cadillac / scale 1/43 | thebiggarage

Cadillac – named after the 18th century French explorer Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, founder of Detroit, Michigan. Cadillac is a small town in the South of France.

Cadillac is a division of the American automobile manufacturer General Motors (GM) that designs and builds luxury vehicles. The firm was founded from the remnants of the Henry Ford Company in 1902. Cadillac is among the first automotive brands in the world, 4th in the United States only to fellow Autocar Company (1897) and GM marques Oldsmobile (1897) and Buick (1899).

Headquarters Warren, Michigan, United States

series 62

The Cadillac Series 40-62 is a series of cars which was produced by Cadillac from 1940 through 1964. Originally designed to complement the entry level Series 61, it became the Cadillac Series 6200 in 1959.

The Series 62 was used to introduce the Cadillac Coupe de Ville and the Cadillac Eldorado which started out as special appearance packages that were later placed into production.

sedanet third generation 1948-1953

The first all-new postwar Cadillacs arrived in 1948, sporting tail fins inspired by the Lockheed P-38 fighter plane on a Cadillac. Series 62 Cadillacs had a slightly shortened wheelbase, but the track width was increased by two inches, increasing interior room. However, updated drivetrains would have to wait another year and for the time being, the new Cadillacs were still powered by the same 346 CID flathead V8 used across the board since 1941, which delivered only fair performance (0-100 in 18 seconds with a top speed of 150 km/h). Only 10% of Cadillacs were ordered with the 3-speed manual gearbox. Series 62 production totaled 34.213 vehicles for the 1948 model year, accounting for 68% of Cadillac's volume. The 1948 models had been slow to get into production and did not arrive in showrooms until February 1948, consequently Cadillac produced only 50.599 total vehicles for the abbreviated model year.

The Cadillac Series 62 Coupe de Ville was introduced late in the 1949 model year. Along with the Buick Roadmaster Riviera, and the Oldsmobile 98 Holiday, it was among the first pillarless hardtop coupes ever produced.

The Eldorado was a limited-edition luxury convertible, and would eventually become its own series. It featured a full assortment of deluxe accessories, including wire wheels, and introduced the wraparound windshield to Cadillac standard production. Sales set a new record at 85.446.

Cadillac Series 62 Sedanet (youtube.com)

convertible & coupe fifth generation 1957-1958

This new generation of Series 62 was offered as a 6.0L V8 powered coupe, convertible, or sedan. It was hooked to a four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission. A tubular X-frame without side rails was adopted, which Cadillac claimed resulted in lower body without a loss of usable space and increased torsional strength. Front end styling was marked by rubber bumper guard tips and dual circular lamps set into the lower bumper section. Also seen were "shark" style fins pointing towards the back of the cars.

Excluding export sedans and chassis only, the Series 62 offered an all-time record of nine bodystyles this year. The infamous Cadillac Air-Suspension was optional. The following year De Ville and Eldorado were spun off onto their own series.

Cadillac Series 62 Convertible (youtube.com)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGM7L2Bw9vI&ab_channel=thebiggarage

series 75

The Cadillac Series 70 (models 70 and 75) is a full-size V8-powered series of cars that were produced by Cadillac from the 1930s to the 1980s. For much of the postwar era, it was the top-of-the-line Cadillac, and was Cadillac's factory-built limousine offering.

set of 75 in black and grey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N8pc23SK2g&ab_channel=thebiggarage

series 70/75 1959-1960

The 1959 Cadillac incorporated totally new styling with a large tailfin, twin bullet taillamps, new jewel-like grille patterns and matching deck-lid beauty panels personified these cars. The in-house code number for the model was changed from 7500 to 6700, in keeping with Cadillac's new numbering scheme, but the commercial name remained "Series Seventy-Five". Production models again were a nine-passenger sedan and Imperial limousine with auxiliary jump seats. The "Imperial" term was no longer used soon after Chrysler introduced their top-level luxury sedans and limousines with the Imperial in 1955.

