I recently bought a 88' fleetwood d'elegance and I absolutely love how it drives. I've owned 4 cars previously (Including a Volvo and a BMW) and I will say its my favorite of the bunch. My friends thought I was weird because I'm only 19 and I like cars like these but once they get in it and feel how it drives they start singing a different tune. There's just nothing quite like classic American luxury.
I can’t agree more with you on this I would love a classic Cadillac but they want up in value I wouldn’t want to drive it everyday not with gas prices the way they are now but as a weekend cruiser I would love it
That was more for the ones of the 50s unless you were older it was usually the European luxury cars people would buy that showed you made it still a great car though
Yeah but, if you had a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW or even an Acura Legend (which had just arrived) it gave a statement that you had made it even further than a Cadillac owner! You had to be there... Cheers!!!! 🥂
This is one of the the most beautiful, elegant, real American luxury cars. Absolutely love it. Todays' Cadillacs and Lincolns have long given up their heritages and been racing to to the bottom to the "world car" concept. Stupid management direction.
Lawrence Hodge what?!!! 140 hp on a car K W O W N FOR EXTREMELY OVERPOWERED motors???!!!! (since the heady precision beginning days of Cadillacs founder, hon. Henry Leland, who incidentally worked for FORD his hero, who he. designed the Lincoln for ( yes the original caddy was a Lincoln) And then 🔥 by for making non sensical statememts like " the motors of the future luxury cars will ALL have overpowered, interchangeable precision Parts) before going to dodge brothers and getting fired again for suggesting to make precision motors with INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS - heresy in 1906 because THEN you went to a blacksmith for a bit of hammering on an "identical part" for an hour or so to make it an identical part - HE THEN went to dodge brothers and boosted their motors h.p. By 30 % ( again heresy for to do that meant the dodge motor was inherently a bad motor to start with) finally he formed his own motor car company and made precision cars with a Swedish measuring Set with weights etc which the caddy museum has to this day. But alas i digress- listen bud 140 hp is AN EMBARRASSMENT for the glorious 🛡 and overlapping wreaths -this wasmt a caddy as much as it was a paper TIGER...
They made that same exact model from 1980-1992 with different engine variations. They even kept recycling the same 3 or 4 grilles too!..lol. I don't think that Detroit has ever made the same model of any car that long! : ) The 90-92 had digital display, European headlights and a newly available Chevy 5.7 fuel injected 350. 90-92's were sharp!
@@V8Power5300 and don't forget, the door mounted seatbelts, a type of automatic seatbelt, used in a handful of GM car models in the late 1980s - mid 1990s, as many of the cars during this timeframe did not have airbags, a former neighbor a few yrs back had a 1992 Buick regal, that did not have airbags, but did have the door mount seatbelts.
@@mcp12300 it's a great car to own if you get the 86. The earlier models had problems with the computer and engine. Be careful with the amount of frame rust beneath as well. I live in Chicago and after keeping my Fleetwood in all season weather for a few years it began to rust horribly. Still a good car to drive though if you don't mind the 9ish mpg. I only sold it after I had problems with the transmission because mine was shifting kind of sloppy. Will tell you that it never died on me though and I could always count on the OLDS 307 v8 to crank over and get me on the highway to work! Good luck. I owned mine 2013-2017
As the owner of an '86 Fleetwood Brougham D'Elegance that I drive daily I can vouch for everything stated in this video STILL holding up 31 years later. (Except the exceptional passing power they mentioned lol). Amazing car, even three decades later, they don't make 'em like they used to.
Agreed! I am glad to hear someone out there with the same idea as I have. My daily driver is also an 86' FLWT Brougham D'elegance like you said the thing is (almost) imaculate. Coming from the fact that I live in Chicago, I am surprised as to just how little rust had come out over the years. Another whacko attribute is the gas. Sure the things are gass guzzlers but that does not stop me from driving (however tables have turned and if you see on another video I am trying to sell my brougham since high school is ending). Man though I would have loved to be able to afford one of these back in 86'. My parents migrated from Poland around that time with no money and they were driving around a moss covered Mitsubishi that stalled just about everywhere it went and was so rotten that the frame was bending.
I live in Montreal and even drive it in the winter! They stand up to rust very well if you're careful and get them rustproofed every year. I've got a few bubbles under the paint on my trunk (it's been repainted by a previous owner and it's not the best work) So i'll clean up the rust spots myself until I can convince myself to spend the money to have it all repainted it's original dark blue :)
Man blue is nice. I do not like mine since the white color shows paint chips and rust spots like a flashing buoy in the ocean. If I had the money then I too would treat my car with the amount of dedication that you have. The sits outside all spring summer and fall, then goes into the garage all winter long, with occasional startups and short drives. The previous owner (like me owned the thing all high school long) also did the same loop, putting away the car for winter. I do not even know where to get a car rust proofed. I think mine was under the car though since it has almost no rust there. Now that we are talking about Cadillacs I think I might take mine out later today!
my dad had this exact car when I was a kid. I remember he bought it brand new in 1986. All the neighbours came over to see her when he brought it home the first time. Thank you for the upload. This video brings back so many memories.
I showed dad your video. He went on and on about his first Caddy. It was 1986 Brougham Navy blue with blue leather. It had "true" spoked rims and a gold strip along side the whitewall. After that, he bought new a 1995 Fleetwood de'Elegance and now has a 2010 DTS. "you'll never again have the ride of those old Fleetwoods", he says. I remember taking my driving test in the 1995 when it was brand new. The examiner was more interested in cruising around in the big Caddy, than watching what I was doing lol
I think it was the tire itself that had the gold line beside the whitewall. Maybe a specific brand? All of the badging etc was chrome. My Grandpa managed a Chev Olds Cadillac dealership all of his life. He had a brand new Cadillac every year as a demo up until he passed away in 2002. I got the first ride in each one. I bought the 1994 Sedan Deville in Pearl White with a Blue Landau roof and white leather interior that my Grandma drove until 2005. it's finicky but I love that car. I'm not a fan of the DTS. it's pretty but it's not a "real" Cadillac in my opinion :)
Find yourself a RWD Fleetwood Brougham. You can still get them cheap if they need restoration. The good years are 1986-1992. The 5.0 or 5.7 engines are very good. They will run forever.
I daily an 86 and it's a sweet car. I agree they run mint alright! Bought mine little over 5 or so years ago from a family that passed away and had not invested a single buck into repairs! Very happy with the 5.0 L olds 307 performance! Funny your profile picture as I have a white one that looks just like that!
Marvelous car... When I think about US cars I always think about the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. My music teacher in high school (1988-1989) had one, it's size ment he had to park it two streets from the school, the narrow turn into the school parking made it impossible to get nearer. For sure city planners in 1920's Rotterdam never could have guessed such a car (or any other) ever would go there. Thank you for uploading this superb video. Kindest Regards from the Netherlands.
I daily drive a 88 brougham. It's a great comfortable car. It's not fast but gets pretty good fuel economy. It also stuns everyone by how many luxury features it has
I had a 1988 Fleetwood with the Vin 9 170 HP 307, it was very smooth and had good torque. It would make the speedo quickly dissapear all the way to the right if you romped on it at slower highway speeds to pass. It shifted out of 1st gear about 60 mph and out of 2nd gear at about 100 mph.
These just spoke class and elegance! Todays Cadillacs are just OK IMO, nothing all that striking or wonderful and they ride like shit! Not sure why some say they ride smooth, but ride in this '86 then ride in ANY new Cadillac on a bumpy road and tell me which you would rather ride in or drive as a daily car. Does this corner or handle that great? Probably not really, but you could drive on city roads without the jarring harshness of todays' cars suspensions!
YES YES!!! I COMPLETELY AGREE! Sorry about the caps but you got me there with the EXACT mentality that caused me to buy my 86 Brougham! My Ma' bought a 2010 Cadillac and the thing has suspension so firm that you feel every and any little bump! What I love about my 86' is when there are speed bumps I don't need to slow down! My favorite part about the fleetwood suspension though is the air ride. If you walk up to my car and press down with your hand the whole thing dips. Really light and wavy. This is great for bumps because it makes you feel like you bounce over it rather than run over. Haha, great car though overall and very very dependable for a daily driver. I’ve not invested anything in mine other than money for gas and oil. Also, to answer your question of handling, it actually is quite the queen in my opinion (had mine for 4 years now, drove a Honda Odyssey before that). Yes the acceleration is a bit slow but I actually have more fun being able to floor the pedal and hear that OLDS 307 V8 roar rather than in today's cars where the most you can do is lightly tap the pedal and hear a pathetic 4 cylinder baby wine a little. Where is the fun in that? The funnest part about driving one of these (other than looking and feeling like a king) is turning. This once again has to do with the air ride suspension. If you turn then the whole car dips to one side and it really does feel like a boat (haha if you get it)! Very easy to drive too and the power steering is so lazy that I drive with a finger on the wheel, even when turning.
