DIFFERENCE: 1983 Cadillac Fleetwood Coupe vs. 1983 Cadillac Coupe DeVille
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
Fleetwood had a vinyl top standard, Coupe DeVille optional. Fleetwood interior was button tufted leather, Coupe was straight pleats in either cloth or leather. I believe it had a Fleetwood script on the glove box door. I believe coupes had hard plastic steering wheels and Fleetwood's were leather wrapped.
The easy way to tell is the size of the padded roof. Coupe deVille padded tops were completely behind the rear quarter window, Fleetwood vinyl tops started at the B-pillar and surrounded the rear quarter window. Further, Coupe deVilles had a single chrome molding down the center of the hood, where Fleetwoods had chrome on each side of the hood bulge. The car in the photos is a Coupe deVille.
Roof configuration as mentioned.
Other differences are VIN prefix, door panels front and rear, 2 door only beltline brightwork center section and a few others I can't remember.
Most 2 door Fleetwoods suffer from rust where the vinyl meets the real quarter panels. I'm thinking the rivits were different from the CDV ones which do not seem to have this problem. Always look for body repair in this area.
1980 and maybe '81 stay solid.
The extra HT-4100 badges on the Coupe Deville pictured can only mean one thing. The person who owned it enjoyed working on engines.
Other differences are VIN prefix, door panels front and rear, 2 door only beltline brightwork center section and a few others I can't remember.
Most 2 door Fleetwoods suffer from rust where the vinyl meets the real quarter panels. I'm thinking the rivits were different from the CDV ones which do not seem to have this problem. Always look for body repair in this area.
1980 and maybe '81 stay solid.
The extra HT-4100 badges on the Coupe Deville pictured can only mean one thing. The person who owned it enjoyed working on engines.
Leather wheel was optional on FW, also.
Besides the roof vinyl trim/side window treatment, the most obvious difference is trim. FW has wider stainless rockers that come up on the door, and has chrome trim on both sides of the hood, while DV has a single chrome spear down the center. FW gets wreath around trunk emblem, DV gets a V.
This will help:
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/stat...dillac/1983_Cadillac_Brochure_1/dirindex.html
Besides the roof vinyl trim/side window treatment, the most obvious difference is trim. FW has wider stainless rockers that come up on the door, and has chrome trim on both sides of the hood, while DV has a single chrome spear down the center. FW gets wreath around trunk emblem, DV gets a V.
This will help:
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/stat...dillac/1983_Cadillac_Brochure_1/dirindex.html
Is it me or do the ladies in those pictures all look like they are planning to kill their husbands for the insurance money?
1991 Cadillac Brougham D'Elegance 5.7 Litre, 1994 DeVille
Joined
·
6,833 Posts
That chrome trim that runs up both sides of the hood and across the doors is the easiest way to tell. Unless of course the badges are still on the car that say deville or fleetwood.
What's in the first two pictures in this thread is a deville.
The rest of the pictures:
1983 Cadillac Coupe DeVille in Curacao
I'm planning to buy this car as a restoration project. The condition of this Caddy is good, no signs of rust. Should I keep same colors or paint black outside with beige/brown interior...?
Buy or no buy...?
Folder: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rhkf1lobstz5jbg/AAADJ_na1qBptE6u2Z5OcP2za?dl=0
1983 Cadillac Coupe DeVille in Curacao
I'm planning to buy this car as a restoration project. The condition of this Caddy is good, no signs of rust. Should I keep same colors or paint black outside with beige/brown interior...?
Buy or no buy...?
Folder: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rhkf1lobstz5jbg/AAADJ_na1qBptE6u2Z5OcP2za?dl=0
Attachments
1.The Coupe de Ville in '83 was RWD
2.That grill is after market
3.Those rims are aftermarket
4.The 4100 (4.1L/250) was not a success; I would say it was more of a train-wreck, but that would be unfair to Amtrak
Also the trunk deck is aftermarket, and the roof emblems are after market
2.That grill is after market
3.Those rims are aftermarket
4.The 4100 (4.1L/250) was not a success; I would say it was more of a train-wreck, but that would be unfair to Amtrak
Also the trunk deck is aftermarket, and the roof emblems are after market
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rhkf1lobstz5jbg/AAADJ_na1qBptE6u2Z5OcP2za?dl=0
----------
There is a Navy Blue 1988 Cadillac Brougham d'Elegance on the island which disappeared a few years ago (I drove this car 1 month and was awesome) and I'm trying to locate the car. I prefer the 1988 Brougham on the 1983 CDV.
----------
There is a Navy Blue 1988 Cadillac Brougham d'Elegance on the island which disappeared a few years ago (I drove this car 1 month and was awesome) and I'm trying to locate the car. I prefer the 1988 Brougham on the 1983 CDV.
Interior looks like it is all there, but the seats don't look original.
This car looks like it is in good shape, body wise, but there is a lot of cheap modification that may be hiding problems. How much are they asking, and does it run? In the current condition, with a 4100, I would pay no more than $700.
This car looks like it is in good shape, body wise, but there is a lot of cheap modification that may be hiding problems. How much are they asking, and does it run? In the current condition, with a 4100, I would pay no more than $700.
1975 Fleetwood 'd Elegance, 2020 Santa Fe, 2003 Honda Reflex scooter
Joined
·
7,973 Posts
1975 Fleetwood 'd Elegance, 2020 Santa Fe, 2003 Honda Reflex scooter
Joined
·
7,973 Posts
Those items do seem to draw a fair amount on Ebay and Craigslist.
The fillers...HT4100
..., cracked windshield...HT4100..., non-original seat...HT4100..., and rear bumper...Ht4100..., will be expensive to find and replace.
That is not even giving any attention to whatever caused it to be parked so long...HT4100...or other possible running problems...HT4100.....there could be.
...and it has an HT4100.....:suspense:
I think even Felix would pass on a long parked one.
The fillers...HT4100
..., cracked windshield...HT4100..., non-original seat...HT4100..., and rear bumper...Ht4100..., will be expensive to find and replace.That is not even giving any attention to whatever caused it to be parked so long...HT4100
...or other possible running problems...HT4100.....there could be....and it has an HT4100.....:suspense:
I think even Felix would pass on a long parked one.
78 CDV, 79 CDV delegance, 80 CDV, 80 FWB 2dr delegance (rip)
Joined
·
1,150 Posts
I have a Coupe and mine doesn't have this, then again it's an 1980 Coupe. Later years yes, they had the single chrome molding down center
----------
visual
FWB Coupe
CDV
Doing a quick google images search, it looks like the DV centre hood trim was added in 1982.
In the late 80s you could pick up HT-4100 cars with flawless bodies for $1500.00. That's about a third of what one would pay for a good running land yacht.
If the car seems like it is in excellent shape body-wise it might make a good project but it will never make it as a collectible with a modified power train. Personally, I don't care about that but others do.
You will need a donor car with a real drivetrain to make it reliable OR a pile of time and cash.
If the car seems like it is in excellent shape body-wise it might make a good project but it will never make it as a collectible with a modified power train. Personally, I don't care about that but others do.
You will need a donor car with a real drivetrain to make it reliable OR a pile of time and cash.
You are correct, the chrome on the hood wasn't on the DeVilles until 82. I'm a little OCD when it comes to learning trim changes on Cadillacs. I find it so interesting the subtle changes that are made during the lifespan of a car. Of course the 77-92 B/D-bodies are about as subtle and seemingly random as they come!
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