Fleetwood lettering appeared on the rear deck lid trim strip. Single side trim moldings extended from the front wheel housing to the rear of the car. Standard equipment included power brakes; power steering; Hydramatic automatic transmission; dual back-up lamps; windshield washers and two-speed wipers; wheel discs; dual outside rearview mirror; vanity mirror; oil filter and power vent windows. Power steering and shock absorbers were improved this year. Engine displacement on the Cadillac OHV V8 was increased to 390 cu in (6.4 L).

The 1960 Cadillacs exhibited smoother styling, more subtle rendition of the styling theme introduced one year earlier. General changes included a full-width grille; the elimination of pointed front bumper guards; increased restraint in the application of chrome trim; lower tailfins with oval shaped nacelles which encased stacked taillights and back up lamps and front fender mounted directional indicator lamps. The long wheelbase sedan and limousine had auxiliary jump seats, high-headroom formal six-window styling, broad ribbed edge beauty panels and trim generally similar to Series 6200 Cadillacs in other respects. The limousine passenger compartment was trimmed in either bradford cloth or Bedford cloth, both in combinations with wool. Florentine leather upholstery was used in the chauffeur's compartment. Standard equipment was essentially the same as the previous year.

Cadillac 70/75 Series (youtube.com)

Cadillac 75 Series Grey (youtube.com)

fleetwood 60 special brougham 1965-1970

The Cadillac Sixty Special is a name used by Cadillac to denote a special model since the 1938 Harley Earl–Bill Mitchell–designed extended wheelbase derivative of the Series 60, often referred to as the Fleetwood Sixty Special.

The Sixty Special designation was reserved for some of Cadillac's most luxurious vehicles. It was offered as a four-door sedan and briefly as a four-door hardtop.

Cadillacs had all-new styling in 1967, but the Sixty-Special continued with an exclusive 3400 mm wheelbase. The $6.739 Sixty Special Brougham continued to outsell the $6.423 Sixty Special.

Engines used where a 7.0 L OHV V8 and a 7.7 L OHV V8. Both with a 3-speed TH-400, automatic transmission.

Cadillac Fleetwood 60 (youtube.com)

eldorado

The Cadillac Eldorado is a luxury car manufactured and marketed by Cadillac from 1952 until 2002 over twelve generations.

The Eldorado was at or near the top of the Cadillac line. The original 1953 Eldorado convertible and the Eldorado Brougham models of 1957–1960 had distinct bodyshells and were the most expensive models that Cadillac offered those years.

eldorado 1967-1970

The Cadillac Eldorado is a luxury car manufactured from 1952 to 2002 over twelve generations. The Eldorado was at or near the top of the Cadillac line. The original 1953 Eldorado convertible and the Eldorado Brougham models of 1957–1960 had distinct bodyshells and were the most expensive models that Cadillac offered those years.

For 1965, the 7th generation Eldorado gained Cadillac's Fleetwood designation, marketed as the Fleetwood Eldorado.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr-862y8v-k&ab_channel=thebiggarage

eldorado biarritz 1979-1985

The Cadillac Eldorado is a luxury car manufactured and marketed by Cadillac from 1952 to 2002 over twelve generations.

Unlike the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham and De Ville, which both boasted the opulent d'Elegance luxury package, Eldorado did not offer a similar plush option. This was rectified late in the 1976 model year with the Biarritz. As with other Cadillac models, special order contrasting upholstery piping and exterior colors were available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbuJ_YZp89M&ab_channel=thebiggarage

eldorado 1992-2002

The 1992 Eldorado was all new, 12th generation, drawing both interior and exterior styling cues from the 1988 Cadillac Solitaire show car. It was significantly larger than its predecessor. Cadillac's new Northstar V8 became available in both 270 and 295 hp variants.

The Eldorado continued for the rest of the decade with incremental changes and tapering sales. In 2001, GM announced that the Eldorado's 50th model year (2002) would be its last. To mark the end of the nameplate, a limited production run of 1,596 cars in red or white—the colors available on the original 1953 convertible—were produced.

