You know that phrase, “The clothes make the man?” Well, the same applies to automotive photography, and in the case of this 1987 Cadillac Brougham, the seller has made his survivor sedan stand out from the crowd in a big way. The car is stunning on its own, but the backdrop of a Florida sunset makes it practically irresistable. This era of Cadillac has all but gone extinct from domestic roads, and the ones you do see still driving are often quite tired. This Brougham has clearly been treasured by its owners, and has just 43,500 miles. Find it here on craigslist for $28,500.
This really was a far better-looking car than we give it credit for. While the big fins of the 1960s are what we think of when we recall the most memorable vehicles Cadillac has produced, the Brougham really should be included in that discussion. The fins were elegantly incorporated, and the acres of chrome tastefully deployed. To be a luxury sedan in the late 1980s and still making giant whitewall tires still work is an accomplishment in and of itself, along with wire wheels. Simply put, much of this car should have been totally dated by this point, but Cadillac made it sing.
This car is also a reminder that our perceptions of these having become luxury beaters are largely driven by how the third- and fourth-level owners looked after them. When you see a Brougham that has been loved, you immediately realize how high-end they were. The wood trim was ornate; the leather seats and door panels represented the demise of many cows; the carpets and dash padding were thicker than they had any right to be. The seller may or may not be the only owner as the listing describes this as a one-owner car, but we also know how many of those end up with a short-term owner who just happened to snag it out of the estate sale for cheap.
Everything about this Caddilac looks luxurious, even the trunk compartment. The spare tire is wrapped in an upscale cover and the trunk carpeting looks nicer than the interior fabric in some mid-range cars. The Cadillac wears old-school Florida antique license plates which gives you some sense of how long it’s been in the Sunshine State, and while there’s always some doubt cast on claims like the ones the seller makes about the car being “perfect,” this Brougham really does look quite nice for a car any miles at all on the clock.
I need that photographer to take pictures of my cars!
I had a tan ’87 that was in really nice shape. However, I gave it to a neighbor when I blew a head gasket 10 years ago. Back then that’s about what it was worth. Times change.
It could have been a success. Except, ladiccac had used real
wood leather and V2a as Mercedes Audi BMW and Jaguar.
The trunk portion is way too long and inside too flat, reduced
usability, Body on frame was in 1987 way behind standards.
The car is too long (5.56 meters) and GM used rear drum
brakes on a 2.5 ton car. Are you serious, Cadillac?
All of the things you say were wrong with this car were actually right with this car when it was built! Also, body on frame is still a much better car than how today’s cars are built! Sure body and frame it more expensive but that’s because it’s actually better!
I don’t like those s bars on the rear of the vinyl top
Reminds me of a hearse!
Picky picky…..aren’t we. We could get them removed for you…if you insist !
haha
Merlot Broham ..
What is a Mer-low Bro-HAM?
Find out here…
https://youtu.be/oN5wu6IxKcM
Funny clip, never heard of that movie before.
On his way to South Beach to meet up with “him”.
Cue 🎬 Paul Newman.. on the gas, thru the tunnel, to the pool hall 🎱. 😎
0 – 60 in 12.8 seconds – so very slow
18 / 25 (20) mpg – so very thirsty
https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1987/332030/cadillac_brougham_5_0l_v-8.html
Looks like a great car. I just wouldn’t be happy with “slow and thirsty” though. Perhaps somebody else might?
you call 18/25 thirsty? thats great mpgs homie never drove a 70’s 500 V8 caddy 0 city 1 hwy
Even if you find 18/25 acceptable, is 0-60 in 12.8 seconds okay?
I can forgive the too-wide whitewalls, but not the grill and trunk decoration.
I have always loved the ‘genuine simulated woodgrain’ in Cadillacs.
‘
$28,500 for a $5,000 dollar car you can keep it,start driving north in it and get out of the path of the pending hurricane
Troy, you obviously haven’t been looking at used car prices recently. We just sold my wife’s stepdad’s 87 Cadillac Deville Elegance with 87,000 miles on it for $12,000 and it was nowhere as near as nice as this 1!
Troy you’re absolutely right! Regardless of what others (including the other reply to your comment, this had not a $28k car.
Given the extra embellishments, I would guess this car began its life in Texas before moving to Florida.
all it is missing are the longhorn horns on the front of the hood.
No one, and I mean absolutely no one, is going to pay THAT MUCH for THAT COLOR COMBO, with THOSE TIRES, THOSE ROOF BARS or THOSE TRUNK STRAPS. Anyone who thinks otherwise is delusional.
ONLY if this was a loaded D’Elegance in a desirable colors, with Astroroof and factory wires- would is stand a chance to even break $20k.
This example doesn’t deserve to be featured on here as there are so many other vastly superior examples. Point in fact, this recent comp sale:
https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/88006379
I was 47 when this car was purchased and I could tell you That in my mind there are none better. This car represents the luxury of American automotive history.
After looking a little more via the Craigslist pics…..it’s a tad over pimped out !
Sans the pimping….you are correct.
My parents considered both this and a Seville in 1987. Sadly, they went with the Seville with the Northstar engine. They never cared for the ride of the Seville and traded it in 2 years for a ’99 Sedan de Ville. I bought the Seville from them with 15K miles. Unfortunately, within 12 months it was burning a quart of oil a month! Cadillac dealer offered to put a new Northstar engine in it, but I had sooo many issues with the dealer that I drove it to the nearest Toyota dealer and traded it straight across for a new 2000 Camry V6 XLE. Was very happy with the trade and had >150K trouble free miles with just oil changes and tires….
The dreaded Northstar….which eliminates thinking about buying older DTS’s and STS’s as well.
Blown Head Gasket were pretty much a given.
You are indeed correct sir. The photography of this very nice Caddy is way above par. A lot of these cars asking big bucks you see on here, are photographed incredibly bad. Putting them in bad light, so to speak.
Nobody looks at the front of a car while basically kneeling in front of it. as you see a lot of cars photographed from.
This car is a fine representation of the Big Boxy luxury look of the 1980’s.
I was looking at this one with low miles I like the 350 with fuel injection over a carburated one they start and run good Im still thinking
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/414779157456984/?hoisted=false&ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A8c9becd0-f463-485a-8f79-c95e68816319