1967 Cadillac Production Numbers/Specifications

Above: 1967 Cadillac Calais Sedan shown in Pinecrest Green Metallic (paint code 30). This would be the third and last year for this model.

The Most Acclaimed Cadillac of All Time

Surprisingly new, superbly Cadillac...1967 was the beginning of a new era for Cadillac. Its long-awaited personal luxury car, the Fleetwood Eldorado was introduced and was like no Cadillac ever seen before. But then, neither were the "standard" Cadillac models. Dramatic new styling set the tone for 1967, with sweeping sculptured side panels, forward-leaning front fenders and grille, and bold, slender new tail lamps that had a stronger fin appearance than the previous body style.

For 1967, Cadillac set a new production and sales record for the sixth year in a row. A total of 200,000 were built, including the Eldorado, which meant that production had almost doubled during the 17 years since the 1950 record of 100,000 cars in one model year had been reached. In fact, in October 1966, Cadillac Division set a new one month sales record of over 20,000 cars, with a total of 22.072 sold for the month! There is no doubt that the new Eldorado contributed to this sales record by increasing traffic to the showrooms, but that alone cannot account for all of it.

The most popular model for 1967 was the Hardtop Sedan deVille at 59,902 copies, with the Coupe deVille coming in not far behind with 52,905. These two models alone accounted for over half of Cadillac's 1967 production and sales! This would be the last time the Calais Sedan was offered. Customers obviously preferred hardtop styling, even though the slim "B" pillar was very discreet. With sales of just 2,865 compared to the Calais Hardtop Sedan which was priced the same as the model with the pillar, but sold better with 9,880 cars, or the more luxurious Sedan deVille, which cost just $410 more, there was little reason to continue the less expensive model.

For 1967, Cadillac vehicles rode on four different wheelbases, and offered a total of 12 models in three series. The lowline Calais series had three models, the mid-range deVille series had four models, and the top of the line Fleetwood series offered five models, including the Eldorado. The Calais and deVille cars rode on a 129.5-inch perimeter frame chassis, the Fleetwood Sixty Special and Brougham had their own exclusive 133-inch wheelbase, and the big Fleetwood Seventy-Fives continued to use the 149.8-inch wheelbase. The new Eldorado utilized a 120-inch stub frame chassis due to the front wheel drive configuration.

1967 would be the final year for the 429 cubic inch, 340-horsepower V-8 engine used in all Cadillacs since it was introduced in 1964. As more and more cars were being ordered with accessories such as air conditioning which required more reserve power, a larger, more powerful engine was needed.

Advertising for the 1967 Cadillacs used full color photography in most instances, often using more than one model in the ad, with emphasis on including the new Eldorado in advertising. Sales brochures for the year used illustrations rather than photography, which gave the cars a longer, lower look.

CADILLAC'S 1967 COMPETITORS

In the style-conscious luxury car market, Cadillac's two year styling cycles had been successful for the company, and would continue for the time being. The 1968 models would bear obvious styling refinements, as well as engineering advancements, but would maintain basic 1967 styling.

Chrysler's Imperial came out with attractive new styling for 1967, which continued its theme of clean elegant lines with minimal chrome, and Cadillac's other competitor, Lincoln, was in its second year of styling that was introduced in 1966, the first major change for the line since 1961. The Lincoln Continental Four Door Convertible would bow out after '67, leaving just the DeVille Convertible and the Imperial Crown Convertible to do battle with each other. (1968 would be the end of the line for the Imperial Convertible.)

The Ford Thunderbird posed a bit more competition in 1967 with the introduction of the Fordor Landau, which included a formal limousine-style rear window and center-opening rear doors. The 4-door Thunderbird was about the same size as the Ford LTD, and was selling in near record numbers at Ford Dealers across the country.

The Buick Electra 225 and Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight also bore new styling for 1967, and could be equipped with most of the features found on Cadillac, although both were generally considered to be a step below the Cadillac.

SUMMARY

Cadillac had what the luxury motoring public was looking for in 1967: the right combination of prestige, luxury, performance, and creature comforts. Cadillac's wide range of models and body styles meant there was something for almost everyone. Many Cadillac aficionados believe this body style is the best looking of the sixties. Whether it's your favorite or not, the 1967 Cadillac offered bolder styling than it had for several years, and its generous proportions, comfortable ride, and tastefully elegant interiors are impressive, no matter what your taste in classic cars may be.