Even if massive land yachts aren’t your thing, it’s hard to not be a little jealous of Reader David A. You see, he got a lead on a 1966 Cadillac Fleetwood Limo that had been parked in a carport for 2 decades. While it was dusty and dirty, he was able to get it running and driving with nothing more than a new battery, starter fluid and some fresh gas. He even managed to drive it from it’s resting place to his home without having to do any major work. Once he got it home he did a tuneup, cleaned it, installed new tires and has been driving it ever since! He even loaded up five of his old high school buddies for a trip to Willow Springs Raceway!
Here is David’s story in his own words:
Here is my most recent barn find! It’s a 1966 Cadillac Fleetwood factory built limousine. It was parked under an awning, sitting still for 21 years. It took me every bit of an hour to get it running. 73,000 original miles on it. Belonged to a Mortuary. Other than washing it, a tuneup and some window tint, I’m going to leave it just the way I found it. I found it in April of 2018 and have been enjoying it ever since.
Found it through my wife’s family, they are morticians, and this was the mortuaries limo, put a battery in and some starting fluid, got it running enough to move it to my house” Found it through my wife’s family, they are morticians, and this was the mortuaries limo. I put a battery in and sprayed some starting fluid in the carb and got it running enough to move it to my house. Once I got it home, I pulled the carb of and had it rebuilt. With that back on I took it to a transmission shop and had them change the filter. With it running and driving nicely I got some new tires for it, tinted the windows, registered it and am now driving it!
It’s difficult to imagine ever needing more space than the already massive Fleetwood 60 had to offer, but clearly, there was a need and a market for a limo version. Coming in at 20 feet long and weighing nearly 5,800 pounds, it’s no wonder they couldn’t fit this beast in their garage and it’s easy to see why the previous owner stopped driving it. Between the weight and the 429 cui V8, the fuel bill has to be astronomical!
Here’s a better look at the sheer size of this land yacht. For some context, Cadillac’s largest current offering is the Escalade ESV is nearly two feet shorter and only weighs a few pounds more. As great as the Escalade is, it lacks the presence and wow factor of this Fleetwood!
We have to commend David for saving this beast. GM built less than 1,000 of these Fleetwood Limos, making it a rare piece of American automotive history. Hopefully, he is able to keep it on the road for many years to come! We want to thank him for sharing his find with us and for sending us a video of it, which you can view below.
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Cool!!! Enjoy as is, or restore to original! Back when Cadillacs had class, style, comfort.
I like it👍
The riders are cool dogs in this lead sled !!
This is not a lead sled. It is a pimp mobile. But, boy o boy, wouldn’t I love to have one!
I’m surprised that he didn’t have to clean out the gas tank. Previous owner must of did him a favour by letting it run dry.
So this doesn’t have a division window making it a what? Cant remember the name of the division-less model.
In any event very cool…..I’d be tempted to have it repainted. My division window Caddie was a ’60 that belonged to a deposed Presidente De Mexico………….used it in a one car limo business just out of school. Problem was everybody wanted to pay me in something the car wouldn’t run on……….so one day a guy walks up to me at Tower Records and says would you like to sell your car. I said sure…turns out he had a hell of a small car museum/ winery in northern San Diego County. Last I saw it , it was there, somewhat worse for the wear.
I think the non division models were called Formal Sedans.
I love the ’66 Caddy ragtop coupe…and you can see the same mid-century styling cues in this limo.Those critters deserve to be hauled around in style.
Clip a treat tray to the jumpseat for when you limo them to the dog park.
Fantastic Fleetwood! Why can’t I find them like this?
I’ve said it before, I say it again, I do not know why Cadillac walked away from these great names in favor of meaningless jumbles of letters and numbers.
In my opinion, they are trying to sound more like Japanese and European sports cars. I’m old enough to remember when “luxury car” meant it was comfortable, instead of rocket fast and not comfortable. Too sporty these days.
I’d prefer this Cadillac any day than any Escalade. I find this way more attractive.
Good for any Limo company that needs a blast from the past
LOL Would be great for my garage, too! LOL
I’ve always wanted to buy an old cadillac limo, and this one is great. About a year ago, I saw a 1970 for sale in as good or better condition for $3000. I could probably have talked him down because it was late fall and storage can be an issue for these beasts. Unfortunately, my wife vetoed the idea, as it would have been inconvenient to work around over the winter months. I hope to improve my negotiating skills before the next deal comes along.
Real good article, David did it his way! Good job.
If anyone should be able to preserve a car, it should be a mortician!
cool,i have the same car myself here in australia,came from Washington state,it sat for many years here in the weather,but it is getting love now and it is fun to drive!!!