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1960 Cadillac Series 6700 Fleetwood Seventy-Five

The Cadillac Series 6700 Fleetwood Seventy-Five had a very large 149.75-inch wheelbase platform, among the largest of its era, and perfectly suited to large vehicle applications such as limousines, 9-passenger sedans, and commercial applications. An even longer 156-inch wheelbase commercial chassis offered a platform for custom applications, such as ambulances, funeral cars, and other unique creations. Its 390 cubic-inch V8 engine was among the largest engines available with more torque than most other engines on the road. It had overhead valves, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, Carter two-barrel carburetors, and delivered 325 horsepower at 4,800 RPM.

The Series Seventy-Five was tall, with a high roofline that offered plenty of interior room for its occupants who were swaddled in either Bradford cloth or Bedford cloth in the limousine passenger compartment. Florentine leather upholstery was used in the chauffeur's compartment. The limousine and long-wheelbase sedan had auxiliary jump seats for the occasional extra passenger.

With prices in the mid-$9,000s, the Series 75 Fleetwood was exclusive and just 718 examples were built of the nine-passenger sedan in 1960 and 832 off the limousine. An additional 2,160 examples of the long 156-inch commercial chassis were built. Although these figures may appear low, they were fairly typical throughout the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s for the Series 75. Cadillac had considered discontinuing the Series 75 in the late 1940s, but its unique foothold in the ultra-luxury segment gave the Cadillac marque notoriety and added to its luxury carmaker status.

The other 1960 Cadillac models rode on a 130-inch wheelbase and measured 225 inches (compared to 244.8 inches of the Series 75). Cadillac's entry-level Series 6200 was priced in the low-to-mid $5,000s, which was higher than most other vehicles on the road. Body styles included two-door hardtop coupes, convertibles, and sedans and technological highlights included finned rear drums, tubular X-frame construction, and a vacuum-operated automatic-releasing floor-controlled parking brake. Standard equipment included power brakes, power steering, automatic transmission, an outside rearview mirror, an oil filter, and dual backup lamps.

The Series Sixty Special Fleetwood hardtop sedan was priced at $6,230 and was very well equipped, with additional exterior trim and ornamentation and plenty of standard features. The Eldorado Seville Hardtop Coupe and Eldorado Biarritz convertible were priced at $7,400, and the Brougham tipped the scale at over $13,000. Standard equipment on these models included a six-way power seat, air suspension, electric door locks, remote control trunk lock, power vent windows, heater, fog lamps, and five whitewall tires.

1960 was the final year for the air suspension system and wraparound windshields, except on the large Series 75 Fleetwood models.

The combined 3,710 Series Seventy-Five Fleetwood vehicles produced in 1960 accounted for nearly three percent of Cadillac's total production.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Limousine by Ghia

The 1960 Cadillac Series 6700 Seventy-Five was available as a 9-passenger sedan and limousine or as a commercial chassis. It rested on a very long platform that had a length of 244.8 inches and a wheelbase of 149.75 inches. Pricing began at just over $9,500 for the sedan and a total of 718 examples were produced. 832 examples were limousines and 2,160 were commercial chassis. They had auxiliary jump seats and more than adequate headroom with six-window styling.

This example is number 828 of 832 limousines made in 1960 and was uniquely customized by Carrozzeria Ghia into a convertible parade car. It was then presented by the U.S. Government to Josip Broz, whose nom de guerre was Tito, President of Yugoslavia. Tito was a car enthusiast, once heard to remark, 'People enjoyed giving me decorations, I enjoyed it too...' The 390 cubic-inch V8 produced 345 horsepower clearly enough to accelerate away from danger and to power the Remington shaver, part of the interior's original equipment. Tito died in May of 1980, this car then languished on government property for nearly 10 years to then be sold to a Dutch broker, and in turn to a Dutch Cadillac collector.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Limousine by Ghia

This particular Cadillac is on the Series 75 chassis reserved for the company's largest models which usually carried nine-seat sedan or limousine coachwork by General Motor's in-house prestige coachbuilder Fleetwood. This model has been extensively customized by Ghia to create a one-of-a-kind convertible parade car.

