Cadillac Models & History 1969
Cadillacbuilt a record 266,798 cars for calendar 1969, enough to grab ninth place in the industry rankings. For the model year, though, it was still 11th at a little over 223,000, up some 3000 units from ’68.
Eldorado was much the same as before, except that headlights were no longer hidden behind flip-up grille panels. Standards were restyled fore and aft, the major change being a return to horizontal headlamps. Parking lights wrapped around the front fenders and flanked a taller grille, still prominently vee’d. A somewhat unpopular change was the elimination of front vent windows. Per Washington edict, no-cost equipment now included front headrests, energy-absorbing steering column, pushbutton seatbelt buckles, ignition-key warning buzzer, and anti-theft steering column/transmission lock. Prices ran from just above $5400 for a Calais to well over $10,000 for the 75 limousine.
1969 Cadillac
Though hardly the innovator it had been in years past (the Eldorado notwithstanding), Cadillac made all the right moves during the Sixties. Offering its renowned combination of luxury, performance, and style, the company managed to defend its title as “Standard of the World” — or at least of America. While its return to more conservative styling actually lagged behind the rest of the industry, it seems only proper that the company responsible for giving birth to the tailfin should also be the last to abandon it.
I. D. NUMBERS
- Vehicle identification numbers were stamped on the top of the instrument panel this year and were visible through the windshield
- The original engine serial number was the same as the vehicle identification number
- The first symbol was a number “6” to indicate “Cadillac”
- The second and third symbol represented the series code number
- “82” for Calais
- “83” for DeVille
- “93” for Eldorado
- “80” for Fleetwood 60 Special
- “81” for Fleetwood 60 Brougham
- “97” for Fleetwood 75 Limousine
- “98” for Commercial chassis
- The fourth and fifth symbol represented the Fisher Body Division Code
- 23 = 4-dr luxury sedan
- 33 = 4-dr limo sedan
- 47 = 2-dr hardtop coupe
- 49 = 4-dr hardtop sedan
- 67 = 2-dr convertible
- 69 = 4-dr sedan
- 90 = commerical chassis
- The sixth symbol was a number “9” for 1969 model year
- The seventh symbol was a letter to represent the assembly plant
- Q = Detroit, Michigan
- E = Linden, New Jersey
- The next six numbers beginning with 100001 at each assembly plant was the sequential serial number
SPECIFICATIONS
FLUID CAPACITIES
| ENGINE | V8 472cc (7.7L) |
| Crankcase | 4 or 5 qt |
| Crankcase with new filter | 5 or 6 qt |
| AutomaticTransmission after draining | 25 or 26 pt |
| Drive Axle | 5 or 4.5 pt |
| Fuel tank | 26 gal(US) |
| Cooling with heater | 21 qt |
| Cooling with A/C | 21 qt |
| Heavy duty Cooling | 25 qt |
GASOLINE ENGINE TUNE-UP SPECS
| Engine V.I.N Code | NA |
| Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) |
| Fuel delivery | 4 bbl |
| Manufacturer | Cadillac |
| Original Spark plug | 44N |
| Gap | 0.035 in. |
| Distributor Point dwell | 30° |
| Distributor Point gap | 0.016 in. |
| Ignition timing (BTDC) | 5° |
| Intake valve opens (BTDC) | 18° |
| Fuel pump pressure | 5¾ psi |
| Idle speed | 550 rpm |
ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR SPECS
| Part # | 1100696 | 1100694 | 1100742 | |
| Field current @ 12 V | 2.2 – 2.6 | 2.2 – 2.6 | 2.2 – 2.6 | |
| Output | 42 amps | 55 amps | 63 amps | 130 amps |
| Regulator Field-Relay: Air Gap | 0.015 in. | 0.015 in. | 0.015 in. | Transistor-Type |
| Regulator Field-Relay: Point Gap | 0.030 in. | 0.030 in. | 0.030 in. | |
