Everyone reaches a point in life when they need to step back from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind and move into the slow lane for a while. There is no reason why that can’t happen in the classic car world. Although owning a desirable vehicle with breathtaking performance is wonderful, sitting back in isolation can be a rewarding way to recharge the batteries. That is the opportunity that awaits the new owner of this 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. Its condition is hard to fault, and the odometer reading is low for a vehicle of this type. Both are compelling reasons to pursue it further, but the seller’s decision to offer it with No Reserve makes it worth a close look. The Caddy is listed here on eBay in White Marsh, Maryland. The price sits at $5,745 with time remaining in this auction.
There’s no doubt that the overall length of nearly 19 feet makes the 1996 Fleetwood a giant in a world where most cars are getting smaller. Many people focus on the ’59 Cadillac with its outrageous fins and bullet taillights, but the ’96 Fleetwood Brougham was only marginally less extroverted. However, it forsakes the fins for acres of bright exterior trim on many lower body extremities in an era when most prestige car brands opted to color-code almost everything. This feature emphasizes the vehicle’s length but also offers a striking contrast to the Medium Garnet Red paint that cloaks most of the remaining surfaces. The overall condition is excellent for a vehicle of this age, and the matching vinyl top shows no evidence of deterioration. The panels are straight, everything that should sparkle does so spectacularly, and there are no signs of rust. This Caddy would have turned heads when it was new, and it could probably turn even more today courtesy of its overall condition.
Climbing aboard a Cadillac should provide a luxurious motoring experience, and this Fleetwood doesn’t disappoint. There are so many “bells and whistles” it is impossible to know where to start. Occupants sink back into supple and rich Burgundy leather seats that feature the wrinkles that define aging high-quality leather. The front seats benefit from power adjustment and heating, while rear seat occupants receive individual illuminated vanity mirrors that swing down from housings in the headliner. The driver grips a leather-wrapped tilt wheel with an airbag, facing a digital gauge cluster that looks like it belongs in Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing. The prevailing weather isn’t an issue thanks to the climate-control air conditioning, with power windows, power locks, power mirrors, cruise control, a Twilight Sentinel, and a premium AM/FM stereo radio/cassette/CD player rounding out the list of luxury appointments. The interior is virtually flawless, with no wear or deterioration. There are no identified functional issues, suggesting that all the “toys” work as they should.
Considering its physical dimensions and luxury appointments, the Fleetwood’s curb weight of 4,475 lb is unsurprising. The automotive world had come a long way from the days when buyers received a 500ci V8 under the hood of a Caddy, but these cars still demanded something special if forward progress was to be anything but glacial. The company delivered, with its fuel-injected 5.7-liter V8 producing 260hp and 330 ft/lbs of torque. The weight guarantees this Fleetwood will never threaten a muscle car, but the power assistance for the steering and brakes make it surprisingly agile in city traffic. The V8’s mid-range power and torque delivery make it an effortless open-road cruiser with something in reserve under the right foot should the driver wish to step into the fast lane to pass slower traffic. The seller claims this Caddy has a genuine 64,000 miles on its odometer, but they don’t mention verifying evidence. However, it runs and drives well, ready for some relaxed weekend classic motoring or a cross-country adventure.
Some cars represent excellent long-term investments, while others aren’t even close. The original owner of this 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham must feel a twinge in their chest watching this auction because the depreciation has been astronomical. This Caddy would have cost them $37,000 when they drove it off the showroom floor, which equates to around $71,000 today. I will almost guarantee that the bidding will get nowhere near that figure, but it could nudge $10,000 if two or more people show determination. That represents pretty good value on a dollar-per-pound basis, but with prices remaining stable, its investment potential is not in the same league as some earlier Cadillac models. On the plus side, values haven’t dropped either. That means the winning bidder might be able to enjoy the car via short-term ownership, moving it on as their budget allows for an upgrade. That has to make it worth considering.
