Rarity claims are a slippery slope, especially when the classic in question is a vehicle like this 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Castilian Estate. I have seen various estimates of production totals, with some quoting a figure of fifty. However, so many sources contend the truth rests at eleven, and considering how expensive these were when new, that could be correct. This is one of the nicest we’ve seen at Barn Finds, with shining paint and a tidy interior. Its most pressing need is a new home, with the seller listing it here on Craigslist in Costa Mesa, California. They have set their price at $49,500 for one of the most luxurious Station Wagons money could buy in the 1970s.
The Castilian Estate was the brainchild of Traditional Coach Works Ltd. of Chatsworth, California. The company wished to transform a traditional prestige Sedan into a Station Wagon of unparalleled luxury. It produced vehicles for three years during the mid-1970s, with the Castilian Estate joined by a two-door pickup called the Mirage, which was based on the Coupe de Ville. The starting point for the Estate was a shiny new Fleetwood Brougham Sedan. Traditional Coach Works removed much of the original steel beyond the back doors, installing a handcrafted rear section that transformed the Sedan into a spacious Wagon. Such work came at a cost, with a Castilian lightening the buyer’s wallet by approximately $30,000. That equates to $136,000 in 2023! We’ve seen a few of these classics at Barn Finds, but this one appears to be the nicest. Its Brentwood Brown paint has a depth of color and shine that you could walk into. The subtle Gold pinstripe adds a classy contrast, and the panels are laser-straight. There are no signs of rust in the supplied images, and the seller doesn’t mention problems in the listing. The Estate features fender skirts accentuating its length and chrome that sparkles as impressively as the paint. Buyers might welcome the electrically operated sunroof on warm days if they prefer fresh air to air conditioning. The tinted glass is flawless, and this classic would undoubtedly turn heads wherever it goes.
The custom exterior hides a mechanical configuration that is pure 1976 Cadillac. The engine bay houses a 500ci V8, with shifting duties performed by a three-speed automatic transmission. Power assistance for the steering and brakes should lessen the effort required to drive what is a very large classic. The Fleetwood Brougham, upon which the Castilian was based, tipped the scales at 5,357 lbs. This conversion added to that figure, meaning this Estate needs all its available 190hp and 360 ft/lbs of torque to provide respectable performance. It is unlikely to break the land speed record, but the seller indicates it runs and drives exceptionally well. Flying in and driving home after some time in the Californian sun sounds like a viable and enjoyable way to become acquainted with this gentle giant.
The Cadillac’s interior presents well for a vehicle of this age, but a couple of items require attention. The carpet in the driver’s side front footwell shows some edge wear, and I am unsure whether it would respond to a deep clean. The seller has thrown a cover over the dash, and my investigations suggest this is to conceal a cracked pad. The wheel has some wear, but the remaining upholstery and trim look excellent. It is loaded with luxury features, but the enormous rear cargo area defines the Castilian. This aspect of older Wagons can look tired with age, but there is little to criticize here. The sunroof is the first of many comfort touches, including air conditioning, power windows, power locks, six-way power front seats, a power antenna, a rear defogger, cruise control, and a retro-style radio/cassette player.
The seller claims that a similar Castilian was sold via Mecum Auctions four years ago for over $55,000, which is correct. One owned by the late Dean Martin sold for $70,000, but the history of this Estate deserves attention. I discovered that it sold via auction in July 2022 for $31,800. The photos and information from that auction indicate that little has changed with the vehicle since beyond it having an additional 1,000 miles on the clock. Given its history, do you think the seller will achieve their price? Or do you think they may need to compromise?
And I felt like I had won a lottery and king of the hill when I bought my new brown metallic Torino Squire wagon back in 76, but now, gosh I guess I was just riding like all the other paupers in a common Ford. This Cadillac wagon is awesome.
The scene: the corner of a dark clandestine speakeasy where names aren’t shared but the drinks flow and for the right price, snitches are eagerly willing to rat out those in the automotive underworld.
Clarke’s the name. And I’m the P.I who carries a roll of unmarked bills to pay that price.
And in the case of this brown longroof, theres a stench in the air……
“The seller has thrown a cover over the dash, and my investigations suggest this is to conceal a cracked pad.”….
Sorry Adam…..couldn’t resist. Cool wagon. Appreciate the write-up.
Compromise.
With the rare d’Elegance interior, this is one comfortable station wagon!
Does this car run or even roll out of the garage for a side view? The first question I would have about s custom built station wagon ie “what does it look like from the side?”
I was thinking the same thing – must be ugly from the side view since the seller is reluctant to show it.
A bit of a white elephant, I would say.
Brown elephant! 190 hp in a smog strangled Seventies powerless plant. Better own a gas station :)
Unless you have blue hair that interior will wear on you lol
I think I’ve mentioned before there was a yellow one of these siting for a number of years across the street from me down in New Orleans in the mid Seventies. Wonder what happened to that one?
