Cadillac Eldorado Models & History 1969
Even though production volume eased slightly for 1969, the front-wheel-drive Eldorado continued to be offered as a single model: a six-passenger, two-door hardtop on a short wheelbase platform. There was a new fine texture cross-hatch grille which was separate from the headlights. The dual headlights were now part of the body design and were fully exposed and stationary. Standard equipment included power operated rear quarter vent windows. Chrome-edged “halo” vinyl roof covers replaced the full vinyl roof. There was a new “Control Center” dash, and more safety items: side-impact door beams, front-seat headrests, energy-absorbing steering column with anti-theft ignition, and more convenient inertia-reel seatbelts. Dealers introduced the 1969 model on September 26, 1968.
| Model number | Body/Style number | Body type | Seating | Factory price | Shipping weight | Production |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69-693 | 69347H | 2-dr hardtop Coupe |
6 pass. | $6711 | 4550 lb | 23,333 |
| ELDORADO ENGINE | |
|---|---|
| Engine type | V-8 Overhead valves. Cast iron block |
| Displacement | 472 cubic inches |
| Bore & stroke | 4.30 x 4.06 inches |
| 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 inches |
| Front tread | 63 inches |
| Rear tread | 63.5 inches |
| Tires | 9.00 x 15-PR blackwalls |
| AVAILABLE OPTIONS | |
|---|---|
| Automatic Climate Control | $516 |
| Bucket seats with console (with leather upholstery required) | $184 |
| Firemist paint | $132 |
| Cruise control | $95 |
| Rear window defogger | $26 |
| Door-edge guards | $5 |
| One-piece front and rear floor mat | $20 |
| Soft Ray glass | $53 |
| Guide-Matic headlamp control | $51 |
| Head restraints (mandatory after Jan. 1, 1969) | $18 |
| Leather upholstery | $158 |
| License frame(s) | $6-13 |
| Power door locks, includes electric seat back release | $68 |
| AM radio | $162 |
| AM/FM stereo radio | $288 |
| AM/FM radio | $188 |
| Power seats with lefthand Four-Way bucket | $53 |
| Power seats with Six-Way front | $90 |
| Front seat warmer | $95 |
| Shoulder belts | $32 |
| Tilt & telescope steering wheel | $95 |
| Trumpet horn | $16 |
| Remote control trunk lock | $32 |
| Twilight Sentinel | $37 |
| Padded vinyl roof | $158 |
| Whitewall tires, heavy-duty high mileage type | $83 exchange |
| POWER TRAIN OPTIONS |
|---|
- All cars used the 472 cubic inch, 375 horsepower V-8 with no other powerplants available.
- Turbo-Hydramatic transmission was standard equipment throughout the line.
- Controlled differential was $52.65 extra on all models except Eldorado.
- Standard axle ratios: (Seventy-Five) 3.21:1; (Eldorado) 3.07:1; (all other models) 2.94:1.
| HISTORICAL |
|---|
- 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.
