1968 CADILLAC CALAIS
Cadillac was not about to alter its popular product in any major way, so the same basic styling
and engineering continued into the 1968 model year with a number of refinements, but no
drastic changes. New grilles were added. They had an insert with a finer mesh and step-down
outer section which held the rectangular parking lights just a little higher than before. Rear end
styling was very modestly altered. An obvious change was a 6-1/2 inch longer hood, designed
to accomodate recessed windshield wipers, The deck lid also had more of a rake. An enlarged
engine offered more cubic inches and torque than any other American V-8 and put out 375
horsepower. Of 20 exterior paint color combinations, 14 were totally new. On the inside,
enriched appointments included molded inner door panels and a selection of 147 upholstery
combinations, 76 in cloth, 67 in leather and four in vinyl. The Calais four-door pillared sedan
was dropped. Standard features for the two remaining styles included:
- Turbo-Hydramatic
- power steering
- power brakes
- power windows
- heater and defroster
- center arm rests
- electric clock
- dual backup lamps
- cornering lights
- front and rear side marker lamps
- Light Group
- Mirror Group
- padded instrument panel
- seat belts
- trip odometer
- ignition key warning buzzer
- recessed three-speed wipers and washers
- five 9.00 x 15 blackwall tires
| Model Number | Style Number | Body
Type | Seating | Factory Price | Shipping Weight | Production
Total |
|---|
| 68-682 | 68247-G | 2-door
Coupe | 6 | 5315 | 4570 | 8,165 |
|---|
| 68-682 | 68249-N | 4-door Hardtop
Sedan | 6 | 5491 | 4640 | 10,025 |
|---|
- 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.
- Wheelbase: 129.5"
- Overall length: 224.7"
- Rear axle ratio: 2.94:1
- Transmission: three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic
- Tires: 9.00 x 15
- Front tread: not available
- rear Tread: not available
- 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.
Availability and prices of options and accessories were largely the same as 1967
- Auxiliary horn ($16)
- Automatic level control option on models Calais or Deville ($79)
- Automatic Climate Control ($516)
- Bucket seats with console on models Deville (F-J-B) with leather upholstery required ($184)
- Firemist finish ($132)
- Cruise control ($95)
- Rear window defogger on models Calais, Deville (J-B-L) ($27)
- Door guards ($5-8)
- Expanded vinyl upholstery on models Calais ($42)
- Soft Ray glass ($51)
- Guide-Matic headlamp control ($51)
- Head rests ($53)
- Leather upholstery, models J-B-L ($138)
- License frame ($13 pair)
- Padded roof, models J ($132); models B-L ($137)
- Power door locks, two-door ($47); four-door ($68)
- Power ventipanes with required power windows ($72)
- Power windows on Calais models ($116)
- AM radio ($162)
- AM/FM radio ($188)
- AM/FM stereo ($288)
- Reclining front seat with headrests on Convertible with required bucket seats ($84)
- Four-way lefthand power bucket seat on models F-J-B ($53)
- Six-way power front seat on models G-N-K ($111); models F-J-B-L ($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 ($56 exchange)
- New items of optional equipment were added as well:
- Twin front and rear floor mats for all Calais & DeVille ($17)
- Front seat warmer for all Calais & DeVille ($95).