I never can figure out how a guy can put a car up for sale, for $50k, in California, in the summer, and not at least roll the thing out of the garage to snap the pic’s.
Like I said early on, lazy.
Front seats look like the belong in my grandma’s living room!
This is an incredible find. I ‘d be to afraid to take it out for fear of a fender bender. I’d just die on the spot. Imagine driving up to your local Caddy dealership, the whole place would empty to come look at it
I saw a Caddie wagon once that was built using the rear clamshell from a Buick, early ’70’s. It looked factory this one not so much. You could get all of the same luxury in an Olds 98 wagon. I almost bought one once, a ’75, for 500 bucks cause it was so cool. I guess if you had the money in ’76 this said “look at me, I have a lot of money”. I had a friend years ago that sold used cars. His brother asked him to get a ’75 or ’76 Cadillac at the auction, in dark blue, with all of the options (like he could just order it). He found an Olds 98 in dark blue (it was beauty) that had everything and bought it. His brother looked at it but said that’s not a Caddie, I wanted a Cadillac. He told his brother take it for a drive, drive it until you like it, he bought the Olds.
A person is best to be a Cadillac fan to appreciate one of these.
At age 17, in 1971, I drove a family friend’s 69 cadillac Fleetwood wagon from palm beach to DC. the looks I got were priceless. but unlike this one and most of the others I have seen, it was lacking the aluminum wraps to disguise body work and the large grill this beast sports. it was much more elegant in simplicity without all the garish mods. metallic green, dark green vinyl roof. and dark green leather. valets would fight over who could park it. loved it.
We bought a new ’71 Fleetwood Wagon for $21,000 ( $10,000 was the cost of the “car”, before the rear of a ’71 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser was morphed onto the back ) and kept it for nine years. It looked completely “factory” including the third row, front facing seat covered in the same leather as the other seats. It was a great car – when I took it to the gas station or loading $100 worth of groceries into the rear floor with that third seat folded down ( filling it COMPLETELY up, too ) . . . every time I always heard somebody say, “I Didn’t Know Cadillac Made A Wagon” I enjoyed telling everyone who asked it’s “story”.
Thanks for clearing up the mystery Steve. I wanted to be a coachbuilder/panelbeater but opted for studying Architecture back then (1966) Still love cars and wonder if I shouldn’t have stayed in the trade building stuff like this. Always found the shop a much more comfortable environment than the office.
You’re welcome . . you ended up with an important job, too.
Wile a student at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania from 1972 to 1974.
In 1973, I helped fill a green Caddy station wagon with Poinsettias for Bunny DuPont in front of the conservatory.
I had never seen a station wagon, only ambulances, hearses, and flower cars.
You know what they say about opinions….
True that……..but some are more reflective of good taste :)
Seller said multiple times in the listing they sold for a lot more at auction so why not take advantage of that and send it to auction rather than jus pay the $5 bucks to Craigslist.
Were these based on Olds 98 wagon shell and re-skinned with Caddy sheet metal?. Would seem like an easier way to build one of these.than from scratchl. Just wondering.
Our ’71 left the “normal” factory as a four-door Fleetwood sedan ( see my post, above ) the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser “back end” and third seat mechanism was added at a specialty shop in Michigan after it left the factory. The wagon version of the 98 was called a Custom Cruiser back then. Everything from the middle seat forward was all Cadillac, including the 462 engine.
No, they were Cadillacs using a GM station wagon roof behind the passenger doors. Wagons of this vintage had liftbacks.
A hearse with windows!
This is not a bucket list car as far as I’m concerned and 50 Grand is bucket list money.
Too lazy to pull it outside and get a good picture from the side!
Hey
i also have 1976 Castilian wagon. i bought it at a classic car dealer in NC. I absolutely love the car. Rides like new. Yours is beautiful too. nice to see others out there.
As someone who has owned many Cadillacs over the years, I’ve always wanted one of these. But I prefer the ones with the correct 1971 through 1976 GM disappearing window and tailgate. This is a liftgate. I’ve also seen regular tailgates that fold down and open like a door (Ala Ford LTD) as there were several companies who made these.
Where is the roof rack?
One thing I hated about the ’75/’76 Cadillacs was the detuned 500 cu. in. engine with only 190 hp. These cars could barely get out of their own way to begin with. Now add a few hundred more pounds of steel….. you get the idea.
Like the old Cadillacs of the 1950s, these needed true duel exhaust.
I’m thinking before my final demise, I might pick up one of these, as ’75 & ’76 are my favorite years for Cadillacs.
I think this is one that I considered buying in 1990 that was owned by a man ( who was the original owner ) who called himself Max Linder. It had about 156,000 miles on it back then. He had the interior replaced. He wanted about $ 15k back then.