Custom Touches: 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Talisman
Beauty, it is said, is in the eye of the beholder. That is undoubtedly true in the automotive world. A vehicle that leaves some feeling cold and unengaged will be the car of another’s desire. That brings us to this 1975 Cadillac Brougham. It is the rare Talisman Edition that features a range of custom touches that are bold and brash. It has no immediate needs beyond a new home, with the seller listing the Talisman here on Craigslist in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It could be yours for $16,900, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this cool custom.
Cadillac introduced the Talisman Package to its Brougham range in 1974. It was considered a rung above the “d’Elegance” option and was only available for three years. The first owner ordered this classic in 1975, and some mysteries surround this beauty. The first is its original paint shade because the current Candied Cinnamon is the first of many custom touches. I quite like the color, and it doesn’t look out of place gracing a car of this caliber. It shines pretty nicely, with no significant flaws or issues. That is an important consideration because achieving color consistency with any touch-ups becomes challenging when a vehicle sports custom paint. There are no signs of rust problems, and the panels are straight. Further custom touches include the pinstripes, chrome fender skirts and grille, and the “Phantom Top” fabric cloth top that looks more like a convertible than traditional vinyl. The trim and glass are in good order, and the sunroof provides excellent ventilation on warm days when air conditioning isn’t warranted.
The 1974 Talisman Edition transformed the Cadillac Brougham into a spacious four-seater, courtesy of a center console that stretched the entire length of the interior. This option was dropped in favor of a more conventional approach in 1975, returning the Brougham to a five-seat configuration. However, many of the touches that first appeared the previous year remained intact when our feature car rolled off the line. These include Medici velour upholstery and a center console with an integrated writing desk. Any surfaces inside this Cadyy not clad in velour feature faux ostrich leather, while the Nardi wheel, custom floor mats, and modern stereo are later additions. The overall condition is excellent, with no signs of wear or abuse. It should also be extremely comfortable, with the aftermarket additions supplemented by factory features like air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, remote mirrors, a rear defroster, a tilt wheel, additional layers of sound-deadening material, and more lights than Steven Spielberg used when filming Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Cadillac adopted a “one size fits all” approach with the mechanical specifications of the 1975 Brougham Talisman Edition. Buyers received a 500ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The V8 produces 190hp and 360 ft/lbs of torque. This Caddy will not trouble too many cars at the local drag strip. However, cruising effortlessly at freeway speed while isolating its occupants from the outside world shouldn’t present any challenges. The seller indicates this classic rolls on new tires but provides no information on its mechanical health. However, the car’s condition and tidy state of the engine bay allow us to be quietly confident that all is well below the skin.
This 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Talisman Edition will undoubtedly divide opinions. Some will appreciate the custom touches, while others will contend that its relative rarity means that preservation or a faithful restoration would have been more appropriate. While Cadillac enjoyed strong sales in 1975, the high cost of the Talisman package meant that only 1,238 buyers ticked that box on the Order Form. To put the cost in perspective, it added $2,000 to the sticker price of a Fleetwood when a buyer could drive off the showroom floor in a new Chevrolet Caprice for $4,500. This car poses challenges when determining its value because the custom touches mean it is worth whatever someone is willing to pay. The low production total means they rarely appear on the market. When they do, pristine, unmolested survivors typically sell for over $22,000. The asking price of this car is significantly lower, but do you think the seller will find a new home for this Caddy?
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Comments
As always, I think that it’s great that this automotive example has survived and is in the condition that it’s in. That being said, however personally, I feel that the some of the “custom” touches clash. To me, the chromed fender skirts/’B’ pillar trim, the gold wreath/crests, and the fake convertible vinyl top combine to add an element of disharmony to the whole. Just my $0.02 worth, GLWTS!! :-)
I’d say the custom items reduce the value of the car.
Agreed, unless you want to relive the era of “pimpmobiles”. And if those seats were leather seats, they may look more inviting, IMHO. That said, I’ll still take the Imperial because it looks more badass and that 440 can be tweaked for better performance.
Apparently 16 people, so far, agree with you. In my opinion they ruined the appearance of this majestic automobile.
I had a ’75 Fleetwood Talisman back in 1990. I bought it for $400 around 1985. Almost the same color, mine was lighter, almost a cranberry, with matching top and interior. The rear foot rests were integral to the car. It was almost like a limousine.
As in all my ’75 & ’76 Cadillacs that I’ve owned, that 190 hp 500 cu. in. Was somewhat of a disappointment. The earlier 500s were much peppier.
This car brings back great memories.
The Talisman package is “Brougham” enough (and quite appropriate for a mid 70s Cadillac. I don’t even really mind the faux convertible roof (after all, ALL vinyl roofs ARE faux convertible anyway..) What loses me is the chrome skirts as they defeat the very purpose of skirts, And I prefer the stock grille. Likewise the crests on the doors are silly. EVERYONE KNOWS this is a CADILLAC! The non-stock stuff is like a huge GUCCI logo on a Wal*Mart T-Shirt. I’d prefer it the way Cadillac meant it to be.
