Appearance changes for DeVille/Fleetwood included restyled taillamps and a revised front-end look, plus new
interior trim.
This year's grille had many more horizontal and vertical bars in its simple crosshatch pattern,
designed to accentuate the traditional Cadillac front end look.
"Cadillac" script returned this year to the wide
upper grille bar (driver's side).
A thin molding above the grille extended outward, over the headlamps, to wrap
around each fender.
Quad rectangular headlamps were outboard of twin vertical rectangular parking lamps.
The
crosshatch grille pattern repeated itself in either side of the license plate.
In familiar Cadillac style.
Front fenders
held large cornering lamps with clear and amber lenses.
Seven new two-tone body color combinations were
available for DeVille (and Fleetwood Brougham), with color-coordinated accent striping.
New brushed chrome
wheel covers showed the Cadillac crest on a black background.
Also new: seatbelt chimes, a standard AM/FM
stereo radio with digital display, dome light with dual spot map lamps, and optional electrically-controlled
outside mirrors.
Interiors were upholstered in Durand knit cloth (six colors) or genuine leather.
Standard fittings
included power door locks and windows, six-way power seat, and automatic climate control.
The standard 425
cu. in. (7.0-liter) V-8 had new EGR riser tubes.
A fuel-injected, 195-horsepower version was optional.
The
Olds-built 350 cu. in. diesel V-8 became optional in mid-year.
Special editions for 1979 included a Custom
Phaeton Coupe and Custom Phaeton Sedan, both offering styling touches intended to remind observers of the
"classic" convertibles.
Features included brushed chrome moldings with flush-mounted opera lamps and the
Cadillac crest; reduced-size quarter windows; a sporty convertible-like roof; "Phaeton" script on each rear quarter
panel; wire wheel discs; accent striping; 45/55 Dual Comfort front seats with leather seating; and leather-trimmed
steering wheel.
Phaeton editions came in three color combinations: Cotillion White with dark blue roof and white
leather inside; Slate Firemist with black roof and antique state gray leather upholstery; or Western Saddle
Firemist with dark brown roof and antique saddle leather seating.
Also on the option list was the DeVille
d'Elegance, with new soft Venetian velour upholstery (in choice of four colors) on pillow-style 50/50 seats.
It
also had Tangier carpeting, special door pull handles, and "DeVille d'Elegance" script on the glove box and
exterior.
Coupe d'Elegance had opera lamps: sedans had three roof-mounted assist straps.
Both bodies had side
moldings and accent stripes.
Coupe DeVille also came with a Cabriolet roof treatment, including chrome
crossover roof molding, in 17 Elk Grain vinyl colors.
A French seam surrounded the back window and a Cadillac script and crest identified the Cabriolet model.
Model Number
Style Number
Body Type
Seating
Factory
Price
Shipping Weight
Production Total
6C
D47
2-door
Coupe
6
$11,139
4143
121,890
6C
D69
4-door
Sedan
6
$11,493
4212
93,211
ENGINES
Feature
Base engine
Optional fuel injected engine
Optional diesel
engine
Type
90-degree, overhead valve V-8. Cast iron block
and head
Displacement
425 cu. in. (7.0 liters)
350 cu. in. (5.7 liters)
Bore & stroke
4.082x 4.06 in.
4.057 x 3.385 in.
Compression ratio
8.2:1
22.5:1
Brake horsepower
180 @ 4000 rpm
195 @ 3800 rpm
120 @ 3600
rpm
Torque
320 lbs.-ft. @ 2000 rpm
320 @ 2400 rpm
220 lbs.-ft. @ 1600
rpm
Main bearings
Five
Valve lifters
Hydraulic
Fuel supply
4 Bbl. carburetor
electronic fuel injection
Electronic fuel
injection
VIN Code
S
T
N
CHASSIS
Wheelbase: 121.5
Overall length: 221.2"
Height: 54.4" (coupe); 55.3" (sedan)
Width: 76.5"
Front Tread: 61.7"
Rear Tread: 60.7"
Standard tire: GR78 x 15-B SBR wide WSW
TECHNICAL
Transmission: Turbo Hydra-matic transmission standard on all models; column shift.