| Cadillac Motor
Division General Motors Corporation Detroit, Michigan |
| Engine |
375-hp, 472
cu. in. V-8 |
| Transmission |
3-speed automatic |
| Steering |
Power-assisted |
| Suspension |
Standard |
| Brakes |
Drum F, Drum R |
Check
list |
| Engine |
| Throttle Response |
Very
Good |
| Noise Insulation |
Excellent |
| Drive
train |
| Shift Linkage |
Very
Good |
| Shift Smoothness |
Very
Good |
| Steering |
| Effort |
Excellent |
| Response |
Good |
| Handling |
| Predictability |
Very
Good |
| Evasive Maneuverability |
Good |
| Brakes |
| Directional Stability |
Very
Good |
| Fade Resistance |
Good |
| Interior |
| Ease of Entry/Exit |
Very
Good |
| Driving Position |
Excellent |
| Front Seating Comfort |
Excellent |
| Rear Seating Comfort |
Good |
| General |
| Vision |
Good |
| Heater/ Defroster |
Excellent |
| Weather Sealing |
Excellent |
| Trunk Space |
Very
Good |
|
Surprising as it may
seem, the Cadillac Coupe de Ville is a pretty fair driver's
car. Getting the most out of a car's overthe-road performance
depends to a, large degree on the driver's ability to get comfortable
at the wheel. The Coupe's 6-way power seat and tilting/ telescoping
steering wheel options make it possible to arrange the driving
position to suit Junior Johnson or Stirling Moss or anybody
in between. The suspension
is soft-too soft-but it responds well to the controls. A set
of Koni shock absorbers would probably eliminate our few objections
to its ride and handling characteristics. Cadillacs are equipped
with very large tires, and while they develop a good bite
in high-speed turns, at low speeds the car plows alarmingly
if driven hard. Thanks to a variable ratio gear in the power
steering system, the Coupe de Ville is very responsive to
steering inputs.
Despite the Coupe de Ville's
biggerthan-life dimensions (129.5-in. wheelbase, 224.7-in.
overall length-bigger in both respects than a Chrysler station
wagon), it really is a coupe, and rear seat passengers are
a little cramped. Nevertheless we like the Coupe de Ville's
appearance-a little too massive to be actually called beautiful,
but infused with a subtle tastefulness that is appealing and
has made Cadillac the most prestigious car built in this country. |