Please. I just ate…
I’ll leave this one for Huggy Bear or Rooster.
Yeah, definitely a Pimpmobile.
A classic in “Overdone”.
This is a very, very low production model. I sure would have greater appreciation if it was original, not the correct wheel covers for one thing. Tulsa does get snow a few times a year. Need to check for rust in the wheel wells. I was a part of the auto industry at that time and still have an appreciation for the luxury cars.
Someone added the front grille that looks like a grille from your backyard BBQ, the “mock top” that I’ve never been a fan of, (why can’t you open it on a nice day?Lol!) the chrome skirts EWWW, but it’s puzzling they stopped short of adding the continental kit at the rear bumper! 🤔🙄 Oh, missing curb feelers and the Mack truck dog on the hood too! 😆
And the extra console piece above the notepad on the center console that’s an add on.
Great car to start with but a lot to undo here in my opinion.
I had one of these in blue back when i was in the navy. It was huge, comfortable, and never passed a gas station.
Top also called a peanut, cause it’s the color of peanut butter.
I got to drive a new 76 version of this car back in 76. That steering wheel did not cone from GM. The grille is China junk aftermarket. The best part of these mobsters was the plush seats. But be sure if you buy this or another one they are in good shape. No one us reproducing those covers that I know of.
Definitely needs side pipes to complete the look
It also needs fender chandeliers.
Nice car and very unique. I have always enjoyed the Talisman, especially the 74 where the largest Cadillac offered was a four seat luxury car. 75 and 76 were great but as 5 seaters seemed a bit less excessive. The customization done here probably significantly reduces the value, but it definitely looks to be “restorable”.
Whoever applied the custom touches should be touched with the back side of a shovel. A Fleetwood Talisman needs no embellishment. I hope the next owner restores it to its former glory.
makes “overkill” seem like such a simple word….
Just one word describes this car….GARISH!
I prefer the 1975/1976 Buick Electra Limited with the luxurious Park Avenue option package. That was a 4 door hardtop sedan, in fact: it was the longest hardtop sedan GM ever built.
Yes, the Park Avenues, especially with the center console. Think I said this in the ’76 Caddy post, that these 2 years of option only were the best of the PA era.
Great write-up Adam and thank you for acknowledging the guy or gal who provided the tip.
I don’t really hate some of the customization… it’s not like the guy is taking a SUPER rare car and hitting it w/ every item from the JC Whitney catalog. Some of it is ok. I don’t like the fender skirts but I like the pinstriping, the steering wheel, etc.
I might have mentioned in a different post that it seems strange to me that the former “Big Three” didn’t add more gears to automatics in their efforts to meet CAFE standards back in the day. 500 cubic inches, I assume, could have pushed this car in a 4th gear, bringing the RPM’s down a little.
I love these, the first one I ever saw was a burgundy 74 with a square steering wheel, with an air bag. Just look at those couch-like seats! From back when luxury meant comfortable, rather than a sporty european copycat. As mentioned above, the customizations subtract, rather than add to this car. I’d try and restore it to original as much as I could. The factory sunroof is even more rare. All it should’ve ever needed is dual exhaust, and would be wonderful to own.
I’m glad they went with faux ostrich rather than all the real ones that would have been necessary to upholster this skow . I would like the engine for my 1938 Ford rat (if not salvaged as a rat would have been a Kia fender – even the oil pan was rusted thru).
Happy New Year
The ostrich’s life that was saved now enjoys life as a star as Beebu in the Liberty (Biberty) Mutual Insurance TV commercials. 😆👍
I think the auto makers brought the naugas to the brink of extinction in the ’60s, for their hydes. There are probably none left in the wild now.
Hey! That’s my line!
I don’t think Cadillac knew how to catch them so they were forced to use old cows.
Just needs 26 inch wheels to totally ruin it.
One thing I see missing in all this is where is the hydraulic suspension?
Hard to believe that 1,238 buyers would order one of these,
& I don’t think I’d want to know any of them.I envision them as older,
overweight males with a Herb Tarlick sport coat,& White shoes with
a matching belt.
A few years ago, I saw one of these for sale that allegedly belonged to Sammy Davis Jr. Similar color but no silly “upgrades”.
What color is the shag carpet on the dash and package shelf?
MAAAAAAN, get dem ladies in line. Boy growing up in the inner city there were quite a few of these. Hart shaped rear windows luggage straps. chrome goddesses of which I still have one. It is neat to see one made it. Love it or hate it. These types of cars lived a short life and if they made it to the 10 year make rust and the city life was well apparent on them. Personally a pink eldorado convertible with the chrome header, Duesenburg lights along with the Cord side pipes is more to my liking and items like that are even harder to find.
Buy it just the way it is – not one penny more than $9,000.00 tops. Do a couple of things to it to your liking and then just DRIVE IT. No need to sink big bucks into this beautifully “distorted “ classic. Good luck.
I am interested in buying this car. How can I find out more?
I am interested in purchasing this car. How can I find out more?