All-new Eldorado and Seville models entered the lineup for 1986, loaded
with a diagnostic system and electronic instruments. Anti-lock braking was
a new option on Fleetwood and DeVille. All Cadillacs were now
front-wheel drive except the big Brougham, which hung on for another
year with a 5.0 liter V-8 under the hood.
Luxury touches promoted in the
full-line catalog ranged from golden ignition keys all the way to elegant
option packages, to deliver "the feeling of uncompromising excellence." In
keeping with that promise, diesel engines departed from the Cadillac option
list, victims of lack of interest and an unimpressive reliability record.
The HT 4100 V-8 added stainless steel exhaust manifolds. Door locks had new
rocker switches. Floor consoles contained an ashtray that opened at a
finger's touch. And to keep up with the times, a cellular telephone
("discreetly" positioned in a fold-down armrest) joined the option list. To
attract buyers who preferred good handling to a cushy ride, DeVilles could
also get a Touring Coupe or Touring Sedan option with stiffer suspension
and related extras.
Over 40 body colors were available, including nine
Firemist shades and two Pearlmist (black cherry or black emerald) that
changed character according to the angle and intensity of sunlight striking
the car's surface.
1986 Cadillac Notes
- Introduced: September 26, 1985 except Eldorado/Seville,
November 14, 1985; Fleetwood Brougham, February 13. 1986
- John O. Grettenberger was general manager
- Warren D. Hirschfield was chief engineer
- Wayne Kady was chief designer (Cadillac Studio) until December
- Richard Ruzzin became chief designer (Cadillac Studio) in December
- L. B. Pryor was general sales manager until August
- Peter R. Gerosa became general sales manager in August
- Model year production: 281,296, including 3,628 with four-cylinder engine and 20,906
with V-6, for a 3.6 percent share of the industry total
- Calendar year production: 319,031
- Calendar year sales by U.S. dealers: 304,657
- Model year sales by U.S. dealers: 300,053 for a 3.8 percent market share.
- Cadillac sales dropped a bit for the second year in a
row, barely edging over 300,000, but that was enough to retain dominance
among makers of luxury cars
- E-body Eldorado production began at the
new Hamtramck, Michigan plant in late 1985, but delays kept output below
peak levels
- As a result, Eldorado and Seville sales dropped by half
- The rear-drive Fleetwood Brougham enjoyed a comeback of sorts, due to low
gasoline prices and its upgraded V-8 engine
- Front-drive DeVilles and
Fleetwoods also gained in sales for the second year
- Cimarron rose as well, but not by much
- Cadillac clung to hopes that Cimarron would gain
strength against new imports, such as Acura Legend, despite complaints
that it was little more than a fancy Cavalier
- At the upper end of the scale,
the future held a new ultra-luxurious two-seater Allante, due out for 1987
- Cadillac production figures
Cimarron24,534 (increased 4,644)
Fleetwood/de Ville series215,709 (decreased 15,997)
Eldorado21,342 (decreased 55,059)
Seville19,098 (decreased 20,657)
Series 751,000 (increased 595)
1985