Cadillac Introduction Models & History 1966
Cadillacenjoyed its first 200,000-car year for calendar ’66, breaking the barrier by precisely 5001 units. A mild facelift brought a new front bumper and grille, plus more integrated taillight housings. The 75 switched to the new perimeter frame and was fully restyled for the first time since 1959. Variable-ratio power steering was a new option, as were carbon-cloth seat heating pads. The Fleetwood Brougham became a separate model, still more luxuriously trimmed than the plain-roof Sixty Special and priced about $320 higher.
I. D. NUMBERS
- Vehicle identification numbers were now located on the left center pillar post
- The original engine serial number was the same as the vehicle identification number
- The first symbol was a letter (see Body Style Number suffixes) indicating series and body style
- The second symbol was a number designating the model year (i.e., “6” for 1966)
- The following six numbers designated the sequential production code and started with 100001 and up
- Body Style Numbers reflected the pattern adopted in 1965
- The five digit codes began with
- “69” for Fleetwood Seventy-Five
- “68” for all other models
- The third number indicates the model
- “2” for Calais
- “3” for DeVille
- “4” for Eldorado
- “0” for Fleetwood 60 Special
- “1” for Fleetwood 60 Brougham
- “7” for Fleetwood 75 Limousine
- “8” for Commercial chassis
- The final two symbols corresponded to Fisher Body Division Style Number codes
- 23 = 4-dr luxury sedan
- 33 = 4-dr limo sedan
- 39 = 4-dr hardtop sedan
- 57 = 2-dr hardtop coupe
- 67 = 2-dr convertible
- 69 = 4-dr sedan
- 90 = commerical chassis
- The five digit numbers were found on the vehicle data plate, affixed to engine side of the firewall, and may have been followed by a letter suffix corresponding to those on the individual model charts
HISTORICAL NOTES
1966 Cadillac Notes
- Cadillac features variable-ratio power steering
- 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.
- Harold G. Warner was general manager until April, then Kenneth N. Scott took the helm until September when Calvin J. Werner became general manager
- Carl A. Rasmussen was chief engineer
- Stanley Parker was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
- Fred H. Murray was general sales manager until September
- L. N. Mays became general sales manager in September
- Cadillac production figures
Calais28,680 (decreased 5,531) Sedan de Ville72,410 (increased 11,875) Coupe de Ville50,580 (increased 7,235) de Ville convertible19,200 (increased 0) Eldorado2,250 (increased 125) Series 6019,085 (increased 985) Series 754,480 (increased 561)
1966 Automotive Notes
- Oldsmobile introduces the front-wheel drive Toronado
- AMC introduces the Ambassador DPL, Rambler Rebel, and American Rogue
- Chevrolet introduces Caprice Custom Coupe
- Dodge introduces Charger fastback
- Ford introduces Fairlane 500, XL, and GT
- Mercury introduces Comet Capri
- Plymouth introduces Fury VIP
- Last year for Studebaker
- Pontiac Tempest gets an OHC engine
- Rear seatbelts are now standard
- AMC is a distinct make for Rambler, Marlin, Ambassador, and Rebel
- Rear-wheel drive Buick Riviera is similar to the front-wheel drive Toronado
- Dodge Charger has hide-away headlights
- Ford station wagons feature a 2-way tailgate
- Excalibur Series I features a Corvette V-8
- James M. Roche was president of GM
- Frederic G. Donner was chairman of the board at GM
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1966
1. General Motors4,366,910 2. Ford2,607,639 3. Chrysler1,598,762 4. AMC71,903 5. Others18,332
- Top model year production for 1966
Chevrolet2,075,176 Ford1,532,991 Pontiac831,331 Plymouth687,514 Dodge632,658 Mustang607,568 Oldsmobile578,385 Buick553,870 Special103,097 Skylark106,217 LeSabre142,399 Wildcat68,584 Electra 22588,225 Riviera45,348 Mercury343,149 Chrysler264,848 Rambler219,658 American 22046,189 American 44038,745 Rogue8,718 Classic 55037,380 Classic 77081,114 Rebel7,512 Cadillac196,685 Calais28,680 DeVille142,190 Eldorado2,250 Series Sixty Special19,085 Series Seventy-Five4,480 Corvair103,743 AMC71,903 Marlin (wb 112)4,547 Ambassador 88020,258 4d sedan13,974 2d sedan1,493 4d wagon4,791 Ambassador 99036,640 4d sedan25,986 convertible1,814 4d wagon8,852 htop coupe4,324 Ambassador DPL10,458 Thunderbird69,176 Lincoln54,755 Corvette27,720 Imperial13,742 Studebaker8,947 Checker6,817 Shelby2,380 Avanti II98 Excalibur90
Keyword: Cadillac Introduction History 1966