Cadillac Models & History Eldorado 1968
In a way, you can call the 1968-70 Eldorado a modern classic and certainly a collectible. For 1968 came a new 472-cid V-8 with 35 more horses than the 429-cid engine it replaced and 45 more torque to reach a thumping 525 lbs/ft torque. It was designed mainly for easier emissions control in that first year of federal smog standards. Now it was possible to spin the front-driven wheels on smooth, dry surfaces. Cadillac proudly noted that most engine accessories bolted rigidly to the block, rather than being attached by brackets, and boasted about the new V-8’s two-million miles of testing.
Washington also decreed new safety features for 1968. Eldorado complied with discreet round side-marker lights, thicker dash padding, and non-injury interior hardware. Left alone were the broad hidden headlamp eggcrate grille distinctive vee’d backlight (i.e., back window), knife-edge fenderlines, and small backward-sliding rear-quarter windows. Wipers, however, were newly concealed by extending the hood 4.5 inches toward the cowl. The Eldorado had the front parking lamps located on the leading edge of the fenders where they were mounted vertically. The design of the lens for the front cornering lamps (formerly vertically ribbed) was modified.
Spring rates were slightly lowered to give a more cushiony ride. Upholstery trims included diamond pattern cloth and vinyl; Deuville cloth with vinyl bolsters in four color choices and genuine leather options. Removed from the rear roof pillar, but not the hood and deck lid, were the familiar wreath and crest style Fleetwood emblems. Regular equipment on the luxury sports type car included all Fleetwood standards plus power rear quarter ventipanes; power front disc brakes; retractable headlamp covers; and Rosewood pattern dash panel appliques.
Though base price jumped some $330, due mainly to the new safety and emissions gear, Eldorado production improved by nearly 37 percent for the model year, reaching over 24,000 units.
| Model number | Body/Style number | Body type | Seating | Factory price | Shipping weight | Production |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68-693 | 69347H |  2-dr hardtop Coupe |
6 pass. | $6605 | 4580 lb | 24,528 |
| ELDORADO ENGINE | |
|---|---|
| Engine type | V-8 Overhead valves. Cast iron block |
| Displacement | |
| Compression ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Brake horsepower (SAE gross) | 375 @ 4400 rpm |
| Torque | 525 @ 3000 rpm |
| Main bearings | five |
| Valve lifters | Hydraulic |
| Carburetor | Rochester four-barrel Quadrajet model 4MV (Eldorado type) |
| Transmission | Turbo-Hydramatic |
| Standard axle ratio | 3.07:1 |
| CHASSIS DIMENSIONS | |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 120 inches |
| Overall length | 221.5 inches |
| AVAILABLE OPTIONS | |
|---|---|
| Auxillary horn | $16 |
| Automatic Climate Control | $516 |
| Bucket seats with console (with leather upholstery required) | $184 |
| Firemist paint | $132 |
| Cruise control | $95 |
| Rear window defogger | $26 |
| Front disc brakes | $105 |
| Door-edge guards | $5 |
| One-piece front and rear floor mat | $20 |
| Soft Ray glass | $51 |
| Guide-Matic headlamp control | $51 |
| Head restraints | $53 |
| Leather upholstery | $158 |
| License frame(s) | $6-13 |
| Power door locks | $47 |
| Rear quarter power ventipanes | $63 |
| AM radio | $162 |
| AM/FM stereo radio | $288 |
| AM/FM radio | $188 |
| Reclining front seat with headrests | $84 |
| Power seats with lefthand Four-Way bucket | $53 |
| Power seats with Six-Way front | $83 |
| Rear center seat belt | $11 |
| Front seat warmer | $95 |
| Shoulder belts | $32 |
| Tilt & telescope steering wheel | $90 |
| Remote control trunk lock | $52 |
| Twilight Sentinel | $37 |
| Padded vinyl roof | $132 |
| HISTORICAL |
|---|
- Dealer introduction for 1968 Cadillacs and Eldorados took place September 21, 1967.
- Fourth successive yearly sales record set this year despite 21 day UAW shutdown at Fisher Body Fleetwood plant in Detroit (November 1967)
- Production was down 1.1 percent, due to same strike.
- Four-wheel disc brakes with floating calipers optionally available.
- All-new dash-board design.
- Larger, shrouded rear view mirrors to eliminate wind buffeting.
