelbase.

1941–1949

Third generation
Series 67/75

1941 Cadillac Series 67 limousine
Model years 1941–1949
Body style 4-door sedan
4-door limousine
Layout FR
Engine 346 in³ Monobloc V8
331 in³ OHV V8
Wheelbase Series 67: 139 in (3,531 mm)
Series 75: 136 in (3,454 mm)
Commercial: 163 in (4,140 mm)
Length 227"[1]
Related Buick Limited

For 1941, the wheelbase was reduced to 136 in (3,454 mm), though engine power was up to 150 hp (112 kW).

The Series 75 returned after the war as Cadillac's largest model. It retained most of its pre-war styling and rode on the long 136 in (3,500 mm) wheelbase. The engine was the same 346 in³ L-head V8 used by other Cadillacs that year. A late model Series 75 is directly referenced, also having the model name Series 75 in 2K Games Mafia II under the game's Cadillac pseudonym, 'Lassiter'.

The new Cadillac OHV V8 was the big news for 1949, with minor trim differences otherwise. This 331 in³ engine produced 160 hp (119 kW).

Series 67

The Series 67 of 1941-42 was somewhat larger than the 75. It was a Fisher car, but rode on a 139.0 in (3,530 mm) wheelbase.

1950–1953

Fourth generation

1952 Cadillac Series 75
Model years 1950–1953
Engine 331 in³ OHV V8
365 in³ OHV V8
Wheelbase 146.75 in (3,727 mm)

An all-new Series 75 was introduced for 1950. This would replace the final pre-war design at Cadillac, with a new 146.75 in (3,727 mm) wheelbase. 7-passenger seating was again offered via jump seats. Engine output for the 331 was up to 190 hp (142 kW) for 1952. It would borrow the bumper bullets (or dagmars) as a styling cue from the 1951 Le Sabre show car.[2]

1954–1956

Fifth generation

1956 Cadillac Series 75
Model years 1954–1956
Layout FR
Engine 331 in³ OHV V8
365 in³ OHV V8
Wheelbase 149.8 in (3,805 mm)[3]
Length 237"

Wheelbase was up to 149.8 in (3,805 mm) for 1954, and engine output jumped to 230 hp (172 kW). It was at 250 hp (186 kW) one year later. An optional dual-four barrel carb setup boasted 270 hp (201 kW).

The engine was stroked to 365 in³ for 285 or 305 hp (213 or 227 kW) in 1956.

1957–1958

Sixth generation

1958 Cadillac Series 75
Model years 1957-58
Assembly Detroit, Michigan, USA
Body style 4-door sedan
Platform D-body
Engine 390 in³ OHV V8
Transmission 4-speed Hydra-Matic
Wheelbase 149.8 in (3,805 mm)
Width 79.8 in (2,027 mm)
Designer Bill Mitchell

Power was 300 to 325 hp (224 to 242 kW) for 1957. The car was rebodied with more chunky styling. The 75 name had all but disappeared from the big Cadillac, and the engine was an even 325 hp (242 kW) from the 390 in³ engine.

The highly expensive and exclusive 4-door Cadillac Eldorado Brougham hardtop marked the return of the Series 70, but for only two years, as from 1959-60 the Eldorado Brougham was denoted a Series 6900, and it was discontinued thereafter.

1959-1960

The long Fleetwood became the Series 6700, in keeping with Cadillac's new scheme, in 1960.

1961-1965

The styling was also toned down. The engine was entirely changed for 1963, though the displacement and output remained the same.

The engine was bumped to 429 in³ for 1964. 340 hp (254 kW) was the result.

The Series 75 changed over to the next generation of GM C-Body in the 1966 model year. This was one year later than other Cadillacs.

