1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five

This was the finale for the full-size Fleetwood-bodied Cadillacs

A Cadillac Fleetwood was the embodiment of sophisticated luxury and elegance. The Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five nine passenger sedan and formal limousine escalated luxury and elegance to eloquence and splendor. The Fleetwood Series Seventy-Fives were the only vehicles in America specifically designed and built as limousines. These were the last full-size Cadillac Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five sedans to roll off the assembly line.

They possessed that poised dignity that was the hallmark of every Cadillac. In spaciousness and stature, these regal sedans were the Flagships of the brand and were immediately identified in any gathering of fine automobiles. No other luxury sedan garnered the respect and admiration as the distinguished Series Seventy-Five. The 1976 Cadillacs were the last of the breed…..The 1976 model year was indeed a historic chapter in the continuing saga of….”As the Standard of the World Turns.”

No matter what the occasion there was no more gracious way to arrive than in the 1976 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five nine passenger sedan and formal limousine. The stately stature and grandeur set them apart from other luxury automobiles. From any standpoint, the 1976 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Fives were truly two of the world’s great sedans. These regal sedans were the “Standard of the World” in grace and dignity.

This was elegance on the grand Cadillac scale. The Series Seventy-Five was executive-size luxury carried to an opulent new level. With their commanding 151.5” wheelbase, their stately beauty, roominess & refinements were completely in character for these supreme achievements in motoring. They were both luxury in the grand Cadillac manner. Did I mention how luxurious these sedans were? I am sending Cadillac a message…..

 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five nine passenger sedan

Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five limousine chauffeur’s compartment

The Fleetwood Series Seventy-Fives were the only vehicles in America designed and built as limousines, and not “double-cuts.” The formal limousine was equipped with a power glass partition and chauffeur’s compartment upholstered in leather. Both nine passenger sedan and formal limousine came standard with two Automatic Climate Control Systems; one for the driver and one for the passenger compartment.

From the passenger’s control panel, the windows could be operated, the Automatic Climate Control activated, the radio could be tuned, reading lights operated, and in the limousine raise and lower the glass partition. Model code #6D F23 nine-passenger sedan was base priced at $14,889 and 981 were built. Model code #6D F33 limousine was base priced at $15,239 and 834 were built. With these low production numbers they both will be highly sought collectibles.

Historically, Fleetwood-bodied Cadillacs were the most exclusive. The Series Seventy-Five with its sheer spaciousness was dedicated to elegance and comfort. This was motoring in the grandest Cadillac tradition. The hy-bridge doors opened into the roof to enhance entry and exits. The exquisitely appointed interior was luxuriously understated. Medici crushed velour was available in three colors, A light grey Magnan Knit was also available.

Both sedans had folding full width rear seats for an additional three passengers. The Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five was a very special Cadillac. These were also the last of the “Fleetwood-bodied” Cadillacs…..Cadillac was the world’s best-known and most respected and admired automobile…Cadillac was the world’s best known and most respected and admired automobile….

Standard features included: two Automatic Climate Control Systems, Automatic level Control, power windows and door locks, AM/FM radio, soft-ray glass, three-speed wiper/washer system, Quartz Digital Clock, remote controlled right and left side rear-view mirrors, dual power braking system, fixed-ratio power steering, steel-belted radial tires, automatic parking brake release, and fibre-optic lamp monitors. Cadillac offered more features standard than any other luxury brand. There were many available options to further personalize these highly bespoke sedans. Three roof treatments were available: painted metal, fully padded vinyl roof, and a padded landau version to add further distinction. The 1976 Fleetwood Series seventy-Five was the “Standard of the World” in eloquence and splendor.

The 1976 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five was powered by Cadillac’s 8.2 litre 500 CID 16-valve OHV V8. The engine was equipped with a Rochester M4ME down-draft Quadrajet with equalized manifold, mechanical in-line fuel pump, with fuel filter in pump and tank. The engine produced 190 hp @ 3,600 rpm with 488 Nm of peak torque @ 2,000 rpm. GM’s Turbo Hydra-Matic THM 400 3-speed automatic transmission was standard. Performance was rated as 0-60 mph in 13.3 seconds, 0-100 mph in 48.6 seconds with a top speed of 109 mph. It could do the ¼ mile @ 73 mph in 19.4 seconds.

