1960s Illustration Catalog - 1968

[chrisbutnut]

Any idea where I can find an Illustration Catalog that covers the 1968 models?  I have copies of the Parts & Illustration Catalogs for models "through 1975", however they seem to be focused on 69 and up.  I believe the covers on the catalog that I need is light blue, as shown in the following photo.  The parts catalogs seem to be available on eBay, but the illustration catalogs are hard to find. 

[Lexi]

Ebay is probably best. I agree those "Illustration" catalogs are more difficult to find. They appear to be a poor man's MPL, which are aimed at the independant garages (non GM-dealerships), who mainly were interested in obtaining commonly required parts, but not down to every last nut and bolt. I think some illustrations may be different, but for my money I would still prefer the MPL as are more complete. Clay/Lexi

[Warren Rauch #4286]

  Cadillac has issued lots of different parts books over the years. A big change was made about 1969-1970. The illustrations were included in the master book before then.They broke them out into their own book. I don't have a 1969 book. But my 1970 book is not illustrated.
The best books for 1968 illustrations would be publication dates Sept 1967(introduction) to the end of 1968.It is unlikely any new diagrams were added after then.

   The Illustration only books from 1970 on, will be replacing diagrams that better show the newer cars.


 Then in 1975 ,GM cut off the older dated listings into their own books. What this means is a book
"to 1975" ,has several different editions(publication dates) with older parts being dropped ,as no longer stocked. The  1975 book you have may be from the 1980s(even 90s) ,making 1968 ,very outdated.

Warren

[Lexi]

Hey Warren, that is very interesting. Rick (Cadman-iac) told me that the Illustrated catalog was always issued with the Master Parts Catalog, way back. Guessing he meant prior to 1969. Wonder where they all went, as I have only rarely seen them. Would like to pick up one for 1956 Cadillac if anyone has one for sale. Thanks for posting this. Clay/Lexi

[Cadman-iac]

  I do remember that when I ordered a new MPL that the illustration catalog was listed separately, (this was on the Helm Publishing order form), so you had to check the box for it as well if you wanted a new one. If your old illustration book was still in good condition, you could just order the mpl and save some money for your department, and the dealer principal was always looking at what you were spending. I had forgotten about this option.
I wish I had known back then what these old books would be worth. Whenever we got new ones, the old ones were usually just thrown out. I did keep a few just because they covered a vehicle I had, but what a waste.

Rick

[Lexi]

That makes sense. I was also told years ago by a vintage automotive manual dealer, that those ordering the MPL had their choice of either soft or hardcover editions. That would explain why I have seen both and for the same year. Clay/Lexi

[Cadman-iac]

 Clay,

 The MPL I got for 56-61 is a 2 volume set, and I was mistaken about it having illustrations in one and listings in the other. It has both in each volume.
 I hadn't looked at it very much, and I had forgotten that.
 It is split between the chassis, volume 1, and the body, volume 2.

 I do have an MPL that covers the Chevrolet trucks from 1988 to 1991 that is split into two sections, the listing portion is printed on a light blue paper, and the illustrations are on a light green paper. I only mention it because of Warren's statement. I remember getting the newer version for these trucks at the dealership and saving this one because we had one in the family at the time and I figured it would come in handy at some point.
 The Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, and Cadillac ones that I saved from the trash heap all cover 65-75,and are also split into two separate books, blue and green.

 When GM finally stopped printing them and went strictly to computer, everyone was trying to get what was left in the racks. I would have grabbed a lot more if I'd have had a place to keep them safe.

 I used to have an order form for new MPL's from Helm publications, but I don't know what happened to it. It was always interesting to see what was available and how much they cost at the time. If a body had saved those old books you could make a fortune now.

 Rick

[chrisbutnut]

Clay,

 The MPL I got for 56-61 is a 2 volume set, and I was mistaken about it having illustrations in one and listings in the other. It has both in each volume.
 I hadn't looked at it very much, and I had forgotten that.
 It is split between the chassis, volume 1, and the body, volume 2.

 I do have an MPL that covers the Chevrolet trucks from 1988 to 1991 that is split into two sections, the listing portion is printed on a light blue paper, and the illustrations are on a light green paper. I only mention it because of Warren's statement. I remember getting the newer version for these trucks at the dealership and saving this one because we had one in the family at the time and I figured it would come in handy at some point.
 The Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, and Cadillac ones that I saved from the trash heap all cover 65-75,and are also split into two separate books, blue and green.

 When GM finally stopped printing them and went strictly to computer, everyone was trying to get what was left in the racks. I would have grabbed a lot more if I'd have had a place to keep them safe.

 I used to have an order form for new MPL's from Helm publications, but I don't know what happened to it. It was always interesting to see what was available and how much they cost at the time. If a body had saved those old books you could make a fortune now.

 Rick

Do you have any that you'd be willing to sell, Rick? 

[Cadman-iac]

  I've only got 3 Cadillac MPL's, the one I just bought about 6 months ago, 56-61, a 73 but it doesn't have an illustration portion with it, and the 65-75 one. We had to fight over the books once everyone figured out there weren't going to be any more, so those are the only two I could get.
  They don't get used very often any more either, but are invaluable when you need information.
  If you really need one, check out Faxon, very helpful folks. You can call them and actually speak to someone who knows what they're talking about.

 Rick

[Carfreak]

Not sure if it will help but there's a 1970 Illustrated Parts Catalog available on the CLC Modified Chapter Documents section.

https://www.modifiedcadillac.org/documents/Shop_Manuals_and_Illus_Catalogs/Parts%20Illus%20Catalog%20thru%201970/