Initial digits of body styling code
In the post-WW2 years Cadillac continued to maintain a logical
numbering system to distinguish between one body style and another.
From 1948 through 1965, for example, bodies were identified with a
similar body tag to those used in the thirties and forties. In this case the initial
two digits of the code number identified the year of the model, for example "48"
= 1948, "59" = 1959, "62" = 1962, etc.; the next two digits were an
indication of the "Series" number; for example "Series 61",
"62", "60S", "75"; the final two digits were an indication
of the body style; for example "23" was a roomy sedan for 7 passengers,
"33" an equally roomy limousine with division glass, "67" was a
convertible and "69" a 4-door sedan.
To some extent the post-war identification codes also used a letter
suffix to identify a particular mechanical or body feature; for example the letter
"L" meant the car was for "livery" operations and probably featured a
less luxurious interior finish and (sometimes) a more formal leather roof covering; the
letter "X" meant that the car was equipped with electric or Hydro-Lectric
equipment (usually power-operated windows and, sometimes, front seat too).
Here is a list of the post-WW2 styling codes I have come across in
factory literature:
"60S"
These digits were introduced in 1938 to designate a 4-door sedan of
superior finish. It continued in use after WW2, through 1964. In 1965
Cadillac models began to be arranged in the nominal series: Calais, De Ville
and Fleetwood.
"61"
Following the trend of 1936, Cadillac used these initial digits to
identify a new series of V8 models built in 1938 and 1939, and from 1941 to 1951.
"62"
Following the same trend, Cadillac used these initial digits to
identify a new series of V8 models built starting in 1940; they remained in effect for
almost a quarter century (up to and including 1964).
"63"
These digits were previously used in 1941 and 1942. They were used
again from 1959 to 1964 to identify the body styles in the De Ville series.
Included from 1961 were the Town Sedan and Eldorado models, in 1962 and
1963 the Park Avenue and Eldorado, and in 1964 only the Eldorado.
"64"
These digits identified the Eldorado coupe and convertible
models in 1959 and 1960.
"67"
These digits were first used in 1941 and 1942 for a limited run of
large, roomy sedans and limousines. These same initial digits identified the 8-9
passenger sedans and limousines of 1959 to 1964, although in common parlance and in
factory literature they continued to be referred to as the Seventy-Five series or
Series 75.
"68"
These initial digits were used only in code "6860"; they
identified the Cadillac commercial chassis (the stretched chassis) from 1959 to 1964.
"69"
These digits identified the bespoke Eldorado Brougham, 5-6
passenger sedans of 1959 and 1960.
"70"
These digits identified a limited run of Cadillac V8 models in 1936
and 1937. In 1957 and 1958 the same digits were used to identify the
limited-production Eldorado Brougham.
"75"
These went in 1936 from final to initial digits of the Fleetwood
coding system. Codes starting with these digits identified the largest of the Cadillac
sedans, limousines and other livery vehicles, beginning in 1936. These models have
been known familiarly as the Seventy-Fives or Series 75 for more than
half a century.
"76"
These were the initial digits of Cadillac V8 commercial chassis in
1948.
"80S"
This was the first part of the identification number used for
Cadillac commercial chassis from 1952 to 1958.
"86"
These digits identified the Cadillac commercial chassis from 1949 to
1951.
Cadillac began to use a five-digit styling identification code
starting in 1965. The first three digits identified the basic series [Calais, DeVille,
Fleetwood] and the last two digits the body type:
"680"
This was used from 1965 to 1970 to identify the Fleetwood Sixty
Special sedan.
"681"
This was used from 1966 onwards for the Fleetwood Sixty Special
sedan.
"682"
This was used for the Calais models from 1965 to 1976.
"683"
This was used for the De Ville models starting in 1965.
"684"
This was used for the Eldorado models in 1965 and 1966.
"693"
This was used for the Eldorado models from 1967 onwards.
"697"
These are the initial digits of the 5-digit code used for 8-9
passenger Fleetwood sedans and limousines from 1965 to 1978 [and even later...]
"698"
Starting in 1965, the Cadillac commercial chassis was identified by
code "69890".