I know these cars and older ones very well!! Im 51 so I was born in 1966 and was of driving age in the mid 1980s thats when I got my first car, a 1973 Delta 88 Royale. A year later I bought a 1966 Toronado, then in 1985 a 1970 Mark III AND in 1989 I bought my 1967 Thunderbird Landau Coupe. Aside from the Delta 88 I still have the other three cars! How cool is that to have TWO cars since I was a teenager Toronado 18, then at 19 the Mark III. I intend on keeping them till I drop dead so..... LOL should be about 32 more years : )
Robert Niemczyk I added a pair of flowmaster mufflers and a cold air intake to my Caddy and it added some horsepower which she was really needing. She growls now, not too loud but sounds mean.
1977 coupe DeVille, 1980 Cadillac eldorado, 1986 Seville, 1994 sedan DeVille, 2005 sedan DeVille, 2017 CTS and my final Cadillac. Age 97 Seen July 11, 2019 Los Angeles
Greetings from California. I am down here on the rust belt in Chicago. The only classic Cadillac I ever owned was a 1986 Fleetwood Brougham D'elegance with a white body on white vynil top, with white button seat interior on red dash pieces. Really love these cars and am planning on getting another after college.
hialeahsprings They put in an OLDS 307 which is a decent ICE, though I did read of GenMotors undertuning it to appeal more to the "slow and steady" elderly market that was buying these things. Honestly I dont mind the speed. These are really nice cars to have!
My mom had an '88 and it was very comfortable and quiet! Could you imagine how fun that car would be if you dropped a Cadillac 1968 high compression 472 V8 in it? : )
idkpickone 45 I know my mother and dad has that jaguar XF and the SUV and my Roadmaster rid better than both.plus I just redone the suspension all new parts front and back
Thanks for this wonderful video. During those years I had a 1978 Sedan deVille. I have a collection of brochures and other Cadillac items spanning several decades, including 1986, whose body style ran from 1980 through 1992, before the final 3-year restyling. While in a showroom in late 1985, there was a triangular (three-sided) poster sitting on top of that year's model Brougham, and when I pointed out that the poster was now outdated, I talked the salesman into giving it to me, and it remains in my collection--it says "a Cadillac Shopper-Stopper" announcing a special deal on the new 1985 model. There was always talk about how the Fleetwood Brougham was going to be discontinued soon, but this style persisted through 1992 (and then 'reincarnated' in a different form for 1993 through 1996).
I had this car in mid 90's, it's one of the best riding cars of that era, I hit a telephone pole and just bounced off the side, only getting a flat tire and some fender damage, I hardly noticed, until the sparks were flying in my rearview mirror on the drive home. Don't drink and drive.
Haha yes, my girl friend made jokes about that same thing. I appreciate your comment and I agree that this car is not something for the average joe. Mine may be beat but I still feel like a real king getting around town on those buttoned leather couches!
Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham 86. The authentic Cadillac Style. Great cargo space, engine V8, confortable, elegant, great space interior and luxury. Beautifull, pretty and sexy car
Fernando Rocha AND a massive 140 hp yoweeee! This thing looked good but was a paper tiger because americas designers were still-living in the near past and never stored their " nuts away" the only one who had its nuts stored away was this POOR THING of a car- talk about IMPOTENT- So sad- once an automotive leader - sinking to an all time low / a marque which euope once admired and loved dearly- Now for 1986 ladies and elegant classy ladies the one the only TAR PIT dinosaur! i bow my head in sadness to this retarded epoch in american carbuilding- dont worry next week we will discuss another classic, the CHEVY tiburon??!! (LOFL then crying) Cadillac wasnt officiallyalive again until 1997- All things auto aside God bless everyone in here and may you ALL have the BEST NEW YEAR OF YOUR LIVES! Gn everyone!
This body style lasted from 1980 to 1990, I had the first with a triple white Fleetwood Brougham four door with blue trim, and later on I found a 1980 triple white Fleetwood Brougham 2 door with Red trim, both cars were beautiful, plus the 1980 was the last year for the 368 cubic inch cast engine, miss those true land yachts 😭
Amazing how many of the options listed here my 1973 Coupé de Ville and 1978 Fleedwood limousine had. I have a 1989 Sedan dé Ville now, all digital, but it is not the same. To me that is a small car. It may sound strange as a European/Dane, but Cadillac is the brand I have driven the most miles/KM in, especially in the 1980's and 1990's, when they were my daily drivers and for a number of years also my living with livery service. They are great and strong cars.
I am british and I agree with you I want a lincoln of same generation 80s/early 90s I'd buy both if I had the chance then could be greedy need a big bloody garage 😁
@@jaycormack4118 We are lucky. We live in an apartment but have space for a 1975 Continental Mark IV, a 1989 Cadillac, and a 2018 MX-5 side by side in the basement parking. 😊
@@KoldingDenmark very nice I'd love a american luxury car haven't got one just yet thanks for your reply you must have a white collar job owning such cars expensive to insure here in england and the gas
@@jaycormack4118 I never had what you might consider a well paid job, though it is what you may call white collar. But when I was single and ever since we became a couple, one of the things we share is not wasting the money we have and take good care of what we have, so it lasts. If i.e. the clothes and furniture you buy is more expensive, it lasts. As for car insurance, US cars are not as expensive as German performance cars. If you give an annual mile / KM max to the insurance company, which is realistic for you, you can negotiate. Our insurance company is good. It also covers our sailboat. AND they do cover the damage, if you are unlucky. Maintenance is not more expensive. Find and stick to a trust worthy garage. Gasoline. .. If you compare to 1980, it is not so bad.
We had one of these when I grew up in the early 90’s. I remember the wheel turned with a pinky finger. And those seats are like sitting on soft puffy clouds. Road bumps or railroad crossings at a good clip were nothing more than an afterthought and the interior was hushed. Somehow I remember it feeling powerful even though I just saw it only had 140hp lol They were sure pleasure to drive.
Yeah I know what you mean with power. Where I live there's a road that goes 55 and to merge it was a good 25 seconds with the foot down to get up to speed. Still pushing the gas made me feel like the king of the road as this huge 5.500 pound boat floated down the road. Me and my friends loved driving around after class
I never understood what all the fuss was about road feel. Loved being able to steer with one finger and have the car absorb road imperfections. Living rooms on wheels aren't supposed to not lean when you turn. This type of vehicle is long gone and sadly missed.
me too ive had many Caddies, and I wish they would go back to cars like these. Had a BMW and hated the thing...couldn't wait to get rid of it and get another Caddy.....
@@AlexanderCrump I asked a car reviewer who has been at it for 40+ years what the closest thing today would be and he said an Escalade or Navigator but that they handle better.
I suspect the low hp rating is partly due to the changes in the way horsepower was reported--that large engine was probably not as 'wimpy' as the hp figure suggested.
Thanks for posting this fantastic video! I've owned many Cadillac models from the 70's and 80's and I now recently acquired a beautiful mint condition 87 Brougham d'Elegance with only 57k miles. It's done up in Autumn Maple Firemist with Carmine Red tufted leather seats. It's a real cream puff and I absolutely love this car! 5.0 Liter Olds engine, nice tight, solid build and looks like brand new in and out. It truly gives an ultra-smooth and quiet "Boulevard Ride"
My dad had this model of Fleetwood. After he passed away, my mom couldn't afford to keep it maintained. She had to pay for the car she already owned and had to provide for me and my brother. Over time, it got really rusty, with bits and pieces of the car falling off, and eventually a bunch of yellow jackets made their nests inside of it, so we had to sell it off to a junkyard. It was such a beautiful vehicle. I want to get a Fleetwood one day in the future, either an 80s model like my dad's, or even a 90s model. I heard the 90s ones were pretty reliable. Either one would be my dream car.
I sadly don't have it anymore; having traded it to my brother for, of all things, a truck and he having finally sold it just about a week ago; but I had one of these! One just like this one, except that my paint job had begun to flake and peel. Still it was a very dark blue with matching vinyl roof; albeit, I didn't have the matching interior, as mine was a grayish or light blue color, and mine lacked the button-tufted seating, too. Still, otherwise, mine and this one were/are very similar.
Gotta love them! Back when I owned one of these land yachts mine was white ext. white leather seats with red dash red carpet. Cannot beat the look of these and for sure nothing compares to the ride!
My First and still Favorite Caddy was an 86 FWB(really liked the Shape of the Dash, Symmetrical and Balanced. It rode Novocain Numb, unlike my 2012 STS, which rides like it has no Springs. These oldies were comfortable, the best Seats were in the late 70s with the D elegence Option.
My first car was an 86 Brougham D'Elegance. Absolutely lovely but definitely an interesting choice for 16 year old me back in the day. I miss that thing
My Dad bought himself this exact model for his birthday in October, 1986. He purchased it from Thomas Cadillac in Los Angeles. It was white with Navy blue interior. He still has the Gold-Key Delivery 🔑 welcome audio cassette with the catchy jingle: 🎼 🎶 “Cadillac… Cadillac… Cadillac Style.” 🎶 🎼 Definitely an amazingly beautiful car and awesome memories. Thank you for posting this video. 🙂👍
It’s so frustrating looking back at these cars, GM had the TPI 5.7 sitting on the shelf screaming to be put in this car. It would have been a perfect combination, advanced (for its time), powerful, smooth, better fuel efficiency, it would have definitely been a better car overall with that power plant. But nope, The bean counters went with that damn 307, sure it was a MUCH more reliable engine than that pos 4.1, but it was weak, carbureted, and used in the lesser B-O-P models. It would have been a slam dunk to differentiate the Fleetwood with the TPI 5.7, or 5.0 for that matter. Hell, even the carbureted Chevy H.O. 5.0 would have been a nicer choice.
