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.
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 '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 120-inch 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.
I. D. NUMBERS
Took the same general form and were found in the same locations as in 1966 models.
Second symbol was changed to a "7" for 1967 model year.
HISTORICAL
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 speeifications were built in October, 1967.
Calvin J. Werner was general manager of Cadillac; Fred T. Hopkins general sales manager; C.A. Rasmussen
chief engineer and W. J. Knight public relations director.
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.
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 '67 coupe.
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