Cadillac Introduction Models & History 1966
Cadillacenjoyed 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.
1966 Cadillac
I. D. NUMBERS
- Vehicle identification numbers were now located on the left center pillar post
- The original engine serial number was the same as the vehicle identification number
- The first symbol was a letter (see Body Style Number suffixes) indicating series and body style
- The second symbol was a number designating the model year (i.e., “6” for 1966)
- The following six numbers designated the sequential production code and started with 100001 and up
- Body Style Numbers reflected the pattern adopted in 1965
- The five digit codes began with
- “69” for Fleetwood Seventy-Five
- “68” for all other models
- The third number indicates the model
- “2” for Calais
- “3” for DeVille
- “4” for Eldorado
- “0” for Fleetwood 60 Special
- “1” for Fleetwood 60 Brougham
- “7” for Fleetwood 75 Limousine
- “8” for Commercial chassis
- The final two symbols corresponded to Fisher Body Division Style Number codes
- 23 = 4-dr luxury sedan
- 33 = 4-dr limo sedan
- 39 = 4-dr hardtop sedan
- 57 = 2-dr hardtop coupe
- 67 = 2-dr convertible
- 69 = 4-dr sedan
- 90 = commerical chassis
- The five digit numbers were found on the vehicle data plate, affixed to engine side of the firewall, and may have been followed by a letter suffix corresponding to those on the individual model charts
HISTORICAL NOTES
1966 Cadillac Notes
- Cadillac features variable-ratio power steering
- 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.
- Harold G. Warner was general manager until April, then Kenneth N. Scott took the helm until September when Calvin J. Werner became general manager
- Carl A. Rasmussen was chief engineer
- Stanley Parker was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
- Fred H. Murray was general sales manager until September
- L. N. Mays became general sales manager in September
- Cadillac production figures
Calais28,680 (decreased 5,531)
Sedan de Ville72,410 (increased 11,875)
Coupe de Ville50,580 (increased 7,235)
de Ville convertible19,200 (increased 0)
Eldorado2,250 (increased 125)
Series 6019,085 (increased 985)
Series 754,480 (increased 561)
1966 Automotive Notes
- Oldsmobile introduces the front-wheel drive Toronado
- AMC introduces the Ambassador DPL, Rambler Rebel, and American Rogue
- Chevrolet introduces Caprice Custom Coupe
- Dodge introduces Charger fastback
- Ford introduces Fairlane 500, XL, and GT
- Mercury introduces Comet Capri
- Plymouth introduces Fury VIP
- Last year for Studebaker
- Pontiac Tempest gets an OHC engine
- Rear seatbelts are now standard
- AMC is a distinct make for Rambler, Marlin, Ambassador, and Rebel
- Rear-wheel drive Buick Riviera is similar to the front-wheel drive Toronado
- Dodge Charger has hide-away headlights
- Ford station wagons feature a 2-way tailgate
- Excalibur Series I features a Corvette V-8
- James M. Roche was president of GM
- Frederic G. Donner was chairman of the board at GM
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1966
1. General Motors4,366,910
2. Ford2,607,639
3. Chrysler1,598,762
4. AMC71,903
5. Others18,332
- Top model year production for 1966
Chevrolet2,075,176
Ford1,532,991
Pontiac831,331
Plymouth687,514
Dodge632,658
Mustang607,568
Oldsmobile578,385
Buick553,870
Special103,097
Skylark106,217
LeSabre142,399
Wildcat68,584
Electra 22588,225
Riviera45,348
Mercury343,149
Chrysler264,848
Rambler219,658
American 22046,189
American 44038,745
Rogue8,718
Classic 55037,380
Classic 77081,114
Rebel7,512
Cadillac196,685
Calais28,680
DeVille142,190
Eldorado2,250
Series Sixty Special19,085
Series Seventy-Five4,480
Corvair103,743
AMC71,903
Marlin (wb 112)4,547
Ambassador 88020,258
4d sedan13,974
2d sedan1,493
4d wagon4,791
Ambassador 99036,640
4d sedan25,986
convertible1,814
4d wagon8,852
htop coupe4,324
Ambassador DPL10,458
Thunderbird69,176
Lincoln54,755
Corvette27,720
Imperial13,742
Studebaker8,947
Checker6,817
Shelby2,380
Avanti II98
Excalibur90
