The year 1977 was a small one for General Motors! No, not in sales, it was a huge year for that, but in size as the General’s B and C-body full-sizers got the big shrinkeroo treatment. That said, looks can be deceiving. Take this Frost Orange Firemist Metallic ’77 Sedan DeVille. It may have gotten short-sheeted, but it’s still not absent of bulk – more on that to follow. This one’s a looker and is really puttin’ on the ritz Cadillac seventies-style, that’s for sure. Curvette found the listing for this Longview, Washington “Stunning Classic” as the seller describes it, and it’s available here on craigslist for $12,995.
GM’s fullsize B and C body cars had reached Brobdingnagian proportions in the ’71 to ’76 era, and at Cadillac, a quick comparison of Sedan DeVille dimensions will bear that out:
Year: 1977 1976
Length: 221.2″ 230.7″
W/B: 121.5″ 130.0″
Weight (lbs.): 4,220 5,130
Downsized for ’77, yes. Out of size? Nope, these new models still had a commanding visual presence. Popular? You bet, Sedan DeVille volumes jumped to 95K units in ’77, up from 68K the previous year, a 40% increase. The seller refers to this sedan as a time capsule, and it definitely looks the part. It’s not only its dated features of wire wheel covers, white stripe tires, a stand-up hood ornament, coach lights, and a thickly padded vinyl top covering; it’s the entire presentation, it’s flawless. The Frost Orange Firemist Metallic hue is decidedly unCadillac-like, but it works; why do we have to have stodgy dark blue, white, or black all the time, right? This Sedan DeVille has clearly spent quite a bit of time parked properly undercover; it’s simply too nice to have experienced otherwise.
Downsizing outside also meant downsizing under the hood, sorta. Smoothly modulated power is now delivered by a 180 net HP 425 CI (7.0 liter) V8 engine connected to a three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission (no more behemoth 500 cubic incher for DeVille). The seller doesn’t elaborate on running or driving characteristics of this 77K mile sedan, but there’s no reason to suspect an issue. Of note, a 195 net HP fuel-injected version of this engine was available too, but I don’t believe that I’ve ever encountered one.
Inside we find, “Antique Light Buckskin (673) leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a push-button radio / 8 track player. Air Conditioning, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Power Windows, and Tilt Steering.” Curiously, there’s no image of the front seat, just this one of the rear and another of the cheesy-looking instrument panel with its 85 MPH federally mandated speedometer. Yes, the interior environment is as nice as this car’s exterior, but I believe Cadillac could have done a better job with the dash and instrument panel – it’s real GM-generic looking.
There you have it, no complaints and no demerits to issue. My guess is this first of the downsized Sedan DeVilles will find a new home very soon, wouldn’t you agree?
This is one nicely preserved ’78 Sedan Deville here. Other than one passenger door a slightly different color, it looks great. The leather interior has held up really well over all these years too. These are great driving cars for their day. Great write up Jim. Nice Caddy.
I Was just looking at the Craigslist ad. The seller of the car has the wrong year listed. Its not a ’77 but it is a ’78. ’77 had half the tailight covered. ’78 and ’79 had the full tailights ( look much better that way. )
And the power seat control is on the door panel, which was 78. My 77 had them on the seats. Not enough pictures of the seats. The back seats almost always look fine. What about the front, why were they left out?
Yes, an unfortunate error; the manufacturers tag shows a build date of 12/77, so it is a ’78.
Good catch.
JO
Like it. Powertrain, size, and color.
Lovely color. I miss colorful cars.
A few years ago, I had a Volkswagen Toureg as a rental. Out of curiosity, I looked it up online to see how much they go for, and was only a little surprised to see that it only came in one color, which was a dark gray.
Correction, it was a Tiguan, not a Toureg that I rented.
Good write-up Mr. O’Donnell. The Caddy looks pretty decent but the seller needs a little work….like a tune-up on getting some basic facts straight (the correct model year could be a start), and a complete overhaul of simple picture taking skills to assemble a complete and appealing ad when asking real money for your lead sled. But regardless, I do hope someone steps up to adopt this slice of Disco era iron for posterity.
This rare gem has a “Suburban Auto Group” front tag, so it MIGHT have the dealer installed TRUNK MONKEY! You can’t really see it in the pic with the trunk open.
Fun fact! If you bury the 85 mph speedo, you can set the cruise control and go down the road at an unknown speed.
Ok Amos, I had to look that up!!!!!! Good times
bt
Interesting color. It’s more money but I’d rather have the 73 red coupe de ville listed today.
I believe the correct name for that color was Canyon Copper Firemist. I recall our first one in that color arriving and the dealer wanted to know who ordered a metallic pink car for stock. It turned out to be a more popular color than we originally expected.
These were not shrunken. They were right sized. The tanks these replaced were ridiculous in size.
Considering the ‘79 Fleetwood listed her last week went for $10,800 on eBay with only 22k miles on it, this seems overpriced
Same weight as my ’77 Cougar? Where is the lead hiding in my car?!