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My
car is a 1979 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz with a 6ltr v8 engine and a 3 speed
turbo hydro matic transmission (as used in 70s and 80s Rolls-Royce (It
was and still is the strongest and most reliable smoothest
transmission anywhere in the world!) my car is the top of the range Cadillac
it has a stainless steel and part vinyl roof with opera lights, remote trunk
release, automatic trunk pull down.
www.cadillac.com
www.caddydaddy.com
  my
car is the top of the range Eldorado! click on pictures below
to enlarge |
 here
which car
manufacturer Cadillac or Rolls Royce was the first to ever manufacture
production cars? guess who? don't ask Jeremy Clarkson he would be wrong as
always! typical European who needs power steering ! who needs a lovely
smooth relaxing ride who needs a 2.5 ton car that will accelerate as
smooth as a caddy 60to 70mph in 1st gear at below 3000rpm,
Not that you would ever need to use all of its long legs!,
as for cornering if you've never cornered at speed in a
full sized American car then you don't know what you are missing! I am told
that the only thing that you need to watch out for especially with 132/75/15
tyres is on very hard cornering you could end up losing a wheel trim
!
Did you know that (most American full sized cars will do
60mph in reverse!) sorry I got carried away again I'll get back to all
the features on my car here we go again!!!
Automatic parking brake release (standard on all
Cadillac as are most of the features mentioned) fibre optic lamp
monitoring on all front and rear lamps and indicators this was standard
equipment on all Cadillac's from the 60s on, here in Britain we used fibre
optics for fancy lamps do you remember! I don't my granddad told me.
Also twilight sentinel, automatically turns on the cars
driving lights as darkness approaches, when the ignition switch is
''on'' the unit also turns the lights off as daylight approaches,
auto headlamp dipper (Guide-matic power headlamp
control) automatically switches the cars headlamps from high to low beam
when another vehicle approaches from the opposite direction, and returned
them to high beam again when conditions permit.
can be set to
dip with oncoming car near or far away, also can be overrode and lights can
be dipped with footswitch ,
The car has a full perimeter heavy duty chassis
standard on all Cadillac's, heavy duty front and rear bumpers with
telescopic heavy duty self positioning rams, the body is separate to
the chassis and is mounted on rubber isolation blocks (GM spent millions of
dollars on designing them as they not only have to isolate the body from the
chassis they have to not allow sideways or forward aft movement.
(Cadillac standard of the world) I love my Cadillac, small build but I can easily drive it as the seats
are adjustable to any size (forgot to mention my
Cadillac is fitted with lounge seats much more comfortable than most
household 3 piece suites.
As is the tilt and telescopic steering ( there is no
other car in the world that I would be able to drive as easily as my
Cadillac I don't even need a cushion to see over the hood,
TO BE
CONTINUED LATER
Cadillac
sixteen engine v16 1000hp, and 1000ft lbs torque
www.cadillac.com
Cadillac Timeline
1903 - Cadillac Model A Runabout with
rack-and-pinion steering, variable intake-valve timing debuts at the New
York Auto Show. Powered by a single-cylinder 10-horsepower engine, it
travelled at over 30 miles per hour and got 25 miles per gallon.
1905 - The Osceola was Cadillac's first
concept car and featured the first fully-closed body. General Motors
acquires Cadillac for $5,969,200.
1908 - Cadillac becomes the "Standard
of the World" and the first American automobile manufacturer to win the
Dewar Trophy.
1909 - Cadillac offers the world's
first limousine.
1912 - Cadillac offers the Delco
Electric Self-Starter; becomes the first and only company to win the Dewar
Trophy twice.
1915 - Cadillac produced the first
full-armoured car; created the first mass-produced V8 engine - it was also
the first engine to use thermostatically controlled water-cooling
technology.
1922 - With innovations like the
standard windshield wiper and rear-view mirror, demand intensified with
production exceeding over 20,000.
