1985 CADILLAC CIMARRON

Cadillac's compact received a major revision for 1985 but went on sale a little later than usual. Production of the 1984 models was extended into autumn 1985, to take advantage of the existing Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, which were to grow more stringent for the coming year. An optional V-6 engine finally arrived for mid-year models, to deliver a much-needed performance boost. The new 173 cu. in. (2.8 liter) high-output V-6 with fuel injection was built by Chevrolet.

Cimarron sales continued sluggish, but style and performance alterations were made to try to draw some younger customers. The restyled body also was intended to give Cimarron more of a Cadillac look. Prices began just under $13,000, well under other Caddies but a good deal higher than Chevrolet's Cavalier and the other J-bodied GM models.

Stabilizer bars grew longer this year, and front springs became stiffer. Outside, Cimarron's front end grew by almost 5 inches. The new crosshatch grille reached out to black inner surfaces for headlamp bezels, which were positioned differently from before. Styled aluminum wheels were available for the first time, as an option.

Standard transmission was a five-speed manual gearbox, with three-speed automatic or four-speed manual optional. Standard equipment included

air conditioning
AM/FM stereo radio with power antenna
center armrests
overhead assist handles
power brakes and steering
bumper guards and rub strips
digital clock
power door locks
electric defoggers (rear and side window)
halogen headlamps and foglamps
tinted glass
electric remote mirrors

Inside were leather reclining bucket seats (driver's side six-way power adjustable), a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, tachometer, power windows, and power trunk release. All that and more helped to justify Cimarron's hefty price tag.

Cimarron D'Oro added fine-line gold accent stripes on beltline, hood center and rub strips; gold-accented grille and wheels; foglamp covers; lower bodyside accent moldings; saddle leather seats; plus gold-tinted hood ornament, steering wheel spokes and horn pad emblem. D'Oro bodies were either red or white, with plaques on front fender and dash.

Model	Series Number	Body/Style Number	Body Type	Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
Cimarron (Four)	6J	G69	4-dr Sedan	5 P	$12,662 (4-cyl) / 13,522 (6-cyl)	2630 lb	19,890

ENGINE

Type	Inline. OHV Four-cylinder. Cast iron block and head	60-degree, overhead-valve V-6. Cast iron block and head
Displacement	121 cu. in. (2.0 liters)	173 cu. in. (2.8 liters)
Bore & stroke	3.50 x 3.15 in.	3.50 x 2.99 in.
Compression ratio	9.3:1	8.9:1
Brake horsepower	88 at 4800 R.P.M.	125 at 4800 R.P.M.
Torque	110 lbs.-ft. at 2400 R.P.M.	155 lbs.-ft. at 3600 R.P.M.
Main bearings	Five	Four
Valve lifters	Hydraulic	Hydraulic
Fuel supply	Throttle Body Injection	Multi-port fuel injection

CHASSIS

Wheelbase: 101.2 in. (2571 mm)
Overall length: 177.9 in. (4518 mm)
Height: 52.0 in. (1321 mm)
Width: 65.04 in. (1652 mm)
Front Tread: 55.4 in. (1406 mm)
Rear Tread: 55.2 in. (1401 mm)
Turning Diameter (wall-to-wall): 38.8 ft (11.8 M)
Turning Diameter (curb-to-curb): 35.3 ft (10.8 M)
Curb weight with standard engine: 2538 lb (1151.4 kg)
Standard Tires: P195/7OR13 SBR
Wheels: Aluminum Alloy 13"x5.5"
Seating capacity: 2 front/3 rear
Front headroom: 38.2" (971 mm)
Rear headroom: 37.6" (954 mm)
Front legroom: 42.2" (1072 mm)
Rear legroom: 34.3" (871 mm)
Front hip room: 49.1" (1247 mm)
Rear hip room: 49.0" (1245 mm)
Front shoulder room: 53.1" (1348 mm)
Rear shoulder room: 53.1" (1349 mm)

