[ last update: 02.12.2014 ]

The (new) Cadillac Database©

Photo Pages
Cadillac

1969


Return to The (New) Cadillac Database© Index Page
or go back to the Cadillac photo index page to pick another year
or go to the  La Salle photo index page

 

I was spared the time and trouble of preparing and posting digital images of the 1958 models and those of 1960 through 1975, thanks to the excellent work done in this field by a Cadillac admirer in the Netherlands (Holland).  Regrettably, those pages appear to be "lost".

At last (2005!) I found time to scan my own sales catalogs for the year and so I am including (below)  for your immediate enjoyment, some small, low resolution images.   Also shown are reductions of some factory photos graciously provided to me through the years by the Cadillac Division's Public Relations Department.

Total production was 223,237 cars of this model year; volume sales were similar to those of the previous year, with a marginal drop of some 6000 units.

Two different sets of ID features were again apparent this year: (1) in the regular model range (being the Calais, DeVille and Fleetwood cars) and (2) in the front-wheel drive Eldorado coupe (now into its third year of production), although it too belongs in the Fleetwood group.

Illustrations are drawn, in the main, from the year's prestige portfolio of all models.  Backgrounds [which I had to crop out to give you more car!] feature art by Rubens and Watteau, both grand-masters of the Renaissance.

The easiest way to distinguish a regular 1969 Cadillac (not being an Eldorado) is to look at the front clip and rear three-quarters view:

 

Easy ID

 

Regular Line

69FrtClp.jpg (24133 bytes)    69rrClp.jpg (21651 bytes)
Easiest ID feature (right):  Dual headlights now mounted horizontally on either side of
the taller grille, which reverts to a broad egg-crate design;
new, wrap-around tail-lights do away with the previous year's side marker lamps.

 
Fleetwood models carry wreath instead of "V" around crest emblem

69grl.jpg (18640 bytes)   
Flat grille; broadly spaced egg-crate design;
horizontal, paired headlights

   

Eldorado

69ElID.jpg (17530 bytes)
Narrow egg-crate grille openings; narrow "spoke" wheel covers imitating wire wheel
E L D O R  A D O lettering on front fender, at rear of wheel opening, on central body crease

 

 

Look also for identifying script or lettering on some models (De Ville, FLEETWOOD, ELDORADO, etc.)   Sometimes (after a new paint job, for example), the script or lettering may be missing; in that case look to the car's interior as each model had its own trim options.

Additional information and photos of the 1968 models and the related sales literature may be found  in The (New) Cadillac Database© sections entitled "Descriptions and Specifications of Cadillac Cars  1966-1975",  "Cadillac and La Salle Sales Literature 1965-1969" as well as in the appropriate "Dream cars" section.  Further recommended reading includes:

(a)   "Cadillacs of the Sixties" by Roy Schneider, © 1995,  published by Automobile Heritage Publishing Co., Post Office Box 7, Temple City, CA 91780 [ISBN #0917104048 / 9780917104046.

(b) "Standard Catalog of Cadillac, 1903-2000" edited by James T. Lentzke, © 2000, published by Krause Publications, Inc., 700 E. State Street, Iola, WI 54990 [ISBN #0-87341-925-1, Library of Congress #91-61301].

 

The Calais Series

  

69cal.jpg (23282 bytes)    69cali.jpg (9120 bytes)
Model 69-682, style #69247-G, Calais coupe; 5,600 units were built; they sold for $5,484 each

69CalHt.jpg (24972 bytes)    69Calhti.jpg (16702 bytes)
Model 69-682, style #69249-N, Calais hardtop sedan;  6,825 units were built; they sold for $5,660 each

 

 

De Ville Series

 

Coupe de Ville

69cdv.jpg (22907 bytes)    69CdVi2.jpg (15642 bytes)
Model 69-683, style #69347-J, De Ville coupe; 65,755 units were built; they sold for $5,721 each

ph69cdv.jpg (12649 bytes)
Factory promotional photo from the press portfolio

   

Sedan de Ville

69SdV2x.jpg (19528 bytes)
Model 69-683, style #69369-L, De Ville sedan; 7,890 units were built; they sold for $5,954 each

69Sdv2b.jpg (18298 bytes)69Sdv2i.jpg (14635 bytes)

ph69sdv.jpg (12213 bytes)
Factory photo from that year's press portfolio

 

Hardtop Sedan de Ville

69Sdv_x.jpg (23902 bytes)    69SdVix.jpg (16051 bytes)
Model 69-683, style #69349-B, De Ville hardtop sedan; 72,958 units were built; they sold for $5,954 each

 

De Ville convertible

   69DeVcv.jpg (27393 bytes)     69DeVcvi.jpg (17213 bytes)
Model 69-683, style #69367-F, De Ville convertible; 16,445 units were built; they sold for $5,905 each

ph69cnv2.jpg (7143 bytes)
Factory promotional photo

69cnv.jpg (13910 bytes)    69cvsv.jpg (19407 bytes)

69DVLCV.JPG (9554 bytes)    69EYECV.JPG (7662 bytes)


These three:  some survivors

 

 

Fleetwood Models


Eldorado

69Eldo2.jpg (29845 bytes)     69ElInt.jpg (16500 bytes)
Model 69-693, style #69347-H, Fleetwood Eldorado coupe; 23,333 units were built; they sold for $6,711 each

69TWO.JPG (17394 bytes)
Period advertisement shows Eldorado in background
and Calais hardtop sedan in front

 

Series Sixty Special

    6960_Sx.jpg (22854 bytes)    6960_Si.jpg (15041 bytes)
Model 69-680, style #69069-M,  sedan; 2,545 units were built; they sold for $6,779 each

 

Fleetwood Brougham

69FltBrg.jpg (29528 bytes)    69Brgi.jpg (18875 bytes)
Model 69-681, style #69169-P, Brougham; 17,300 units were built; they sold for $7,110 each

ph69flt2.jpg (18350 bytes)    69BRG.JPG (14695 bytes)
Factory photo from that year's press portfolio (left) and illustration from period advertisement (right)

 

 

Series 75

 

The sedan and limousine

69_75x.jpg (21333 bytes)     69_75i.jpg (14367 bytes)
Model 69-697, style #69723-R, Fleetwood Seventy-Five sedan; 880 units were built; they sold for $10,841 each    
Model 69-697, style #69733-S, Fleetwood Seventy-Five limousine; 1,156 units were built; they sold for $10,979 each

69_75div.jpg (9961 bytes)    69_75aux.jpg (13055 bytes)
Full width auxiliary seating folds forward into division compartment

69limo1.jpg (17811 bytes)    69limo2.jpg (5613 bytes)
A survivor in fine shape

 

 

Styling Details, Options

 

69dash2.jpg (18198 bytes)    69DuoSea.jpg (15257 bytes)    69CalWin.jpg (15875 bytes)
Instrument panel (left), dual control, split front seat  (center),  power windows (even on the Calais models)

69tilTel.jpg (20766 bytes)    69trnk.jpg (18510 bytes)
Tilt-telescope steering wheel (left), remote trunk lid (right)

 

 

Return to The (New) Cadillac Database© Index Page
or go back to the Cadillac photo index page to pick another year
or go to the  La Salle photo index page

 

© 2005, Yann Saunders and the Cadillac-LaSalle Club, Inc.
[Background image:   1969 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado]