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.
1967 Cadillac
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 of the '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 3048mm 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.
1967 Cadillac Notes
- 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 specifications were built in October, 1967.
- Calvin J. Werner was general manager
- Carl A. Rasmussen was chief engineer
- Stanley Parker was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
- F. T. Hopkins was general sales manager
- W. J. Knight was public relations director
- Cadillac production figures
Calais21,830 (decreased 6,850)
Sedan de Ville61,702 (decreased 10,708)
Coupe de Ville52,905 (increased 2,325)
de Ville convertible18,200 (decreased 1,000)
Eldorado17,930 (increased 15,680)
Series 6016,300 (decreased 2,785)
Series 754,133 (decreased 347)
1966
1966