Cadillac Eldorado history 1960

1968 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD

FLEETWOOD SIXTY-SPECIAL SUB SERIES 680/681

Features distinguishing 1968 Sixty-Specials, in addition to a longer wheelbase, were the same exterior and interior appointments used in 1967 models. Extra items of standard equipment included:

Automatic Level Control
front and rear power operated ventipanes
and, on Broughams, adjustable reading lamp
padded roof with special scripts and emblems
and carpeted folding foot rests.

Model Number	Style Number	Body Type	Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
68-680	68069-M	4-door Sedan	6	6583	4795	3,300
68-681	68169-P	4-door Brougham	6	6899	4805	15,300

NOTE: Some sources list lower prices for 1968 Cadillacs, indicating a mid-year bility and prices of options and acessories were increase. The higher recorded prices are being used here.

FLEETWOOD SEVENTY-FIVE SUB-SERIES 697/698

Again marked by simple extra-long body rub moldings, a formal high-headroom look (with doors cut into the roof) and Fleetwood type wreath and crest emblems, the nine-passenger models had the longest Cadillac production car wheelbase, as well as power front ventipanes, Automatic Level Control, right-hand manually operated outside rear view mirrors, 8.20 x 15-8PR blackwall tires and Automatic Climate Control air-conditioning, as standard equipment.

Model Number	Style Number	Body Type	Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
68-697	69723-R	4-door Sedan	9	10,629	5300	805
68-697	69733-S	4-door Limousine	9	10,768	5385	995
68-698	69890-Z	Commercial chassis	-	-	-	2,413

NOTE: The commercial chassis was built on a 156 inch wheelbase and was provided to professional car builders for the manufacture of hearses and ambulances, etc.

CADILLAC ENGINE

V-8. Overhead valves.
Cast iron block.
Displacement: 472 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.30 x 4.06 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.5:1.
Brake horsepower: 375 at 4400 rpm
Five main bearings.
Hydraulic valve lifters.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadrajet four-barrel model 7028210S.

NOTE: The new engine featured

a metal temperature monitoring device
air injection emissions control system
integral air-conditioning system (still optional)
cast crankshaft and connecting rods
integral water crossover pipe with thermostatic passages
engine bearings with more surface area
15-plate battery.

CHASSIS

Feature	Series 75	Series 60	Commercial chassis
Wheelbase	149.8"	133"	156"
Overall length	245.2"	228.2"	-
Rear axle ratio	2.94:1
Transmission	three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic
Tires	8.20 x 15	9.00 x 15
Front tread	not available
Rear Tread	not available

POWER TRAIN OPTIONS

Optional axle ratio data not available. Air injector reactor and closed positive crankcase ventilation standard. Controlled differential was now $52.65 extra on all models except Eldorado.

CONVENIENCE OPTIONS

Availability and prices of options and accessories were largely the same as 1967

Auxiliary horn ($16)
Automatic Climate Control on Sixty-Special models ($516)
Firemist finish ($132)
Cruise control ($95)
Rear window defogger on models Sixty-Special ($27)
Door guards ($8)
Soft Ray glass ($51)
Guide-Matic headlamp control ($51)
Head rests ($53)
Leather upholstery on Sixty-Special ($138)
License frame ($13/pair)
Power door locks ($68)
Power door locks for Fleetwood 75 models ($116)
AM radio ($162)
AM/FM radio ($188)
AM/FM stereo on Sixty-Special ($288)
AM radio rear controls on Fleetwood 75 models ($242)
Six-way power front seat on models M-P-R ($83)
Rear center seat belt ($11)
Front shoulder straps ($32)
Tilt-telescope steering wheel ($90)
Remote control trunk lock ($52)
Twilight Sentinel ($32)
White sidewall tires, size 9.00 x 15 four-ply 8PR-5, except nine-passenger models ($56 exchange)
White sidewall tires, size 8.20 x 15, four-ply 8PR-5 on nine-passenger models ($63 exchange).
New items of optional equipment were added as well:
- Twin front and rear floor mats for Series 60 ($17)
- Twin front floor mats for Fleetwood 75 models ($10)
- Front seat warmer for all models except Fleetwood 75s, which came instead with rear seat warmer only, both at ($95).

HISTORICAL

Dealer introduction for 1968 Cadillacs and Eldorados took place September 21, 1967.
Fourth successive yearly sales record set this year despite 21 day UAW shutdown at Fisher Body Fleetwood plant in Detroit (November 1967)
Production was down 1.1 percent, due to same strike.
Four-wheel disc brakes with floating calipers optionally available.
All-new dash-board design.
Larger, shrouded rear view mirrors to eliminate wind buffeting.

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May 11, 2000; March 8/03