Calais Cadillac History 1968

Cadillacwas not about to alter its popular product in any major way, so the same basic styling and engineering continued into the 1968 model year with a number of refinements, but no drastic changes. New grilles were added. They had an insert with a finer mesh and step-down outer section which held the rectangular parking lights just a little higher than before. Rear end styling was very modestly altered. An obvious change was a 165mm longer hood, designed to accommodate recessed windshield wipers, The deck lid also had more of a rake. An enlarged engine offered more cubic inches and torque than any other American V-8 and put out 375 horsepower. Of 20 exterior paint color combinations, 14 were totally new. On the inside, enriched appointments included molded inner door panels and a selection of 147 upholstery combinations, 76 in cloth, 67 in leather and four in vinyl. The Calais four-door pillared sedan was dropped. Standard features for the two remaining styles included:

1968 Cadillac

  • Turbo-Hydramatic
  • power steering
  • power brakes
  • power windows
  • heater and defroster
  • center arm rests
  • electric clock
  • dual backup lamps
  • cornering lights
  • front and rear side marker lamps
  • Light Group
  • Mirror Group
  • padded instrument panel
  • seat belts
  • trip odometer
  • ignition key warning buzzer
  • recessed three-speed wipers and washers
  • five 9.00 x 15 blackwall tires

STYLE

Model No. Style No. Body Type Seat Factory Price Shipping Weight Production Total
68-682 68247-G

2-door Coupe

6 $5315 2077 kg 8,165
68-682 68249-N

4-door Hardtop Sedan

6 $5491 2109 kg 10,025

ENGINE

Type V-8 Overhead valves
Block Cast iron block
Displacement 7.729 Liters
Bore and stroke 109.2mm x 103.1mm
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Brake horsepower 375 @ 4400 rpm
Power 280 kW @ 4400 rpm
Bearings Five main bearings
Valve Lifters Hydraulic valve lifters
Carburetor Rochester Quadrajet four-barrel model 7028210S

NOTE: The new engine featured

  • a metal temperature monitoring device
  • air injection emissions control system
  • integral air-conditioning system (still optional)
  • cast crankshaft and connecting rods
  • integral water crossover pipe with thermostatic passages
  • engine bearings with more surface area
  • 15-plate battery.

CHASSIS

1968 Cadillac

Wheelbase 3289mm
Overall Length 5707mm
Rear axle ratio 2.94:1
Transmission three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic
Tires 9.00 x 15
Front Tread not available
Rear Tread not available

POWER TRAIN OPTIONS

1968 Cadillac

  • Optional axle ratio data not available.
  • Air injector reactor and closed positive crankcase ventilation standard
  • Controlled differential was now $52.65 extra on all models except Eldorado

CONVENIENCE OPTIONS

Availability and prices of options and accessories were largely the same as 1967
Auxiliary horn $16
Automatic level control option on Calais $79
Automatic Climate Control $516
Firemist finish $132
Cruise control $95
Rear window defogger on Calais $27
Door guards $5-8
Expanded vinyl upholstery on Calais $42
Soft Ray glass $51
Guide-Matic headlamp control $51
Head rests $53
License frame $13 pair
Power door locks, two-door $47
Power door locks, four-door $68
Power ventipanes with required power windows $72
Power windows on Calais models $116
AM radio $162
AM/FM radio $188
AM/FM stereo $288
Six-way power front seat on Calais $111
Rear center seat belt $11
Front shoulder straps $32
Tilt-telescope steering wheel $90
Remote control trunk lock $52
Twilight Sentinel $32
White sidewall tires, size 9.00 x 15 four-ply 8PR-5 $56 exchange
New items of optional equipment were added as well
Twin front and rear floor mats for all Calais $17
Front seat warmer for all Calais $95