Details

Written by Big Block

Category: 1960-1969

Published: 24 January 2007

Hits: 2502

1969 Cadillac Eldorado

Even though production volume eased slightly for 1969, the front-wheel-drive Eldorado continued to be offered as a single model: a six-passenger, two-door hardtop on a short wheelbase platform. There was a new fine texture cross-hatch grille which was separate from the headlights. The dual headlights were now part of the body design and were fully exposed and stationary. Standard equipment included power operated rear quarter vent windows. Chrome-edged "halo" vinyl roof covers replaced the full vinyl roof. There was a new "Control Center" dash, and more safety items: side-impact door beams, front-seat headrests, energy-absorbing steering column with anti-theft ignition, and more convenient inertia-reel seatbelts. Dealers introduced the 1969 model on September 26, 1968.

• All cars used the 472 cubic inch, 375 horsepower V-8 with no other powerplants available.
• Turbo-Hydramatic transmission was standard equipment throughout the line.
• Controlled differential was $52.65 extra on all models except Eldorado.
• Standard axle ratios: (Seventy-Five) 3.21:1; (Eldorado) 3.07:1; (all other models) 2.94:1.

• Dealer introduction for 1969 Cadillac’s and Eldorado’s was held September 26, 1968.
• Production of the Eldorado body for 1969 was transferred from the Fleetwood plant in Detroit to the Fisher Body plant in Euclid, Ohio.
• Cadillac enjoyed its fifth consecutive record sales year and built over 250,000 units for the first time in company history. (Calendar year figures).
• Strikes again affected the 1969 model run and production of cars built to 1969 specifications peaked at 223,267 units, of which 199,934 were regular Cadillacs.
• Total production fell 2.9 percent over the 1968 model run.

Details

Written by Big Block

Category: 1960-1969

Published: 24 January 2007

Hits: 2447

1969 Cadillac DeVille

• 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 four-barrel Quadrajet, model 7028230.

Model Number	Style Number	Body Type	Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
69-683	68369L	4-door Sedan DeVille	6	5954	4640	7,890
69-683	68347J	2-door Coupe DeVille	6	5721	4595	65,755
69-683	68349B	4-door Sedan DeVille	6	5954	4660	72,958
69-683	68367F	2-door Convertible DeVille	6	5905	4590	16,445

• Wheelbase: 129.5 inches.
• Overall length: 225 inches.
• Front tread: not available.
• Rear tread: not available.
• Tires: 9.00 x 15-PR blackwalls.

• All cars used the 472 cubic inch, 375 horsepower V-8 with no other powerplants available.
• Turbo-Hydramatic transmission was standard equipment throughout the line.
• Controlled differential was $52.65 extra on all models except Eldorado.
• Standard axle ratios: (Seventy-Five) 3.21:1; (Eldorado) 3.07:1; (all other models) 2.94:1.

• Automatic Climate Control option ($516).
• Automatic level control, models G-N-F-J-B-L, ($79).
• Firemist paint ($132).
• Cruise Control ($95).
• Rear window defogger, models G-N-J-B-L ($26).
• Door guards, models G-F-J ($5); models N-B-L ($8).
• Dual comfort seat models F-J-B ($105).
• Twin front and rear floor mats ($17).
• Soft Ray tinted glass ($53).
• Guide-Matic headlamp control ($51).
• Head restraints ($18)
• Note: Head restraints mandatory after January 1, 1969.
• Leather upholstery, models J-B-L ($138)
• License frame, single ($6); dual ($13).
• Power door locks, includes electric seat back release, models G-F-J ($68); models N-B-L ($68)
• AM radio ($162).
• AM/FM radio ($188).
• Six-way power seat adjuster, front seat, models G-N ($116); front seat, models F-J-B-L, with bench seat only ($90); models F-J-B, for righthand Dual Comfort seat, Code Y accessories required, ($116).
• Front seat warmer, available all models, ($95).
• Front shoulder belts ($32).
• Tilt and telescope steering wheel ($95).
• Trumpet horn ($16).
• Remote control trunk lock ($32).
• Twilight Sentinel, ($32).
• Expanded vinyl roof, in standard production colors, models G-N ($42).
• Vinyl roof, models J-B-L ($153).

Details

Written by Big Block

Category: 1960-1969

Published: 24 January 2007

Hits: 2748

1969 Cadillac Calais

• all GM safety features
• the V-8
• Turbo-Hydramatic
• variable-ratio power steering
• dual power brakes
• power windows
• center front arm rest
• electric clock
• two front cigarette lighters
• twin front and rear ash trays
• a complete set of interior and exterior courtesy, safety and warning lights
• Mirror Group
• concealed three-speed windshield washers and wipers
• five 9.00 x 15-4PR black sidewall tires.

