1964 Cadillac Series 6700 Fleetwood 75

For much of its existence, the Series 75 designation represented the top-of-the-line Cadillac and the company's factory-built limousine offering. The production throughout the post-war era was exclusive due to its steep price and long/large stature, often clothed with seven-passenger seating that cradled its occupants in the finest of luxuries.

All-new styling was introduced in 1961, penned by Bill Mitchel yet continuing to incorporate cues from Harley Earl's jet plane-inspired design, including remnants of the tail fins and a distinctive roof supported by ultra slim-line pillars. The front grille was divided in two by a large horizontal bar, with the top half angled back towards the hood lip and the lower towards the bumper. The sides also angled inwards as they reached the dual headlamps. The grille became flatter in 1962 with a more delicate cross-hatched insert. The ribbed chrome trim panel on the 1961 model was replaced in 1962 with cornering lamps. In the back was a new vertically ribbed beauty panel located on the deck lid hatch panel. Changes continued to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary for 1963, with minor adjustments to the V-shaped radiator grille and smaller circular front parking lamps positioned within the outer extensions.

1964 Cadillac Series 75
While the entire 1964 Cadillac lineup employed a 129.5-inch wheelbase, the Series 75 rested on a 149.8-inch platform that measured 243.8 inches in length. It was powered by a 429 cubic-inch V8 engine with overhead valves, hydraulic valve lifters, a Carter four-barrel carburetor, five main bearings, and delivered 340 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. It was backed by a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission and braking was handled by power brakes.

Body styles included a four-door sedan with seating for six priced at $9,750. The nine-passenger limousine topped the list 1964 Cadillac price list at $9,960. The Series 75 was also offered as a commercial chassis with wheelbase lengths of 149.8- or 156-inches, often receiving coachwork for service as an ambulance, funeral car, or other commercial application. 2,527 examples of the bare chassis were built, 808 of the limousine, and 617 of the sedan.

Styling updates were minimal for 1964 on the Series 75, with slight updating to angular taillamps and the bi-angular front grille. The tailfins in the back received a new fine-blade design, and the outer grille extension panel continued to carry the cornering and parking lights.

Standard equipment included a Comfort Control system which regulated the heating and air conditioning by a dial thermostat on the instrument panel, dual speed wipers, power steering, remote control outside rearview mirrors, wheel discs, heater, and defroster.

The 3,952 examples of the combined Series 75, including the bare chassis sales, represented just under three percent of Cadillac's total 1964 production.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021