50-Year First Owner: 1968 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
I watched a documentary recently about the year 1968. It was one topsy-turvy year in America. However, one thing that hadn’t changed in 1968 was the Cadillac. It was still the king of luxury motor cars, and as their upscale sales booklet said, “Cadillac for 1968 further enhances its reputation as the Standard of the World…the one car that all others are judged.” The Fleetwood Brougham was located in the first few pages of Cadillac’s sales brochure for good reason: it was about as luxurious and as pricey a Cadillac that you could buy back in 1968. Here’s a stunning example of one that has been pampered and well taken care of its entire life. And we can thank the first owner, who babied this Caddy for over fifty years.
I can’t recall seeing many ’68 Cadillacs in this Chestnut Brown color. It would be a popular color choice in the next decade for sure, and at 19 feet long (with an even longer hood in ’68 to conceal the windshield wipers) and with a cream-colored “padded roof,” this brown Brougham certainly has presence. The seller says the exterior was “very meticulously repainted the factory color” but doesn’t say how long ago. The Chestnut Brown paint looks flawless, as does the car’s exterior. The seller says the car was delivered originally with Ziebart rustproofing and there is zero rust on this car. This stately Cadillac looks practically showroom new except for the orange “RFK in ’68” bumper sticker on the rear bumper.
Oh, my, look at that creamy-goodness leather interior. This was as luxurious as you could get back in the day, and the Cadillac’s original interior looks most inviting and comfortable. Safety was starting to be more important (and mandated) in 1968. Cadillac touted its new extra-padded instrument panel with low-profile controls and a new padded three-spoke steering wheel. The current owner has improved the AC system (and says it cools the car very well, even in Texas). Of all the power-assist creature comforts, the seller says everything works with two exceptions: the dashboard clock and, occasionally, the power lock button doesn’t lock every door.
The rear passenger compartment looks as well preserved and inviting as the front. You’ll notice the two carpeted folding footrests and the two storage pockets that were Brougham exclusives. Reading lights were also standard, and you’ll also notice that Brougham’s came with front and rear vent windows, making a total of eight power windows – all working – on this Cadillac. (It would be the last year for vent windows on Cadillacs.)
For 1968, Cadillac offered a new 375-horsepower, 472-cubic inch V8 that, at the time, was the largest engine put into a production motor car. It’s paired with a Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, and the original mileage on the 472 is listed at 74,615. The seller says the brakes, engine, hoses, cooling system, and AC have “been addressed over the last three years.” The only “to do” item mentioned is that the Caddy leaks power steering fluid when parked for longer than a week. This elegant specimen is currently located in “Big D,” Dallas, Texas, and is for sale here on eBay. As I’m writing this, no bids have been made yet on the $15,000 starting bid and there’s also a Buy It Now option of $23,900. So, what do you think of this Big Brown Boulevard Cruiser? I bet it’s a dream to drive and just quietly floats down the open road.
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Comments
“Golf Tee” lock pulls too aged and faded, hard pass on this one.
Kidding.
This Cadillac is gorgeous!
You said it! The ‘69 Fleetwood Brougham I owned was Chestnut Brown also had the cream top. That was such a wonderful automobile to own. Geared low, she got sixteen MPG highway and several people couldn’t believe it. I do miss her.
Very nice clean caddy right down to the air cleaner. As they say everything is bigger in Texas!!
My late brother once had a Series 75 Limo. The ultimate expression of Cadillac luxury and elegance. This Fleetwood Brougham is next in line! For the umpteenth time, This is from the era when Cadillac was The Standard of the WORLD. For me the last real Cadillac was The 92 Fleetwood Brougham. Then Cadillac hit the skids into mediocrity before becoming IMO totally CADILLACKING.
Brocade seats, not leather. Beautiful car.
This was Peak Cadillac or very close to it.
my 68 Caddie was the best one out of the four I’ve owned…the worst one was the 1976
I have owned two Cadillacs. The best 1989 Fleetwood Brougham deElegance.👍 The next 🤮 1993 Brougham was on the slippery slide to mediocrity to what today is completely CADILLACKING. Subsequently moved to Town Cars. Much better reflection of a true Luxury car. Now, even LINCOLN focuses on SUVS, crossovers and a few melted jelly beans.
Back in the late seventies my mom’s friend had one of these that needed a heater core. Being a teenage backyard mechanic I said sure I can do the job
Two days later I had just about everything off of the firewall but still couldn’t get it in. I was certain I had ruined her car but a retired neighbor who had done a couple of restorations came to the rescue and helped me finish it. I think I made about 20 dollars. Some things you never forget!
Curious did you have to put the heater core in from inside of car? I did one once on a 71’ Cutlass S and never again it was a job and a half.
Beautiful Fleetwood. Just makes you want to get behind that wheel and go somewhere.
Make sure you have plenty of gas money with you.
Yep. Fill that tank every two or three hours whether you need to or not!
Nice but reserve is to high.
My aunt and uncle next door had quite a few Cadillacs over time. Their last was a 1968 Sedan de Ville in a aqua blue white vinyl top. I used to love cleaning that car. They had two driveways so I’d get to move it from one to the other to wash it and vacuum it. I was 15 at the time.