All regular Cadillac models had a new, squarer roof line and sculptured rear deck and bumper treatments.

Model Number	Style Number	Body Type	Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
69-682	68249N	4-door Hardtop Sedan	6	5660	4630	6,825
69-682	68247G	2-door Hardtop Coupe	6	5484	4555	5,600

NOTE: On January 1, 1969, head rests (restraints) became mandatory on all U. S. and Canadian cars. Cadillac prices were increased $18 to reflect the cost of the head rests. Dealer preparation charges were $90 on Calais and DeVille. These charges are included in retail prices listed above. 

• 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 four-barrel Quadrajet, model 7028230.

• Wheelbase: 129.5 inches.
• Overall length: 225 inches.
• Front tread: not available.
• Rear tread: not available.
• Tires: 9.00 x 15-PR blackwalls.

• All cars used the 472 cubic inch, 375 horsepower V-8 with no other powerplants available.
• Turbo-Hydramatic transmission was standard equipment throughout the line.
• Controlled differential was $52.65 extra on all models except Eldorado.
• Standard axle ratios: (Seventy-Five) 3.21:1; (Eldorado) 3.07:1; (all other models) 2.94:1.

• Automatic Climate Control option ($516).
• Automatic level control, models G-N-F-J-B-L, ($79).
• Firemist paint ($132).
• Cruise Control ($95).
• Rear window defogger, models G-N-J-B-L ($26).
• Door guards, models G-F-J ($5); models N-B-L ($8).
• Dual comfort seat models F-J-B ($105).
• Twin front and rear floor mats ($17).
• Soft Ray tinted glass ($53).
• Guide-Matic headlamp control ($51).
• Head restraints ($18)
• Note: Head restraints mandatory after January 1, 1969.
• Leather upholstery, models J-B-L ($138)
• License frame, single ($6); dual ($13).
• Power door locks, includes electric seat back release, models G-F-J ($68); models N-B-L ($68)
• AM radio ($162).
• AM/FM radio ($188).
• Six-way power seat adjuster, front seat, models G-N ($116); front seat, models F-J-B-L, with bench seat only ($90); models F-J-B, for righthand Dual Comfort seat, Code Y accessories required, ($116).
• Front seat warmer, available all models, ($95).
• Front shoulder belts ($32).
• Tilt and telescope steering wheel ($95).
• Trumpet horn ($16).
• Remote control trunk lock ($32).
• Twilight Sentinel, ($32).
• Expanded vinyl roof, in standard production colors, models G-N ($42).
• Vinyl roof, models J-B-L ($153).

Details

Written by Big Block

Category: 1960-1969

Published: 24 January 2007

Hits: 2289

1969 Cadillac Overview

Cadillac built a record 266,798 cars for calendar 1969, enough to grab ninth place in the industry rankings. For the model year, though, it was still 11th at a little over 223,000, up some 3000 units from '68.

 

Eldorado was much the same as before, except that headlights were no longer hidden behind flip-up grille panels. Standards were restyled fore and aft, the major change being a return to horizontal headlamps. Parking lights wrapped around the front fenders and flanked a taller grille, still prominently vee'd. A somewhat unpopular change was the elimination of front vent windows. Per Washington edict, no-cost equipment now included front headrests, energy-absorbing steering column, pushbutton seatbelt buckles, ignition-key warning buzzer, and anti-theft steering column/transmission lock. Prices ran from just above $5400 for a Calais to well over $10,000 for the 75 limousine.

Though hardly the innovator it had been in years past (the Eldorado notwithstanding), Cadillac made all the right moves during the Sixties. Offering its renowned combination of luxury, performance, and style, the company managed to defend its title as "Standard of the World" -- or at least of America. While its return to more conservative styling actually lagged behind the rest of the industry, it seems only proper that the company responsible for giving birth to the tailfin should also be the last to abandon it.

• Serial numbers and motor numbers took the same ge nera form used in 1968.
• The serial number was in the same location.
• The sixth symbol was changed to "9" to indicate 1969 model year.

• Dealer introduction for 1969 Cadillac’s and Eldorado’s was held September 26, 1968.
• Production of the Eldorado body for 1969 was transferred from the Fleetwood plant in Detroit to the Fisher Body plant in Euclid, Ohio.
• Cadillac enjoyed its fifth consecutive record sales year and built over 250,000 units for the first time in company history. (Calendar year figures).
• Strikes again affected the 1969 model run and production of cars built to 1969 specifications peaked at 223,267 units, of which 199,934 were regular Cadillac’s.
• Total production fell 2.9 percent over the 1968 model run.

Details

Written by Big Block

Category: 1960-1969

Published: 22 January 2007

Hits: 3081

1968 Cadillac Fleetwood

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• 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).

• Dealer introduction for 1968 Cadillac’s and Eldorado’s 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.