1966–1970

Ninth generation

1970 Cadillac Series 75
Model years 1965–1970
Engine 429 in³ OHV V8
472 in³ OHV V8 ('68)
Wheelbase 149.8 in (3,805 mm)
156 in (3,962 mm) (Commercial)

1971–1976

Tenth generation

1973 Cadillac Series 75
Model years 1971–1976
Assembly Detroit, Michigan, USA
Engine 472 cu in (7.7 L) V8
500 cu in (8.2 L) V8
Transmission 3-speed TH-400, automatic
Wheelbase 151.5 in (3,848 mm)
157.5 in (4,001 mm) (Commercial)
Length 1971-72: 247.3 in (6,281 mm)
1973: 249.3 in (6,332 mm)
1974–76: 252.2 in (6,406 mm)
Width 79.8 in (2,027 mm)
Height 56.3 in (1,430 mm)
Curb weight 5,500–6,100 lb (2,500–2,800 kg)
Designer Bill Mitchell

Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine (1977–1984)

Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine
Model years 1977–1984
Assembly Detroit, Michigan, USA
Platform D-body
Engine 425 cu in (7.0 L) L33/L35 V8
368 cu in (6.0 L) L62 V8
Transmission 3-speed TH-400 automatic
3-speed TH-350C
Wheelbase 144.5 in (3,670 mm)
Length 244.3 in (6,205 mm)
Width 75.2 in (1,910 mm)
Height 56.9 in (1,445 mm)
Curb weight 4,900–5,100 lb (2,200–2,300 kg)
Designer Bill Mitchell

In 1977 General Motors significantly down-sized their full sized cars. The Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine rode on a 144.5" wheelbase and was powered by a 425 cubic inch (7.0L) V8. This engine was basically a de bored version of the 472/500 (7.9 L/8.2 L) V8 of previous years. Compared with the 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 which it replaced, the Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine had a wheelbase 7.0" shorter and weighed about 900 lb (340 kg) less.

The 425 cu in (7.0 L) engine, a reduced bore 472, was further debored for 1980-1981 to 368 cubic inches or 6.0 liters. For 1981, the 368 was provided with a modulated displacement system designed by Eaton Corporation, controlled by a digital computer, which locked off intake and exhaust valves to two or four of the eight cylinders, thus running effectively as a V6 or V4 under light load conditions where in third gear, and over 35 mph (56 km/h). This engine was called the "V8-6-4", and its electronics and sensors proved troublesome and, except for limousines, this engine was dropped after 1981. The engine's controls and sensors were a stretch for the computer power of the era.

Both the 425 and 368 are small-bore versions of the durable 472 (which was introduced in late 1967 for the '68 model year). The larger 500 had the 472's bore but a longer stroke. This engine family was the last Cadillac cast-iron engine, and the last 'big-block'.

1985–1987

Eleventh Generation
Model years 1985–1987
Assembly Detroit, Michigan, USA
Platform C-body
Engine 4.1 L HT-4100 V8
Transmission 4-speed TH-440-T4 automatic
4-speed 4T60
Wheelbase 134.4 in (3,414 mm)
Length 218.6 in (5,552 mm)
Width 71.7 in (1,821 mm)
Height 55.0 in (1,397 mm)
Curb weight 3,700–4,000 lb (1,700–1,800 kg)
Designer Irv Rybicki

A new front wheel drive C-body platform was introduced in 1985. The Series 75 briefly made its return on this platform, stretched by 23.6" to a wheelbase of 134.4". The aluminum 4.1 L HT-4100 V8 was used to power the last generation of Series 75.

References

  1. ^ Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5. 
  2. ^ Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1946-1959 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008), p.1021.
  3. ^ "Directory Index: Cadillac/1955_Cadillac/1955_Cadillac_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Cadillac/1955_Cadillac/1955_Cadillac_Brochure/1955%20Cadillac-07.html. Retrieved 2011-12-30. 
Type 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Entry-level 60 61 61/63 WWII 61
65 62 Series 62 6200 Calais
Mid-size Seville
Full-size Coupe de Ville/De Ville
355 70 60S Series 60S Fleetwood Brougham
Limousine 355 67/72/75 Series 75 6700 Series 75 FL Limo
Personal Luxury Eldorado
Halo V-12
V-16 Eldorado Brougham