In the context of the entirety of Cadillac’s 114-year history, Cadillac’s compact, front-wheel-drive C-body cars will likely not get much respect among car enthusiasts. Riding on a front-wheel-drive platform, this “Cadillac of the future”, as it was described in period advertising, must have only been for the short-term future, because Cadillac reverted to rear-wheel-drive after the demise of the Seville. Among many of the right-sized American cars of the 1980s, only a few were honored by factory limousine conversions – Cadillac’s Fleetwood and Chrysler’s LeBaron being the most prominent (and perhaps only) ones. Check out this 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Limousine for sale for $3995 in Monterey Park, CA.
In what looks to be Corinthian Blue Firemist, with a Dark Blue vinyl roof, this 1986 Fleetwood 75 should have the digital dash that became standard for that year, along with the cherry grain faux wood. Said to have 51,800 miles, the condition certainly supports that claim, with glossy paint, excellent vinyl roof trim, and factory wheels and lets you get a feeling for what a second owner of this car in, say, 1990 might have seen. The white letter Uniroyal Tiger Paw tires are the only mis-step, and given the low mileage for the age, you’ll probably want to find a set of narrow-wall whitewalls as seen on the rear wheels.
More of the same – the condition of the car is just amazing. Perhaps this car was used by a funeral home, since they typically only traveled short distances and were often well-kept. This car would have originally worn blue-and-yellow plates or sunset plates if it was purchased in California, so it’s probably moved on to at least its second owner. It’s said to be one of 650, and that number dwindles even further if you break the build numbers down between formal divided limousines and “open-interior” cars. Recent work includes a successful September 2015 emissions test, and new front disc brakes.
The interior is in blue cloth, and for once, there’s an older limo you wouldn’t have to spray down with chemicals before feeling clean sitting in it. The seller cites an 8-passenger capacity, but really, can you imagine eight adults in there? The jump seats appear to consume all the leg room – maybe this is a better alternative to that 1986 Dodge Caravan you’ve been dreaming of to get your half-dozen kids around, although that begs the question of how you’ll get sticky kid-goo off those velvety seats. Apparently, the specification should include a built-in cellular phone and microphone in the rear center armrest.
You can’t expect much under the hood, and as long as you don’t, your expectations will be fulfilled. The 4100 V8 was clearly afflicted by the downsizing, a real come-down after the heyday of 500ci V8s and insane power in a front-wheel-drive platform. While the engine is somewhat dusty, it looks fine for a car whose engine isn’t the main attraction. So sure, this isn’t the best, most stately Cadillac limousine, but the fuel consumption will be tolerable and as a novelty, it could be a fun car to use for the daily school drop off.
Tags: american, c-body, cadillac, Feature, fleetwood, limousine, sedan
Rusty But Trusty 
June 11, 2016 at 10:33 am |
That HT 4100 engine is huge liability for this car; they’re terrible engines that are very prone to calamitous failure, plus they have like 125hp; Cadillac got them sorted by ’88 with the 4.5 but back in the 90’s (when these C-body cars were still common) any Caddy with a 4.1 was a car to avoid no matter what; It’s a nice enough car though