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The only way to drive is Cadillac style: A Technical Description of the 1968 Cadillac Eldorado 

By: Pedro Cruz-Avalos 

Timeline 

The 1968 Cadillac Eldorado, also known as the Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado, is the Cadillac style. Which was produced by General Motors; the first American automobile manufacturer to offer front-wheel drive since the 1936 – 1937 Cord 810/812 production line.  

The 1968 Cadillac Eldorado began to come into production from General Motors previous models of the1963 Buick Riviera, 1966 Oldsmobile Tornado and the 1967 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado. 

Which all shared the same platform; however, the Buick Riviera didn’t offer drivers the front-wheel drive that the Tornado and Eldorado had until the 1979 model year.   

Cadillac eventually fine-tuned the 1967 model with the introduction of the 1968 model. Which was using the legendary Cadillac V8 engine to run this majestic Eldorado. Where the first V8 engine was designed in 1914, then the second in 1936, and the legendary third version in 1949. Built with a cast iron block, cylinder heads, overhead valves, and hydraulic lifters. Undergoing multiple tests in lab and real-world situations to ensure reliability. Demonstrating the GM engineers’ dedication to the quality of an efficient, dependable and well-designed engine.  

The Cadillac Eldorado continued to use the Fleetwood design for the sleet and luxurious look. Which had its debut on September 21, 1967, for the 1968 model year. To be sold at a base price of $6,605 and only 24,528 were built for the model year.   

Key features 

The Eldorados long and low build was like nothing else on the road at the time of its debut. The stunning front end featured the hood being one of the longest for automobiles. Which also served t hide the windshield wipers. Keeping up with the current look of long nosed and short rears. Including hidden headlamps, outer wide egg crate grille, and parking lights moved from the bumper to the fenders.  

The knife-blade-like fenders running from the front to back of the Eldorado ended with sharp, angular, end caps for the taillamps. The rear is even more interesting with a shark fin like design to give the bumper a futuristic look and feel to the car.   

The interior featured wide notchback front seats and a center arm rest for the front seats. Which couls be customized from two different cloths of Deauville and Diamond cloth with vinyl bolsters for character. There was also an optional Leather trim for a regal and longevity addition.  

The seats could be exchanged to a bucket seat for added head restraints, locking venter console, and a reclining feture for the passenger’s side. Including safety and redesign of knobs and switches for less injury like power lock doors.  

Automobile Specifications/Performance Data 

Some quick facts on the 1968 Cadillac Eldorado 

• 2-door coupe body type 

• Engine type: spark-ignition 4-stroke 

• Cylinders alignment: V8 

• Horsepower: 375 hp 

• Fuel capacity: 25.9 gallons 

• Top Speed: 131 mph / 210 km/h 

• Acceleration from 0-60 mph: 7.8s  

• Acceleration from 0-100 mph: 21s 

• Fuel consumption and mileage: 8.6 mpg / 3.6 km/l 

• Transmission type: automatic, 3-speed gearbox 

• Speed range gear I: 54 mph / 87 km/h 

• Speed range gear II: 90 mph / 145 km/h  

• Speed range gear III: 134 mph / 215 km/h 

FAQs 

What does Eldorado mean?  

• From Spanish the word Eldorado means, “The golden”. 

Why was the Cadillac Eldorado named the way it is? 

• Originally named after a southern city in Spain for the Eldorado Seville and a luxury resort in southern France for the Eldorado Biarritz. Which after the production of those automobiles; Cadillac continued with the use of Eldorado for the Fleetwood Eldorado.  

How much does one cost today?  

• Typically, you’d pay $20,000 but in an auction from the last three years, one sold for over $57,000. 

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