1971–1976
For 1971, all Cadillac models including the Calais were completely restyled, inside and out. The new 1971 GM full-size bodies, at 64.3" front shoulder room (62.1" on Cadillac) and 63.4" rear shoulder room (64.0" on Cadillac) set a record for interior width that would not be matched by any car until the full-size GM rear-wheel drive models of the early to mid-1990s. Pairs of individually housed round headlamps were wider apart, with a winged Cadillac crest set between each pair. The V-shaped grille had an eggcrate style insert and was protected by massive vertical guards framing a rectangular license plate indentation. A wide hood with full-length windsplints, a prominent center crease and recessed windshield wipers was used. A larger Cadillac crest (again, minus the traditional 'V' emblem) decorated the hood face and new optional fiber-optic lamp indicators were placed atop each front fender. A horizontal beltline molding ran from behind the front wheel housing almost to the rear, stopping where an elliptical bulge in the body came to a point and where thin rectangular side markers were placed above and below the chrome strip. The rear wheel openings were again covered by fender skirts. New vertical taillamps were no longer divided by a chrome bar. Long horizontal back-up lamps were set in the bumper, on either side of a deeply recessed license plate housing. The Calais wheelbase was extended to 130 in. Interiors were redesigned featuring a new curved instrument panel available with brushed aluminum trim. Revised seating areas featured either standard cloth or optional vinyl upholstery.
In 1972, a minor facelift placed more emphasis on horizontal grille blades. The parking lamps were moved from the bumper to between the square bezeled headlamps, which were now set wider apart. After a two year absence, the traditional 'V' emblem was restored to the hood and deck lid. New standard features included a bumper impact system, automatic parking brake release, passenger assist straps and flow through ventilation system.
Energy absorbing bumpers were new on all GM cars in 1973. Styling refinements to the Calais included a wider grille with an intricate eggcrate design. Larger vertical rectangles housed the parking lamps between wide spaced headlamps which had square bezels but round lenses. Bumpers ran fully across the front and wrapped around each end. Vertical guards were spaced much further apart at a point outboard of the grille. The rear end had a bumper with a flatter upper section housing an angled license plate recess. Border outline moldings vertically "veed" paralleled the fender edge shape at the rear bodysides. Single horizontally mounted rectangular rear side marker lamps were placed over and under the rear tip of the thin beltline trim. 'Cadillac' script was seen on the front fender sides below the belt molding behind the wheel opening; 'Calais' script appeared on the lower right of the deck lid. Interior seating was revised this year, featuring standard cloth or optional vinyl upholstery. Also new were "soft-pillow" door panels with larger, sturdier pull-straps.
The 1974 Calais, De Ville and Fleetwood received a major facelift. A wider, eggcrate grille was used. Dual round headlamps were mounted close together in square bezels. Further outboard were double deck wraparound turn signal/parking lamps. Shorter vertical grille guards appeared in about the same position as before. Rear fender sides were flatter without the elliptical bulge. The thin beltline molding was positioned lower by several inches. The rear end had vertical chrome bumper ends with integrated side-marker lights. New horizontal taillamps and back-up lamps were positioned beneath the trunk lid. Both bumpers, especially the rear, protruded further from the body. Coupes were no longer hardtops, instead sporting large wide "coach" windows giving a thick center pillar look. All 1974 Cadillacs had a new, two-tiered, "space-aged" curved instrument panel that housed a new standard quartz controlled digital clock. Other standard features on the Calais included a removable litter receptacle and bias belted blackwall tires.
1974 also saw the introduction of the industry's first airbag system, the optional GM "Air Cushion Restraint System". This option provided dual airbag protection for front seat occupants in the case of a frontal collision. One airbag was located in the steering wheel hub, while the other was placed on the lower passenger side of the dashboard. To accommodate the passenger airbag, the glove compartment was replaced by a rectangular storage box, with a lockable wood-tone hinged front panel, located under the center of the dashboard. Additionally, there was a driver's side knee bolster panel with an ashtray to the right of the steering column and a small hinged-door storage compartment on the left side. Although the "ACRS" system (also available on top of the line Buick and Oldsmobile models) saved lives, the option was quite expensive and therefore unpopular with customers. It was discontinued after 1976 and Cadillac would not offer airbags again until the 1990 model year.
Styling changes for 1975 included a new hood with sharper lines; dual rectangular headlamps flanked by rectangular turn signal/parking lights wrapped around squared-off front fenders resulted in a more unified front-end appearance. A new cross hatched grille also appeared with Cadillac script on the header. Sedans now featured slim fixed triangular quarter windows. New standard equipment included the lamp monitor system, power door locks, high energy ignition and steel-belted radial tires. The big 500 cid engine, an Eldorado exclusive since 1970, was now standard in all Cadillacs except the new, smaller Seville. Vinyl seating areas were of the same configuration since 1973; Cloth upholstery was available in more colors.
In 1976, the grille saw a new finer crosshatching pattern. Cornering lamps received new horizontal silver trim, while taillamps bezels also gained chrome-like trim. Eight different color accent stripes were available. Optional padded vinyl roof coverings were now stamped with an Elk grain pattern. Vinyl seats were continued and new interior trim included plaids, plush velours and knits. Coupe models equipped with the available cabriolet vinyl top, covering the rear-half of the roof, were trimmed with a lower molding that served as a continuation of the door "belt" molding. A Controlled (limited-slip) Differential was included for extra traction. An optional illuminated entry and theft deterrent system was available. A new Delco Freedom battery never needed water. Simulated wire wheel covers were newly available. Other new options included a push-button Weather Band built into the AM/FM stereo signal-seeking radio, plus power passenger and manual driver seatback recliners for 50/50 front seats. Of the 15 standard and six optional Firemist body colors, 13 were new this year. New standard features included Soft-Ray tinted glass, spare tire cover, trunk mat, washer fluid level indicator, and steel belted radial whitewall tires.
1976 was the 11th and final year for the slow-selling Cadillac Calais. Sales had never been strong, and had been declining steadily since the introduction of the model in 1965; the difference in cost between the entry-level Calais and the base De Ville had become basically negligible, and Cadillac customers saw little reason to purchase a Calais when a better equipped De Ville cost only slightly more. For 1977, the totally redesigned and downsized Cadillac De Ville would become the lowest priced model in the Cadillac lineup; prices would also increase significantly.
