Rare Luxury: 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine
If a Cadillac isn’t enough, how about a Cadillac limousine? Here on craigslist is a 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75, with an asking price of $15,995. This majestic vehicle is located in Brighton, Colorado, and its owner is only parting with it because he has to move. While the Fleetwood class included a large sedan produced in the several-thousands, only 1017 of the limousine body style were made in 1973, situated on Cadillac’s long-standing Series 75 platform with its immense 151″ wheelbase. The epitome of luxury with countless power options, plush finishes, and plenty of motivation under the hood, this Cadillac was the sole American-made limousine of its time. Gunter Kramer spotted this spectacular example for us – thanks Gunter!
Before we start on the details, kudos to the seller, who has cleaned his car up to within an inch of its little (?) life before presenting it to the public. Too often we see formerly swanky cars down on their luck thanks to years of neglect. Other than tired paint, this one looks like it is not long out of the showroom. The body style is the four-door limousine with auxiliary seat, code 23 in the VIN; code 33 was also a limo, but with a divider window. Either way, the driver could ferry nine passengers in comfort – particularly since automatic level control (air ride) suspension was standard. Climate controls both front and rear, power windows, power door locks, reading and courtesy lights, remote control mirrors, power seats – this wheeled yacht was loaded. It also weighed almost 6000 lbs, needing every ounce of the 220 horsepower from its 472 cu. in. V8. Paired with a three-speed Hyrda-Matic transmission, the car could heave itself from zero to sixty in about 12 seconds. Not bad for an elephant.
The view from the rear is a reminder of why these cars were favored by heads of state and celebrities – copious privacy. This car’s power accessories all work, and the interior finishes appear excellent. The trunk, chrome, lenses – all its details have been kept in pristine condition.
The Series 75 has a history stretching back to the 1930s, and it always connoted luxury. The coachbuilt body was considered top-shelf as well, produced by Fleetwood Metal Body. A redesign by Bill Mitchell in 1973 brought integrated safety bumpers, a wider grille, more cabin room, and subtle changes to the sheet metal. The rear reverse lamps were moved above the bumper. Overall, no matter the character of its various bits, the Cadillac Fleetwood was built to coddle its passengers for their trip from curb to curb. Nice examples can sell for considerably more than the ask here, but some languish on the market in the mid-teens. What would you pay for this imposing Cadillac?
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Comments
That’s a beauty! It looks like the rear bumper filler material could use some help and there’s a bit of rust showing up on the bottoms of the doors in the photos with the doors open, but for that price and in that overall condition, that’s a no-brainer. Nice one, Michelle and Gunter!
Ideal candidate for a “newly opened” chauffeur service especially in a high rent district such as San Francisco (Silicon Valley)/ Los Angeles area . Because of weather conditions it should be kept on the West Coast.
I’ve had this vintage of Cadillac on my bucket list since my grand parents had one what a ride! Of course I see a hung over crowd with me going to the beach or shopping or Sunday brunch, concerts , flea markets etc.. as always I have champagne taste on a beer man’s income but this might work!
Real American Class as was advertised back then The Standard of The World! Worth every penny of the ask, the get it restored so that it may live on another 50+ years. We will never see cars like these at such affordable prices ever again.
My late brother, a successful business man had a 68 Series 75 Limo. Riding in it made you were King 🤴 of the road. The ultimate Cadillac when Cadillac was The Standard of the WORLD. The asking price is likely very close to retail price when the 68 was new. If only I could afford a Chauffeur, I’d be bidding! 😉
That’s just it – to complete the paradigm, you need to hire a chauffeur.
DRIVING it, gives as much status as driving a former city bus – none. You’re apparently The Help.
These were not driver’s cars, even if they did drive nicely (I don’t know). They were for the man who owns everything – the Cadillac Limo, the estate, the country-club membership, and the staff to run the limo.
Hmmm… Already have a ’67 75… Maybe I need a ’73 to go with it. Coincidentally, my ’67 was also found in Colorado… I mean, I *have* to, right?
I have seen these limos at classic car shows and love the jump seats in the middle. The late 1970s versions or early 1980s versions of these limos are cool to me as well.
Wow! I’m surprised that the Navy hasn’t bought it yet! I love it ! About the only 2 things that I would do is – white wall tires and “ pillow tufted velour seats “, for me of course. Yeah – since you can’t drive it from the back seat – I would definitely replace the front seats for maximum comfort. Anyway – it’s actually a pretty good deal for this’73 Cadillac 75 series limousine. You could probably do a complete custom job or just leave it as is and ENJOY IT! I wonder if they installed a LARGER gas tank on these limos? You’d think so – 6,000+pounds and a 472ci engine, this limo can probably “chug down a tank “ like a thirsty Sumo wrestler- or an aircraft carrier. Great car/limo and fantastic article!
