1968 Cadillac Production Numbers/Specifications

Above: 1968 Cadillac frontal revisions included new grille with distinct center section, utilizing a series of thin horizontal bars. Header had rounded shoulders to emphasize the height of center section.

There was a lot to celebrate at Cadillac in 1968, and although in year two of a styling cycle, many new features and advancements were introduced. New styling updates front and rear made the new '68 models easy to spot, but a more thorough inspection revealed much more.

NEW ENGINE

Under the hood, Cadillac's powerful new 472 V-8 engine provided all the propulsion one could want. Designed to be more efficient and powerful than the Cadillac engine that preceded it, it was slightly smaller with fewer parts and easier to work on. GM Research developed new hydrodynamic oil seals to provide an increased measure of insurance against fluid leaks. Interior components of the engine reflected the latest technologies of the time, including new metallurgical developments such as cast ductile-iron crankshaft and cast Armasteel connecting rods. So advanced was this engine, it would be the sole engine to power Cadillacs for the next nine model years, through 1976. In fact, it would be bored out to an incredible 500 cubic inches for installation in the 1970 Cadillac Eldorado, and would eventually power nearly every model!

Inside the new Cadillacs, a one piece molded door trim panel was used for the first time. This not only simplified assembly of the cars, it made servicing door components easier for dealers. Actually, improved serviceability was one of the main goals for the 1968 models. Other changes made to make servicing easier included a self-contained, single unit oil pump and oil filter mounting directly on the engine block. The distributor was moved to the front of the engine, easing service and installation. Camshaft design was computer determined, for minimum valve train noise and maximum operating efficiency. All 1968 Cadillacs specified a single state of tune as well, making tune-ups easy.

ANOTHER SALES RECORD

Cadillac set a new sales record for the 1968 model year, with total sales of 230,003. This was the seventh consecutive sales year for the division, aided in part by the new Eldorado. On June 10, 1968, a Topaz Gold Firemist DeVille Convertible came off the assembly line, making three million Cadillacs built in the postwar period.

The most popular Cadillac of 1968 was the Hardtop Sedan deVille, racking up sales of 72,662 cars at a base price of $5,754 at introduction (increased $31 on January 1, 1968 due to front shoulder straps required on cars built after this date, making the new base price $5,785. The Coupe deVille came in second place in the sales race, with 63,935 sold. By 1973, the Coupe deVille would overtake the Sedan deVille to become the best selling model, and would surpass production of 100,000 for a single model for the first time ever.

1968 also marked the first time that Cadillacs were built outside of Detroit. The Linden, New Jersey General Motors Assembly Division Plant began to build deVille models as the Clark Avenue plant was almost at maximum capacity at this point.

The 1968 Cadillacs emphasized Cadillac's dedication to refinement of its product, to make them easier to service, provide substantially longer life, greater safety and comfort, isolation from noise and vibration. While some may have thought at the time the Cadillac brand was designed for those who couldn't care less about technology and innovation, the fact is the 1968 Cadillac was one of the most technologically advanced vehicles on the road at the time.

Right: 1968 Cadillacs got a new deck lid with raised top surface to provide increased storage space. New sculpturing on the rear edge gave it a beveled look that made the 1968 models easy to identify.