Cadillac Eldorado (youtube.com)

coupe de ville

The Cadillac DeVille is the nameplate used by Cadillac over eight generations, originally used to designate a trim level of the 1949 Cadillac Series 62 and later to designate a standalone model in the brand range. The last model marketed specifically as a DeVille was the 2005 full-size sedan, at the time, Cadillac's largest model.

coupe de ville 1971-1976

The Cadillac DeVille is the nameplate used by Cadillac over eight generations, originally used to designate a trim level of the 1949 Cadillac Series 62 and later to designate a standalone model in the brand range. The last model marketed specifically as a DeVille was the 2005 full-size sedan, at the time, Cadillac's largest model.

The first car to bear the name was the 1949 Coupe de Ville, a pillarless two-door hardtop body style with a prestige trim level above that of the Series 62 luxury coupe. The name "DeVille" is derived from the French de la ville or de ville meaning "of the town".

As with all GM full-size lines, the DeVille was completely redesigned for 1971. The new GM full-size bodies set a record for interior width that would not be matched by any car until the full-size GM rear-wheel-drive models of the early to mid-1990s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c3XBTNZ7Mo&ab_channel=thebiggarage

coupe de ville 1977-1984

1977 was Cadillac's 75th anniversary, and saw the introduction of the downsized DeVille coupes and sedans. These new cars featured a higher roofline, resulting in a vehicle that was shorter, narrower, and lighter than the previous year, but with a larger trunk and more headroom and legroom. These were also the first DeVilles ever to be marketed without fender skirts over the rear wheels.

The V8 (which produced 190 horsepower) was replaced for 1977 by a 180-horsepower V8 variant of similar design. The reduction in size and weight was implemented to improve fuel economy and emissions as a result of the United States Federal Government passage of Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations.

1980 saw the discontinuation of the 7 liter V8, which had generated power of 194 hp and 0-100 km/h in 11 seconds, with a top speed of 187 km/h with a new Malaise era 6.0 L V8., generating power of 150 hp and 0-100 km/h in 13.8 seconds, with a top speed of 171 km/h.

Late in the 1980 model year, V6 power (in the form of a 4-bbl 252 CID engine manufactured by Buick) was offered as a credit option. Cadillac had not offered an engine with fewer than 8 cylinders since 1914 with the Cadillac Model 30.

Cadillac Coupe de Ville (youtube.com)

seville

The Seville was manufactured by Cadillac from 1975 to 2004 as a smaller-sized, premium model. It was replaced by the STS in 2004. The name of "Cadillac's first small car" was selected over a revival of LaSalle or the GM design staff's preference, LaScala, primarily because, as noted by GM Marketing Director Gordon Horsburgh, "It had no negatives."

seville elegante 1976-1979

The Seville was manufactured by Cadillac between 1975 and 2004 as a smaller-sized, premium model. It was replaced by the STS in 2004. Seville is the name of a Spanish province and its capital.

Styling took strong cues from the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. The engine was an Oldsmobile-sourced 5.7 L V8, fitted with a Bendix/Bosch electronically controlled fuel injection. This system gave the Seville smooth drivability and performance that was usually lacking in domestic cars of this early emissions control era. Power output was 180 hp.

The Seville, introduced in May 1975 as an early 1976 model, was Cadillac's answer to the rising popularity of European luxury imports as Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW. GM planners were becoming concerned that the division's once-vaunted image as the “standard of the world" was fading, especially among the younger generation of car buyers. In 1980 the seville was replaced by a new model.

Cadillac Seville Elegante - YouTube

seville 1979-1985

While the first-generation Seville had proved quite successful, it failed in its primary mission of winning over younger import buyers. Marketing research indicated that the car was most popular with older women who wanted a Cadillac in a smaller, more maneuverable size. The second generation model was the first American car to have a standard diesel engine.