Final digits of body styling code
As in the pre-WW2 years, the final digits of the early post-WW2
styling codes gave an indication of the basic body style (sedan, coupe, convertible,
etc.) Here are those I have encountered in my study of factory literature.
"07"
Style 6107, was Cadillac's first fastback coupe, built in 1942, and
style 6207, a more luxuriously finished fastback coupe also built in 1942, as well as from
1946 through 1949.
"07X"
Style 6107X (1948); in post-war production models, the "X"
suffix first was used in 1948 to distinguish between cars fitted with standard window
equipment and those with the new, Hydro-Lectric window lifts.
"09"
These final digits designated the standard Series 61 4-door
sedan series form 1945 to 1947.
"19"
This is a pre- and post-WW2 styling code designating a 5-passenger
Sedan (e.g. V-16 style 9019, for 1938-1940).
"19SX"
These were used to designate a unique 4-door sedan with the De
Ville label, precursor of the 1956 production Sedan De Ville.
"19X"
Style 7519X (1948); the "X" suffix was introduced in 1948
to distinguish cars with standard window equipment from those with the new, Hydro-Lectric
lifts.
"23L"
These digits were carried over from pre-WW2 times to designate the
roomy sedans on extended wheel base used for livery [L]`service, from 1945 through 1951.
"23X"
The digits "23" were carried over from pre-WW2 times to
designate a roomy sedan on an extended wheel base chassis. The "X" suffix was
added in 1948 to distinguish those cars with standard window equipment from those with the
new, Hydro-Lectric lifts, from 1948 through 1951.
"29"
The digits "29" appeared in 1959 to distinguish the
bottom-of-the-line, Series 62 6-window sedans. They were used through 1964.
"33"
These digits were carried over from pre-WW2 times to designate the
roomy limousines, with partition, on an extended wheel base, from 1945 through 1948.
"33L"
These digits too were carried over from pre-WW2 times to designate
the roomy limousines with partition, on an extended wheel base used for livery
[L]`service, from 1945 through 1951.
"33X"
Pre- and post-WW2 body style designating a roomy limousine with
division glass (e.g. V-16 style 9033, for 1938-1940), a 7-passenger imperial
[with division glass] (previously a 5-passenger car) e.g. style 7533X (1948); the
"X" suffix was introduced in 1948 to distinguish cars with standard window
equipment from those with the new, Hydro-Lectric lifts.
"37DX"
These final digits were used for the 1956 Coupe de Ville
(i.e. a 2-door coupe [37] with De Luxe finish [D] and electric windows[X]).
"37SDX"
These final digits were used for the 1956 through 1958 Eldorado
Seville coupe (i.e. a special [S] 2-door coupe [37] with De Luxe finish [D]
and electric windows[X]).
"37X"
As above, the code "37" indicated a 2-door coupe
body; the "X" was an indication that the car was fitted with electric
window lifts.
"39"
These final digits appeared in 1957 and were used through 1966 to
designate the bottom-of-the-line, Series 62 4-door sedans.
"39DX"
These final digits appeared in 1956 and were used only in 1956 and
1957 for the De Luxe [D] Sedan De Ville models with electric window
lifts [X].
"39E"
These final digits were used only once, in 1958, to designate the
standard 4-door sedan with extended [E] rear deck.
"39EDX"
These final digits were used also only once, in 1958, to designate
the De Luxe [D] Sedan De Ville with the extended [E] rear deck and
electric window lifts [X].
"47"
These final digits were used for the 1962 hardtop coupe and the Coupe
de Ville.
"49"
These final digits were used, starting in 1967, to designate the
2-door hardtop sedan.
"57"
These final digits were used for the 1963 hardtop coupe and the Coupe
de Ville.
"67"
Pre- and post-WW2 styling code digits designating a 2-door
convertible style (e.g. V-16 style 9067 convertible coupe, for 1938-1940); in the
early thirties, similar body styles carried final digits "35".
"67X"
Style 6267X (1948); starting in 1948 the "X" suffix
distinguished Cadillac cars equipped with the new, Hydro-Lectric window lifts and
convertible top.
"67D"
Code "67" again designates a convertible. The
"D" suffix indicated that it had a special, De Luxe finish.
"67SX"
These final digits designated the convertible Eldorado models
from 1953 through 1958.
