In the 1960s, Cadillac’s largest and most expensive vehicles were the Fleetwood Series 75 Sedan and Limousine. Riding on a 150-inch wheelbase, these cars were intended to transport a crowd of nine passengers in high style. The principal difference between the two was a glass partition that separated front-seat occupants from the rich and famous in back. The seller has a relatively nice Sedan from 1967 that needs some mechanical tinkering. Located in Livingston, Montana, this land yacht is available here on craigslist for $7,500. Kudos to “Barney” for the tip!
With a refreshed design in 1967, Cadillac offered three versions of the Series 75 cars. Because they had a more limited audience, GM built 835 Sedans, 965 Limos, and 2,333 Commercial Chassis, which were for coachbuilders to assemble ambulances, hearses, and the like. From a drivetrain perspective, the power was the same: Cadillac’s 472 cubic-inch V8 that was rated at 340 horsepower, requiring premium fuel.
This “almost limo” has been in storage for 25 years, but the seller can no longer house the beast, so the bulky people mover has to go. The odometer reads 48,000 miles, which the seller believes is correct. The factory engine is intact and runs well in spite of its hibernation. The tires are newer, the fuel lines have been replaced, and the battery has been exchanged. It needs front control arm bushings and brakes (which aren’t dependable after sitting).
When new, this Caddy was painted black, but that was switched to gold 46 years ago. This car hasn’t seen soap and water in years, so a good detailing might be a good place to begin. He/she plans to do no further work before selling the vehicle, so you’ll have to take it as-is. The big question is this: if you bought it, what would you do with it? Not exactly practical except for some onlookers at events.
Okay, you dial 9-1-, and if we don’t hear from Angel on this one,,,,dial another 1. Hope she’s okay, adds a great respective. Just think of the royalty that might have ridden in the back. Mr. Businessman that paid you peanuts, you made fun of behind his back, or that movie star wannabe, with only one real claim to fame. I can’t imagine a family in Pressboard Estates would have a Caddy limo. Maybe in Jersey,,,anyway, wonderful cars, for a time when airplanes still fell out of the sky, auto travel was the preferred method. I’m sure the mileage is original, these generally didn’t rack up a lot of miles like say a Ford business coupe, for America, this was top of the line. Try and get 9 people in todays sardine cans.
@Howard
Thank you, Howard for the nice compliment but I really wasn’t going to comment on this one. Figured you guys gotta be tired of my 💩 by now.
But since I’m here………
As for the ’67 vs the ’68 I prefer the ’68. It was more refined, had the 472 and side marker lights with parking lights on with the headlights. A federal mandatory that started in 1968.
Someone said they liked the fullwidth grill. To me the egg crate is too large. In ’68 they smoothed out the egg crate and added those two bricks to each end of the hood (bonnet for our European friends)thus making the center of the grill the center of the grill. Even though it was still full length, it looked smaller. Plus that hump on the trunk I also liked.
Back to this 75 Sedan, I wish they had kept it black. Ken is always giving me ideas, maybe I should buy a whole bunch of classic limos and rent them out to funeral homes.
Also, the ‘68 instituted wipers behind the cowl, which makes for a cleaner look IMO
Rather than “…transport(ing) a crowd of nine passengers in high style.”, this car would have more likely been used to transport a crowd of two (plus driver) in higher style.
That’s how they were used in Soprano-land where I lived. And no one counted the guy in the trunk.
Livingston is near Yellowstone National Park.
As there’s a lot of big ranches (& money) in Montana,
this was probably bought new by one of them.
From back when Cadillacs were impressive & well styled.
And comfortable, stylish, elegant, well made, and well built. You could tell what it is from a mile away.
I got to restore one of the 965 limo’s quite a while ago, triple black. the longest vinyl top that I have ever replaced. I had it done just in time to ask the owner if I could use it to haul mom and my aunts to grandmother’s funeral. I stopped in the unloading only zone and the undertaker came up and asked me to please leave it parked there for the duration of our visit. This gold sedan should get busy hauling both rich and poor just for the experience. Great find and write up Russ.
I’m guessing this one for sale, when it was originally black, did spend a lot of time driving to funerals too.
Does painting one also remove the history of sadness from within?
I’ve never ridden in a Cadillac, I want to ride in one before one carries me…..
1967 still had a 429. The 472 was first used in 1968.
If it’s a 67, (it is) it has the 429 in its last year, the 472 debuted for the 68 model year. Priced realistically, nice enough condition.
I had a 67 convertible, and a 68. The difference in motors, as a test, if you stomped on the gas in the 67 at a standstill, it would move. If you did the same on the 68, one tire would spin, and it wouldn’t move. The 472 ate up gas all day long.
This is a lot of car for $7500, I love the huge grill on the 67. I would love to own this one but I don’t think my 3 car garage could handle it and close the door. I would get it fixed mechanically then at some point bring it back to the original black which would not be a huge deal as all the jambs are still black. It’s a good thing it’s so far away from me now I won’t have to figure out where to park it!
I had a chance at one of these in the early 80’s, dad said no.
Black on black in pristine condition, the lady even had a driver.
The lady was part of the Blue Hair Brigade. 19th century birth.
I fell in love with it on the spot.
Talk about roomy and smooth riding.
There’s something a bit morbid about a repurposed funeral car — like a camper van that started life as an ambulance.
It’s hard to put your finger on it, but there is a definite whiff of its past life around a car like this that can’t be sprayed over with gold paint.
Agreed…. However, my high school wrestling team attended meets in a repurposed hearse. Painted it maroon colour and they could fit about 15 in it plus the coach and manageress.
Of course back then they were all bantam roosters. 115, 125, 135lbs.
Agreed …. However, my high school’s wrestling team attended meets in a mammoth Cadillac hearst, rattle canned in team colour maroon. They were mostly bantam roosters, 115, 125, 135 lbs. I bet they fit 15 of them in there. Plus the coach and manageress.
If I had the space I would do mechanical mods to make it a tow vehicle for my wife’s horse trailer and my car trailer. I would also use it on the Hot Rod Power tour to haul my friends in style. Would not be too many of these on the tour!
@Angel: No dear, we love all your
comments and there’s an ear for
what you have to say here on BF.
Now, as for the Fleetwood, it would make a really nice tour car
for a traveling band. Other than
hauling the band around, the car would need to pull a tandem axle
trailer for the instruments and suit cases. Did that twice. Once
with my ’50 Packard limo and then again with Harry Hinthorn in
’75. Fun both times Felt like Bobby Fleet And His Band With A
Beat. And yes dear, I’m still celebrating my B-day with my girls and my kids. And yes honey,
you have pictures of me blowing
out my candles! Best present I got was being transferred over to
days on the weekends. Now I can go to Old Town and play music on Saturday nights again
weather and cash permitting. I used to play at Son Of The Beach
bar there about 10 years ago. They do karaoke 🎤 there and to
shake the crowd up, I’d play my guitar along with the music. Gave them a real show! It’s gonna be great to play again. Just wish I could arrive there in
this car!
Great write-up and information, other than “The odometer reads 48,000 miles, which the seller believes is correct”. Actually, the seller knows that the mileage is correct.
With the low mileage and in what appears to be very good condition, definitely priced well.