The razor-edged bustle-back rear styling drew inspiration from English coachbuilder Hooper & Co.'s "Empress Line" designs from the early 1950s. The Seville's "statement" styling was one of the last vehicles designed by Bill Mitchell, appointed by Harley Earl in 1936 as the Cadillac's first chief designer.

Sales were strong at first, but disastrous flirtation with diesel engines and the ill-fated V-8-6-4 gasoline engine, coupled with poor quality control eroded Seville's standing in the marketplace.

Cadillac Seville (youtube.com)

seville sts 1992-1997

For 1992, Cadillac delivered a new, European-flavored Seville with positive reviews from both car magazines and customers. The Seville Touring Sedan was Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1992. It also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list that year. The Seville STS adopted styling cues from the 1988 Cadillac Voyage concept car.

The 1993 addition of the Northstar System, including the Northstar quad-cam 32-valve aluminum V8 and a new unequal-length control arm rear suspension to the STS helped the Seville increase sales.

The Seville was divided into two sub-models:

The Seville Luxury Sedan (SLS) started with the 4.9 L HT-4900 V8 but got a 270 hp.
The Seville Touring Sedan (STS) also started with the 4.9 L HT-4900 in 1992 but was upgraded to the 295 hp.

0–100 km/h times were 7.6 seconds for the SLS and 7.1 seconds for the STS.

The Seville continued to move upmarket, in both size and price which lead to the Cadillac Catera taking its place as Cadillac's smallest car for 1997.The Seville continued to move upmarket, in both size and price which lead to the Cadillac Catera taking its place as Cadillac's smallest car for 1997.

Cadillac Seville STS (youtube.com)

fleetwood brougham 1977-1986

The Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham was a luxury car manufactured by Cadillac from 1977 through 1986. In 1987, the Fleetwood Brougham name was shortened to simply Brougham, with production continuing through 1992 with only minor updates.

Cadillac used the "Fleetwood" name as a prefix between 1934 and 1976 on several of its most expensive models, always designating an elevated level of luxury.

For 1977, GM significantly downsized their full sized cars. The DeVille and Fleetwood Brougham rode on the same wheelbase and were powered by the 7.0 L V8. This engine was basically a de-bored version of the 7.7 L/8.2 L V8 of previous years.

Compared with the 1976 Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham, the Fleetwood Brougham had a shorter wheelbase and weighed nearly 400 kg less. The new Fleetwood Brougham, which had lost its exclusive longer wheelbase, was now virtually identical to the lesser Sedan de Ville. Other than the name, there were only subtle exterior differences between a Fleetwood Brougham and Sedan de Ville, including a slightly reshaped B-pillar and rear side windows.

The 1980 refresh eliminated this distinction. The interior of the Fleetwood was more plush and offered more features as standard.

In 1980, GM gave all of the full-sized B and C-body line new sheet metal to tidy up the styling and improve aerodynamics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZkJf8Yxjog&ab_channel=thebiggarage

sedan deville 1994-1996

For 1994, the DeVille was redesigned to share the K-body platform with the Seville. The body was redesigned.

Also for 1994, all DeVille models included a standard SRS driver-side front airbag, as well as fully digital instrumentation with integrated message center, which provided important vehicle information and status, current speed, outside temperature, and more. The DeVille received a facelift for the 1997 model year, and added the d'Elegance trim line to replace the Cadillac Fleetwood.

Cadillac Sedan de Ville (youtube.com)

xts 2013-2019

The Cadillac XTS is a full-size, four-door, five-passenger, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive luxury sedan from Cadillac based on an enlarged version of the Epsilon II platform shared with the Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Impala — and manufactured from 2013–2019 over a single generation.

The XTS replaced the smaller Cadillac STS and larger DTS. Production began in May 2012 at the Oshawa Assembly Plant and launched in June as a 2013 model. Marketed globally, in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, and the Middle East (except Israel), with left-hand-drive, the XTS was also assembled by Shanghai GM with production beginning in February 2013.

Cadillac XTS (youtube.com)