"67SSX"
These digits were used only once, in 1958, to designate a special
[S], unique Eldorado coupe with electric window lifts.
"67X"
These digits were used in 1948 and 1949 to designate the convertible
model with Hydro-Lectric windows and top. It was used again from 1952 through 1958 for the
same models fitted with electric window lifts and top.
"69"
Pre- and post-WW2 styling code digits designating a 4-door,
5-passenger sedan (e.g. style 6269, for 1942).
"69X"
Style 6069X (1948); the "X" suffix was introduced in 1948
to distinguish cars with Hydro-Lectric tops and/or electric window lifts.
"89"
These final digits were used for the short-deck sedans of 1962 and
1963 [the Town Sedan, in 1962, and the Park Avenue sedan, in 1963].
"90"
These final digits were used from 1959 to designate the commercial
chassis.
"99"
These final digits were used for the short-deck sedan, the Town
Sedan, in 1961.
Letter suffixes [up to 1967]
Post-WW2 models in the fifties carried styling codes made up as
above. Some included, in addition, a letter suffix to designate the name of the
style. The following letter codes are excerpted from the 1959 Optional Specifications
Manual:
"A"
4-window sedan
"B"
4-window Sedan de Ville
"C"
1961 and 1962 "DeVille" series short deck sedans Style #6399C and #6289C [this info
from Enthusiast Alfred Maistriaux in Belgium, June 2009].
"D"
1962 and 1963 "DeVille" series
short deck Park Avenue sedans Style #6389D [this info from Enthusiast Alfred
Maistriaux in Belgium, June 2009].
"E"
Eldorado Biarritz convertible
"F"
Convertible
"G"
Series 62 coupe
"H"
Eldorado Seville coupe
"J"
Coupe de Ville
"K"
Series 62 6-window sedan
"L"
Series 62 6-window "Sedan de
Ville"
"M"
6-window Sixty-Special sedan
"P"
Eldorado Brougham sedan
"R"
Seventy-Five sedan
"S"
Seventy-Five limousine
"Z"
Commercial chassis
Letter suffixes [1968 and later]
In 1968, a new system of vehicle identification numbering was
introduced. Here are some helpful indications in deciphering your Cadillac's VIN [you will
notice that some of the alphabetical codes duplicate those listed above]:
"A"
[from 1981, immediately after the 3-digit Cadillac code
indicates that the car is fitted with manual lap/shoulder belts
"B"
(1) Hardtop Sedan De Ville [from 1968]
"B"
(2) [from 1981, immediately after the 3-digit Cadillac code
indicates that the car is fitted with automatic lap/shoulder belts
"B"
(3) Fleetwood Sixty-Special Brougham
"B"
(4) [following the 2-digit body style code, starting in
1979] indicates the 5.7 liter electronically fuel-injected engine built at GM/Cadillac
plant
"C"
(1) Calais series
"C"
(2) [from 1990] Car manufactured at the Southgate plant,
GMAD this letter precedes the broadcast or production number]
"D"
DeVille series
"E"
(1) Eldorado convertible [from 1968]
"E" (2) Car manufactured at the Linden plant, in NJ
"F"
(1) De Ville convertible [from 1968]
"F"
(2) Fleetwood Seventy-Five series
"G"
Calais series coupe [from 1968]
"H"
Eldorado coupe [from 1968]
"J"
Coupe De Ville [from 1968]
"J"
Coupe De Ville [from 1968]
"L"
(2) Fleetwood Eldorado series
"M"
Fleetwood Sixty Special sedan [from 1968]
"N"
(1) Calais series sedan [from 1968]
"N"
(2) 350 ci, 5.7 liter diesel engine from Oldsmobile
Division of GM
"P"
(1) Fleetwood Brougham sedan [from 1968]
"P"
(2) Fleetwood Sixty-Special Brougham [from 19...
??]
