Mile Long Find: 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Sixty Special
At 232 inches, the 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham was one of the largest luxury cars to grace the America roads and highways. It set a standard for interior room with 62 inches of front shoulder room and 63 inches of rear shoulder room. This car is said to be a Sixty Special which was a name used by Cadillac for its extended wheelbase cars known as the Series 60. Cadillac used that name since 1938 for its most luxurious models. This Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham was originally bought by a local banker. He probably looked like Boss Hogg driving around in this cruise ship. The car is located in Valley, Alabama and there is less than 2 days remaining in the auction.
Under the hood of this 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham is one of the largest cubic inch V8s ever offered by General Motors. The car is equipped with a Cadillac 472 cubic inch V8 engine that was rated at 345 horsepower and produced 500 lb-ft of torque. The horsepower for the 472 cubic inch V8 declined from 1971 to 1973 like most US cars as the compression ratio of these large engines was reduced from 10 to 1 to 8.5 to 1. The engine was also now able to run on unleaded fuel that had a lower octane rating. The engine compartment is dirty but doesn’t look too bad. The seller states that the air conditioner is in working order but may need service soon. The car will need new tires and some TLC but looks to be in pretty good shape.
This interior is all Cadillac with cushy wide seats even though they are dirty and need detailing. The seller has not found any evidence of mice but the black dash is cracked. Maybe Just Dashes or Al Knoch interiors can restore the dash. The seller says that he or she has washed and vacuumed the Cadillac but it doesn’t look very clean. The body is said to be solid and straight. If not, it will show up with black paint. There are some rust bubbles around the edge of the vinyl top.
This 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham has been sitting on blocks in a barn for the past 23 years. It was rescued this past February. The seller added gas, new spark plugs and cleaned the points. The engine in this 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham started right up and idles smoothly. It is listed here on eBay with less than 2 days remaining in the auction. It is currently bid to $3,750. It looks like a no reserve auction so someone will be the new owner of this classic very soon.
Auctions Ending Soon
2006 Ford Mustang Saleen S281 SCBid Now17 hours$15,000
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now3 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now3 days$3,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now3 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now5 days$10,500
Comments
“Cadillac, Cadillac, long and dark, shiny and black”. The only time I saw’r a black Cadillac like this was at the funeral home. As I’ve said before, black cars were non-existent growing up, mostly because of that reference. Nobody wanted to be seen in a black Cadillac until the bitter end, plus black cars were hot before a/c was standard. Even then, it was unreliable, and when most went ka-put, they were never fixed, up nort’, anyway. I think, or hope anyways, people will realize what great cars these were, too bad by then, there won’t be enough to go around.
Now, what will it be, a beautiful black Cadillac that rolls like thunder, or a rusty Bronco for TEN TIMES this amount,,,Koo-koo, koo-koo,,( spinning finger around ear)
Family once bought a black 55 DeSoto fresh from service as a family car. Once drove an 86 Fleetwood family car as a favor to local funeral home. Saw a 95 Cadillac Hearse with side labeled We Put The Fun In Funerals. As stated in other posts, my cremains will be carried to my grave in my 2007 Town Car. As Frank sang, I’ll do it my way. Thanks for good wishes elsewhere.
Being raised by my grandparents, him and I always had Cadillacs. I never bought any other make from 16 to now(66)OMG when did that happen? Anyways, he did have a black De Soto which I decided to paint with a can of redwood stain I found, I was 8, he was not happy!
He did have that car for 12 years and it never ran once.
Wow what a car…if it fell into my hands I would spend a couple of weekends really trying to bring that paint back to life with my buffer, compound, polish, wax..man this was the cats meow back in the day. Didn’t realize how few black cars were around back then and the reasons why are pretty interesting and make sense. Fun car but def a lot of work- hope someone who has the passion buys it GLWTA
That’s a whole lot of car there. The kind of car that makes riding pleasurable. It’s interesting to see the Sixty Special reference. By this time Cadillac simply called them Fleetwood Brougham reserving the Seventy Five for the lwb cars.