I just hate the sports feel of new cars. Why can't I as a consumer get something laid back and relaxing to drive? Even Cadillac is turning it's sedans into race cars with still seats and rock hard suspension riding with a touchy engine. Screw that I'll stick to my Fleetwood (need to get another one since my transmission failed and for now I'm stuck with an 03 Odyssey, which isn't that bad but definitely nothing neat the old Cadillac in comfort)
I grew up In this car. Mom has passed now. Went from passenger to owner before I knew it. One thing that hasn’t changed is this is one bass ass car ! RIP Mom and long live the Brougham!
I know the feeling. A few people in my family that 15-year-old Rob used to chauffeur around on his driver's permit in the 86 Fleetwood are also no longer with me today. It hurts a lot and it makes it worse that I had to let the car go...and I found out it was scrapped. I am in my early 20s now but my heart health is pretty poor from being 6ft9in tall. I just appreciate every single day that we are here on earth. Every day is important.
Back in the 80s this was the only line of Cadillacs worth buying as all the others were with the junky 4.1 engine until the 4.5 and 4.9 came out later. I would trade my '91 Fleetwood coupe for an earlier RWD Fleetwood coupe any day!
Cadillac has come a long way since 86, back then a 140 hp V8 was the top choice and now a 195 hp 4 cylinder is the base engine and the top of the line is a 640 hp V8.
Sure thing. Not really a fan of the new sporty feel for the current GM Cadillacs though so I am no longer a customer for them. Really did like my Brougham though (my first car) but when my parents picked up the 2010 SRX I was a little disappointed with the build quality and feel.
Wow. Great video of the Fleewood Brougham. I own three. Cadillac stopped using the Fleetwood name. But to me. They will Always be Fleetwood Broughams. Thanks for posting.
Howie Loso trust me us Fleetwood drives really dont care about speed. Yeah its does 8mpg on a good day and 0-60 happens in "yes" but what matters you do so while being enclosed in a classy chassy with some of the most comfortable interior pieces you could have ever thought of. I had the Brougham Delegance with Leather button seating. Combine that with the one finger boat Steering and I was driving to highschool like a real King. Dont get that now with my 03 Odyssey. These new cars and their crappy sporty ride and rock hard seats.
>Robb 95: 8mpg seems way low for the 307. It's probably time to replace the EGR valve and have the EGR ports cleaned. Have the timing checked and adjusted if needed.
@@ericmartin894 The Olds 307 HO was never going to yield high numbers due to the engine's very small intake ports. It was designed for low end grunt and better MPG at the expense of higher RPM HP.
The current GM cars as a whole are "eh" at best. Chevy is a bit more likable but honestly today I'll stick to Honda. I really loved my 86 Brougham for the feeling of power you get when you drive a massive boat down the road, steering with nothing more than a finger while the shining cadillac hood ornament guides you home. Today everything has to be sports stiff suspension and rock hard bucket seats on untasteful modern style. Not my cup of tea those new Cadillacs as they are more race car then comfy car
I had an 87 Brougham back in the 90's. The Oldsmobile 5.0 4bbl V8 was short on power, the radio was weak, and the lacquer paint wasn't very durable. Other than those three things, these were great, reliable, long lasting cars with plenty of great features. I liked the lighted keyholes and "level ride" suspension. Mine was nicely loaded with a 10 way power passenger seat, rear defrost with heated mirrors, twilight sentinel, leather wrapped steering wheel, auto day/night rearview mirror as well as many other options.
Great car indeed. I had the 70 spoke vogue true wire wheels and vogue gold stripe whitewall tires that gave the car a Vegas look. I was able to get it to run like a swiss watch and even though the engine lacked power, I could still bury the speedometer (took awhile to do so et,al but..:-P it had a dead smooth idle and smooth graceful performance. I've owned 8 cars in my life and my 87 Brougham is 1 of 2 cars that I have the fondest memories of. BTW the 70 spoke wire wheels are no longer available from GM or Vogue but Dayton makes an exact replica of those classic Cadillac wire wheels.
dstarks80 I loved that car. Mom had an '88 d'elegance with moonroof, memory seats, level control, real wire wheels with Royal Seal gold stripe tires and all the gadgets you mentioned. Very nicely loaded car! I would love to have a mint 1992 similar Brougham with the 350 5.7 with digital dash in triple black with red pinstripes. Anyone know where I can find one??? Best driving Caddy I had was a triple black 1978 Coupe De'Ville my mom handed down to me. The 425 V8 was smooth and had nice torque. Interior and dash was almost identical to the 88. Those cars were the same for years!
I had a 1986 Fleetwood broughham gunmetal grey with grey cloth interior had the 307 Olds engine in it I sold it and bought a 1989 broughham 60 inch stretch limo with the 307 Olds engine then a crazy girlfriend smashed out the windshield of the limo so I sold it.i wish I kept the first 86 car.
At my first job someone I knew had their windshield bashed in too by their ex! It happens but hey its all fixable. Like you I also sold my 1986 Cad and I really regret it. That being said I have no where else to keep it and I drive 15k miles a year
I wish GM started production of this Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham today. It would be great to take delivery of a brand new one today. What is the Wright discrimination for the wood work on the dashboard and door panels ?. Is it cherry wood or oak affect?.
It's funny that when this chassis came out for early 78, it was considered a STANDARD SIZE though it was much smaller than its predecessors. By '86, it was considered FULL sized, and 1 of the biggest cars you could buy..Same exact chassis and dimensions. BTW, for as much as I'm no fan of the Olds 307 emissions nightmare, try driving 1 with the 4.1 TBI V8 with 125 hp! Then try it with 5 aboard and a truck full of luggage... You'd be lucky to hit 60mph in a couple days..All that being said, these were WONDERFUL cars to cruise in at low speeds, with dead quietness inside and a butter smooth ride. Every luxury GM could come up with at the time was available on these cars. Now you have to buy an SUV that is too tall for your garage, or a much smaller techno tin can if you want that sort of luxury. And neither ride as well!
Dont forget about horrible GM reliability nowadays. I drove my 86 Fleetwood for 5 years until college time and it always started in winter and summer. I drove the thing on 2 hour trips with no issues. Very simple car and the worst thing on it was a leaking ac line, which really ain't that bad for a 30 year old car. Meanwhile we bought a brand new cad in 2010 and it was nothing but unreliable garbage. Even puked coolant
@@BigRobChicagoPL It isn't/wasn't that the 307 was a bad engine ( the 4.1 certainly was!) but it was so difficult to get through an emissions test at the time, that it wasn't funny. The biggest problem was the super highway rear gear ratio that GM stuck in these cars, trying to get some EPA mileage requirements. That and a super lazy 200-4R trans.The later 1s with the 700r4 and Chevy engines really moved out rather quickly for their time. If you haven't driven an 89-91 Brougham with a 5.7, you should. Everything you loved about your 86, with the kind of power you wished you had. Reliability was even better.
@@adamtrombino106 oh no I wasnt bad talking my Fleetwood, I meant the new one my parents got in 2010. My 86 with the 307 olds was perfect aside some minor trouble
I don't think it was any mistake that there was a 1986 Mercedes S Class passing the Cadillac on the right in the beginning of the feature. I think it was a little bit subliminal as if to say no need for that German luxury we've got Cadillac right here at home. The Cadillac says thank you for the time I'm handsome and if you drive me you can be, proud and handsome too etc.
Ugh...how many times did the narrator say "DEE....Elegance?" ARGH....it's d'Elegance, all run together. No doubt that dude had a Ford waiting for him when he got off work. In spite of the butchered upscale trim name, I enjoyed this video My folks had an '84 Fleetwood Brougham d'Elegance. I absolutely loved piloting that barge down the highway...even traffic jams were a pleasure in one of these. Like another poster said, there's nothing like classic American luxury. These cars had loads of it, and wore it well.
It's a trip through memory lane seeing this video. Honestly, after watching this, I couldnt help but remember why Cadillac sales nose dived throughout the late 70's & up to foreign luxury cars. Calillac embodied all the superficial aspects of owning a luxury car. Gimmicky, loaded with cheap materials, poor ly made; once someone compares these cars to foreign, Cadillac truly was one sad joke of car. ( my dad owned a 77 Deville... what a piece of garbage )
I just watched a TH-cam video of the 1988 model year Fleetwood Broughams being manufactured at the Clark street in Detroit plant. The plant shut down a few days after the video was made. Manufacturing for these was sent to Texas, where it stayed to at least until 1992
Sweet. Everything at the touch of a button. I could stretch my legs & Feets out and sleep well in this Broghom. Me And my Television Daddy Jim Rockford driving it, while I passenger and stretch out and Relax 😌
I remember when this platform came out in 1977 (The 86-92 wore the 1980 sheet metal update,but still same frame.) People actually complained how SMALL it was versus the 1976 version. in 10 years, it became the LARGEST regular US production car. I had a 1975 Fleetwood and a 1989 Brougham, and indeed the 89 WAS smaller, LOL. I'd like either (or BOTH) now!