TECHNICAL

Feature	Standard on 4-cyl	Standard on 6-cyl	Optional
Transmission	Five-speed, floor shift manual	Four-speed manual	three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic (THM125C)
Gear ratios	(1st) 3.92:1; (2nd) 2.15:1; (3rd) 1.33: 1; (4th) 0.92:1; (5th) 0.74:1; (Rev) 3.50:1	(1st) 3.31:1: (2nd) 1.95:1; (3rd) 1.95:1: (4th) 0.90:1; (Rev) 3.42:1.	(1st) 2.84:1; (2nd) 1.60:1; (3rd) 1.00:1; (Rev) 2.07:1
final drive ratio	3.83:1	3.65:1	3.18:1
Steering	rack-and-pinion, 14:1
Front suspension	Touring, with MacPherson struts
Rear suspension	semi-independent, trailing arms, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Front Brakes	disc, 9.724"x0.866" (247x22 mm)
Rear Brakes	drum, 7.874"x1.771" (200x45 mm)
Fuel tank	13.6 US gal (11.3 Imp gal) (51.5 liters)

DRIVETRAIN OPTIONS

173 cu. in. (2.8-liter) V-6 engine ($560)
California emission equipment ($99)
Engine block heater ($20)
Heavy-duty battery: ($26)
Heavy Duty radiator: ($45)
Four-speed manual trans.: ($75 credit)
Three-speed automatic trans.: ($350)
Delco/Bilstein suspension: ($100); required with V-6

OPTION PACKAGES

Cimarron D'Oro ($975)

CONVENIENCE/APPEARANCE OPTIONS

Vista Vent with rear tilt ($310)
Digital instrument cluster ($238)
Garage door opener ($165)
Six-way power passenger seat ($225)
Twilight Sentinel ($85)
Twin lighted vanity mirrors ($95)
Seek/scan AM/FM stereo radio with cassette ($223)
Delete radio ($151 credit)
Lower bodyside accent moldings ($450)
Door edge guards ($25)
License frame, rear ($15)
Decklid luggage rack ($130)
Cloth upholstery ($100 credit)
Carpeted rubber floor mats: front ($38); rear ($22)
Trunk mat ($26)
Aluminum wheels, 14 in. ($40)
P195/70RI3 SBR WSW tires ($55)
P205/6ORl4 SBR Eagle GT ($94)
P205/6ORl4 SBR OWL tires ($171)

The following lines appeared in the Cimarron brochure for 1985:

The Cadillac of smaller cars

Meet an agile, mobile, new-style Cadillac.
Cimarron ... the Cadillac of smaller cars.

What does buying a smaller car that's a Cadillac mean to you?
It means a heritage of quality.
Innovation.
Comfort.
Styling.
Performance.
Engineering.
Plus that certain sense of well-being you expect -- and get -- from a Cadillac.

When you look over the 1985 Cimarron, you'll discover why we say
this is one smaller car that is a definite move up.

Cimarron. The Cadillac of smaller cars.

Best of all ... it's a Cadillac.

Commitment to Excellence

At General Motors, a lot of new thinking has gone into our products. New thinking aimed at completely satisfying you, the customer. Our designers and engineers are making history in aerodynamic design, computer aided technology, fuel efficiency and safety.

As further proof of our goal of totally satisfying you, at GM dealerships we are implementing a "Commitment to Excellence" Delivery Procedure.

The program includes a thorough new-vehicle inspection by both the service technician and the salesperson; a full tank of fuel; plus a follow-up survey based on your impression of the delivery process.

With a commitment like that, you've got a lot of excellent reasons to "Look at GM Today." See your dealer for complete details.

Here is the fresh new look of the 1985 Cimarron. The front end says Cadillac in many special ways, and affords Cimarron a sleek new silouette. Add the new available grooved lower-body accent moulding, 14" wheels and tires shown here (they're standard on Cimarron D'Oro), and you create a stunningly new appearance. However, appearance isn't all that's new

Slip into and enjoy the redesigned body contoured front bucket seats with lateral and lumbar support in the new standard Sierra Grain leather seating areas, or choose the new Ripple cloth and Sierra Grain leather seating area combination, at no extra charge.

Cimarron -- with comfort for five -- is a move up.

PREVIOUS: History of the 1984 Cadillac NEXT: History of the 1985 Cadillac Cimarron NEXT: History of the 1985 Cadillac Seville NEXT: History of the 1985 Cadillac DeVille NEXT: History of the 1985 Cadillac Eldorado NEXT: History of the 1985 Cadillac Fleetwood NEXT: History of the 1985 Cadillac Overview NEXT: History of the 1986 Cadillac

Sign My Guestbook

View My Guestbook

Books about Cadillac	History of LaSalle	Books on other automobiles

1982	1983	1984	1986	1987	1988

May 11, 2000; March 8/03