Coachbuilt: 2001 Cadillac DES

“Nil fato relinquemus” is Accubuilt’s impetus…

The DeVille Executive Sedan was a discrete 6″ stretch from Accubuilt Industries for the millennium Cadillac

The millennium was the beginning of a new century and Cadillac offered a brand new DeVille for this new era. The DeVille had a special symmetry in its design and an avant-garde character. Cadillac had partnered once again with Superior Coach/Accubuilt Industries for a custom-bodied special edition. The 2001 Cadillac DES (DeVille Executive Sedan) was a bold new level of master coachcraft.

The DES was a highly styled livery sedan designed for the contemporary world. Superior Coaches has a reputation being foremost in the custom professional vehicle industry creating custom-bodied Cadillacs of distinction. The new DeVille was tailored for the coachbuilder’s variances. The 2001 DeVille DES was a refined executive sedan making a cameo appearance…in the continuing saga of “As the Standard of the World Turns.”

Completely modifying a vehicle’s structure is a major task. It requires knowledge and state-of-the art technology. Through the use of CAD-CAM sophistication each vehicle is enhanced in terms of precision, stability, and safety. Accubuilt manufactures their vehicles in a modern 175,000 sq. ft. facility in Lima, Ohio housing 250+ employees in all phases of production. They transform traditional cars into high-quality, classy, specialty vehicles such as the Cadillac DES.

The DeVille Executive Sedan was a discrete 6” stretch that provided an additional 6” to the wheelbase thus, increasing rear seat legroom by 6”. The extra length was cleverly achieved by using a larger rear door which made the extension anonymously incorporated into the architecture. Accubuilt is the largest Cadillac master coachbuilder accounting for more than half of all custom-bodied Cadillacs produced. Every detail in the conversion process is carefully orchestrated and hand-crafted to precise dimensions in the production of their vehicles leaving nothing to chance…”Nil fato relinquemus”

Inside the DeVille Executive Sedan was spacious traditional-sized Cadillac luxury. The rear passenger compartment was spacious enough to add popular options like carpeted foot rests, power folding wood tables, TV/VCR, and adjustable reading lamps. Tri-zone Electronic Climate Control could be adjusted by each front passenger and those in the back. Rear controls allowed passengers to adjust temperature, fan speed, and airflow.

Power windows, central locking system, 6-way power front seating with driver’s memory package, digital instrumentation, keyless entry with illumination feature, tilt steering wheel, and Theft-Deterrent system were a few of the popular standard features. It included all DeVille standard features and accessories. Most DeVille options were available for the DES. The DeVille Executive Sedan was upholstered in luxurious natural grain leather.

A rear sunshade package, adjustable rear seat head restraints, lighted rear vanity mirrors, rear outboard heated seats with power lumbar adjustment, and rich natural wood trim added character to the DeVille’s already luxurious cabin. The Cadillac DES was refined traditional elegance in a contemporary sedan. They were sold and serviced through select Cadillac dealers.

Hello & special thanks to Ryan at Peak Cars in Bozeman, Montana

The Cadillac DeVille had been completely re-designed for the 2000 model year. Its architecture was clearly for the new millennium. The bodywork was understated with a classic simplicity. One-piece body panels replaced complex multi-step welding techniques…no seams meant no corrosion in out of sight places rusting from within.

Accurate robotic spot welds rendered former techniques redundant. Its sleek wind-cheating aerodynamic wedge shape not only increased fuel economy by lowering the drag coefficient, it also aided in its stability on the road. This was a beautiful new DeVille right for today’s challenging world.

The DeVille/DTS from 2000 to 2005

DeVille’s flush mounted glass reduced wind noise and aided aerodynamics. Its sophisticated lighting system consisted of standard Twilight Sentinel which automatically controlled head and tail lamps according to lighting requirements with a delay timer for lighting one’s path safely at night.

Tungsten Halogen headlamps lit the way up front. Ingenious LED tail lamps was the first use of full-width LED lamps in the automotive industry. LED’s light faster than incandescent bulbs increasing the reaction time for the motorists behind. Cornering lamps worked with turn signals to light the turns at night. The millennium DeVille was all about technology.

The millennium DeVille architecture used a magnesium beam that ran from side to side behind the instrument panel to add substantial body stiffness. A strong tubular steel beam arched from the front to the back over the front side doors. An extremely rigid internal safety cage and side door beams helped to maintain the structural integrity of the passenger compartment. By all means, these were the most highly engineered DeVilles in the history of the brand.

Coupe deVille by David Smith…you GO David!

Sophisticated software programs replaced clay mock-ups to perfect DeVille’s exterior. Computers analyzed its robotic welds checking tolerances down to .00004 of an inch. Structural stiffness was enhanced for advanced driving performance. DeVille’s driving dynamics were orchestrated through a network of sensors and advanced mechanical engineering.

Computer programs simulated and tested the strength of virtually every body component before it was finalized. With input based on real-world data, engineers determined which structural parts needed improvement. This ‘virtual’ testing resulted in an automobile of impressive dynamic stiffness and integrity.

Unfortunately, the millennium DeVille was powered by that awful 32-valve Northstar engine. There is nothing to say about it other than it did exist and caused grief…

Superior Coaches/Accubuilt Industries of Lima, Ohio produced custom-bodied Cadillacs of the highest quality. Their DeVille Executive Sedan (DES) was an exemplary example of prodigious fit and finish. It was a truly elegant rendition of motorcars from a bygone era, with computer-assisted design and manufacture. The Cadillac DeVille had a complete re-design for the 2000 model year. Accubuilt created a livery sedan of distinction. The DeVille DES was a refined executive sedan for the new century.

The millennium DeVille was tailored for the coachbuilder’s variances as a simple stretch like the DES or a more formal stretch limousine. From the crystal-like head lamps to the holographic LED tail lamps, the millennium DeVille was understated with classic simplicity. The sleek wind-cheating design fit beautifully into today’s challenging world.

America’s favorite luxury sedan exhibited spirited yet dignified elegance…Cadillac-style. Whenever Cadillac teamed up with Accubuilt, the result was the epitome of motoring excellence. It’s a shame that an automobile of this stature had to be powered by that horrid Northstar powerplant. This was another Coachbuilt cameo appearance…in the continuing saga of “As the Standard of the World Turns.”

This is a 1968 “Sedan deVille” 4-door convertible

1999 DeVille with stainless-steel trim kit and coach roof

1999 Fleetwood Limited by Accubuilt Industries

2001 DeVille Executive Sedan