I had the 86. Very nice cars and would also love to have one now. Also notice how these large sedans are considered very luxurious now, with cars like the Genesis G90 and Rolls Royce following suit
@@BigRobChicagoPL My '89 was basically the same (same color and with the leather DeElegance package) as shown in the video. 86-89 is the "sweet spot" for this platform as it avoids the HT-4100 and since the Olds 307 was carb instead of FI, Even I can work on them, LOL. My only "beef" is that the "Fleetwood" name was removed from these in '87, leaving only "Brougham". (I felt CHEATED!) I actually replaced the "Cadillac" script with a "Fleetwood" script onthe trunk that I got from a '80-'84 ish Fleetwood Brougham,LOL. You see a lot of people complain that these are slow...Yeah, That misses the ENTIRE MISSION of this car. (Get a Camaro if you need to win the "stoplight drag"!) These were PERFECT for a city (esp in a place like Pittsburgh,PA) commute where SILENT COMFORT is the goal. My current car (2010 Buick Lucerne) is about the only US car that still had that as it's design goal. 👍😊👍
@@jamesslick4790 oh you can tell me about it being slow haha. 16 year old me and my friends after highschool used to mash the gas pedal to the floor and laugh at how snail like this thing was. Still, with a great sound system the thing was a serious cruiser to school, and I got a lot of attention from it
These Caddy's were beautiful . Two bad 4.1 305 307 powered them They should have had 350 . The smaller motors we're not powerful enough to make them move . They weren't really a highway mover .
American manufacturers need to stop imitating European cars...had a BMW was a heap at 32000 miles got rid of it...nothing like these cars on the road....
The manual passenger seat recliner lever at 3:27 is scary. Look how it moves off axis like it's not really connected to anything under the seat. Don't get me wrong - I love this car. But I've grown used to much better design and assembly.
1. I love how it starts off boasting its stats which are shocking by today's standards. 2. 2:11 "Luggage compartment" not trunk. I'm going to start using that one. 3. Love the music. 4. 140 horsepower? What? I think a base Camry may be more powerful.
kaizersolze Honestly when driving these the last thing you care about is power. I remember gliding down to take my junior finals and not thinking about anything but aiming the Caddy hood ornament and listening to my radio. I love these for the floaty ride and big body, as well as the comfort. I had the Delegance one and all my friends loved riding around with me. I miss that thing lol.
But the 307 makes 255 LB Ft of torque at a low 2000 RPM's which is something no normally aspirated 4 cylinder can match today without assistance from a turbocharger.
My parents traded in their 82 Buick LeSabre for a new 86 Fleetwood Brougham which I thought was the coolest car they ever bought, it was nicely equipped, no leather, but I enjoyed driving it, eventually my late uncle bought it and he drove it for a number of years, it ended up rusting at the vinyl roof, but I still thought it was cool, it was a lovely triple champagne gold, with the 307 under the hood
These really are super. You should have seen the look on my face when I saw the white 86 for sale when I was 14. I told my Pap and immediately I picked it up off the owner a few blocks away. I couldn't even drive yet but I would sit for hours in the garage with the radio turned on just chilling with it. Loved learning to drive and using it for high school and hang outs. Surprisingly reliable too considering it was already almost 30 years old at the time. Too bad I had to give it up for University though. I am planning on buying another one when I finish school and buy my own home. Do you plan on ever getting another?
AT 6:13, "A 140 horse power 5 liter V8 engine...". Not very impressive for a 1986 V8. My parents had a 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera with a 145 HP V6. Chrysler had a 142 HP turbocharged inline 4 cylinder engine.
They really were beautiful cars!! More style, and luxury touches compared to the model that followed. Id like to relive the 80's.... whenever I see one of these cars, I often think of President Ronald Reagan, an that era. Regards Jim :)
I'd have to agree with you about re-living the 80s. I never really got the chance to live in that decade but I sure do admire it! Glad to hear your comment!
Hi Robert, thanks for your comment.. I think the 1980's were a pinnacle point in time, the world reached heights previously unknown an then in many ways since, decline, set in.. but, who knows what tomorrow brings! :) Great video, thanks for making it available!
Just to add, that is something you don't see these days, lamp monitors on the fenders.. a nice touch! Also whatever happened to the option of interior colours for today's cars, the reds, the blues are lacking. Although I wasn't a fan of red interiors, Cadillac did it really well. I loved the pale/mid blue colored cloth options, plush! Even that colour in leather was very decadent! Regards Jim :)
Adding to my final message (since I just now saw your "just to add"), I have to agree with you. When I drive my brougham I really like being able to see the blinkers on the front of the hood rather (and rear lights via LEDs on interior roof towards back of car) than having to search to check if they are on down in the dash. (It's hard for me to look down because I am 6 ft - 9 in!). Also with dash and interior colors, my Fleetwood has the red carpeting and dash. Really do not see that around nowadays and even though I too am not a red person, the way Cadillac did it in my Fleetwood really makes me love it! Also to note is the seats. I love having the option for white leather (mine has equipped). Cannot find that on newer GM cars. One final thing is that it's a real shame that cars are not made with this level of comfort anymore. I have the 86 with the D'elegance option and the leather seats feel like some sort of super sofa! Love it!
I recently bought a 88' fleetwood d'elegance and I absolutely love how it drives. I've owned 4 cars previously (Including a Volvo and a BMW) and I will say its my favorite of the bunch. My friends thought I was weird because I'm only 19 and I like cars like these but once they get in it and feel how it drives they start singing a different tune. There's just nothing quite like classic American luxury.
Back then, a Cadillac meant that you “had arrived”...that you finally “made it”. THIS, my friends, is a REAL Cadillac.
I can’t agree more with you on this I would love a classic Cadillac but they want up in value I wouldn’t want to drive it everyday not with gas prices the way they are now but as a weekend cruiser I would love it
That was more for the ones of the 50s unless you were older it was usually the European luxury cars people would buy that showed you made it still a great car though
Not in the 80s. Maybe in the 50s and 60s and only in US
I had one a 1994 😊
Yeah but, if you had a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW or even an Acura Legend (which had just arrived) it gave a statement that you had made it even further than a Cadillac owner! You had to be there... Cheers!!!! 🥂
This is one of the the most beautiful, elegant, real American luxury cars. Absolutely love it.
Todays' Cadillacs and Lincolns have long given up their heritages and been racing to to the bottom to the "world car" concept. Stupid management direction.
Yeah, sadly. I like my 86' FLTWD BRM D'ELG for the same reason but sadly I am trying to sell the thing because I need a newer car for work.
..and now it's difficult even to keep track of the alphanumeric model names!
THIS is a Cadillac. Not crap like the XTS today.
Lawrence Hodge sure thing!
I agree, absolutely.
Exactly.
Larry, you are 1001% CORRECT!!
Lawrence Hodge what?!!! 140 hp on a car K W O W N FOR EXTREMELY OVERPOWERED motors???!!!! (since the heady precision beginning days of Cadillacs founder, hon. Henry Leland, who incidentally worked for FORD his hero, who he. designed the Lincoln for ( yes the original caddy was a Lincoln)
And then 🔥 by for making non sensical statememts like " the motors of the future luxury cars will ALL have overpowered,
interchangeable precision Parts) before going to dodge brothers and getting fired again for suggesting to make precision motors with INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS - heresy in 1906 because THEN you went to a blacksmith for a bit of hammering on an "identical part" for an hour or so to make it an identical part - HE THEN went to dodge brothers and boosted their motors h.p. By 30 % ( again heresy for to do that meant the dodge motor was inherently a bad motor to start with) finally he formed his own motor car company and made precision cars with a Swedish measuring
Set with weights etc which the caddy museum has to this day. But alas i digress- listen bud 140 hp is AN EMBARRASSMENT for the glorious 🛡 and overlapping wreaths -this wasmt a caddy as much as it was a paper TIGER...
This thing was LITERALLY a time capsule; a 70s malaise-era barge that they kept going through the 80s with as minimal changes as possible. Amazing
They made that same exact model from 1980-1992 with different engine variations. They even kept recycling the same 3 or 4 grilles too!..lol. I don't think that Detroit has ever made the same model of any car that long! : ) The 90-92 had digital display, European headlights and a newly available Chevy 5.7 fuel injected 350. 90-92's were sharp!
@@jankypop-a-matic58 I think the 90-92 are great except for those stupid new headlights
Peaking in 91 and 92 with the 5.7 tbi chevy motor
@@jankypop-a-matic58 wrong panther platform Fords 79-11
@@V8Power5300 and don't forget, the door mounted seatbelts, a type of automatic seatbelt, used in a handful of GM car models in the late 1980s - mid 1990s, as many of the cars during this timeframe did not have airbags, a former neighbor a few yrs back had a 1992 Buick regal, that did not have airbags, but did have the door mount seatbelts.
I love that they can use weight as a selling point. Definitly tradtional values.
I don't know if you've ever owned one but hitting the pedal and knowing that your moving 5.5k (+-) lbs of solid car trully is an empowering experience
@@BigRobChicagoPL it's a bucket list of mine. Closest I got was a '91 New Yorker fifth avenue but it's still a bit smaller I think.
