Here’s a familiar face: the Cadillac Brougham, an American land barge if there ever was one. However, this particular face stands out as it represents the one time in the model’s long-tenured history that Cadillac actually decided to freshen things up a bit. In 1990, luxury car shoppers were rewarded with an updated front fascia featuring attractive flush-mounted composite headlights, Euro-styled body cladding, updated taillights, and some new features inside. Aside from that, however, it was largely still the same car your grandfather bought new a few years earlier. Find this low-mileage example here on craigslist for $21,500. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Zen for the find.
Is there a mob movie made that doesn’t feature at least one appearance by a Cadillac of this vintage? I think you’d be hard-pressed to find one. The Brougham was the car America pinned its hopes on for defeating European luxury, but years later, it seems like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the BMW 7-Series emerged dominant in the luxury liner showdown. However, I would argue that GM simply saw the forest for the trees and realized this car was never going to compete on the interstate for speed and handling prowess, and instead let it ride for as long as enough shoppers were willing to overlook the shortcomings of this long-serving member of Cadillac’s lineup. I love the color scheme here, which amounts to three layers of blue: blue vinyl top, blue body, blue leather interior (and blue carpets – so four layers?)
And honestly, even after griping over the years about GM’s slow-moving approach to what consumers wanted, it’s hard to see how they could have otherwise overcome years of reliable business from consumers who didn’t demand anything else except….this: a 1970s-era dashboard, huge seats with zero side bolsters support, antiquated controls, and limited technology. Why scrap the whole program in hopes you’re going to persuade someone who will always buy an E-Class to suddenly want to buy a Brougham? The math likely didn’t make sense, and even today, Cadillac is still trying to find its way. But if you do find your way to this Brougham, you’re going to find one with 44,000 original miles and seemingly in mint condition inside and out.
As a reminder, I still have several low-mileage Cadillac Broughams for sale – like the pastel yellow car above – from my friend’s property in North Georgia (I’m going to make a separate post about each car shortly); you can read more the 1990 Brougham FE2 here. These are tremendous values right now in the collector car market, offering styling, loads of comfort, dirt-cheap prices, and effortless wafting down the road. The market for most early 90s vehicles that were iconic in some way continues to go up, so while our subject car may be a touch expensive, I can’t blame the seller for trying.
How much for the Land Rover 130 Hi-Cap pickup parked next to it?
You’re welcome. I had one just like it, only with the 350 engine and spoked hubcaps. Beautiful and comfortable, before they tried to be a European sports car. He’s dreaming at that price.
The BEST Cadillac ever made. Hands down. No other comes close. Yes, I own one. No, it’s not for sale so stop leaving messages on it and at my front door. Or wonder what cars are behind my garage doors that take its space. See it. Drive it. And know you’re the man of the road others can only envy.
Surprised to see that much wear on edge of driver’s seat for 44,000 miles.
Funeral car? Would be nice if we could see some underside photos.
Have to keep in mind people still died in the winter in a salt state. Love these large boats. Pretty car.
I would love this… BUT… the price is high. The seats are LEATHER and look worn. There’s too much we don’t see and don’t know, here. Put this one up on a lift, and take photos of the underside. Let’s see how it looks under the hood. Close-ups of door-jams and door-sills? How about the inside of the trunk? At anything close to THIS price, she ought to be just about showroom-new, inside, underneath, and outside — an untouched “survivor”, nothing less. Because a well-preserved 1990 Cadillac isn’t exactly a rare “high-demand collector car”, more of a status used car, and there are a few of these in every town, under form-fitting car-covers, and tucked into suburban garages. A 1990 Cadillac is far from “uncommon”, and it appeals to a very limited number of buyers. I would rather go after a mid-1980s Mercury Grand Marquis — just as comfortable, no “status” aspirations — better gas-mileage — velour seats: what’s not to love? (Hint: I own one, and the radio sucks for long-distance reception).
Hey!!! I subscribed to this website, to get RID of all the blocking and intrusive ADs! — and to be logged-in when I came on to comment!! But now the constant ads pop-up, I have to re-enter my name and email address every time I post. And my posts vanish behind blocking ADs. What GIVES???
Hi Harrison. You are asking the $Gazzion dollar question!
I have wondered the exact same thing..
This site must be working for DOGE. There is becoming more and more junk crap we all have to navigate every time we want to leave a comment. AND, by chance you happen to tap by mistake on one or these little boweevels your phone becomes inundated with their junk.
HEY, Barn Finds, are you people monitoring right now?
You are every other time I make a comment of reality! Wake up!!
BTW, thanks if you’re already on it.
Ex limousine company car, bet it has 344.000 miles , the top tier caddy and De-elegance but no wire wheels? Way too much money too.
This is not only a Brougham deElegance. The chrome hood strips and tufted seats were exclusive to the deElegance. My 89 Brougham deElegance was the pinnacle of Cadillac luxury with plush velvet tufted seats. Mmy big mistake was trading for a 93 Brougham, which had numerous problems, worst of which was premature rust though of rear wheel openings allowing moisture to get into the trunk and rear seats. Although the price on this one is unfortunately beyond my means. BUT really fair for the last generation of TRADITIONAL Cadillacs. How the Once Standard of the WORLD has fallen. What Cadillac builds today, is totally CADILLACKING. Can’t wait for our Cadillac DIVA QUEEN to weigh in on this LAND YACHT!
This is not only a Brougham deElegance. The chrome hood strips and tufted seats were exclusive to the deElegance. My 89 Brougham deElegance was the pinnacle of Cadillac luxury with plush velvet tufted seats. Mmy big mistake was trading for a 93 Brougham, which had numerous problems, worst of which was premature rust though of rear wheel openings allowing moisture to get into the trunk and rear seats. Although the price on this one is unfortunately beyond my means. BUT really fair for the last generation of TRADITIONAL Cadillacs. How the Once Standard of the WORLD has fallen. What Cadillac builds today, is totally CADILLACKING. Can’t wait for our Cadillac DIVA QUEEN to weigh in on this LAND YACHT!
Why is the courtesy light not illuminated on the passenger door with the drivers door open? They all lit at once and did not have an override switch.