"Q"
Car manufactured at the Detroit plant [changed to code
"9" in 1979]
"R"
(1) Fleetwood Seventy-Five sedan [from 1968]
"R"
(2) 472 ci engine
"R"
(3) [from 1975] 350 ci engine with electronic fuel
injection (EFI) [Seville models]
"S"
(1) Fleetwood Seventy-Five limousine [from 1968]
"S"
(2) as second digit in VIN identifies car as the Seville
series sedan
"S"
(3) [up to 19...??] appearing after 2-digit body style code
shows engine type as 500 ci engine with 4-bbl carburetor. The single digit that follows
gives the model year, e.g. 3 = 1973, 4 = 1974, 5 = 1975, etc. In 1980, that single digit
was replaced with a letter code, e.g. A = 1980, B = 1981, C = 1982, etc.
"S"
(4) appearing after 2-digit body style code shows engine type as 425 ci Eldorado
engine with 4-bbl carburetor.
"T"
425 ci engine with electronic fuel injection (EFI) - starting
1977
"Z"
Commercial chassis
Alpha-numerical suffixes
Up to 1979, the model year was shown with a single digit, preceding
the numerical or alphabetical plant code, e.g. 3 = 1973, 4 = 1974, 5 = 1975, etc.
Starting in 1980, this numeral was replaced by a letter, e.g. A =
1980, B = 1981, C = 1982, etc.
"4"
Effective 1981 [and immediately after the 2-digit body
style code] indicates the new 252 ci, 4.1 liter engine with 4 bbl carburetor from Buick
division
"6"
(1) [first digit of VIN] indicates the car is a
Cadillac. In 1981, this changed to "1G6"
"6"
(2) Effective 1980 [and immediately after the 2-digit body
style code] this indicates the new 368 ci, 6 liter engine with 4 bbl carburetor
"8"
[immediately following the 2-digit body style code] shows
that the car is equipped with the new 350 ci, 5.7-liter engine with electronic fuel
injection
"9"
(1) [immediately preceding the broadcast or production
number] indicates that the car was manufactured at Cadillac's Detroit plant
"9"
(2) [immediately following the 2-digit body style code]
shows that the car is equipped with the new 368 ci, 6-liter engine with digital electronic
fuel injection
"23"
7-8 passenger sedan style [as in the past]
"33"
7-8 passenger limousine style [as in the past]
"47"
Coupe style
"49"
Hardtop sedan style
"57"
Coupe style [starting 1979]
"67"
Convertible style [as in the past]
"69"
Sedan style (with full center pillar) [as in the past];
even the Cadillac Seville introduced in 1975-76 has included in the VIN, or
Vehicle Identification Number, the styling code "69", denoting a post-war 4-door
sedan.
"90"
Commercial chassis [as in the past]
The last six digits in the VIN number is the broadcast or production
number.
In 1981 a supplementary digit was introduced immediately before the
plant code. This was factory use only. I believe it was an indication of the week of
the month in which it was assembled.
Alpha-numerical accessory codes
To add to the already complex alpha-numerical coding systems in use,
Cadillac used also a list of alphabetical accessory codes. Here are some additional ones
drawn from dealers' Data Books of the 50s and 60s [and other sources too]. Some
letter codes may have up to four different possible meanings, depending on the year of the
Cadillac in question:
"A"(1) Rear-window
de-fogger ($26.35 - 1970 dealer invoice)
"A"(2) Two rear seat
belts [e.g. 1965]
"A"(3) Seat warmers
[after 1966?]
"B"(1) The letter
"B" following a trim code was an indication that the car was fitted with
bucket seats [1959-66].
"B"(2) Rear-window
defogger, 1968 e.g.
"C"(1) Cruise-control ($
96.60)
"C"(2) Back- rest
lock on some coupes
"D" Door edge guards ($9.50 - 1970 dealer invoice)
"E" E-Z-Eye glass (or Soft-Ray
glass, e.g. 1970) glass ($ 51.70)
"F"(1) Fog lamps ($ 45.55)
"F"(2) Filler plate,
i.o. license plate ( no charge ) [e.g. 1966]
"F"(3) AM-FM radio in
1963
"FF" [same]
"F5" Twin rubber floor mats front and rear ($ 16.70 -
1970 dealer invoice)
"G" Controlled differential (e.g. 1965)
"H"(1) Heater ($129.00)
"H"(2) Delete heater-defroster (1965
option)
"H"(3) Head rests [1966]
"I" AM/FM signal-seeking radio ($322.10 - 1970
dealer invoice)
"J"(1) Rear radio
control ($246.60) (Series 75 only)
"J"(2) [after 1965]
Twilight Sentinel
"K" Air-conditioning [or Comfort Control, or Automatic Climate Control, e.g.
