Cadillac history 1968

1968 CADILLAC CALAIS

CALAIS SERIES 682

Cadillac was 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 6-1/2 inch longer hood, designed to accomodate 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:

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

Model Number	Style Number	Body Type	Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
68-682	68247-G	2-door Coupe	6	5315	4570	8,165
68-682	68249-N	4-door Hardtop Sedan	6	5491	4640	10,025

CADILLAC ENGINE

V-8. Overhead valves.
Cast iron block.
Displacement: 472 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.30 x 4.06 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.5:1.
Brake horsepower: 375 at 4400 rpm
Five main bearings.
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

Wheelbase: 129.5"
Overall length: 224.7"
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

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 models Calais or Deville ($79)
Automatic Climate Control ($516)
Bucket seats with console on models Deville (F-J-B) with leather upholstery required ($184)
Firemist finish ($132)
Cruise control ($95)
Rear window defogger on models Calais, Deville (J-B-L) ($27)
Door guards ($5-8)
Expanded vinyl upholstery on models Calais ($42)
Soft Ray glass ($51)
Guide-Matic headlamp control ($51)
Head rests ($53)
Leather upholstery, models J-B-L ($138)
License frame ($13 pair)
Padded roof, models J ($132); models B-L ($137)
Power door locks, two-door ($47); 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)
Reclining front seat with headrests on Convertible with required bucket seats ($84)
Four-way lefthand power bucket seat on models F-J-B ($53)
Six-way power front seat on models G-N-K ($111); models F-J-B-L ($83)
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 & DeVille ($17)
- Front seat warmer for all Calais & DeVille ($95).

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May 11, 2000; March 8/03