You also get Preferred Customer treatment at the local Shell.
My Grandma bought a new one every two years and gave the “old” one to my Dad. I learned to drive one at age 14 because my Dad hated to drive. Such a comfortable car on long trips!
I still have my ’72 Fleetwood Brougham. Mere words cannot describe the pleasure of getting behind the wheel and floating down the road! Mine does not have the “ugly” bumpers of the ’73, making it even more slick!
My parents had Cadillac’s mostly Fleetwood s. I got to drive them some. The 1971 Fleetwood Brougham ran very well but the mechanics on it were terrible. The interior side panels between the doors wouldn’t stay together. They bought it as a demonstrater had about five thousand miles. The exhaust had to be replaced there was an inner liner and it collapsed. I wanted to take it to custom exhaust as a kid but I put a new factory exhaust from NAPA. This car unfortunately is not a heavily option car. I’m not seeing lots of things upmost no leather seats. Be prepared this isn’t going to be a real cheap fixer upper. From experience with 472’s put a new distributer in it first thing.
As a Founding Member of the GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY, this is definitely worthy of resurrection as a MONUMENT to an era of Devinely Decadent OTT excessive chromed luxury. Too late for me to attempt but Someone will be eager to accomplish it.. LOL to ALL. Wishing you a smooth cruise. Angel and Frog where are you? And Cadillac Kid, this looks like your Cadillac Style.
Yes you are correct, it’s my style which never goes out of style. After owning a 73 Fleetwood Limo and a 73 Sedan all in almost mint cond, I’m not sure if I could own this one, but you know what? If it was close, I’d still buy it!
Carry Under Wood 😉 🎵Two Black Cadillacs 🎶 Driving in the Slow Parade 🎵 One is for his wife 🎶 is this Black Cadillac for you? Long love affair with Cadillac, beginning with a Black 58 Sixty Special and ending with my 89 Fleetwood Brougham deEleganc👍and 93 Brougham👎. Since then have found the once Standard of the WORLD sliding down to totally CADILLACKING. As frequently stated, my 2007 Town Car Signature Limited is the last gasp of traditional American Luxury sedans and will carry my cremains to my grave.
I agree on what you say. The Buick Roadmaster got all the bells and whistles and was much cheaper. Really I think Buick always was a better vehicle than the Cadillac of the 1960’s on.
That looks rust free even yhough we can’t tell. They rusted away up here in PA. A buddy’s parents had a 74′ with the 472. Did great one wheel burnouts. Their’s rusted awzy and had a freeze plug rust out. . I’d like to find that power train from a 69 or 70 for a Tri 5 pick up. That wood move it nicley and fit even though I’d prefer a std trans. I don’t know if they make one for that block..
Wish I had the space and wherewithal to own one like this. The low price is almost tragic, given its grand essence — though understandable from the standpoint of contemporary practicalness. I have enough trouble in finding parking spaces large enough for my ’88 Grand Marquis; could you imagine a shopping trip in something like THIS?? Still, gotta love it! Beautiful lines, looks graceful, unlike typical 1970s bloat-mobiles — the roof-line and windows make all the difference. I’d love to own one!
I have a 69 Cadillac 472 that only has 64,000 miles on it I pulled from a car that was sweet before it hit an overpass on I-75. The sedan it came out of would smoke the tire till the car caught up to the speed the wheel was spinning at! Sure looked cool the way it looked like a waterfall of smoke pouring out of the fender skirt and trailing in a wall of smoke JUST FLOORING THE THROTTLE, NOT HOLDING THE BRAKES! I have the complete engine carb to drain plug for $900 and you can get a stick flywheel at most speed shops for a reasonable price, but if you rev it over 2500 rpm and dump the clutch you better have a 9″ or stronger rear end lol.