1924 - Cadillac pioneered the use of
fast-drying Duco lacquer paints and offer over 500 colour combinations while
most competitors only offered black.
1926 - Cadillac becomes the first
automobile manufacturer to develop a comprehensive nationwide service
policy.
1930 - Cadillac produces the world's
first V-type 16-cylinder engine for passenger cars. It was smooth, quiet and
powerful with 160 horsepower from 452 cubic inches.
1934 - Cadillac introduces the world's
first independent front suspension on its entire line of automobiles.
1937 - The Cadillac LaSalle V8 set a
new speed and endurance record at the Indianapolis 500 with an average speed
of 82 miles per hour.
1938 - Cadillac introduces the first
sunroofs in America: The Sunshine Turret Top
1940 - Cadillac introduces the first
fully automatic transmission: The Hydra-Matic transmission.
1949 - The Cadillac Coupe DeVille
introduced the world's first pillarless two-door hard top body style;
Cadillac created their first overhead valve, high-compression V8 engine with
160 horsepower from 331 cubic inches.
1953 - The Cadillac Eldorado, America's
dream car for a record 23 years, was introduced with the industry's first
wrap-around windshield, the first signal-seeking automotive radio, and the
Autronic Eye - the first automatic headlight dimmer. Other innovations were
leather upholstery and chrome wire wheels.
1954 - Cadillac becomes the first auto
manufacturer to offer power steering as standard equipment on its entire
line of automobiles.
1957 - The Eldorado Brougham introduced
the first quad headlamps, six-way power seats with memory, automatic door
locks, forged aluminium wheels and an air suspension.
1964 - Cadillac debuted with the
industry's first automatic climate control system: Comfort Control; Cadillac
debuted an industry-first "Twilight Sentinel" system which automatically
turned the headlights off and/or on at dusk/sunrise.
1965 - Cadillac introduces automatic
load levelling and tilt/telescopic steering wheels.
1967 - The Cadillac Eldorado perfects
front-wheel drive with a smoother, quieter ride than other luxury cars of
its day.
1969 - Cadillac introduces the
industry's first closed cooling system, making overheated engines a thing of
the past.
1971 - Cadillac offers "Track Master",
an advanced, computerized rear-wheel skid-control braking system as optional
equipment.
1974 - Cadillac pioneered the use of
the air cushion restraint (air bag) system.
1975 - Cadillac becomes the first U.S.
auto manufacturer to install electronic fuel injection and introduces the
catalytic converter.
1978 - Cadillac becomes the first auto
manufacturer to test digital computerization in cars.
1987 - The Cadillac Allante becomes
America's first automobile to compete in the ultra-luxury market. This two
seater was designed and built in Italy by the renowned coach-building firm
of Pininfarina.
1988 - Cadillac is the first American
luxury carmaker to implement a 24-hour, 365 day-a-year roadside service
program.
1990 - The Cadillac Allante becomes the
first front-wheel drive vehicle with electronic traction control.
1992 - Cadillac introduces the first
32-valve V8 engine (1993 model year): the Northstar
1999 - Cadillac offers the first
automotive application of thermal-imaging technology: Night Vision.
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Cadillac
Fleetwood |
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Founded in 1902 by Henry Martin Leland, a one time gun maker, Cadillac
soon gained a reputation for precision engineering, which was confirmed
in 1908 when, in Britain, three Cadillac's were disassembled, all of the
parts mixed up and then reassembled into three cars, which all ran
perfectly. Cadillac's reward for this feat was its first Dewar Trophy
and gave birth to the slogan "Standard of the World". This Cadillac is
from a later age when the company was a luxury division of General
Motors, who had acquired the company in 1910, when GM were only a
fledgling company themselves. The Fleetwood title means that the car is
a luxury version of the current offering, as with this Series 62
Fleetwood saloon, which is powered by the legendary 331 V8 engine, which
took a near standard Cadillac to 10th overall at the 1950 Le Mans 24
hour. n. |
Overblown and over here!
