Cadillac Models & History 1966
Cadillac enjoyed 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 numbers were found on the left center pillar post. |
| The original engine serial number was the same as the vehicle identification number. |
| The numbering system was the same employed a year earlier with the second symbol changed to a “6” for 1966 model year. |
| All Eldorados now utilized the first two symbols “68” for their Style Number. |
| The Sixty-Special Brougham was now a separate model of the Fleetwood Series with a “P” Style Number suffix applied. |
HISTORICAL NOTES
- 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.