That could fit the whole village of people.
Technically, this car is not a limousine.
A limousine has a divider window.
This is a series 75 sedan.
Thank you, Bradley, for pointing out this distinction. As an extension of the professional car segment these were only offered in a limited color pallet. Seems like black, dk blue and charcoal were it, maybe white.
These were offered in Cadillacs full complement of colors, or a custom color could be specified at additional cost.
The site that identifies this as a limo is here.
https://www.tpocr.com/cadillacvin8.html
There is a separate code for the four-door sedan. While researching this car, I saw a number of “limo’s” without the divider window, though some essays said that a limo was identified as having a divider window. Did the sedan have an auxiliary seat?
One of the long list of options and std equipment. The divider window has always signified the difference between the two.
Not sure about the 70s but the 80s Formals(divider cars)had a different front passenger configuration with only two straight backed, limited adjustment black leather chauffeur seats. Horrible to sit on and drive any distance.
This 9 passenger Sedan has a normal front passenger seat in cloth.
Exactly, a 9 passenger Sedan. The division cars were called Formal limousines. Still, a great car to own and drive. I’ve driven many of various model years and all were very smooth rides.
Series 75 “Formal” sedan. Probably saw use, in that pre-streach era, as a funeral family car?
It would also have the lock for the owner in the right rear door.
Divider window up, and only the owner can unlock the rear compartment, separately keyed lock.
Also division window cannot be lowered from front compartment.
Very cool find. At first glance this find made me think of the final scene of “Blazing Saddles” when they drive off into the sunset in a black Cadillac limo. Ditto to some modest whitewall tires and pillow interior
Nice Caddie , I had a 71 formal limo like this and a 72 stretch. Although this car looks nice ,the car looks like cheap without the vinyl top. I’m sure a previous owner removed the vinyl top to fix the rust and decided to grind the rivets off with the repair and repaint the car without a new top.
Not necessarily on the vinyl roof. I lived through this time period close to NYC so they were fairly common and I’d guess more than half did NOT have a vinyl roof. The fact it’s not black leads me to believe it wasn’t used professionally as a livery vehicle. Probably a corporate limo or even for private use.
I agree on this was more like a personal lino than belonging to a business due to the color. Today I saw about a 2002 first Gen CTS with a vinyl top to me even if she’s an oddball Catera or even a mini me Cimarron I have to have a vinyl top unless the car is a 3rd Gen CTS,ATS or CT6ct4 or ct5 those ebook good without a vinyl top
“We’re gonna need a bigger garage”
Actually there were other colors,my Dad had a 1972 – 75 limo and it was maroon, at least that’s what we called it, my big brother drove it like it was a hot rod, but just took a little longer
A driving Miss Daisy model. No divider, and no padded top. This was likely a private family unit. I have a 59 that was such and a 69 that belonged to the Governor of Kentucky at one time. That unit has the divider. Like said above. These are not driver cars as if you are tall the seat doesn’t go back far enough. My son likes to ride in it. No vinyl top likely saved this one. By the mid 80s these were quite crusty in the area I lived around. Quite a few of these passed through the wrecking yard as rust was the killer and then once the mud slingers got finished there was little elegance once you were within 15 feet of them. Cars like this are neat but take up lots of space and are hell to refinish. This appears to be a decent one but an in-person check is advised. The lack of a divider may kill it for vintage wedding use. Like said, these are not driver cars but weddings, videos, and movies or a party wagon or pay a buddy to drive and take the misses out on the town is about their only use.
There was a local family that had, I think, 9 kids. A great grocery getter!
Chris:
I read your reply with interest as I live in Kentucky and had a family member who worked in state government from 1967-1971. The 1969 Cadillac limousine that you mentioned as being used by the Governor of Kentucky was used by Governor Louie Nunn. I believe that I rode in that car with a family member to a political fund raising event. Do you have any pictures of that car? I would be very interested if you were interested in selling this vehicle.
Lincoln all the way for you cadi lovers never been a fan of GM but in good shape . Like I said LINCOLN WHAT A LUXURY CAR SHOULD BE I AND WAS AND STILL IS .
Yes that’s why Lincoln was and is always behind Cadillac and many vehicles are compared to Cadillac, not a glorified, overpriced under equipped Ford!