@@mcp12300 it's a great car to own if you get the 86. The earlier models had problems with the computer and engine. Be careful with the amount of frame rust beneath as well. I live in Chicago and after keeping my Fleetwood in all season weather for a few years it began to rust horribly. Still a good car to drive though if you don't mind the 9ish mpg. I only sold it after I had problems with the transmission because mine was shifting kind of sloppy. Will tell you that it never died on me though and I could always count on the OLDS 307 v8 to crank over and get me on the highway to work! Good luck. I owned mine 2013-2017
@@BigRobChicagoPL neat. Thanks.
No one wants a Cadillac anyone because they stopped designing them like this.
As the owner of an '86 Fleetwood Brougham D'Elegance that I drive daily I can vouch for everything stated in this video STILL holding up 31 years later. (Except the exceptional passing power they mentioned lol). Amazing car, even three decades later, they don't make 'em like they used to.
Agreed! I am glad to hear someone out there with the same idea as I have. My daily driver is also an 86' FLWT Brougham D'elegance like you said the thing is (almost) imaculate. Coming from the fact that I live in Chicago, I am surprised as to just how little rust had come out over the years. Another whacko attribute is the gas. Sure the things are gass guzzlers but that does not stop me from driving (however tables have turned and if you see on another video I am trying to sell my brougham since high school is ending). Man though I would have loved to be able to afford one of these back in 86'. My parents migrated from Poland around that time with no money and they were driving around a moss covered Mitsubishi that stalled just about everywhere it went and was so rotten that the frame was bending.
I live in Montreal and even drive it in the winter! They stand up to rust very well if you're careful and get them rustproofed every year. I've got a few bubbles under the paint on my trunk (it's been repainted by a previous owner and it's not the best work) So i'll clean up the rust spots myself until I can convince myself to spend the money to have it all repainted it's original dark blue :)
Man blue is nice. I do not like mine since the white color shows paint chips and rust spots like a flashing buoy in the ocean. If I had the money then I too would treat my car with the amount of dedication that you have. The sits outside all spring summer and fall, then goes into the garage all winter long, with occasional startups and short drives. The previous owner (like me owned the thing all high school long) also did the same loop, putting away the car for winter. I do not even know where to get a car rust proofed. I think mine was under the car though since it has almost no rust there. Now that we are talking about Cadillacs I think I might take mine out later today!
Did these cars have tape players?
Yeah, well mine does at least. "Symphony Sound"
THE FLEETWOOD BROUGHAM: NOW THIS IS HOW A CADILLAC SHOULD BE.
my dad had this exact car when I was a kid. I remember he bought it brand new in 1986. All the neighbours came over to see her when he brought it home the first time. Thank you for the upload. This video brings back so many memories.
I showed dad your video. He went on and on about his first Caddy. It was 1986 Brougham Navy blue with blue leather. It had "true" spoked rims and a gold strip along side the whitewall. After that, he bought new a 1995 Fleetwood de'Elegance and now has a 2010 DTS. "you'll never again have the ride of those old Fleetwoods", he says. I remember taking my driving test in the 1995 when it was brand new. The examiner was more interested in cruising around in the big Caddy, than watching what I was doing lol
I think it was the tire itself that had the gold line beside the whitewall. Maybe a specific brand? All of the badging etc was chrome. My Grandpa managed a Chev Olds Cadillac dealership all of his life. He had a brand new Cadillac every year as a demo up until he passed away in 2002. I got the first ride in each one. I bought the 1994 Sedan Deville in Pearl White with a Blue Landau roof and white leather interior that my Grandma drove until 2005. it's finicky but I love that car. I'm not a fan of the DTS. it's pretty but it's not a "real" Cadillac in my opinion :)
Those tries were called Royal Seal tires. Made by Uniroyal.
Find yourself a RWD Fleetwood Brougham. You can still get them cheap if they need restoration. The good years are 1986-1992. The 5.0 or 5.7 engines are very good. They will run forever.
I daily an 86 and it's a sweet car. I agree they run mint alright! Bought mine little over 5 or so years ago from a family that passed away and had not invested a single buck into repairs! Very happy with the 5.0 L olds 307 performance! Funny your profile picture as I have a white one that looks just like that!
I want to go back in time...
Who wouldn't! I'd love to own a beast like this new!
New too, back in time & driving a new Cadillac like this one.
Doug Mammaro And give it the Doug score
Marvelous car... When I think about US cars I always think about the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham.
My music teacher in high school (1988-1989) had one, it's size ment he had to park it two streets from the school, the narrow turn into the school parking made it impossible to get nearer. For sure city planners in 1920's Rotterdam never could have guessed such a car (or any other) ever would go there.
Thank you for uploading this superb video.
Kindest Regards from the Netherlands.
My Dad owned one and it was a beautiful Automobile. Went on a road trip to Canada with my parents in it, what a ride.
In heaven I hope to go on a road trip in one of these. That sounds so amazing .
Man, I really miss my 85 Fleetwood Brougham. What a beautiful car.
Everything he mentioned for the 86, my 85 had as well.
I daily drive a 88 brougham. It's a great comfortable car. It's not fast but gets pretty good fuel economy. It also stuns everyone by how many luxury features it has
Sure does. I used to daily my 86 to school, good times
I had a 1988 Fleetwood with the Vin 9 170 HP 307, it was very smooth and had good torque. It would make the speedo quickly dissapear all the way to the right if you romped on it at slower highway speeds to pass. It shifted out of 1st gear about 60 mph and out of 2nd gear at about 100 mph.
Hey let’s not forget, *its a classic Cadillac!*
Joseph Linz sure is :)
These just spoke class and elegance! Todays Cadillacs are just OK IMO, nothing all that striking or wonderful and they ride like shit! Not sure why some say they ride smooth, but ride in this '86 then ride in ANY new Cadillac on a bumpy road and tell me which you would rather ride in or drive as a daily car. Does this corner or handle that great? Probably not really, but you could drive on city roads without the jarring harshness of todays' cars suspensions!
YES YES!!! I COMPLETELY AGREE! Sorry about the caps but you got me there with the EXACT mentality that caused me to buy my 86 Brougham! My Ma' bought a 2010 Cadillac and the thing has suspension so firm that you feel every and any little bump! What I love about my 86' is when there are speed bumps I don't need to slow down! My favorite part about the fleetwood suspension though is the air ride. If you walk up to my car and press down with your hand the whole thing dips. Really light and wavy. This is great for bumps because it makes you feel like you bounce over it rather than run over. Haha, great car though overall and very very dependable for a daily driver. I’ve not invested anything in mine other than money for gas and oil. Also, to answer your question of handling, it actually is quite the queen in my opinion (had mine for 4 years now, drove a Honda Odyssey before that). Yes the acceleration is a bit slow but I actually have more fun being able to floor the pedal and hear that OLDS 307 V8 roar rather than in today's cars where the most you can do is lightly tap the pedal and hear a pathetic 4 cylinder baby wine a little. Where is the fun in that? The funnest part about driving one of these (other than looking and feeling like a king) is turning. This once again has to do with the air ride suspension. If you turn then the whole car dips to one side and it really does feel like a boat (haha if you get it)! Very easy to drive too and the power steering is so lazy that I drive with a finger on the wheel, even when turning.
I know these cars and older ones very well!! Im 51 so I was born in 1966 and was of driving age in the mid 1980s thats when I got my first car, a 1973 Delta 88 Royale. A year later I bought a 1966 Toronado, then in 1985 a 1970 Mark III AND in 1989 I bought my 1967 Thunderbird Landau Coupe. Aside from the Delta 88 I still have the other three cars! How cool is that to have TWO cars since I was a teenager Toronado 18, then at 19 the Mark III. I intend on keeping them till I drop dead so..... LOL should be about 32 more years : )
Robert Niemczyk I added a pair of flowmaster mufflers and a cold air intake to my Caddy and it added some horsepower which she was really needing. She growls now, not too loud but sounds mean.
what is air ride suspension?
its the "european ride" and i hate it...we dont have backroads, we have flat straight highways, give me one of these to drive, not some dumb BMW...
The elegance of this car is unmatched today.
1977 coupe DeVille, 1980 Cadillac eldorado, 1986 Seville, 1994 sedan DeVille, 2005 sedan DeVille, 2017 CTS and my final Cadillac. Age 97
Seen July 11, 2019
Los Angeles
Greetings from California. I am down here on the rust belt in Chicago. The only classic Cadillac I ever owned was a 1986 Fleetwood Brougham D'elegance with a white body on white vynil top, with white button seat interior on red dash pieces. Really love these cars and am planning on getting another after college.
Best ever Cadillac made!
They thought of everything but horsepower lol. Such a strinking car.
hialeahsprings They put in an OLDS 307 which is a decent ICE, though I did read of GenMotors undertuning it to appeal more to the "slow and steady" elderly market that was buying these things. Honestly I dont mind the speed. These are really nice cars to have!
I got stuck in the mud 4-5 times in this car 😂
My mom had an '88 and it was very comfortable and quiet! Could you imagine how fun that car would be if you dropped a Cadillac 1968 high compression 472 V8 in it? : )
@@jankypop-a-matic58 I ls swapped mine. The 5.3 fits right in. It's a super comfortable decently fast car. Handling is actually pretty acceptable.