Alan Candy at the UK launch of the Cadillac CTS
ELVIS Presley's favourite car brand is making a classic comeback
as one of America's great names drives again for glory.
Yes, Cadillac has invaded the UK with a knock-your-eyes-out right
hand drive sports saloon aiming to compete with the best.
The dramatically styled Cadillac CTS is spearheading the company's
commitment to become a global premium brand.
In the States, Cadillac has already made great strides with seven
new vehicles in the past four years and sales up 36 per cent in
that time.
And in the US luxury car market, Cadillac is strongly challenging
market leaders Lexus and BMW, which it currently trails.
It also has its sights set on Japan, China and Europe and its UK
launch last week shows that it means business.
Cadillac's trump cards are its bold and edgy styling and
startlingly impressive performance and handling. The icing on the
cake is the cars' solid and well crafted build.
But company executives privately acknowledge that Cadillac's bid
for world domination is still hampered by its complete absence of
a diesel engine or a manual gearbox – both features that Americans
just don't seem to have a great need for.
The manual gearbox looks like a non-starter but the European
scramble for diesel has opened Cadillac bosses' eyes, so expect
one to be bought in at some stage.
So what can the UK market look forward to? The answer is the
eye-popping new Michigan-built Cadillac CTS, which comes with a
choice of two V6 engines and traditional rear-wheel drive, which
will be a favourite with enthusiast motorists.
The V6 2.8 is in Elegance and Sports Luxury trim, priced at
£24,850 and £27,350, and the flagship model is the 3.6 V6 Sports
Luxury, which tops the range at £29,850.
Cadillac's mantra for the CTS's design seems to be that it's hip
to be square. Everything's chunky, boxy and in your face, from
slabby, angular front bumper and sharply chiselled wings to the
side flank detailing – a mix of curves and horizontal slashes.
Drawing styling cues from classic Cadillac's of the past, the CTS
features upright headlamps, tail-lamp and front fogs while the
cute perpendicular repeat flashers by the wheel arches are a smart
touch.
The car retains an air of mystery with its high waistline and
small windows, and this makes for an intimate cockpit.
On first acquaintance, the high tech cabin is a little daunting –
macho upright vents are reminiscent of Darth Vader's helmet.
But everything is logically placed and a little practice soon
breeds familiarity. In the top 3.6-litre V6 model I tested, all
leather seats were supremely supportive and comfortable and there
is plenty of space all round, particularly for rear passengers,
plus excellent luggage room.
The car's best feature is the overall excellent driving package on
offer. Rear-wheel drive makes the CTS hugely entertaining and
beautifully balanced and the car's well planted feel on the road
and pin-sharp steering accuracy are second to none.
Involvement is everything here and the big Cadillac excels in
every aspect – progressive brakes with plenty of feel, seamless
gear changes and a responsive and quiet V6, though when it's
pushed hard, the engine note is strangely industrial and rather
mournful.
The inconvenience of few dealers and the drawbacks of fully auto,
all-petrol models pose question marks over Cadillac's success in
the UK. And it remains to be seen whether BMW, Lexus and Merc fans
will love them enough to switch.
But there is no doubt that General Motors has got this car right
in most aspects, from great build through to superb driving
dynamics.
Now y'all get out there and drive one, y'hear?
FACT FILE:
Model tested: Cadillac CTS 3.6 V6 Sports Luxury.
Price: £29,850 (range prices start at £24,850).
Engine: V6 24v of 3564cc developing 257hp @ 6200 rpm and
340 Nm of torque @ 3200 rpm.
CO2: 275g/km.
Transmission: rear-wheel drive via five-speed auto
transmission.
Safety: ventilated discs, ABS, traction control.
Performance: maximum speed 145mph; 0-62mph in 7 seconds.
Fuel tank capacity: 64 litres.
Fuel consumption: urban 17mpg; extra urban 32.5mpg;
combined 24.4mpg.
19 May 2005
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