Here is the amazing case in point: this highly efficient 8.2 litre V8 required minimal maintenance, and I can attest to this fact, I drove the 1976 Fleetwood Sixty-Special Brougham. This 500 CID V8 was more efficient in operation than the 7.7 litre 472 CID V8 Cadillac powerplant. The 8.2 litre V8 was the largest V8 engine to power a production passenger car in the entire world. It was also, sadly, one of the last Cadillac designed V8 engines that were any good….This was nearing the finale for the V8 Cadillac engine; the brand slipped into obscurity in the 1980s….when the music stopped for Cadillac…..

The 1976 Cadillacs were built as body on frame construction. They were built on Cadillac’s rugged fully boxed perimeter frame. The front suspension used the traditional upper and lower control arms, integral steering knuckle, arm and caliper support, integral hubs and rotors on spindles, and tapered roller bearings. The front was fitted with a rod and link type stabilizer bar and spherical ball joints with wear indicators. The rear suspension used a set-up to accommodate height control for the Automatic Level Control system, hydraulic shock absorbers and helical coil springs. It had a hypoid rear axle with ring gear. The propeller shaft used constant velocity joints with an additional center constant velocity joint for the Series Seventy-Five and its capacious demeanor.

Standard was Cadillac hydraulic power braking system that utilized a dual hydraulic master cylinder for independent front and rear operation. The Series Seventy-Five used the “Hydro-Boost” unit in conjunction with the power steering pump, ventilated discs were fitted to the front with single-piston calipers. Servo drums with 12” finned cast iron with molded asbestos lining were fitted to the rear. The brakes had a self-adjusting feature and audible wear indicators. The Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five nine passenger sedan and limousine rode on a commanding 151.5” wheelbase and had the luxury length of 252.2” with the wide stance of 79.8”….these sedans were Goliath in stature.

Cadillac innovation for the 1976 model year included optional automatic power door locks that locked the doors when the transmission was shifted into gear and could be programmed to unlock the doors when the transmission was shifted to park. A new “Freedom Battery” was introduced as maintenance free never requiring water. The big news for the 1976 model year was Cadillac’s optional Electronic Fuel Injection system which provided optimum fuel efficiency, quick response, faster starting, consistent performance, smooth idle, and few required maintenance operations. Cadillac offered many safety features for occupant protection, accident prevention, and theft deterrence as standard. The Cadillac motorcar was always more than adequately equipped which kept the brand popular world-wide.

Unfortunately, the 1976 Cadillac DeVille and Fleetwood series would never ever again be the same. The “Standard of the World” ended when the last full-size Cadillac rolled off the assembly line in 1976. The slow-selling Calais series was dropped which made sense, the modest difference in price between the Calais and DeVille made the latter the popular choice, besides, the DeVille was America’s favorite luxury car anyway. The illustrious Cadillac heritage was tarnished with their lack-luster performances in the years that proceeded….

When it came to interior size and comfort, spaciousness and privacy, the 1976 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five was the obvious choice. Their interiors were sumptuously upholstered by Fleetwood. Medici crushed velour was available in two colors and Magnan Knit in light grey, both being luxuriously exclusive. Full width folding rear seats accommodated three additional passengers in both regal sedans. The Series Seventy-Five came standard with two Automatic Climate Control systems. The formal limousine came standard with a power glass partition and a chauffeur’s compartment trimmed in leather.

The 1976 Fleetwood Series seventy-Five was powered by Cadillac’s 8.2 litre V8 engine which was the largest V8 engine to power a production passenger car in the world. Cadillac offered a host of standard and optional equipment to further enhance this highly bespoke series. No other luxury sedan garnered the respect and admiration as this most regal of sedans. The 1976 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five nine passenger sedan and formal limousine were the “Standard of the World” in eloquence and splendor…..they maintained that poised dignity that was the hallmark of every Cadillac……hence, in loving memory, the 1976 Fleetwood-bodied Cadillacs were the finale and the standing ovation in the continuing saga of….. “As the Standard of the World Turns.”

1941 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five

1946 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five

1954 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five

1959 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five

1969 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five

1970 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five

1971 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five

1972 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five

1973 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five

The last, 1976 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five full-size sedan

In Loving Memory of the “Standard of the World”