Little change was evident for 1966, the final season for the rear-drive
Eldorado. This was a record sales year for Cadillac, its fifth in a row, and
1966 Eldorado production was exceeded only by the 1955 total. And that's
as it should be, for a car with such a great heritage should end on a note of
triumph.
But by now, Cadillac had decided it was again time for something truly
new. It appeared the following year in the form of the first
front-wheel-drive Eldorado, which would set a new standard for
personal-luxury transportation. This car would only strengthen Cadillac's
dominance in the upper end of the market. In first-year sales alone it
exceeded its predecessor's combined total for the previous 10.
Nevertheless, this success wouldn't have been possible had it not been for
the memorable Eldorados of the Fifties and early Sixties. With the best of
everything Cadillac had to offer in those years, they left an indelible
impression in the minds and hearts of owners and would-be owners
everywhere, and you can't ask much more than that.
FLEETWOOD ELDORADO SUB-SERIES
684
Fleetwood type trim was seen again on the Eldorado. Equipment additions included white sidewall tires and a
six-way power front bench seat. It was to be the last season that conventional engineering characterized this
model.
Model Number
Style Number
Body Type
Seating
Factory
Price
Shipping Weight
Production Total
66-684
68567-E
2-door Eldorado
Convertible
6
6631
4500
2,250
ENGINE
V-8 Overhead valves
Cast iron block
Displacement: 429 cubic inches
Bore and stroke: 4.13 x 4.00 inches
Compression ratio: 10.5:1
Brake horsepower: 340 @ 4600 rpm
Five main bearings
Hydraulic valve lifters
Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel type, model 7026030
CHASSIS
Wheelbase: 129.5 inches
Overall length: 224.5 inches
Front tread: 62.5 inches.
Rear tread: 62.5 inches.
Automatic level control standard where indicated in text
A new engine mounting system and patented quiet exhaust were used.
Tires: 9.00 x 15
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS
Air conditioner ($495).
Controlled differential ($54).
Cruise Control ($97).
Door guards on two-door models ($4)
Soft Ray tinted glass ($52).
Delete-option heater and defroster ($97 credit).
License plate frame ($6).
Power door locks ($46)
Power headlight control ($51).
Power vent window regulator option ($73).
Radio with rear speaker ($165).
Radio with rear speaker and remote control ($246).
AM/FM radio ($191).
The new seat warmer sold for $60.20
Rear seat belts ($18).
Head rests were a separate, $40.15 option for all Cadillacs
Front seat belt delete-option ($17 credit).
Adjustable steering wheel ($91).
Twilight Sentinel standard
Five white sidewall tires 9.00 x 15 size with four-ply construction standard
HISTORICAL
Best ever sales and production year in Cadillac history.
Second year running for sales increases, despite a downturn in the overall market for U.S. cars.
First season for delivery of more than 200,000 new units.
A record of 5,570 one-week builds was marked December 5 and a record one-day output of 1,017 cars was
achieved October 27.
The 1966 models were introduced October 14, 1965.
Towards the end of the summer 1966, a new assembly line was setup to manufacture front-wheel-drive
Eldorados conforming to 1967 model specifications.
Little change was evident for 1966, the final season for the rear-drive
Eldorado. This was a record sales year for Cadillac, its fifth in a row, and
1966 Eldorado production was exceeded only by the 1955 total. And that's
as it should be, for a car with such a great heritage should end on a note of
triumph.
But by now, Cadillac had decided it was again time for something truly
new. It appeared the following year in the form of the first
front-wheel-drive Eldorado, which would set a new standard for
personal-luxury transportation. This car would only strengthen Cadillac's
dominance in the upper end of the market. In first-year sales alone it
exceeded its predecessor's combined total for the previous 10.
Nevertheless, this success wouldn't have been possible had it not been for
the memorable Eldorados of the Fifties and early Sixties. With the best of
everything Cadillac had to offer in those years, they left an indelible
impression in the minds and hearts of owners and would-be owners
everywhere, and you can't ask much more than that.
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