President Tito of Yugoslavia broke with Stalin in 1949. The U.S. Government began to cultivate him as a possible ally and presented him with this car knowing he was a keen car enthusiast. This car is powered by a 390 ci V8 engine producing 345 horsepower. It is fitted with an automatic transmission, refrigerator, electric windows (including the division), and an automatic electric/hydraulic convertible roof. It was originally also equipped with a portable Remington shaver.

The Cadillac Series 75 was the marque's flagship V8 from 1936 onwards, though the lower-priced series easily outsold it. Production of the full-size V8 powered Cadillac's would continue from the 1930s through the 1950s. It served as a replacement for the outgoing 355-D and was introduced around the same time as the less-expensive Series 60 model. Outwardly, the Series 80, including the 85, were similar in appearance with the main difference being underhood. The Series 80/85 featured a V12 engine while the Series 70/75 had a V8. The V8 produced 135 horsepower while the V12's output was 150 hp.

In 1941, the short wheelbase Series 70 was replaced by the Series 62 and the long-wheelbase Series 75 was integrated into the Fleetwood line. Cadillac would continue the '75' name until the mid-1960s.

The V8 Series 70 of the mid-1930s were powered by a Monoblock V8 engine that displaced 346 cubic-inches and produced 135 horsepower. A total of 5,248 examples were sold in 1936. There were three body-styles available for the Series 70 from 1936 through 1937 consisting of a 131-inch wheelbase for the 36-70, a 138-inch version of the 36-75 and a large 156-inch platform for the 36-75 Commercial version.

There was a wide variety of body-styles to select from and all wore badges of Cadillac's in-house coachbuilder Fleetwood. The list ranged from two-passenger coupes to seven-passenger town cars with 14 cataloged styles offered.

The Fleetwood Metal Body Company had a history that dated back to 1905 when they were formed in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. During their early years, some of their best customers were Packard, Pierce-Arrow, and Cadillac. Lawrence Fisher, head of GM's Fisher Body Company and later president of Cadillac was pleased with Fleetwood's coach-building work and felt the union between the two companies was appropriate. The company was purchased by Cadillac in 1925 and the sales and design offices were moved to Detroit. Additional plants were built in Pennsylvania for body production and Fleetwood continued to accept body-requests from non-GM companies.

A Fleetwood plant was built in 1929 in Detroit, adjacent to the Fisher Body facility, and by 1931 all production had migrated to this location. Later, the production was absorbed by General Motors Art & Colour and Fisher Body. The Fleetwood name persisted for many decades, often referring to limited and low-production styles.

In 1939 the Cadillac V8 models were given a new frontal look with a matching textured grille. On either side were two side grilles. The engine still displaced 346 cubic-inches but further tuning had increased the horsepower output and its compression.

The Series 72 was a Fleetwood car that rode on a shorter, 138-inch wheelbase.

Production ceased during the Second World War and resumed in 1946. When it did, the Series 75 became Cadillac's largest model offered; now riding on a 136-inch wheelbase. The 346 L-head V8 engine was the same as was most of its basic styling. Just like most other automakers, a 'new' model would not be introduced for several years.

For the Series 75, this did not occur until 1950. It had a 146.7-inch wheelbase with seating for seven. Engine options included a 346- and 365-cubic-inch V8.

The wheelbase size was again increased by 1954, now measuring 149.8 inches. To carry the extra weight Cadillac increased the horsepower to 230. The following year it rose again to 250 hp, with an optional dual-four barrel carburetor version offered that produced 270 horsepower. 1956 saw another increase in horsepower, now ranging from 285 to just over 300.

Another restyling occurred in 1957 and would remain until 1965. By now, the name '75' had all but disappeared. Horsepower hovered around the 300 to 325 range depending on the engine and the setup. The long version of the Fleetwood became known as the Series 6700 in accordance with the new Cadillac naming scheme.

by Dan Vaughan