The under powered 307 would burn more gas than the 350....I still have my 86 and 93....not my daily drivers anymore, my classics
Now that's a cadillac rear wheel drive not that front wheel drive junk
Don't forget about the floaty suspension and comfortable ride. I really don't like how all the new cars are "sporty" with hard suspension and seats.
idkpickone 45 I know my mother and dad has that jaguar XF and the SUV and my Roadmaster rid better than both.plus I just redone the suspension all new parts front and back
Full frame and no freak wheel drive for the win
Elegance and style mixed with comfort, power... and oneness with the universe.
Thanks for this wonderful video. During those years I had a 1978 Sedan deVille. I have a collection of brochures and other Cadillac items spanning several decades, including 1986, whose body style ran from 1980 through 1992, before the final 3-year restyling. While in a showroom in late 1985, there was a triangular (three-sided) poster sitting on top of that year's model Brougham, and when I pointed out that the poster was now outdated, I talked the salesman into giving it to me, and it remains in my collection--it says "a Cadillac Shopper-Stopper" announcing a special deal on the new 1985 model. There was always talk about how the Fleetwood Brougham was going to be discontinued soon, but this style persisted through 1992 (and then 'reincarnated' in a different form for 1993 through 1996).
Truly the lass of a great breed of cars
I had this car in mid 90's, it's one of the best riding cars of that era, I hit a telephone pole and just bounced off the side, only getting a flat tire and some fender damage, I hardly noticed, until the sparks were flying in my rearview mirror on the drive home. Don't drink and drive.
Yikes! But yes these things are tanks. My 86 got hit by a plow truck. Still drove and looked fine, just had minor frame damage
A true gentleman's auto......And you can make baby's in the front seat to.......Hat's off to you good Sir !!!!!!
Haha yes, my girl friend made jokes about that same thing. I appreciate your comment and I agree that this car is not something for the average joe. Mine may be beat but I still feel like a real king getting around town on those buttoned leather couches!
That Fleetwood would be a awesome ride with a LS under the hood
The cars of the past time are much better than cars cars these days despite the great development that characterizes it
👈❤❤❤❤
Hard to believe this car commercial is from 36 years ago
I miss the 80’s
My gandpa bouhght one in 86. I still drive it today!
"Fully carpeted luggage compartment (trunk) with the capacity of" six corpses, seven if they were short.
Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham 86. The authentic Cadillac Style. Great cargo space, engine V8, confortable, elegant, great space interior and luxury. Beautifull, pretty and sexy car
Elegant automobile for elegant folks
Fernando Rocha AND a massive 140 hp yoweeee! This thing looked good but was a paper tiger because americas designers were still-living in the near past and never stored their " nuts away" the only one who had its nuts stored away was this POOR THING of a car- talk about IMPOTENT-
So sad- once an automotive leader - sinking to an all time low / a marque which euope once admired and loved dearly-
Now for 1986 ladies and elegant classy ladies the one the only TAR PIT dinosaur!
i bow my head in sadness to this retarded epoch in american carbuilding- dont worry next week we will discuss another classic, the CHEVY tiburon??!!
(LOFL then crying)
Cadillac wasnt officiallyalive again until 1997-
All things auto aside
God bless everyone in here and may you ALL have the BEST NEW YEAR OF YOUR LIVES!
Gn everyone!
This body style lasted from 1980 to 1990, I had the first with a triple white Fleetwood Brougham four door with blue trim, and later on I found a 1980 triple white Fleetwood Brougham 2 door with Red trim, both cars were beautiful, plus the 1980 was the last year for the 368 cubic inch cast engine, miss those true land yachts 😭
James May's car in the America special episode
Furry Or "I'm bi" on the hood
Mega Sonic Hahahahaha! Topgear is the best!
THIS is a car you spend 8 hours on the highway, with ease.
Oh yeah, I can second that. Even at this age they still cruise
Amazing how many of the options listed here my 1973 Coupé de Ville and 1978 Fleedwood limousine had.
I have a 1989 Sedan dé Ville now, all digital, but it is not the same. To me that is a small car.
It may sound strange as a European/Dane, but Cadillac is the brand I have driven the most miles/KM in,
especially in the 1980's and 1990's, when they were my daily drivers and for a number of years also my living
with livery service. They are great and strong cars.
I am british and I agree with you I want a lincoln of same generation 80s/early 90s I'd buy both if I had the chance then could be greedy need a big bloody garage 😁
@@jaycormack4118
We are lucky. We live in an apartment but have space for a 1975 Continental Mark IV, a 1989 Cadillac, and a 2018 MX-5 side by side in the basement parking. 😊
@@KoldingDenmark very nice I'd love a american luxury car haven't got one just yet thanks for your reply you must have a white collar job owning such cars expensive to insure here in england and the gas
@@jaycormack4118
I never had what you might consider a well paid job, though it is what you may call white collar. But when I was single and ever since we became a couple, one of the things we share is not wasting the money we have and take good care of what we have, so it lasts. If i.e. the clothes and furniture you buy is more expensive, it lasts. As for car insurance, US cars are not as expensive as German performance cars. If you give an annual mile / KM max to the insurance company, which is realistic for you, you can negotiate. Our insurance company is good. It also covers our sailboat. AND they do cover the damage, if you are unlucky.
Maintenance is not more expensive. Find and stick to a trust worthy garage.
Gasoline. .. If you compare to 1980, it is not so bad.
I continue to love my D' elegance have it since new and kept that way.
We had one of these when I grew up in the early 90’s. I remember the wheel turned with a pinky finger. And those seats are like sitting on soft puffy clouds. Road bumps or railroad crossings at a good clip were nothing more than an afterthought and the interior was hushed. Somehow I remember it feeling powerful even though I just saw it only had 140hp lol They were sure pleasure to drive.
Yeah I know what you mean with power. Where I live there's a road that goes 55 and to merge it was a good 25 seconds with the foot down to get up to speed. Still pushing the gas made me feel like the king of the road as this huge 5.500 pound boat floated down the road. Me and my friends loved driving around after class
I never understood what all the fuss was about road feel. Loved being able to steer with one finger and have the car absorb road imperfections. Living rooms on wheels aren't supposed to not lean when you turn. This type of vehicle is long gone and sadly missed.
me too ive had many Caddies, and I wish they would go back to cars like these. Had a BMW and hated the thing...couldn't wait to get rid of it and get another Caddy.....
@@AlexanderCrump I asked a car reviewer who has been at it for 40+ years what the closest thing today would be and he said an Escalade or Navigator but that they handle better.
I suspect the low hp rating is partly due to the changes in the way horsepower was reported--that large engine was probably not as 'wimpy' as the hp figure suggested.
the Cadillac for 1986 - it's the exact same car as it was in 1977 - but with an all new price for 1986!
Thanks for posting this fantastic video! I've owned many Cadillac models from the 70's and 80's and I now recently acquired a beautiful mint condition 87 Brougham d'Elegance with only 57k miles. It's done up in Autumn Maple Firemist with Carmine Red tufted leather seats. It's a real cream puff and I absolutely love this car! 5.0 Liter Olds engine, nice tight, solid build and looks like brand new in and out. It truly gives an ultra-smooth and quiet "Boulevard Ride"
Really does! I can't wait to get out of college and pick myself up another 86 Brougham D'Elegance
My dad had this model of Fleetwood. After he passed away, my mom couldn't afford to keep it maintained. She had to pay for the car she already owned and had to provide for me and my brother. Over time, it got really rusty, with bits and pieces of the car falling off, and eventually a bunch of yellow jackets made their nests inside of it, so we had to sell it off to a junkyard. It was such a beautiful vehicle. I want to get a Fleetwood one day in the future, either an 80s model like my dad's, or even a 90s model. I heard the 90s ones were pretty reliable. Either one would be my dream car.
My dad use to have. One two 😔
boxie as they were I loved the style...
Honestly it makes the car larger in appearance. From the Cabin you feel like a king with that huge hood in front of you
I sadly don't have it anymore; having traded it to my brother for, of all things, a truck and he having finally sold it just about a week ago; but I had one of these! One just like this one, except that my paint job had begun to flake and peel. Still it was a very dark blue with matching vinyl roof; albeit, I didn't have the matching interior, as mine was a grayish or light blue color, and mine lacked the button-tufted seating, too. Still, otherwise, mine and this one were/are very similar.
Gotta love them! Back when I owned one of these land yachts mine was white ext. white leather seats with red dash red carpet. Cannot beat the look of these and for sure nothing compares to the ride!
I love how he parks in the red and leaves in the loading zone
He probably owns the police
beautiful!!!!
Nice car better build than the cars today and they are hard to find wow!!
The real Cadillac is gone but not forgotten!!
I just bought one of these today and I'm gonna try to restore it. Its pretty much perfect but just gotta do some detailing and paint corrections
Congrats! I wish I still had mine, had to sell because of University commute.
My First and still Favorite Caddy was an 86 FWB(really liked the Shape of the Dash, Symmetrical and Balanced. It rode Novocain Numb, unlike my 2012 STS, which rides like it has no Springs. These oldies were comfortable, the best Seats were in the late 70s with the D elegence Option.