My dad had a new 94 Roadmaster for his business travel car. I rode along with him on one trip to Cedar Rapids IA. On kne long stretch he wanted to top it out, but with the Uniroyal whitewalls, it was limited to 108mph. That car was accelerating so hard at 108 that when the limiter kicked in it felt like releasing a chute. Loved tht LT1. 2 yrs later he had to have an Impala SS
Last year of the rear wheel drive Fleetwood. Lots of life left in this one. New owner should be happy.
Memory seats, lumbar, heated seats…surprised to see no steering wheel radio/HVAC controls. The lesser front drive C&H bodies (88/98/LeSabre/Park Ave) all had that available as early as ’92-’93.
Per the Carfax it’s a one owner car from Illinois. It’s now in Maryland. Hmmm. One of those things doesn’t fit with the other.
It’s a beautiful car and would be a (relaxing) joy to drive, but the price of gas now vis a’ vis 1996 makes it a rich man’s joy.
I would daily drive this to work each day and still come out ahead of the countless 4×4 four door pick ups with one occupant clogging up the roads.
Apparently you never owned one. These were miserly on fuel as long as you kept your foot out of it. This and the Roadmaster were the last great road cars.
Actually ACZ, I have owned a 1974, 1981 and 1983 Fleetwood, This 1996 would probably have better fuel economy than any of them.
I had one and wished I never sold it .was in the new paper for 10 minutes and someone was running with cash in hand.
Ah, back when a Caddy looked like a Caddy. A friend of mine owned one of these, and it was almost like riding on a cruise ship, pretty smooth with a bit of sway. This probably wouldn’t even fit in my garage…😎
Or mine!
These are great cars with pretty darn good fuel mileage for such a boat. Electronics fagetaboudit. My friend inherited his dad’s and I said you’d be better off selling it, the electronics will eat you alive, and they did! He kept it and pushed his way through. The final straw was when he was using some sort of plug into the lighter defroster gun to defrost the windows when the blower module went out for like the 3rd time.
Elegance defined! I’ve owned a lot of Caddys, these with the buttery seats make me swoon. The only turn-off is hidden in the ebay description, “$499 Document and prep fee”. Yeah, right!
A relative had this car with the Brohammy de’ elegance treatment. The seats were so comfortable along with all the bells and whiscles of 1996. The car floated on the roads no bumps or vibrations you ever felt. Had power and comfort cars of today just dont possess. Great memory of his 1996. Beautiful ride it was.
This generation of Cadillac, in my opinion, will be the one that will continue to appreciate with time. A true Cadillac!
Mer low Bro ham
Looks real good underneath to have spent 27 years in Illinois.
Last domestic car to have chrome metal bumpers.
Wow. I had this same car ‘94. My favorite all time. Wish they still made these. Hated to give it up
The condition of this car looks to be very impressive for a technical oldtimer. Of course, looks can deceive, especially on cars past their quarter-century mark; and the Carfax inconsistency pointed out may command scrutiny.
I really don’t care for the look of this model all that much. Size is very good for me, not so much the looks. I just don’t like how the rear wheels are placed under the C-pillar, so far forward it makes the trunk look like an afterthought overhang. I never liked that, it just looks goofy. Had they styled it with the rear wheels just behind, the car would have looked better. Of course, that wheelbase design was used on the other two offerings of GM’s last big-car hurrah, but the Roadmaster wore it best. In fact, the Roadmaster wore everything best…which may be part of the reason that Roadmasters are now the most commonly-seen of these cars still on the roads today.
nothing drives like a caddy ! had a 68′ 76’94’98’and now in florida have a 96′ with 50k on it ! bought the car from a 85 year old man bought new and it was his 83year old wife who just passed always garaged! sea mist green with a canvass green top !! gotta love it
Had a 1993, same style but lacked the power. Had just a 5.7 but only 185 ponies. This was not the Tuned port injection engine, so it was a slug. Far from comfortable, stupid features like radio volume automatic control. Would change higher the faster you drive.still used a antenna that would go up and down