Posted January 13, 2014 by 99MilesPerHour4 Comments "As the Standard of the World Turns"

1971 Cadillac Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five

Fleetwood-bodied Cadillacs were the most luxurious

For the 1971 model year, there was a new look to the leader. The “Standard of the World” had a completely new design unlike any previous offering. The 1971 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five nine passenger sedan and formal limousine received a distinguished new appearance. Beneath the sculptured beauty were new luxuries, new conveniences, new performance features, and new engineering innovations.

The Fleetwood series epitomized elegance, luxury, and dignity, all hallmarks of Cadillac. The most magnificent of the flagships were the eminent Series Seventy-Fives in all their grandeur. Model code #71-697 69723R nine passenger sedan was base priced at $11,869 with 752 built. Model code #71-697 69733S formal limousine was base priced at $ $12,008 with 848 built. There was no more resplendent way to travel Cadillac….The 1971 Cadillacs were still yet another success story in the continuing saga of “As the Standard of the World Turns.”

Exclusivity and an all new look; they were big and comfortable with an extra spacious interior. The Series Seventy-Fives were masterpieces crafted in their entirety by Fleetwood. Being Fleetwood-bodied, they were the most aristocratic of all Cadillacs. These magnificent motorcars were held in unmatched esteem. The Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five was the only limousine built in America specifically designed and built as a limousine.

The long wheelbase, made the ride incredibly smooth, these regal sedans were unique even in the special world of Cadillac. The tasteful appointments and deep-seated comfort were matched by the quality of its performance and ease of operation. The body, chassis, engine and brakes were engineered to provide a smooth, quiet, relaxing experience. The 1971 Fleetwood Series seventy-Five was the “Standard of the World” in dignity and distinction.

The Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five nine passenger sedan and formal limousine were the finest expressions of Cadillac’s dramatic new styling. Their curvaceous, stronger front end structure was augmented by a stand-up hood and fall-away front fenders….this was the first Cadillac redesign that did not use a separate fender design.

The characteristic bodylines of previous Cadillac architecture featured fenders both front and rear that ran past the body making them appear even longer than they were. The 1971’s jewel-like grille work and wide set headlamp placement was a most contemporary look for its day. Flowing side contours and a bold new rear end styling lent a special majesty to its exclusively longer length.

The sumptuous interiors of the 1971 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five were the last word in eloquence. The very name ‘Fleetwood’ for many years earned the total respect and admiration of the luxury car segment. An impressive inner world awaited the chosen few. This most luxurious of all Cadillacs seated nine with full width folding seats accommodating three passengers.

The formal limousine had an enclosed chauffeur’s compartment trimmed in leather with a power glass partition for added rear seat privacy. The extra long 151.5” wheelbase made even boulevard travel intrusion negligible….unflappable is the only word to describe their demeanor in operation.

Imposing, formidable in stature, with an understated elegance, they were thoughtfully equipped with not one but two separate Automatic Climate Control systems standard, one for the driver and the other for the passenger compartment. Both Fleetwood series Seventy-Five nine passenger sedan and formal limousine were highly bespoke vehicles and could reflect the taste of their owner with many options, features, and accessories.

Luxurious Daphne Cloth with an exclusive pique stitching was available in two colors, and also available was equally luxurious Dante Metalasse Cloth with leather bolsters in two colors. The all-leather chauffeur’s compartment in the limousine was available in Black or Dark Blue. From the passenger compartment control panel the windows could be operated, doors locked and unlocked, operate the glass partition, operate the reading lamps, activate the Automatic Climate Control, and tune the radio.

Standard features for the 1971 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five were: Automatic Level Control, two Automatic Climate Control systems, power windows and driver’s seat, rear seat arm rest, courtesy lighting, padded vinyl roof treatment, Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, power brakes, and fixed-ratio power steering to name a few of the many conveniences Cadillac offered as standard that were optional at extra cost on other luxury brands. A host of optional features and accessories were available to add further distinction.

The 1971 Cadillacs were powered by the 7.7 litre 472 CID 16-valve OHV V8. The engine was equipped with a Rochester 4MV 4-bbl down-draft Quadrajet carburetor with equalized manifold, mechanical fuel pump, dry-type air cleaner and automatic choke. The engine produced 220 hp @ 3,800 rpm with 515 Nm of peak torque @ 2,400 rpm. Performance was rated as 0-60 mph in 11.4 seconds, 0-100 mph in 37.6 seconds, with a top speed of 113 mph.

It could do the ¼ mile @ 76 mph in 18.3 seconds….not that anyone in their right mind would drag-race a Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five. The engine was mated to GM’s Turbo Hydra-Matic THM 400 3-speed automatic transmission. The 1971 Cadillacs were designed to operate on low to no lead fuels or a leaded regular grade of at least 91 octane.

The 1971 Cadillacs were built as body on frame construction. They used a fully boxed perimeter frame with new front members that increased impact absorption. The front suspension used the traditional upper and lower control arm, integral steering knuckle for greater dependability and longer life, independent helical coil springs, and rubber mounted strut rods with rubber bushings to absorb impact and isolate road noise.

The rear used a four-link drive, helical coil springs, special height-control system network, and large rubber bushings to improve ride quality. The 1971 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five sedan had the luxury length of 247.3”, rode upon an extra long 151.5” wheelbase, and was 79.8” wide. This was a very large car indeed.

The 1971 Fleetwood Series seventy-Five came standard with Cadillac’s dual power braking system with self-adjusting feature. A special double chamber hydraulic reservoir provided independent front and rear operation. The parking brake also doubled as a true auxiliary brake, it could be operated as a foot brake since it would not lock with the engine running and in gear. It was fitted with finned composite rear drums and ventilated front discs. The 1971 Fleetwood series seventy-Five as with all Cadillacs featured an impressive array of safety, theft-deterrence, and convenience equipment.

The all-new design made the look of the leader even more authoritative. Its completely new look was daring and contemporary yet unmistakably Cadillac. The eminent Fleetwood coachcrafted Series Seventy-Five nine passenger sedan and formal limousine were the only automobiles designed and built specifically as limousines. Their formidable presence was immediately acknowledged in any gathering of fine automobiles.

The 1971 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five was motoring in the grand Cadillac manner on the grand Cadillac scale. A Fleetwood-bodied Cadillac has always been a superlative in the luxury car class. The Series Seventy-Five was the true Flagship….the most regal of sedans in the entire world which only reinforced the fact that the only way to travel was Cadillac style. Here ends another successful chapter in the continuing saga of “As the Standard of the World Turns.”