I think this thing is longer than my truck and can tow the same amount almost makes me want to cut a hole in the deck lid and mount a 5th wheel hitch back there
I heard of a guy that owns a welding shop doing that to a Coupe DeVille. I heard it looked like an abomination towing a fifth wheel camper.
There’s a country song by Chris Ledoux about a guy pulling a horse trailer with a Cadillac.
Perfect a 5th wheel behind a Caddy. Now that’s roughing it. Gotta love it.
Wish I had the space and wherewithal to own one like this. The low price is almost tragic, given its grand essence — though understandable from the standpoint of contemporary practicalness. I have enough trouble in finding parking spaces large enough for my ’88 Grand Marquis; could you imagine a shopping trip in something like THIS?? Still, gotta love it! Beautiful lines, looks graceful, unlike typical 1970s bloat-mobiles — the roof-line and windows make all the difference. I’d love to own one!
For about six months in 1976, I owned a ’63 Fleetwood Sixty Special and a ’73 Sedan deVille. Due to the Malaise Era build quality, the older one was far more reliable. I have no idea how many times I got ready for work and had to drive the ’63 because something was wrong with the newer one. I didn’t keep it long. Traded it in for a ’72 Eldorado that defined “gorgeous.” Wish I could say it was a better car.
To Michael Lloyd Gregory: Owing to your remarks, I just lost interest in locating one of these Cadillacs, if I could afford it. For me, who daily drives an older car, RELIABILITY is “Job #1”! 1986-1991 Panther-platform Ford/Mercury full-sized rear wheel drive sedans offer great comfort, have excellent fuel-injection and everlasting air-conditioning, and seemingly last indefinitely. My ’88 Grand Marquis has 376,000 northeastern miles, and I still would drive it anywhere. It has pesky problems — rear window motors — cassette plays on one channel only — electric door locks don’t always work — but nothing that stops me from getting in, starting up, and driving on a thousand-miles trip.
It makes me sick that someone (not me) will get this fabulous land yacht cheap.
The Cadillac Kid. You said if it was close you’d buy it. Buy it, then sell it to me.
This car is SO me!
I’m still sick of losing my ’75 Fleetwood Brougham Talisman.
Rick, you’re not too old for this luxury barge. It’s a simple fix. Even I could do it.
Frog, you ok?
I’m here. Been traveling. Lost a close friend of 40+ years from a sudden but expected death. Drove over 200 miles to pay my respects. Then another 200 miles to visit with my 96 year old mother. Got home 3:15am Sunday and now in Minneapolis until Wednesday. Thanks guys for thinking about me. It’s been a rough few weeks.
Hi Frog! Good to see you and Angel back. Hop your Mother continues to thrive. Your a good friend and son, making that long trip. Guess we’re at the stage of life when Funerals are no longer rare. Two in the past two months here. Funny how we three LAND YACHT SOCIETY members keep in touch out here in the BARN. Today’s main social events are another Dr. Appt., trying to find reliable help for a project, Pharmacy, and grocery shopping. Love the So called Golden Years! NOT! 😠 But try to keep going and be grateful for each day.
My Dear Angel, my Driver’s license expires next February. It is a 5 year license. At my age, here it will only be a 2 year renewal and IF I should have an accident, I will lose it permanently. Isn’t that a B…h? Several cars have been tempting, but as we’ve said before, Champaign tastes on a beer budget. BTW, how did your attempts for the Marine go? See my post to Frog for more!
Unfortunately it has already been sold as of yesterday.
I know it is now sold. I bought it all 19 feet 4 inches.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
Hope Mom is doing well.
My dad had one of these, I don’t remember the year but he just bought it and a school bus backed into the rear of it. I never forgot that. Of course my mother got to drive it most of the time. I took my drivers test in that big boat.
I know it is now sold. I bought it all 19 feet 4 inches.
@Rick
Unfortunately I know all about your schedule as mine is the same. Doctor appointments, grocery store, bank, work.
That’s about it.
I just got 2 really bad news notices.
I’m always here. Just sometimes quiet.