What was the best year for Cadillac? Even I’m not sure. There were so many grand years. But just look at today’s gorgeous subject, and you can make a solid case for 1966. (Ask me another day and I might say 1964, 1968, 1955, or 1949!) Any way you slice it, Cadillacs from the postwar era through the early ’70s are all worthy, in their own way.
The previous year had been a big change for many Cadillac lovers. The beloved fin, a prominent feature since 1948, was gone for good, replaced by ruler-straight flanks. It was a crisp and attractive design, and so for 1966 only minor tweaks were made.
But like my preference for 1970 Cadillacs over 1969s, despite their largely similar appearance, I slightly prefer the ’66 cars over the ’65s. The later cars wore the same basic body, but the headlamps were now enclosed in color-keyed bezels. The cornering lamps were similarly redone with a nifty little Cadillac crest leading the way.
The rear styling was also refreshed, with smoother bumper ends encasing new taillamps. The faux rear grilles continued, again with a new design.
Somehow, all these rather minor changes made the ’66 Cadillacs even prettier, at least in your author’s opinion—not that I’d ever say no to a ’65! (Not that I’d say no to pretty much any Cadillac …) The ’66 models were first introduced on October 14, 1965.
I really love the interiors in the 1966 Cadillacs, especially in the Fleetwood Brougham, Sixty Special, and Eldorado. For that year and that year only, the door panels had these gorgeous, giant slabs of real wood on them.
I remember in the early 2000s, at my bank, someone at the branch I frequented had a 1966 Sixty Special. It was a kind of medium blue, with white leather and—I think—dark blue dash and carpeting. If I saw it in the lot, I would park nearby so I could gawk at it before going inside!
That Sixty Special wasn’t mint, but it was in pretty fair shape, right down to the whitewalls and 1966-correct wheel covers. I wonder, from time to time, if it’s still around. I hope so! The last time I recall seeing it was maybe 2002 or 2003.
The 1966 Fleetwood Brougham, along with the Sixty Special and Eldorado convertible, were the nicest “owner-driven” models Cadillac offered. And in true ’60s fashion, you could have nearly any color you desired, unlike today.
While our featured car, painted Strathmore White with black top and black leather interior, isn’t in any of the bright Firemist colors, it still radiates elegance. This particular color combo seems to have been very popular in the mid-to-late ’60s. I have seen a lot of U.S. cars of this vintage, from Plymouth Furys to Caddys to Studebakers, in this black-and-white combo.
But for the more adventurous buyer, myriad bright and cheerful hues were on offer, including Flamenco Red, Crystal Firemist, Caribbean Aqua, Autumn Rust, Mist Blue, Ember Firemist, and Tropic Green Firemist. Interiors could be had in blue, green, red, white, aqua, and more!
The 1966 Fleetwood Brougham had a retail price of $6695, weighed in at 4616 pounds, and 13,630 were built. The Sixty Special, with its “slick top,” had an MSRP of $6378 and was the less popular choice, with 5445 made. Eventually, the Fleetwood Brougham totally replaced the Sixty Special, and all Fleetwoods from 1971 on have a padded vinyl roof.
The Fleetwood Brougham, like all ’66 Cadillacs, had a 429-cubic-inch V-8 under the hood, with a 4.13 x 4.0 bore and stroke, five main bearings, and an output of 340 horsepower at 4600 rpm. Said engine breathed through a Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor.
This particular car was seen at the CLC West of the Lake Region show back in June 2016. It was hosted by Heritage Cadillac of Lombard, and many excellent classic Caddys were in attendance. But this one was one of my favorites, due to my love of ’66s.
While black isn’t my favorite interior color, it contrasted nicely with those amazing wood door panels, and was suitably sumptuous. All the wood inside makes me think of a road-going Chris-Craft.
I love the rear seat backs too, with the little fold-down tables and passenger assist handles. So nice. A new Rolls Phantom has nothing on this car in classy touches and overall elegance.
As you can see, I took a lot of pictures of this car throughout the day! And it’s a good thing I did, because I never saw it again, despite attending several Chicagoland CLC shows since then. It sure was pretty!
I’d just like to say thanks for finding all these superb cars and giving us the details, I live in the U.K and of course even if the cars are unusual now in the U.S, even rarer here.
Tom, pictures of this outstanding Fleetwood Brougham seep to be taken at two different locations. Some photos appear to be at a Cadillac Dealer and some are in a parking lot at what appears to be a closed K-Mart where half the parking lot is being tore up. Just wondering.
A customer at the shop had a low mile ‘65 DeVille convertible. It was white over white, with light blue leather. My dad was always a Cadillac fan, but they did nothing for me-until that car. I’d take any ‘65/‘66 today, preferably a two-door hardtop. No vinyl roof please, so probably a Calais. Now how deep is my garage…?
Nice but 66 is not my peak year.
30’s V16, 48 fins, 55-57, 62-63. First Eldo.
HelenC, it is the same spot at the same show. There is an ex-Kmart next to Heritage Cadillac, or at least there was back in 2016.