In 1970 they traded it in on a new Pontiac station wagon. For some reason they didn’t get the car they ordered so they gave it back and switched to a Chrysler station wagon. By this time i was 17 and had my driver’s license. Man, I loved driving that ’70 Chrysler. Land yachts galore!
Many years later around 1979/1980 I had a ’68 Coupe de Ville. It was kind of a beater and one day it wouldn’t start and eventually got towed away. 😪
Beautiful car! Wish I could afford it. I am a watchmaker by trade, so the non-working clock would not be a problem. I drove a 1946 Ford Super Deluxe for 27 years — and people were surprised to see the clock always ticking and indicating the correct time. I also could service the radio any time it might need attention, GREAT radio, by the way!! — a bit clunky to operate — but you could listen clearly to stations 500 miles away during the DAY. The radio was branded “Ford”, but it actually was a Zenith “long distance” unit. I think that Spartan made some of those radios (they looked identical — you had to take the tube-access cover off and look at the layout sticker-label inside, to see which one you had). The clock also was either a Borg or a New Haven (I had the Borg). Packard and Buick also used Borg clock-movements, so I was in good company. And Mercurys usually had Borg clkcks. As if anyone wants to know these things…
Angel! Good to see you back. Hope things worked out with your friend. See my comments on This post. Frog, where are you? What about a LAND YACHT National Convention? 😉 LOL to ALL you Barn Finders!
Beautiful car! Wish I could afford it. I am a watchmaker by trade, so the non-working clock would not be a problem. I drove a 1946 Ford Super Deluxe for 27 years — and people were surprised to see the clock always ticking and indicating the correct time. I also could service the radio any time it might need attention, GREAT radio, by the way!! — a bit clunky to operate — but you could listen clearly to stations 500 miles away during the DAY. The radio was branded “Ford”, but it actually was a Zenith “long distance” unit. I think that Spartan made some of those radios (they looked identical — you had to take the tube-access cover off and look at the layout sticker-label inside, to see which one you had). The clock also was either a Borg or a New Haven (I had the Borg). Packard and Buick also used Borg clock-movements, so I was in good company. And Mercurys usually had Borg clkcks. As if anyone wants to know these things…
My first project car was the ’63 version of this one, except in Midnight Blue. I am fairly certain that I picked the Fleetwood because of the eight power windows. My dad would never buy a car with them because he had an inordinate fear of driving off a bridge and not being able to lower the windows. I’m not kidding. So, I went for broke and got a car with eight of them. They all worked right up until I sold the car five years later, although I never tested them by driving off a bridge. If I had the money and room, this one would be mine. It’s perfect!
Rick,
I’ve been here. Just chose not to comment. There was one land yacht I was going to comment on but decided to wait to see who said what first. Of course I forgot which car it was so I never commented. Lesson learned.
I LOVE this car! The color is perfect. Just about any shade of yellow makes a car looks glamorous IMO.
Maybe not bumblebee yellow or that bright Corvette yellow, but any soft butter, butterscotch, pale yellows.
This car is huge. I have always loved the design of the front. I had a 1971 which is a little different and this design makes the ’71 look small.
Not expensive at all. Jeeez I need a sugardaddy. Rick? 😆
Angel. Don’t we all WANT and NEED a Sugar sweetie? Today, for the second time, I left home without my wallet 🙃. Not much left in it. I paid 6 months of car insurance 😢 🤪! Worse yet, in February I have to renew my driver’s license. Was for 5 years, now because of my age, it will be 2 years. If I have a serious accident, bye bye driving. So that’s MY sob (definitely Not SAAB) story. LOL and 🙏. Remember that old song 🎵 If you’ve got the money, honey, 🎵 I’ve got the time! Guess we both should be singing it. But who would listen? 🤣 😂
Per usual, I got confused which car we were talking about. I love the ’72 Imperial. This Cadillac is nice. For the late 60s I feel the Sedan de Ville was better proportioned and better roofline than the Fleetwood. It wasn’t until 1971 Fleetwoods got gorgeous. I mean I wouldn’t turn it down, I’d probably buy it if I had the money.
You know what was said, Lincoln had the ride Chrysler had the power Cadillac had it all. Case closed.
I agree with you on the roofline Angel—and this is my 68 Fleetwood LOL! The Deville had a really sharp roofline, almost dare I say “sporty?” I have loved every minute of this car and I’ll miss it but I’m making my way through a long list of Cadillacs I want to own. 74-76 Fleetwood Talisman is next if I can find one!
Same song, second verse. Unfortunately, Rick, we are both singing it out of tune.
Back when I had a house and room for cars you could and I did buy them for $600, $1000. Parts cars for $100
Now parts cars and basket cases they’re asking 12,000!!! Ridiculous.
I miss my cars.
Well, Angel, it may be a while before I’m out here. Don’t Ask. Too much of a downer. Wishing you and all Barn Finders the best always! Until I Pop up again 🤔? Carry On my wayward friends! LOL! For now, I’m ⛵ sailing off in my LAND YACHT! 🙏 🤪
LOL, but I’m now a basket case! Not quite yet a casket case!