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Cadillac History 1997

Cadillac Models & History 1997

This year marked the first time since 1988 (when the underachieving V-6-powered Cimarron was discontinued) that Cadillac offered something other than a V-8 engine.

  • The all-new Catera used a 200-horsepower dual overhead cam V-6.
  • The DeVille ranks were bolstered with the addition of the d’Elegance sedan joining the existing DeVille and DeVille Concours sedans.
  • All DeVille and Catera models now featured side airbags as standard equipment and the exclusive-to-Cadillac OnStar communication system also debuted as an option on all front-drive models in 1997.
  • All Cadillacs also received improved anti-lockout protection.

V.I.N. DATA

The 1997 Cadillac had a 17-symbol vehicle identification number (VIN) stamped on a metal tag attached to the upper left surface of the cowl visible through the windshield. The code was as follows:
POSITION DIGIT MEANING
1 1 or 4 manufacturing country (United States)
2 G General Motors
3 6 Cadillac
4 & 5 car line series
  • V/R = Catera
  • E/L = Eldorado
  • E/T = Eldorado Touring
  • K/D = DeVille
  • K/E = d’Elegance
  • K/F = Concours
  • K/S = Seville (SLS)
  • K/Y = Seville (STS)
6 the body style:
  • 1 = two-door coupe
  • 2 = two-door
  • 3 = two-door convertible
  • 4 = two-door station wagon
  • 5 = four-door sedan
  • 6 = four-door
  • 8 = four-door station wagon
7 the restraint code
  • 2 = active (manual) belts w/dual frontal airbags
  • 4 = active (manual) belts w/dual frontal and side airbags
8 the engine
  • Y = LD8 4.6L V-8
  • 9 = L37 4.6L V-8
  • R = L81 3.0L V-6
9 check digit
10 model year V = 1997
11 the assembly plant
12-17 the production sequence number

HISTORICAL NOTES

1997 Cadillac Notes

  • Cadillac’s model year production totaled 159,820 compared with 174,406 the year previous (this figure does not include the 25,411 imported Cateras).
  • Based on sales of 182,624 automobiles in 1997 (vs, 170,379 the year before), Cadillac’s share of the U.S. market was 2.2 percent compared with 2.0 the year previous.
  • In May 1997, Cadillac announced the Catera would be produced domestically at its next redesign.

1997 Automotive Notes

  • John F. Smith, Jr. was president of GM
  • John F. Smith, Jr. was chairman of the board at GM
  • Top model year production for 1997

1997 Automotive Notes

  • GM news:
  • Ford news:
  • Chrysler news:
  • AMC news:
  • Other makes news:
  • Top American Automobile Corporations for 1997
1. General Motors……………………………………………..?
2. Ford…………………………………………………………….?
3. Chrysler……………………………………………………….?
4. AMC……………………………………………………………?
5. Others…………………………………………………………?
  • Top model year production for 1997
Ford……………………………………………………………………………………..913,440
Chevrolet………………………………………………………………………………650,820
Pontiac………………………………………………………………………………….600,506
Lincoln/Mercury…………………………………………………………………….376,348
Buick………………………………………………………………………………………287,655
Oldsmobile…………………………………………………………………………….277,086
Saturn…………………………………………………………………………………..271,612
Dodge……………………………………………………………………………………241,058
Cadillac……………………………………………………………………………..169,912
Plymouth………………………………………………………………………………155,563
Chrysler……………………………………………………………………………….44,096
Acura…………………………………………………………………………………106,844