Rare Rides Icons: The Cadillac Eldorado, Distinctly Luxurious (Part XLVI)

After veering briefly to Abandoned History in a controlled and front-wheel drive way to discuss the Unitized Power Package found in the new 1967 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado (and the Oldsmobile Toronado that debuted a year prior), we return to Rare Rides Eldorado coverage this week. As the Eldorado embraced the American personal luxury segment that was in its infancy, its jump to the E-body platform meant most everything about it was different to the 1966 model. For the first time in a long while, Eldorado broke free of the DeVille plus more trim standard.

In addition to the front-drive running gear, there was a notable lack of convertible on the glossy Eldorado brochure pages. For the first time since its inception in 1953, the Eldorado was a dedicated coupe. You may recall the model’s beginnings in 1953 were of the “sports convertible” variety, with varying degrees of sporting character added and removed over the years. 

A coupe version (Seville) arrived in 1956, after customer demand dictated its appearance. That meant the convertible became the Biarritz, and the identically priced pair continued through the model’s second, third, and fourth generations between 1956 and 1960. Slow sales meant the range was slimmed to just the convertible in 1961, with Biarritz and Seville monikers put into storage for later use.

After the enormous 224-inch long Eldorado convertible of 1965 and 1966 proved unpopular, the all new Eldorado of 1967 displayed more svelte proportions. The E-body platform was much smaller than the former C-body, and the Eldorado saw its wheelbase shrink from 129.5 inches to an even 120 inches. Though the shrinkage in wheelbase was considerable, overall length for the 1967 was down just three total inches, to 221.

That meant despite all appearances, the front-drive Eldorado had more extensive overhangs than its predecessor. Width was exactly the same between the generations, at 79.9 inches. Overall curb weight was down marginally, as the new model weighed in at 4,696 pounds versus 4,700 to 4,900 pounds in 1966.

Underneath, though the wheels were driven at the front the engine stayed the same. Returning for one last go was the 429 cubic inch (7.0L) Cadillac OHV V8. In its fourth and final year on the market, the engine produced 340 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. The 429 engine sported the first attempt at an emissions control system, with a crankcase ventilation unit to burn more cleanly. 

Underneath, though the wheels were driven at the front the engine stayed the same. Returning for one last go was the 429 cubic inch (7.0L) Cadillac OHV V8. In its fourth and final year on the market, the engine produced 340 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. The 429 engine sported the first attempt at an emissions control system, with a crankcase ventilation unit to burn more cleanly. 

It was the ultimate revision of the original 390 V8 that debuted in 1963. A victim of the times, the engine’s design meant it could not be increased in displacement more than it already was. By 1967 Cadillac had been shown up by better, larger engines from Chrysler and Lincoln who offered 440, 460, and 462 cubic inches. In 1968 Cadillac would see to that issue, and trump all of those in size. 

As we learned in Abandoned History coverage of the UPP, Oldsmobile’s engineers came up with a clever solution to create a front-drive transmission for usage in their new powertrain. The OHV V8 was shifted to the right in the engine bay, which made room for the transmission to sit beside it. The rear-drive 3-speed THM400 had its front portion turned 180 degrees to face forward, and the torque converter was left at the rear. And just like that, the THM425 was created. The new UPP meant the Eldorado reached 60 miles per hour in just under 9 seconds, and went on to a top speed of 120 miles per hour.

The lack of a transmission tunnel meant a flat floor in the new Eldorado, which turned out to be the number one thing Cadillac’s marketing pointed out in its new vehicle. In a world of rear-drive cars, such a feature was new and exciting and meant greater interior room and increased comfort. Other features were safety oriented, and included optional front disc brakes for better stopping power.

If a driver couldn’t stop, injuries in accidents were finally considered: There was a padded dashboard, and a steering column that absorbed impact energy rather than skewer the driver. Considering visuals above all else were the headlamps, which were covered by saucy looking retractable headlamp doors. Available in 1967 and 1968 only, the doors were the first and only time a Cadillac vehicle had concealed headlamps.

And there was more retractable feature news! The Eldorado had its rear side windows retract rearward into the B-pillar. Front windows went down first, then the rear glass vanished without a trace and revealed sexy hardtop coupe visuals. Check the video above to see the slick operation in action, it’s one of those impressive little details one wouldn’t see on a current day vehicle.

Those open windows revealed one of 18 different interior color selections, which included a mix of cloth, vinyl, and a new patterned cloth called “Dalmatian,” which was a sort of tweed textile. The new bench seat design was called Strato, whatever that meant. Marketing of the new Eldorado also leaned on the ventilated wheel covers, which emphasized braking performance for the first time. The discs had quite the elevation to them, and were unique to the Eldorado.

Among the myriad options for the Fleetwood line of vehicles were the expected cruise control, and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel which moved in four amazing directions. Twilight Sentinel was offered as Cadillac’s early take on automatic headlamps, and allowed a driver to leave the lights on after exiting the car for up to 90 seconds. 

The new front-drive methodology, modernized features, and sexy angular styling aimed to chart the new Eldorado on a course for success. While time would tell if it worked (it did), the coupe’s Bill Mitchell penned design was like nothing Cadillac customers had ever seen. In our next installment we’ll compare the new Eldorado to the 1966, which looked immediately ancient in the presence of its successor.

[Images: GM]

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Source: The Truth About Cars