The interior revisions for the seventh generation Cadillac Eldorado were a case of one step forward, two steps back. For whatever reason (perhaps competition from Lincoln) the Eldorado simply gave up on differentiation and the sporty personality the model reflected in 1963 and 1964. But it would seem the ‘65 was just a plain Jane year, as Cadillac layered on additional effort via brougham and features in 1966.
(Note: The 1965 Eldorado is represented in exterior pictures in teal, and interior pictures in red/white. The 1966 Eldorado is gold, with a cream interior.)
On the innovation front for 1966, the big news was variable ratio power steering. The revised power steering was quicker to respond when starting a turn, and reduced the effort required near the wheel’s turning limits. It was not the same as modern variable-assist power steering, where required steering effort is determined by the vehicle’s speed.
Engineering updates were also made to the perimeter frame, including the body mountings and noise dampening and control. Cadillac also tweaked the suspension for better stability and smoother operation. Though the 429 (7.0L) OHV V8 returned for duty, it was revised with new piston and oil rings, new engine mountings, and a revised exhaust that promised quieter operation.
Front occupants of the ‘66 Eldorado were treated to another feature in their easier-to-drive convertible: warm bums! For the first time there were optional heating pads in the lower cushion and seat back. A novel feature at the time, heated seats were sure to impress the neighbors. Other seat changes included the appearance of the first (optional) Cadillac headrests, and a reclining feature on the seats for additional comfort.
Exterior updates for 1966 meant less chrome in some places, while other areas picked up additional metal. At the front end there was a bolder grille design: It emphasized thicker horizontal bars, and was not as forward with its egg crate detailing from all angles. Note the difference in looks between a front three-quarter angle and a head-on approach.
Elsewhere at the front end, the Eldorado lost its corner detailing that wrapped around the wheel well. In its place was a rectangular grated corner marker lamp, and a thin chrome strip that continued from the rocker panel around the wheel and met the bumper. Additional chrome removal occurred on the hood, as the fender topping chrome spears (long a hallmark of Eldorado) were removed. Their remnants to mark the corners of the prow remained and were painted body color.
Aside from a new wheel well design at the front, the Eldorado’s side profile was lightly updated in 1966. Eldorado block lettering moved upward, onto the lower half of the fender. Beneath it was a revised (and relocated) chrome decor strip that ran the full length of the car. It was more broken up by the fender skirt and door seams than in 1965 and looked less elegant.
The Eldorado’s rear picked up additional messy detailing, too. The rear lamps carried their same upper and lower fins and thick chrome band, with a new vertical divider in the brake lamp assembly. It removed the four sections look and made for two distinct halves. From a rear three-quarter view, the lamps looked awkward as chrome concealed much of the lens at either side.
The license plate moved upward in 1966, which meant the formerly horizontal edge of the trunk lid had to curve around the plate frame. Additional thick chrome bars appeared either side of the plate and made the rear grille detailing smaller than the previous year. The license plate surround received thicker chrome, which angled outward. The fussier looks were accompanied by the return of thicker whitewalls and traditional chrome spoke wheels (disc covers were still available).
On the interior front, some modernization occurred in 1965. Updates were made to the gauge cluster, and incorporated Twilight Sentinel timing into the light switch at the left of the speedometer. At the right, analog clock markings were much simpler and more modern. The central gauges used a thinner chrome surround.
Further to the right, the radio buttons were black instead of chrome, and the radio fascia was also reworked to be more black than chrome. The awkward wood panel that ran underneath the steering wheel and onto the central ashtray lid was replaced with brushed metal trim. The Cadillac script was removed from the ashtray lid in the edit. On top of the dash there was a new feature: radio speakers!
In front of the passenger was a new model badge in block letters that said ELDORADO, done up in black and chrome. Other changes appeared on the doors, where the door panel was again redesigned. In 1966 wood paneling volume increased to an all-time high, as thick slabs of boat decking inspired wood covered the top quarter of the door panel and crept over the top to meet the windshield.
Power door locks were relocated from the window switch area onto the door panel itself. The switch resided below a redesigned and repositioned grab handle, which was larger than the prior year and featured substantial additional decoration. Additional decoration also appeared on the seats, which switched back to a horizontal ribbing design on the vinyl.
Seats were also reworked with additional bolstering, and separate stitched and piped sections for the upper and lower seat backs. The modern automobile car seat began to take shape here, as the optional headrests created the taller seat profile we’re all used to today. The revised stitching and separate seat sections continued to the rear seat passengers.
At the back, passengers had more luxury available to them than ever before. The thick nautical wood from the front doors carried all the way to the rear, right up against the tonneau cover. And there were new courtesy lamps at either side to make entry and egress easier.
Time would tell whether the engineering revisions and brougham updates for 1966 would make the sales difference. Though it couldn’t compete with the huge volume of Cadillac, the Elwood Engel designed Continental (coupe, sedan, and convertible) were eating Cadillac’s lunch in the top-end segment. In our next installment we’ll cover the sales figures in what was the final generation of the traditional rear-drive Eldorado. The personal luxury coupe era was about to arrive!
[Images: seller, seller, seller]
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Source: The Truth About Cars
