1969 Cadillac Series 67-75
The Cadillac Series 70 first appeared in 1936 replacing the 355E. It was notched higher than the also-new Series 60. The Series 60 was the low-priced Cadillac while the Series 70 and larger Series 75 offshoot were top-of-the-line. By 1938 the Series 70 was dropped, with the Series 65 becoming the entry-level and cheapest Cadillac offered, while the Series 75 remained the top Cadillac. Now only Fleetwood made Series 75 Cad bodies. In 1940 a less expensive and shorter wheelbase Series 72 was slotted between the 65 and 75, but lasted only this one year. Series 75 was the only Cadillac available as a 163-inch wheelbase chassis-only for professional bodies like hearses and ambulances. In 1941 the Series 75 Cadillac was all-new, and would remain with this basic body through 1949. Automobile production stopped early in the 1942 model run, to be picked up in 1945 as 1946 models. The Series 67 lasted for only 1941 and 1942, with a body by Fisher on a 139-inch wheelbase. An all-new Series 75 debuted in 1950 on a 146.8-inch wheelbase as a four-door sedan or limousine. It saw only trim and color changes for the most part before being replaced by the new body style in 1954. With wrap-around windshield and styling that mimicked the Series 60 and DeVille models, it featured an even longer 149.8-inch wheelbase chassis, weighing 5,300-pounds. 1957 saw a totally new Series 75, but also saw the two-year only Series 70 revived as the Eldorado Brougham four-door hardtop sedan. The new big-fin 1959 bodies were new but stayed on the same chassis as previous models. The Series 75 identification was dropped for “Series 67”, but was mostly still referred to as Series 75. While the 1961 Series 75 picked up the regular Cadillac styling, it would stick with this basic body through 1965, not adopting the regular line’s all-new body and frame until a year later in 1966. Styling changes were minor through 1970, reflecting the regular line’s changes. When Cadillac styling changed in 1971, the Series 75 did also. Now on a 151.5-inch wheelbase, the commercial chassis were even longer at 157.5-inches long. With the downsizing of the Cadillac line in 1977, the Series 75 followed, now riding on a 144.5-inch wheelbase. The Fleetwood Limousine weighted 900-pounds less than the previous 1976 models. The last big block engines appeared in this era’s Series 75. Lasting through 1984 with only minor trim and grille changes, in 1985 Cadillac downsized again, with the Series 75 following suite. It now rode on a 134.4-inch wheelbase and came in at an even 4,000-pounds. 1987 would be the last year for the Series 75 and also limousine production at Cadillac.
1969 Series 70 and 75
Another restyle tried to capitalize on the much heralded Eldorado design. Front fenders and grille mimicked the Eldo. Both the hood and rear fenders were extended. For Series 75 sedans the doors opening up into the roof for more clearance.
AVAILABLE MODELS:
1969
- Body Style
- Four-Door Sedan
- Four-Door Limousine
1969 Cadillac VIN Decoder:
First Character: Model
- R ~ Series 75 Sedan
- S ~ Imperial Sedan
Second Character: Year
Third-Eighth Characters: Production Numbers
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