My first car was an 86 Brougham D'Elegance. Absolutely lovely but definitely an interesting choice for 16 year old me back in the day. I miss that thing
My Dad bought himself this exact model for his birthday in October, 1986. He purchased it from Thomas Cadillac in Los Angeles. It was white with Navy blue interior. He still has the Gold-Key Delivery 🔑 welcome audio cassette with the catchy jingle:
🎼 🎶 “Cadillac… Cadillac… Cadillac Style.” 🎶 🎼
Definitely an amazingly beautiful car and awesome memories. Thank you for posting this video. 🙂👍
I have this exact car . I love it .
It’s so frustrating looking back at these cars, GM had the TPI 5.7 sitting on the shelf screaming to be put in this car. It would have been a perfect combination, advanced (for its time), powerful, smooth, better fuel efficiency, it would have definitely been a better car overall with that power plant. But nope, The bean counters went with that damn 307, sure it was a MUCH more reliable engine than that pos 4.1, but it was weak, carbureted, and used in the lesser B-O-P models. It would have been a slam dunk to differentiate the Fleetwood with the TPI 5.7, or 5.0 for that matter. Hell, even the carbureted Chevy H.O. 5.0 would have been a nicer choice.
This was my 1st car back 2000. Loved driving to high school in that brougham. Always had enough room for everyone
Also my 1st car, drove it to high school back in 2017
The Cadillac I remember most growing up during the '90s. My grandfather had an '84 Coupe De Ville.
eldo59 Sure thing!
They don't make cars like this anymore those were the best cars not the crap they make today
I just hate the sports feel of new cars. Why can't I as a consumer get something laid back and relaxing to drive? Even Cadillac is turning it's sedans into race cars with still seats and rock hard suspension riding with a touchy engine. Screw that I'll stick to my Fleetwood (need to get another one since my transmission failed and for now I'm stuck with an 03 Odyssey, which isn't that bad but definitely nothing neat the old Cadillac in comfort)
They don't dare mention the "new" engine is an "old" Oldsmobile 307.
I grew up In this car. Mom has passed now. Went from passenger to owner before I knew it. One thing that hasn’t changed is this is one bass ass car ! RIP Mom and long live the Brougham!
I know the feeling. A few people in my family that 15-year-old Rob used to chauffeur around on his driver's permit in the 86 Fleetwood are also no longer with me today. It hurts a lot and it makes it worse that I had to let the car go...and I found out it was scrapped. I am in my early 20s now but my heart health is pretty poor from being 6ft9in tall. I just appreciate every single day that we are here on earth. Every day is important.
Back in the 80s this was the only line of Cadillacs worth buying as all the others were with the junky 4.1 engine until the 4.5 and 4.9 came out later. I would trade my '91 Fleetwood coupe for an earlier RWD Fleetwood coupe any day!
Cadillac has come a long way since 86, back then a 140 hp V8 was the top choice and now a 195 hp 4 cylinder is the base engine and the top of the line is a 640 hp V8.
Sure thing. Not really a fan of the new sporty feel for the current GM Cadillacs though so I am no longer a customer for them. Really did like my Brougham though (my first car) but when my parents picked up the 2010 SRX I was a little disappointed with the build quality and feel.
Wow. Great video of the Fleewood Brougham. I own three. Cadillac stopped using the Fleetwood name. But to me. They will Always be Fleetwood Broughams. Thanks for posting.
No problem. Cool!
What year did they drop the Fleetwood badge on the cars? I own an '88 and often wondered why it only says brougham d'elegance. Thanks for the info.
307..reliable ...but a dog acceleration
Howie Loso trust me us Fleetwood drives really dont care about speed. Yeah its does 8mpg on a good day and 0-60 happens in "yes" but what matters you do so while being enclosed in a classy chassy with some of the most comfortable interior pieces you could have ever thought of. I had the Brougham Delegance with Leather button seating. Combine that with the one finger boat Steering and I was driving to highschool like a real King. Dont get that now with my 03 Odyssey. These new cars and their crappy sporty ride and rock hard seats.
>Robb 95: 8mpg seems way low for the 307. It's probably time to replace the EGR valve and have the EGR ports cleaned. Have the timing checked and adjusted if needed.
Olds 307 v8 that is also the Y-variant used in the 442 which made between 175-180 hp
@@ericmartin894 The Olds 307 HO was never going to yield high numbers due to the engine's very small intake ports. It was designed for low end grunt and better MPG at the expense of higher RPM HP.
@@AlexanderCrump no shit. what's your point? we already know that.
Tampico carpeted floor mats! Ooooh.
I graduated from high school that year & I've liked these Cadillac's then & still do now the current Cadillac's not so much as most others do.
The current GM cars as a whole are "eh" at best. Chevy is a bit more likable but honestly today I'll stick to Honda. I really loved my 86 Brougham for the feeling of power you get when you drive a massive boat down the road, steering with nothing more than a finger while the shining cadillac hood ornament guides you home. Today everything has to be sports stiff suspension and rock hard bucket seats on untasteful modern style. Not my cup of tea those new Cadillacs as they are more race car then comfy car
All the customers they were selling this to are now long dead.
I had an 87 Brougham back in the 90's. The Oldsmobile 5.0 4bbl V8 was short on power, the radio was weak, and the lacquer paint wasn't very durable. Other than those three things, these were great, reliable, long lasting cars with plenty of great features. I liked the lighted keyholes and "level ride" suspension. Mine was nicely loaded with a 10 way power passenger seat, rear defrost with heated mirrors, twilight sentinel, leather wrapped steering wheel, auto day/night rearview mirror as well as many other options.
Great car indeed. I had the 70 spoke vogue true wire wheels and vogue gold stripe whitewall tires that gave the car a Vegas look. I was able to get it to run like a swiss watch and even though the engine lacked power, I could still bury the speedometer (took awhile to do so et,al but..:-P it had a dead smooth idle and smooth graceful performance. I've owned 8 cars in my life and my 87 Brougham is 1 of 2 cars that I have the fondest memories of. BTW the 70 spoke wire wheels are no longer available from GM or Vogue but Dayton makes an exact replica of those classic Cadillac wire wheels.
dstarks80 I loved that car. Mom had an '88 d'elegance with moonroof, memory seats, level control, real wire wheels with Royal Seal gold stripe tires and all the gadgets you mentioned. Very nicely loaded car! I would love to have a mint 1992 similar Brougham with the 350 5.7 with digital dash in triple black with red pinstripes. Anyone know where I can find one??? Best driving Caddy I had was a triple black 1978 Coupe De'Ville my mom handed down to me. The 425 V8 was smooth and had nice torque. Interior and dash was almost identical to the 88. Those cars were the same for years!
'８６ Ｃａｄｉｌｌａｃ
A classy car worth every minute driven!
My dad had one. It was exactly like this except blue velour interior. I sent it to him he said it made him miss his!
My Dad had the cream yellow with sun roof...Makes me miss him.
I had a 1986 Fleetwood broughham gunmetal grey with grey cloth interior had the 307 Olds engine in it I sold it and bought a 1989 broughham 60 inch stretch limo with the 307 Olds engine then a crazy girlfriend smashed out the windshield of the limo so I sold it.i wish I kept the first 86 car.
At my first job someone I knew had their windshield bashed in too by their ex! It happens but hey its all fixable. Like you I also sold my 1986 Cad and I really regret it. That being said I have no where else to keep it and I drive 15k miles a year
This car gets about the same gas mileage as the Exxon Valdez!
Such a nice review they say Clear that back wheel drive!!! And now I have search for cars burnout only to check whether it's bwd or fwd
I wish GM started production of this Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham today. It would be great to take delivery of a brand new one today.
What is the Wright discrimination for the wood work on the dashboard and door panels ?.
Is it cherry wood or oak affect?.
My cadillac Brougham was a great car. I should not have sold it.
It's funny that when this chassis came out for early 78, it was considered a STANDARD SIZE though it was much smaller than its predecessors. By '86, it was considered FULL sized, and 1 of the biggest cars you could buy..Same exact chassis and dimensions. BTW, for as much as I'm no fan of the Olds 307 emissions nightmare, try driving 1 with the 4.1 TBI V8 with 125 hp! Then try it with 5 aboard and a truck full of luggage... You'd be lucky to hit 60mph in a couple days..All that being said, these were WONDERFUL cars to cruise in at low speeds, with dead quietness inside and a butter smooth ride. Every luxury GM could come up with at the time was available on these cars. Now you have to buy an SUV that is too tall for your garage, or a much smaller techno tin can if you want that sort of luxury. And neither ride as well!
Dont forget about horrible GM reliability nowadays. I drove my 86 Fleetwood for 5 years until college time and it always started in winter and summer. I drove the thing on 2 hour trips with no issues. Very simple car and the worst thing on it was a leaking ac line, which really ain't that bad for a 30 year old car. Meanwhile we bought a brand new cad in 2010 and it was nothing but unreliable garbage. Even puked coolant
@@BigRobChicagoPL It isn't/wasn't that the 307 was a bad engine ( the 4.1 certainly was!) but it was so difficult to get through an emissions test at the time, that it wasn't funny. The biggest problem was the super highway rear gear ratio that GM stuck in these cars, trying to get some EPA mileage requirements. That and a super lazy 200-4R trans.The later 1s with the 700r4 and Chevy engines really moved out rather quickly for their time. If you haven't driven an 89-91 Brougham with a 5.7, you should. Everything you loved about your 86, with the kind of power you wished you had. Reliability was even better.
