My neighbor has exactly this car—in black, I think—rusting away in his driveway, sitting on four flat tires, covered with dirt and sporting a peeling vinyl roof. I’m not sure what he’s saving it for, since it would be immensely easier to start with this 50,000-mile 1990 Cadillac Brougham in Diplomat Blue. It’s on eBay in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. The top bid is $15,100 with more than a week left. Thanks to T.J. for the listing.
The owner has kept the car for a decade, after purchasing it with 47,000 miles from the original owner. You better believe it’s been garaged. The owner says: “It looks spectacular, runs smoothly, and drives like a classic, premier American luxury car should.” The oil was just changed!
Nothing looks out of place, other than the air conditioner still running on R-12 instead of R-134a. The blue leather is beautiful, with a nice patina, the paint and vinyl roof are intact, and the trunk is detailed. Dig the fake wood dash trim! The car is loaded and set up for towing, with the 5.7-liter 350 V-8, 700R4 automatic, automatic rear level control, fiber-optic exterior light monitors, factory heavy-duty trailer towing package, high-capacity cooling system, heavy-duty suspension, and much more.
The wheel tilts and telescopes, the seats are power, as is the trunk. Opera lamps! Digital instrument cluster! AM/FM/CD! ABS brakes! All the service records and original leather-covered owner’s manuals are included. The MSRP was close to $40,000 in 1990.
In 1990, Cadillac was preparing to downsize, and this generation was the last of the really trad full-sized Cadillac Broughams. The model disappeared in 1992. Facelifts for 1990 included a European-style single glass enclosure for the low and high beam headlights, and updated taillights too. New body side and bumper moldings were added.
The fuel-injected 5.7-liter engine was offered in the Brougham for the first time—lesser Cadillacs made do with the five-liter Oldsmobile 307 V-8. Possibly more important from the buyer’s perspective, Cadillac offered a new digital speedometer/odometer/fuel gauge, and this is a possible pain point when thinking of buying this car. From the photos, it seems to work, but if it goes, who can fix it these days?
Fuel economy was, of course, horrible: 15 miles per gallon in the city and 22 on the highway, for a combined average of 18 mpg. Maybe that’s why my neighbor parked his.
The owner says, “This is a very special collector vehicle and is surely one of the nicest examples you’ll ever lay eyes upon.” And I know where there’s a parts car. Hagerty puts the 1990 Brougham d’Elegance at a surprising $27,500. This auction has a long time left, so maybe it will get that high.
It’s not that I need this, but I’d love to own it! This car has enough to remind me of when owning a Cadillac actually meant something.
Todd J. gets it. Beautiful Caddy w the HD goodies optioned. Wouldn’t need a speedo anyways if it goes. Float this boat down the road.
The fuel economy is similar to all of the full sized four door pickup trucks used to commute to work, with just the driver and nothing in the bed!