I respectfully disagree. My current vehicle of 14 years is a Town Car, and it’s a fantastic unit in all aspects. The only Cadillac I ever owned was a 63 S&S Victoria 3 way coach, another fantastic vehicle in all respects.
My current low mileage 2007 Town Car Signature Limited is the last gasp of traditional American Luxury sedans. Once an article referred to these last generation Town Cars as the American ROLLS-ROYCE. I totally agree. LINCOLN, what a Luxury car should be, and Once was.
Ok, now to be fair. I have just as many Lincolns as I do Cadillacs. If you start in 59-60 the Lincoln is crap. From its brakes, electrical system to its unibody rust and bend construction. Sorry but Cadillac wins by 100 miles 61 to 70 is a toss up depending on your taste. The suicide door Continentals are wonderful cars, as are the Caddies. The two both have their mechanical conundrums that can be a cuss fest at times. The Eldorado of 67 is in a class by itself as is the 69 to 71 Mark III. They are both amazing cars. 71 – 78 the Town car is much more graceful than the Caddy styling wise. The 71 to 78 Eldorados are Cadillac through and through. You then have the 77 to 79 Mark V, you have arrived..Once you hit the 80s especially the beginning Cadillac and Titanic are one in the same. I would put a late 80s Towncar against a Sedan Deville both had their niche and did it well. From there on I’m out. 96 on its a Crown Vic or a Lincoln. Today I would have non of either. Ride on car people….
My Cadillacs, 89 Fleetwood Brougham deElegance and 93 Brougham were the last Cadillacs for me. The 89 was OTT genuine Cadillac Luxury. The 93,not so much. 78 Town Coupe, 89 Signature, and current 2007 Signature Limited ( as well as Grand Marquis, and Crown Vics) have been overall much better. Unfortunately no manufacturer even builds a Luxury Sedan. Even Limos are now glorified trucks!
Let’s put it this way: if the car were just a sedan, I would consider it totally straight both interior and exterior. We can’t see underneath, but I imagine it’s comparable the the rest of it. If you have the room for it and can use it as a specialty old timey limo, then by all means if you’re sure you have customers who might enjoy a ride in one. The fact it’s income producing is great and makes the 16k more palatable. I also think it’s a legit 49k odo. PS don’t people know how to order tires with whitewalls off the internet❓That’s a total waste of money and 4 tires.
Beautiful Cadillac, I had a blue limo the same year but this one is not a limo, it is a 9 passenger sedan(no divider window).
When the 4 kids were little, I would rather have had one of these than an SUV any day of the week; although a divider window would be nice for the family application!
” . . . this Cadillac was the sole American-made limousine of its time.”
From limousines-for-sale.com:
“Ultra rare 1973 Moloney stretch Lincoln Continental limousine with 23,500 original miles.This stunning limousine built by Moloney Coachbuilders is an original survivor designed and built in the same fashion as the infamous Lehmann Peterson Limousine. Moloney purchased Lehmann Peterson in 1971 and many of the features from Lehmann are prevalent on this Lincoln.”
Here’s a link to the 1973 Lincoln limousine:
https://limousines-for-sale.com/1973-lincoln-continental-limousine-by-moloney/
If this is as clean underneath as it is on top, it’s an instant winner. I love the understated gray, blackwalls, and plain top; someone opined that it was a private limo, and I agree. It’s only a few miles from me, which makes it very tempting. Downsides: needs paint (another $15,000?), huge, and I have absolutely no justifiable use for it!
buy it and hire a driver to take you and your friends bar hopping it has to be cheaper than uber, plus much classier.
Ideal candidate for a “newly opened” chauffeur service especially in a high rent district such as San Francisco (Silicon Valley)/ Los Angeles area . Because of weather conditions it should be kept on the West Coast.
Series 75 “Formal” sedan. Probably saw use, in that pre-streach era, as a funeral family car?
Ah what happened to the standard white wall tires this looks very busted without them that was an era of white walls not 5 inches wide either 1 inch to maybe 1 1/2 thickness that’s it then that’s a real limousine wow nobody noticed that
Ah what happened to the standard white wall tires this looks very busted without them that was an era of white walls not 5 inches wide either 1 inch to maybe 1 1/2 thickness that’s it then that’s a real limousine wow nobody noticed that
I like the no vinyl top, looks much cleaner. It sure does need whitewalls on it though. I’ve been in several of these they ride smooth as silk. If I had the money I would, have to measure my garage first!
If it were black, it’d make a neat addition to my taxi business. I’d love to have a few classic Caddies to add to the collection.