A Brief History of the 1966 Cadillac
A completely new body debuted with the 1965 Cadillac. Stacked headlights now allowed for a wider grille, while carrying over the signature courtesy lights between the bumper and front fender. The fins were now integrated into the body as opposed to looking like they were placed onto the fuselage of the body. Vertical taillights were surrounded by bumper, and capped the complete body side. The “Calais” entry-level model replaced the Series 62 identification. Distinctions between Calais and Deville were mainly trim. In 1966 changes were subtle with a more delicate grille texture. Now the grille jutted out in the middle and then angled back to contain rectangular parking lights. The stacked headlights were surrounded by body color sheetmetal. New interior trim completed the changes for 1966. 1967 saw the entire front end angled forward, as was the rear, to give more visual “speed” to the body mass. Body sculpturing hinted at a separate fin in the rear quarters, while the Coupe Deville received a wider C-pillar for added rear passenger privacy. The massive bumpers added a blade-like feature to help break up their mass. For 1968, Cadillac received federally mandated side marker lights. The grille now stepped down on each side while retaining the stacked headlights, breaking up the grille. Hoods were lengthened to cover the windshield wipers. The new 472ci V8 increased horsepower to 375hp, and disc brakes were offered for the first time. The facelift for 1969 reverted back to side-by-side headlights, with the grille mass visually separate. The angle introduced in 1967 was now gone, with a more vertical, perpendicular grille and bumper. The last year of this body was 1970, which received only slight changes including more height to the courtesy lights, little badges at the leading edges of the front fenders, and body color surrounding the headlights. The Deville convertible was dropped after this year.
1966 Cadillac
Overall chrome trim, always a Cadillac hallmark, was reduced for 1966. Variable ratio power steering, heated front seats, headrests, reclining seats, automatic radio volume control, and patented exhaust system were all new additions to the 1966 Cadillac. Side marker lights were now separate, not integrated to the grille as in previous years.
AVAILABLE MODELS:
1966
- Body Style
- Deville Convertible
- Eldorado Convertible
- Calais Coupe
- Calais Sedan
- Calais Hardtop Sedan
- Coupe Deville
- Sedan Deville, Six Window
- Sedan Deville Hardtop
- 60-Fleetwood Sixty Special
- 75-Fleetwood Sedan
- 75-Fleetwood Limousine
- 75-Commercial Chassis
- Engine Options
- 429ci-4bbl, 340hp
1966 Cadillac VIN Decoder:
First Character: Body Style
- B ~ Sedan Deville Hardtop
- K ~ Calais Sedan
- G ~ Calais Coupe
- F ~ Deville Convertible
- L ~ Sedan Deville, 6-Window
- J ~ Coupe Deville
- E ~ Eldorado Convertible
- M ~ Fleetwood Sixty Special Sedan
- N ~ Calais Hardtop Sedan
- R ~ Fleetwood 75 Sedan
- S ~ Fleetwood 75 Limousine
- Z ~ Commerical
Second Character: Year
Third-Eighth Characters: Production Numbers
- Starting number 100001/Up.