| Regulator Field-Relay: Volts to Close | 1.5 – 3.2 | 1.5 – 3.2 | 1.5 – 3.2 | |
| Regulator Air Gap | 0.060 in. | 0.060 in. | 0.060 in. | |
| Regulator Point Gap | 0.014 in. | 0.014 in. | 0.014 in. | |
| Regulator Volts @ 75° | 13.5 – 14.4 | 13.5 – 14.4 | 13.5 – 14.4 | 13.5 – 14.4 |
BATTERY AND STARTER SPECS
| Engine | V8-472cc (7.7L) |
| Battery Ampere Hour Capacity | 74 |
| Battery Volts | 12 |
| Battery Terminal Grounded | Neg. |
| Starter, Lock Test, Amps | Not Recommended |
| Starter, Lock Test, Volts | |
| Starter, Lock Test, Torque | |
| Starter, No-Lead Test, Amps | 70 – 99 |
| Starter, No-Lead Test, Volts | 9 |
| Starter, No-Lead Test, RPM | 7800 |
| Starter, Brush Spring Tension | 35 oz. min. |
GENERAL ENGINE SPECS
| Engine V.I.N Code | |
| Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) |
| Manufacturer | Cadillac |
| Fuel delivery | 4 bbl |
| Horsepower | [email protected] |
| Torque | [email protected] |
| Bore x Stoke | 4.300 in. x 4.060 in. |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Oil pressure | 33 psi |
CRANKSHAFT SPECS
| Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) |
| Main Brg Journal Dia. | 3.250 in. |
| Main Brg Oil Clearance | 0.0003 in. – 0.0026 in. |
| Shaft End-play | 0.002 in. – 0.012 in. |
| Thrust on No. | 3 |
CONNECTING ROD SPECS
| Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) |
| Journal Dia. | 2.5000 in. |
| Oil Clearance | 0.0005 in. – 0.0028 in. |
| Side Clearance | 0.008 in. – 0.016 in. |
PISTON AND RING SPECS
| Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) |
| Piston-Bore Clearance | 0.0006 in. – 0.0010 in. |
| Ring Side Clearance: Top Compression | 0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in. |
| Ring Side Clearance: Bottom Compression | 0.0017 in. – 0.0040 in. |
| Ring Side Clearance: Oil Control | None (side sealing) |
| Ring Gap: Top Compression | 0.013 in. – 0.025 in. |
| Ring Gap: Bottom Compression | 0.013 in. – 0.025 in. |
| Ring Gap: Oil Control | 0.015 in. – 0.055 in. |
VALVE SPECS
| Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) |
| Seat Angle | 45° |
| Face Angle | 45° |
| Spring Test Pressure | 160 lb @ 1.50 in. |
| Spring Installed Height | 115⁄16 in. (1.671875 in.) |
| Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Intake | 0.0005 in. – 0.0025 in. |
| Stem-to-Guide Clearance: Exhaust | 0.0010 in. – 0.0025 in. |
| Stem Diameter: Intake | 0.3415 in. – 0.3425 in. |
| Stem Diameter: Exhaust | 0.3415 in. – 0.3420 in. |
TORQUE SPECS
| Engine type | V8-472cc(7.7L) |
| Cyl. Head Bolts | 115 ft.lb |
| Rod Brg Bolts | 40 ft.lb |
| Main Brg Bolts | 90 ft.lb |
| Crankshaft Damper or Pulley Bolt | Press fit |
| Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolts | 75 ft.lb |
| Intake Manifold | 30 ft.lb |
| Exhaust Manifold | 35 ft.lb |
CARBURETOR SPECS
| Carb ID | 7016932 (4MV) | 7016930 (4MV) |
| Float Level | 11⁄32 in. | 1⁄4 in. |
| Pump Rod | 11⁄32 in. | 11⁄32 in. |
| Choke Unloader | 0.300 in | 0.300 in |
| Fast Idle Speed | 1925 rpm | 1925 rpm |
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECS
| Feature | Eldorado | Full size |
| Caster Range | 1½°N – 2½°N | 1½°N – ½°N |
| Caster Pref. | 2°N | 1°N |
| Camber LH wheel Range | 3⁄8°N – 3⁄8°P | 3⁄8°N – 3⁄8°P |
| Camber LH wheel Pref. | 0° | 0° |
| Camber RH wheel Range | 3⁄8°N – 3⁄8°P | 3⁄8°N – 3⁄8°P |
| Camber RH wheel Pref. | 0° | 0° |
| Toe-In | 0 – 1⁄8 in. | 1⁄8 in. – 1⁄4 in. |
| Steering Axis Inclination | 11° | 6° |
HISTORICAL NOTES
1969 Cadillac Notes
- Dealer introduction for 1969 Cadillacs and Eldorados was held September 26, 1968.