in 1970] ($473.60)
"K2" Air-conditioning with roof ducts [1956 models] - may look like "KZ"
"L" Automatic level control [circa 1966]
"L1" One license frame ($ 7.50)
"L2" Two license frames ($ 15.00)
"M" Electric door locks ($ 45.75)
"N" Electric powered vent panes ($ 73.20)
"O" Front seat belts (e.g. 1965)
"O2" Delete
front belts
"P"(1) [e.g. 1953
Eldorado] windshield washer [per Fredus "Pete" Peters, CLC]
"P"(2) [e.g. 1954 Eldorado]
4-way power seat
"P"(3) Optional gear ratio
(only with standard engine without air-conditioning)
"P"(4) Automatic level control
(e.g. 1965)
"Q" Eldorado motor ($134.30 (three dual barrel carburetors)
"Q" [as of 1965] Tilt and Telescope steering wheel ($94.75)
"R"(1) Reclining Bucket seat
"R"(2) AM radio (1965, e.g.); code also seen on 1954 Eldorado.
"R1" AM-FM Radio
"R2" Rear radio controls (Fleetwood 75 models)
"S" Electric remote trunk release ($ 58.50), 1968 e.g.
"T"(1) Air-Suspension where not
standard equipment [1959-60]
"T"(2) Electric 4-way, bucket seat
adjuster
"U" Autronic-Eye [automatic headlamp control, dimmer; later was Guide-Matic]
($ 55.25)
"V"(1) (1954) - - electric 4-way
bench seat
"V"(2) 6-way electric seat [see also
"Y", below]
"V"(3) 2 front seat belts [1963-64]
"W" Whitewall tires ($40.00 - 1970 dealer invoice)
"X" Power windows ($118.45)
"Y" 6-way front seat ($118.45) Deleting 4-way seat ($ 89.35)
"Z" Anti-freeze [-20°] ($ 9.13) [$7.72 on a 1959 invoice!]
"Z1" Anti-freeze [-40°] ($ 9.13)
"Z2" Methanol ($ 9.13)
Tire Codes
"FS"
Firestone,
"GR"
Goodrich,
"US"
U.S. Royal (when followed by the letter
Other letter codes
"CKD"
This is a post-war combination suffix. The abbreviation means crated,
knocked down. In early post-war years GM crated cars to destinations abroad in
dismantled form, to be assembled in the country of destination. This suffix is
sometimes (mistakenly) taken to mean completely knocked down.
"SFBO"
Stands for special Fleetwood body order; it may be
found on many pre-WW2 cars with custom body work by Fleetwood. Followed by a number,
it appears on the original build sheet in the box marked "Fisher order number"
(it seems that the same pre-printed build sheet form was used both for Fisher and
Fleetwood jobs.
"SO" Stands for special order. In post-WW2 cars it was an indication of
a departure from standard styling, generally with regard to interior colors or materials
used. This letter code was usually followed by 3 or 4 digits. For example,
most of the so-called Show Cars, Dream Cars and Concept Vehicles exhibited
in conjunction with annual auto shows and displays like the 1949 Autorama, the itinerant
Motoramas and the 50th Anniversary show in 1952, all carried a body tag with the
"SO" styling code prefix. Many of the latter cars are listed in the section of The (New) Cadillac Database© dealing with the rarest of the Cadillac-LaSalle
models.
Other Optional Accessories
[uncoded ?]
Sabre wheels 1955-58, Fleetwood
robes [up to 1955?], Radio foot-control switch, Rubber floor mats, RH outside mirror
62, Front vent window extensions [1960-61], Tartan Plaid, Twill, Nylon,
Transparent plastic seat covers and Cushion toppers, Luggage compartment mat, Compass,
Litter box, Eldorado horn, spare tire cover, windshield washer solvent, visor vanity
mirror (up to 1955 ?), Body polish, fabric polish, Blue Coral polish, chrome cleaner, tar
and oil remover, vinyl and leather cleaner, touch-up paint.
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