1967 CADILLAC

The most significant Cadillac of the decade arrived for 1967: an all-new Eldorado with front-wheel drive. Based on the previous year's new Oldsmobile Toronado, it was a daring concept for the luxury field, with six years of careful planning and research behind it. Front drive gave it outstanding roadability; Bill Mitchell gave it magnificent styling.

It had originated in 1959 with the XP-727 program, which underwent several design alterations through early 1962. Management then settled on front-wheel drive, and further prototypes evolved with that in mind. For awhile, Cadillac considered calling it LaSalle, but ultimately chose Eldorado as a more current name with greater public recognition. Clay model XP-825, with razor-edge lines and a formal roofline, led directly to the production '67 coupe.

Unlike Toronado, this new Eldorado was announced in very low-key fashion. That was typical of Cadillac, as was using a one-year delay to improve on a sister division's work. The Eldo thus rode better than the Toronado, yet handled at least as well despite the same basic suspension: torsion bars, A-arms, and telescopic shocks in front; a beam axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs with four shock absorbers (two horizontal, two vertical) at the rear. Self-leveling control and radially vented front disc brakes were also featured.

On its own relatively compact 120-inch wheelbase, the front-drive Eldorado was announced at $6277 and targeted for 10 percent of Cadillac's total 1967 model-year production -- about 20,000 units. The final figure was 17,930. For 1968-70, sales ran 23,000-28,000. A technological tour de force, it quickly established itself as the ultimate Cadillac. And unlike the old Fifties Brougham, it made money from day one.

Cadillac's 1967 "standards" were treated to an extensive restyle, with forward-angled headlamps and a prominent hump over the rear wheels. Line-wide features included printed mylar instrument-panel circuits, automatic level control (standard on Fleetwoods), cruise control, and tilt steering wheel. Bolstered by the new Eldorado, also part of the Fleetwood series, Cadillac built precisely 200,000 cars for the model year.

• Took the same general form and were found in the same locations as in 1966 models.
• Second symbol was changed to a "7" for 1967 model year.

• Dealer introduction date for 1967 Cadillacs and Eldorados was October 6, 1966.
• The Eldorado featured concealed, horizontally mounted headlamps.
• A new assembly line was setup at the Detroit factory to build Eldorados.
• A third successive year of record production and sales was marked by Cadillac Division in 1967.
• Based on the Eldorado's popularity, Cadillac sales for a single month passed the 20,000 unit level for the first time in the company's history, setting an all-time high of 22,072 cars in October, 1966.
• A year later, 23,408 cars conforming to 1968 speeifications were built in October, 1967.
• Calvin J. Werner was general manager of Cadillac; Fred T. Hopkins general sales manager; C.A. Rasmussen chief engineer and W. J. Knight public relations director.

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