1969 Cadillac Hardtop Sedan deVille

…….The DeVille legend continues

It was America’s favorite luxury car……again. The 1969 Cadillac Sedan deVille was completely new for the model year. It came as two distinctive models; the Sedan deVille with fixed “B” center pillar and the hardtop Sedan deVille. The styling redesign made it longer, lower and more contemporary yet unmistakably Cadillac. This was an exciting new “Standard of the World” creation. Each line and contour had been tastefully redesigned. This was the luxury sedan parked in many driveways all across America. Its spirited performance was usually found in smaller sporting tourers. It was the perennial favorite among luxury car buyers.

The 1969 hardtop Sedan deVille was the most popular out of all eleven models. With its brilliant new Eldorado-inspired styling, its formidable Cadillac luxury, and its remarkably quiet comfort and handling ease, it was truly a masterpiece. It had a luxurious deep-seated sophistication. The spacious six passenger roominess, unusually spirited performance, and standard comfort and convenience appointments made this unique Cadillac sport sedan a stunning example of luxury in the grand Cadillac manner on the grand Cadillac scale…..welcome to the 1969 edition of the continuing saga of “As The Standard of the World” turns……

The 1969 Cadillac hardtop Sedan deVille was powered by the 7.7 litre 472 CID 16-valve OHV V8. The engine produced 375 hp @ 4,400 rpm with 712 Nm of peak torque @ 3,000 rpm. It was equipped with a Rochester 4-bbl down-draft quadrajet with equalized manifold, mechanical fuel pump, dry-type air filter, improved automatic choke, and Air-Injection Reactor system to reduce hydrocarbons.

It was mated to GM’s Turbo Hydra-Matic THM 400 3-speed automatic transmission with torque converter and fixed stator, the converter multiplied engine torque for increased driving thrust to drive wheels during acceleration in any gear. Performance was rated as 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds, 0-100 rpm in 23.3 seconds, and had a top speed of 127 mph. It did the ¼ mile @ 88 mph in 15.9 seconds. The 1969 Hardtop Sedan deVille was one spirited performer.

The 1969 Cadillacs rode on a new longer fully boxed perimeter frame with hidden bulkheads for additional rigidity. They were built as body on frame construction. The front suspension used the traditional upper and lower control arm with a spherical joint, helical coil springs, and rubber mounted strut rods with rubber bushings to absorb impact and isolate road noise. The rear suspension used a four-link drive set-up with helical coil springs and rubber bushings to improve ride quality. The 1969 hardtop Sedan deVille had the luxury length of 225”, with a long 129.5” wheelbase and 79.8” width. There was absolutely nothing like the ride from a traditional Cadillac, the famous Cadillac red carpet ride was duplicated but not replicated by other luxury brands.

Among the more popular options available for the 1969 hardtop Sedan deVille included an all-new halo vinyl roof treatment, power door locks (coupes with this option had an automatic seat-back release for enhanced entry/exit to rear compartment), tilt & telescopic steering wheel, remote control trunk release, cruise control, Automatic Climate Control, Dual Comfort front seats, and Twilight Sentinel which turning driving lights on/off automatically according to light conditions, the system also had a delayed time to light one’s path from the car at night safely.

The interiors for the 1969 hardtop Sedan deVille were the most luxurious in Cadillac’s history. Newly designed high-back lounge seats with adjustable head restraints for front seat passengers and folding center front and rear armrests were standard. The new Cadillac instrument panel grouped controls logically and conveniently for the driver, and more front seat passenger room. Cadillac’s new Flow-through ventilation system eliminated the vent windows for a more sweeping uninterrupted style, truly contemporary for the day.

An all new steering wheel, ignition, and transmission locking system immobilized the car with the ignition key removed. There were 16 different interior trim combinations available in cloth with leather or all leather upholstered interior. The 1969 Cadillac hardtop Sedan deVille came standard with power windows, dual power braking system that provided independent front and rear operating systems and smooth, straight stopping requiring less pedal effort, variable ratio power steering, courtesy lighting, remote control driver’s outside rearview mirror, and a host of other standard comfort and convenience features.

The 1969 and 1970 model years were two of the most popular in Cadillac history

This was the Sedan deVille with fixed center “B” post for the conservative owner

The Cadillac hardtop Sedan deVille for 1969 was the most popular of Cadillac’s eleven models in three series. It attracted more buyers than any other single luxury car in the world. Cadillac offered more options and accessories than the competition, and all were designed and manufactured to Cadillac’s standard of excellence. The 1969 Cadillac Calais, DeVille, and Fleetwood were completely re-engineered. Cadillac featured an impressive array of GM safety, theft-deterrent, and convenience items. The 1969 hardtop Sedan deVille had the spirited performance of a smaller sporting tourer. It was indeed a masterpiece from the master craftsmen, the “Standard of the World” once again stood alone………….

This was a car that one could drive forever if properly maintained

America’s favorite luxury car

Whatever happened to Cadillac?