@@adamtrombino106 oh no I wasnt bad talking my Fleetwood, I meant the new one my parents got in 2010. My 86 with the 307 olds was perfect aside some minor trouble
I don't think it was any mistake that there was a 1986 Mercedes S Class passing the Cadillac on the right in the beginning of the feature. I think it was a little bit subliminal as if to say no need for that German luxury we've got Cadillac right here at home. The Cadillac says thank you for the time I'm handsome and if you drive me you can be, proud and handsome too etc.
Symbolizm lol but well suited
They basically made this same car from 1980-1992 with different engine variations.
Ugh...how many times did the narrator say "DEE....Elegance?" ARGH....it's d'Elegance, all run together. No doubt that dude had a Ford waiting for him when he got off work.
In spite of the butchered upscale trim name, I enjoyed this video My folks had an '84 Fleetwood Brougham d'Elegance. I absolutely loved piloting that barge down the highway...even traffic jams were a pleasure in one of these. Like another poster said, there's nothing like classic American luxury. These cars had loads of it, and wore it well.
I have seen that house before in an old Movie from the 70's. I think George Hamilton was in it!
It's a trip through memory lane seeing this video. Honestly, after watching this, I couldnt help but remember why Cadillac sales nose dived throughout the late 70's & up to foreign luxury cars. Calillac embodied all the superficial aspects of owning a luxury car. Gimmicky, loaded with cheap materials, poor ly made; once someone compares these cars to foreign, Cadillac truly was one sad joke of car. ( my dad owned a 77 Deville... what a piece of garbage )
I just watched a TH-cam video of the 1988 model year Fleetwood Broughams being manufactured at the Clark street in Detroit plant. The plant shut down a few days after the video was made. Manufacturing for these was sent to Texas, where it stayed to at least until 1992
Sweet. Everything at the touch of a button. I could stretch my legs & Feets out and sleep well in this Broghom. Me And my Television Daddy Jim Rockford driving it, while I passenger and stretch out and Relax 😌
I remember when this platform came out in 1977 (The 86-92 wore the 1980 sheet metal update,but still same frame.) People actually complained how SMALL it was versus the 1976 version. in 10 years, it became the LARGEST regular US production car. I had a 1975 Fleetwood and a 1989 Brougham, and indeed the 89 WAS smaller, LOL. I'd like either (or BOTH) now!
I had the 86. Very nice cars and would also love to have one now. Also notice how these large sedans are considered very luxurious now, with cars like the Genesis G90 and Rolls Royce following suit
@@BigRobChicagoPL My '89 was basically the same (same color and with the leather DeElegance package) as shown in the video. 86-89 is the "sweet spot" for this platform as it avoids the HT-4100 and since the Olds 307 was carb instead of FI, Even I can work on them, LOL. My only "beef" is that the "Fleetwood" name was removed from these in '87, leaving only "Brougham". (I felt CHEATED!) I actually replaced the "Cadillac" script with a "Fleetwood" script onthe trunk that I got from a '80-'84 ish Fleetwood Brougham,LOL. You see a lot of people complain that these are slow...Yeah, That misses the ENTIRE MISSION of this car. (Get a Camaro if you need to win the "stoplight drag"!) These were PERFECT for a city (esp in a place like Pittsburgh,PA) commute where SILENT COMFORT is the goal. My current car (2010 Buick Lucerne) is about the only US car that still had that as it's design goal. 👍😊👍
@@jamesslick4790 oh you can tell me about it being slow haha. 16 year old me and my friends after highschool used to mash the gas pedal to the floor and laugh at how snail like this thing was. Still, with a great sound system the thing was a serious cruiser to school, and I got a lot of attention from it
I was glad they kept the brougham till 1992 the front drive cadillacs were junk
In general the new cadillac of today are a let down
These Caddy's were beautiful . Two bad 4.1 305 307 powered them They should have had 350 . The smaller motors we're not powerful enough to make them move . They weren't really a highway mover .
American manufacturers need to stop imitating European cars...had a BMW was a heap at 32000 miles got rid of it...nothing like these cars on the road....
When Cadillac was the Cadillac.
The manual passenger seat recliner lever at 3:27 is scary. Look how it moves off axis like it's not really connected to anything under the seat. Don't get me wrong - I love this car. But I've grown used to much better design and assembly.
The Cadillac of Cadillacs
Well said!
1. I love how it starts off boasting its stats which are shocking by today's standards.
2. 2:11 "Luggage compartment" not trunk. I'm going to start using that one.
3. Love the music.
4. 140 horsepower? What? I think a base Camry may be more powerful.
kaizersolze Honestly when driving these the last thing you care about is power. I remember gliding down to take my junior finals and not thinking about anything but aiming the Caddy hood ornament and listening to my radio. I love these for the floaty ride and big body, as well as the comfort. I had the Delegance one and all my friends loved riding around with me. I miss that thing lol.
in 1986 Camry had like 70 horses
In these cars the horsepower number is meaningless. The torque number matters though and I don’t think the announcer mentions it.
But the 307 makes 255 LB Ft of torque at a low 2000 RPM's which is something no normally aspirated 4 cylinder can match today without assistance from a turbocharger.
My parents traded in their 82 Buick LeSabre for a new 86 Fleetwood Brougham which I thought was the coolest car they ever bought, it was nicely equipped, no leather, but I enjoyed driving it, eventually my late uncle bought it and he drove it for a number of years, it ended up rusting at the vinyl roof, but I still thought it was cool, it was a lovely triple champagne gold, with the 307 under the hood
These really are super. You should have seen the look on my face when I saw the white 86 for sale when I was 14. I told my Pap and immediately I picked it up off the owner a few blocks away. I couldn't even drive yet but I would sit for hours in the garage with the radio turned on just chilling with it. Loved learning to drive and using it for high school and hang outs. Surprisingly reliable too considering it was already almost 30 years old at the time. Too bad I had to give it up for University though. I am planning on buying another one when I finish school and buy my own home. Do you plan on ever getting another?
The fluidic windshield washer system sealed the deal for many. What a dumb feature to point out in this video.
“Classic” design, as in “it’s barely changed over the past 10 years”
mom had an 84 sedan deville, loaded. 4.1 v8,beautiful car,and was very dependable, but I could walk faster... lol
My grandparents had one of these brand new. It floated over the road & was fun to drive!! I loved the deep intimidating horn too.
C. Lassard sure does float! The horn was always tempting for me too lol.
GM used a three-horn setup on a lot of Cadillacs which gave them a distinct sound. I don't think Lincoln or Chrysler/Imperial did this.
My grandparents had an 87. Luxury at its finest!
When Cadillac was a Cadillac unlike today's generic Cadillacs noo style or prestige .
Funny the fleet wood went from rwd land yacht to mid sized fwd boat and back to rwd land yatch
“Longest wheel base”
As if thats a good thing…
It is if you want that comfortable, “detached from the road” feeling. Not everyone wants a luxury car to be a performance car.
AT 6:13, "A 140 horse power 5 liter V8 engine...".
Not very impressive for a 1986 V8.
My parents had a 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera with a 145 HP V6.
Chrysler had a 142 HP turbocharged inline 4 cylinder engine.
All I remember is it took 30something seconds to get to 60, with the foot to the floor haha
They really were beautiful cars!! More style, and luxury touches compared to the model that followed. Id like to relive the 80's.... whenever I see one of these cars, I often think of President Ronald Reagan, an that era. Regards Jim :)
I'd have to agree with you about re-living the 80s. I never really got the chance to live in that decade but I sure do admire it! Glad to hear your comment!
Hi Robert, thanks for your comment.. I think the 1980's were a pinnacle point in time, the world reached heights previously unknown an then in many ways since, decline, set in.. but, who knows what tomorrow brings! :) Great video, thanks for making it available!
Just to add, that is something you don't see these days, lamp monitors on the fenders.. a nice touch! Also whatever happened to the option of interior colours for today's cars, the reds, the blues are lacking. Although I wasn't a fan of red interiors, Cadillac did it really well. I loved the pale/mid blue colored cloth options, plush! Even that colour in leather was very decadent! Regards Jim :)
I think so myself! I appreciate your comment! :)
Adding to my final message (since I just now saw your "just to add"), I have to agree with you. When I drive my brougham I really like being able to see the blinkers on the front of the hood rather (and rear lights via LEDs on interior roof towards back of car) than having to search to check if they are on down in the dash. (It's hard for me to look down because I am 6 ft - 9 in!). Also with dash and interior colors, my Fleetwood has the red carpeting and dash. Really do not see that around nowadays and even though I too am not a red person, the way Cadillac did it in my Fleetwood really makes me love it! Also to note is the seats. I love having the option for white leather (mine has equipped). Cannot find that on newer GM cars. One final thing is that it's a real shame that cars are not made with this level of comfort anymore. I have the 86 with the D'elegance option and the leather seats feel like some sort of super sofa! Love it!