For some reason, I rarely think of a Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham from the 1980s as a car that needs work. I just assume that they’ve been taken care of, maintained, loved, washed, kept in a garage, etc. This is one that does need work, and some of it may need to be sent out to pros, but some you can probably do yourself. The seller has it posted here on craigslist in Saugus, Massachusetts, and they’re asking $9,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Zen for the tip!
The first two photos show what appears to be a car in outstanding condition. I don’t see anything alarming so far. At 18.5 feet long, this is still an incredibly big car, so check your garage space first if you plan on doing the work on this one yourself. Cadillac first used the Brougham name with the Fleetwood series two decades before this car was made, and a two-door version would have to be more popular in 2026, although I’d almost rather have a four-door myself.
Ok, here’s some work that needs to get on the to-do list. As with most cars in this era, the bumper filler material has deteriorated from age and the sun or whatever other reasons, and this appears to have been replaced but not painted. White seems like it would be easier to match than some other colors, but it may not look like new again unless you have experience in matching paint and applying it. Don’t forget the pinstripe.
Red leather is hard to beat in my world, and these seats appear to be in nice condition, both front and rear. The giant trunk also looks good, but there are indeed issues to deal with on this car. There is rust in many of the cracks and crevices, and a lot of paint issues, other than the unpainted rear bumper filler material. The vinyl top is pretty well shot, so that needs to be replaced as well. Kudos to the seller for including the not-so-pleasing areas, which strikes me as an honest thing to do.
The engine is the infamous HT-4100, a 4.1-liter OHV V8 with 135 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by a four-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels, the seller says it rides great, but that’s the only mention of its operating condition. The AC also needs a new line in order to work with the new compressor. Hagerty is at $5,400 for a #3 good-condition car, but I’d put this one way down the scale from there. A #4 fair-condition car is valued at $2,800, so there is no way the $9,000 asking price will ever be popular with potential buyers. This car needs a ton of work; I wouldn’t even be in at $2,800. How about you?
The opening photo doesn’t look too bad. But, unfortunately as you dig deeper, I would see my wallet getting lighter and lighter. I will say a huge plus is the leather interior, it looks pretty good. But you’d need a proper full paint job, and you’d want to lift the vinyl top off for any hidden issues before replacing it. If you were going to have an issue with that 4100, it would have happened by now. Honestly, the price is just way too high at least for me. The body does look straight, and I think all the chrome is there which is another huge plus. I think this could and should be fixed up. If the Price is right. I appreciate the seller including photos of its issues.
Unlike Driveinstile, I see just a lil bit differently..This Unit was ordered without traditional Brougham options (pillow plush 50/50 power interior, moonroof, power opening and close trunk…as for price I truly agree, I see maybe 2k here
Best thing: Out with the HT(hook & tow)4100 and in with an LS. Then you’ve got something.
I usually hate the idea of putting an LS engine in a classic Cadillac but you are absolutely right on this one here! Get a 6.2 Escalade engine w/6l80 trans and replace the cam & lifters and do some port work on the heads while it’s out and get an 8.6 rear end from a 77-81 and can that tiny 7.25 it came with, then add 3.73 gears and it will still be “ALL Cadillac” but would eat those HEMI Challengers/Chargers up and surprise the Scat Pack versions as well since that Cadi is quite a bit lighter than both of them and the mods to the engine should give it 500+ horsies and will be extremely reliable too!
the interior looks good. there is quite a bit of rust that’s showing. i am sure those rocker moldings are loaded on the underside of them.9k no way. they will be sitting on this for a bit unless someone just wants a 2dr caddy and doesn’t care about looks.
Cadillac really screwed up offering a 2 door Fleetwood IMO. Except for the rear side windows it looks just like a de Ville. And then the downgraded interior…….. just no words
Angel Cadillac Queen Diva, There’s nothing “downgraded” about the leather in this car. It simlpy wasn’t ordered with the “d’Elegance” package. This is a base Fleetwood Brougham Coupe. The base interior was either “heather knit cloth” that looked like this in a suede-like velour texture, or an upgrade to this Sierra Grain leather. A further upgrade would have been in the d’Elegance package, with either button tufted velour or button tufted leather. As a retired GSM in a couple large Milw. area Cadillac stores, I ordered dozens of these cars in both 2 and 4 door bodies. Olds and Buick both made 2 door, full size cars back in the day too.
White is actually one of the hardest shades to work with. As a good buddy who paints told me “There’s a hundred different shades of white. But black is black. “
Listing update: the seller has lowered their asking price to $7,500.