1969 Cadillac Eldorado Production/Specifications

The 1969 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado was refined in styling for 1969. Perhaps Cadillac felt that the 1967 and 1968 models were just a bit too sporty looking for its conservative clientele. The retractable headlamp covers were replaced by fixed dual headlamps for 1969. The grille was now finely textured, loosing the larger texture previously featured. This gave the Eldorado a frontal appearance that was more in keeping with the other Cadillac models. The racy slotted wheel covers were also toned down, a more elegant appearance accomplished by eliminating the slots, and giving them a simpler design. This wheel cover would be the sole offering on Eldorado automobiles through 1971.

At the back, the dual backup lights, previously housed in the bumper on either side of the license plate, were replaced by two red reflectors. A new single backup light moved up to the fuel filler door, providing improved illumination.

Inside, a new instrument panel was introduced for 1969, which placed all controls near the driver. At its center, the instrument panel jutted out towards the passenger compartment, its padded surface providing improved protection to front seat passengers in the event of a mishap. A new steering wheel allowed the driver to sound the horn by squeezing the inner side of any part of the wheel. A new theft-deterrent ignition, steering and transmission lock made it more difficult to "borrow" someone else's car, and moved the ignition key to the steering column.

In March of 1969, a special Fleetwood Eldorado was exhibited at the New York International Automobile Show. Featuring a power-operated retractable sun roof opening, this car previewed a new option that would be available late in the 1969 model year. Ford's Thunderbird beat the other personal luxury cars to market with this feature, prominently displaying it in most of its 1969 advertising, and a power sunroof had been available since 1967 on the Mercury Cougar, as well as on a limited run of 1967 Thunderbird Apollo cars, built for Abercrombie and Fitch for display in their stores.

The Eldorado was GM's first personal luxury car to abandon the retractable headlamp covers. Apparently the Eldorado started a trend, since the Toronado, Riviera, and Thunderbird all ditched the feature for 1970. Cadillac introduced its "halo" vinyl roof in 1969, and the Eldo looked especially fetching with the color-keyed rear window trim, and the color break around the edge of the vinyl roof moldings. This was especially apparent when contrasting body and vinyl roof colors were combined.

Cadillac mentioned Eldorado's "quiet, soft-riding" personality in sales literature, and emphasized that the Eldo was the only car in the world to combine, as standard equipment, front-wheel drive, variable-ratio power steering, and Automatic Level Control.

Sales of the Eldorado slipped in 1969, its third year since becoming a personal luxury hardtop. It was not alone. The personal luxury market was being infiltrated by quite a few new names; Chevrolet Monte Carlo and Pontiac's newly-styled Grand Prix, to name two. Both of these cars were considerably less costly than the top ranked players, yet provided an edge over other two door hardtop models.

Cadillac failed to set a new sales record in 1969, for the first time in six years. The Fleetwood Eldorado for 1969 was still billed by Cadillac as "the world's finest personal luxury car." With new government regulations just around the bend, and a growing interest in Lincoln's new entry to this field, the Continental Mark III (introduced in April,1968 as a 1969 model), Cadillac would be challenged to maintain its superiority. The 1969 Eldorado was—and is—a unique combination of beauty, performance, and handling qualities. The world's finest personal luxury car.


Production Numbers Specifications 1969
TOTAL PRODUCTION: 23,333 INTRODUCTION DATE: September 26, 1968 $6,693* *Price as of introduction date. Starting on January 1, 1969, front seat head restraints were required by government regulation, and their $18 cost was added to the base price. As of January 1, 1969, the base price was $6,711.

ENGINE CODE	472 Cubic Inch V-8 (375 Horsepower at 4400 rpm) Bore and stroke: 4.30 x 4.06 inches Compression ratio: 10.5:1 Rochester four barrel Quadrajet Carburetor (model 7028230) Dual Exhaust System to Muffler, One Outlet Pipe from Muffler

TRANSMISSION CODE	Turbo Hydra-matic (Front Wheel Drive) Ratio: 3.07:1

WHEELBASE Length Width Height Weight	120 Inches 221 Inches 79.94 Inches 53.8 Inches 4,550 Pounds

REFINED IN STYLING The 1969 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado was refined in styling for 1969. Perhaps Cadillac felt that the 1967 and 1968 models were just a bit too sporty looking for its conservative clientele. The retractable headlamp covers were replaced by fixed dual headlamps for 1969. The grille was now finely textured, loosing the larger texture previously featured. This gave the Eldorado a frontal appearance that was more in keeping with the other Cadillac models. The racy slotted wheel covers were also toned down, a more elegant appearance accomplished by eliminating the slots, and giving them a simpler design. This wheel cover would be the sole offering on Eldorado automobiles through 1971. At the back, the dual backup lights, previously housed in the bumper on either side of the license plate, were replaced by two red reflectors. A new single backup light moved up to the fuel filler door, providing improved illumination. Inside, a new instrument panel was introduced for 1969, which placed all controls near the driver. At its center, the instrument panel jutted out towards the passenger compartment, its padded surface providing improved protection to front seat passengers in the event of a mishap. A new steering wheel allowed the driver to sound the horn by squeezing the inner side of any part of the wheel. A new theft-deterrent ignition, steering and transmission lock made it more difficult to "borrow" someone else's car, and moved the ignition key to the steering column. In March of 1969, a special Fleetwood Eldorado was exhibited at the New York International Automobile Show. Featuring a power-operated retractable sun roof opening, this car previewed a new option that would be available late in the 1969 model year. Ford's Thunderbird beat the other personal luxury cars to market with this feature, prominently displaying it in most of its 1969 advertising, and a power sunroof had been available since 1967 on the Mercury Cougar, as well as on a limited run of 1967 Thunderbird Apollo cars, built for Abercrombie and Fitch for display in their stores. The Eldorado was GM's first personal luxury car to abandon the retractable headlamp covers. Apparently the Eldorado started a trend, since the Toronado, Riviera, and Thunderbird all ditched the feature for 1970. Cadillac introduced its "halo" vinyl roof in 1969, and the Eldo looked especially fetching with the color-keyed rear window trim, and the color break around the edge of the vinyl roof moldings. This was especially apparent when contrasting body and vinyl roof colors were combined. Cadillac mentioned Eldorado's "quiet, soft-riding" personality in sales literature, and emphasized that the Eldo was the only car in the world to combine, as standard equipment, front-wheel drive, variable-ratio power steering, and Automatic Level Control. Sales of the Eldorado slipped in 1969, its third year since becoming a personal luxury hardtop. It was not alone. The personal luxury market was being infiltrated by quite a few new names; Chevrolet Monte Carlo and Pontiac's newly-styled Grand Prix, to name two. Both of these cars were considerably less costly than the top ranked players, yet provided an edge over other two door hardtop models. Cadillac failed to set a new sales record in 1969, for the first time in six years. The Fleetwood Eldorado for 1969 was still billed by Cadillac as "the world's finest personal luxury car." With new government regulations just around the bend, and a growing interest in Lincoln's new entry to this field, the Continental Mark III (introduced in April,1968 as a 1969 model), Cadillac would be challenged to maintain its superiority. The 1969 Eldorado was—and is—a unique combination of beauty, performance, and handling qualities. The world's finest personal luxury car.

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