- Production of the Eldorado body for 1969 was transferred from the Fleetwood plant in Detroit to the Fisher Body plant in Euclid, Ohio.
- Cadillac enjoyed its fifth consecutive record sales year and built over 250,000 units for the first time in company history. (Calendar year figures).
- Strikes again affected the 1969 model run and production of cars built to 1969 specifications peaked at 223,267 units, of which 199,934 were regular Cadillacs.
- Total production fell 2.9 percent over the 1968 model run.
- Cadillac features a sealed cooling system with an overflow tank
- Calvin J. Werner was general manager until July
- George R. Elges became general manager in July
- Carl A. Rasmussen was chief engineer
- Stanley Wilen was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
- F. T. Hopkins was general sales manager
- Cadillac production figures
Calais12,425 (decreased 5,765)
Sedan de Ville80,848 (decreased 1,664)
Coupe de Ville65,755 (increased 1,820)
de Ville convertible16,445 (decreased 1,580)
Eldorado23,333 (decreased 1,195)
Series 6019,845 (increased 1,245)
Series 754,586 (increased 373)
1969 Automotive Notes
- Mercury introduces Marauder
- Pontiac introduces Grand Prix
- AMC introduces SC/Rambler
- Pontiac introduces Firebird Trans Am
- Dodge introduces Charger Daytona
- Mercury introduces Cyclone Spoiler and Cyclone CJ
- Ford introduces the Maverick and Torino Cobra
- Mustang adds Mach 1 fastback, Boss 302 and Boss 429
- Last year for Rambler American which is called just “Rambler”
- Last year for Corvair
- U.S. government requires front head rests on new cars
- Warranty set to 1-year/12,000 miles for the entire car and 5/40,00 for the drivetrain
- GM introduces “tell-tale” odometers to reveal tampering
- Federal “Truth-in-Lending” law requires auto dealers to state costs, terms, and conditions in a uniform manner
- The Tunderbird and Continental offers optional rear-wheel skid-control braking system actuated by a miniature computer
- Chrysler and Ford follow GM’s lead and adopt concealed wipers
- Safety door beams installed on most GM cars
- Dodge introduces a grille-mounted Super-Lite
- Pontiac’s Grand Prix’s radio antenna is imbedded in the windshield
- Chevrolet offers Liquid Tire Chain which sprays blended resin on tires to boost traction
- Corvette features headlight washers like some European cars
- Chrysler wagons feature rear located roof-mounted air spoilers
- Avanti II and Checker use the Chevrolet 350-cid V-8 (5.7 litre)
- Full-size Fords ride on 121-inch wheelbase
- Full-size Mercurys ride on 124-inch wheelbase
- Pontiac adds “The Judge” to the GTO lineup
- Stutz Motor Car Co., of America introduces Bearcat replica
- Edward N. Cole was president of GM
- James M. Roche was chairman of the board at GM
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1969
1. General Motors4,531,690
2. Ford2,238,109
3. Chrysler1,645,655
4. AMC282,810
5. Others9,921
- Top model year production for 1969
Chevrolet2,092,947
Ford1,826,777
Pontiac870,081
Plymouth751,134
Buick665,422
Special Deluxe35,648
Skylark119,230
Sportwagon20,670
Gran Sport13,065
LeSabre197,866
Wildcat67,453
Electra 225158,618
Riviera52,872
Dodge611,645
Oldsmobile635,241
Mercury398,262
Mustang300,682
Chrysler260,773
Cadillac223,237
Calais12,425
DeVille163,048
Eldorado23,333
Series Sixty Special2,545
Fleetwood Brougham17,300
Series Seventy-Five4,586
AMC185,269
Rebel24,850
Rebel SST35,257
AMX8293
Javelin40,675
Ambassador14,617
Ambassador DPL26,035
Ambassador SST35,542
Rambler97,541
American67,296
American 44025,190
Rogue3543
SC/Rambler-Hurst1512
Thunderbird49,272
Lincoln61,378
Corvette38,762
Corvair6,000
Imperial22,103
Checker6577
Shelby3150
Avanti II103
Excalibur91