It’s hard to keep track of how many different varieties of limousines Cadillac and various aftermarket companies produced, but examples like this 1976 Fleetwood 75 are among the more handsome and “reasonably proportioned” models. With an interior designed for executive transport within a body not stretched to ridiculous lengths, it remains appealing today as an affordable alternative to a Maybach if you’re the type to have your own driver. Find it here on craigslist in South Carolina for $2,900.
It’s surprising to see what looks like a velour interior, as leather would certainly be the first choice of most big-body sedans today. Regardless, the seller knows some of the car’s history, namely that a local businessman used this Cadillac as his personal daily transport until he either retired or passed, as it’s been parked in a garage since 1990. The good news there is the interior hasn’t suffered from all sorts of sun damage, as the dashboard appears to be uncracked.
I certainly hope the owner had a driver from time to time, as it seems like a waste to have that expansive interior and never have the ability to stretch out and enjoy it. On the other hand, I wouldn’t mind adding some writing or serving tables back here, or something akin to a vintage mobile dictation machine. I spotted one of those in a junked Mercedes years ago, along with an auxiliary reading lamp that I still have. Even though we consider ourselves high-tech, executives didn’t go without back in the 70s.
And that trunk, my God! You could fit luggage for a week and your golf clubs, perfect for heading to Hilton Head. The Cadillac suffers from seemingly what all Fleetwoods do with the missing trim around the taillights, but the body otherwise appears quite straight. The seller points out that this is the “….last of the big Caddy’s 500 CI engine!”, so don’t expect to see particularly good MPGs if you do decide to haul a week’s worth of clothes and golf bags.
In regards to the interior, if the car had a divider the front seat was leather.
If it does not, as in this case, it has whatever the customer ordered.
You guys should be a little quicker on posting these or at least not post it if the original post is already gone.
Also Jeff, it is not hard to keep track of the different varieties of these cars.
Cadillac had a version with a divider and one without.
The stretch limo are not in this category, so no need to even mention or look at them.
If you’re considering this one or something similar, be sure to check with both your insurance company and state licensing bureau before making the purchase. Limos are usually classified as commercial vehicles and the various fees increase accordingly.
One of my good friends does a lot to help underprivileged children. He has a clown outfit as well as a Santa suit and beard. He thought that an older limo would be fun for arrivals as well as entertaining transport for some of the kids he helps – until he checked on license and insurance. That ended the limo dream in short order.
That may be true if you intend on using the car commercially, but most of these cars aren’t used that way anymore.
It is just a big sedan at this point.
First of all it’s a collector car at this point so I’m sure you could insure it that way very reasonably with Hagerty to name one. Anyway back in the 70s I had a girlfriend who’s father owned a limousine company and he had a large fleet. I used to drive for him all the time and I remember those cars well and fondly. They rode really well. When the 77’s came around I would pick an older one over the newer ones because they rode better. I don’t think you can find a better riding car. That old combination of heavy weight big smooth tons of torque motor big soft tires soft suspension soft bushings separate chassis and body gave a ride that no high end unibody car costing hundreds of thousands of dollars could match !!!!!
@Miguel
“It is just a big sedan at this point.”
@Ron
“First of all it’s a collector car at this point so I’m sure you could insure it that way very reasonably with Hagerty to name one.”
You would think… and if you were only going to drive it to car shows and/or cruise-ins, you could probably do that. But… both my friend’s insurance company and the DMV questioned him closely as to how he was going to use the car. In a nutshell, they told him that they would issue antique or non-commercial plates and insurance ONLY if he was NOT going to use it for weddings, funerals or any type of ‘party’ transport. From his descriptions of the processes, they didn’t seem to be as concerned about the ‘commercial’ aspect as they were about the actual uses.
This occurred in West Virginia. Trying to register one of these in different states or with different insurance companies could well yield different results. I only offered my friend’s experiences as a heads-up to potential buyers.
Well, he was intending on using it for commercial purposes, so the insurance company would be right.
Most people wouldn’t use it for that anymore as most people that want a limo want an all decked out stretch.
What is the reason that so many Cadillac’s are missing the taillight trim? That’s something that I have always wondered.
The plastic used to make them would dry out and crack or break when bumped into. Pontiacs had the same problems
There wasn’t any need for rough contact, they would become so brittle due to UV exposure that they’d crumble and fall out due to gravity. A strong wind, or the stresses of running through a carwash would make them break apart. Just driving down the road was usually enough. All of the GM cars of the era which used them to fill in between body and bumper suffered the same malady.
Plastics have come a long way, chemical-composition wise…
There was someone in Hemmings that sold a replacement for those. I think you had to paint them to match the body color.
Now, that’s a Cadillac! Huge, tank-like, roomy, comfortable, looks like you could cruise along and take out telephone poles and not even feel it hit.
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Wow that was cheap! $2900??? That’s crazy!
Looks like an old funeral home transporter…for those above the ground that is :)
I have one of these – I actually came home from the hospital in one – my dad was/is a Cadillac dealer – so I searched for an all original low mileage example. Found one that was a Cadillac Exec car and was sold to another Cadillac dealer who used it sparingly.
Wanted to clarify the listing/post here, if it had the divider (which this one doesn’t), it was the Limo version.
Another interesting factoid, this car is in the Guiness Books of Workd Records as the longest built production car ever… as it was delivered from the factory in this length without the need of a upfitter to do the extension.
Rear AC & 8-track controls – kinda cool!
2girldad– Great story and great car. I drove a lot of these back in the day and I loved them !!! From the front seat !! Ps. The executive models with the divider had less leg room for the driver. The seat didn’t go back as far !! I preferred this model and I’m not a tall guy.
She’s a beauty! I’ve always loved these big Cadillac formal sedans/ limos. This lovely lady would take up one entire half of my suburban driveway, and I’d happily let her! I don’t care that she darn near requires an oil tanker to follow her around. This is the very epitome of 1970s egregious excess. The good old days.
I just purchased a new limo! In fact it’s a Mercedes limo! My son and his wife insisted that I don’t drive anymore! I also have a driver on call to take me anywhere I want or need to go! No I am not wealthy, but I did work hard my whole life and fortunately made some good decisions! Actually I am leaving for Florida next week and already have a tee time at Mara Largo! No not with Mr. President! It’s a great course that I have been wanting to play on for a long time! I am just letting all my barn finds friends know that I may not post for awhile! Unlike the Donald, I don’t do twitter! LOL
You can access Barn Finds on your phone.
How are you going to go a whole week without commenting on cars?
Have fun and try not to buy any old well kept low mile cars when you are in Florida.
I know that Miguel! I am planning on being so busy golfing and looking at the bikinis that the last thing on my mind will be barn finds! LOL, just because I am old and grey on top there is still plenty of swing left in the sling! If you know what I mean? LMAO
PLEASE!!! This is NOT a limousine…it is a 7-passenger sedan…That is most obvious. WHY do you make constantly this same mistake in your listings!! ??? PLEASE ..learn the difference between a limo and a 7-passenger sedan!! THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY DIFFERENT and always have been so !!!!!!
@ David – No need to get so upset! Please enlighten us on the differences.
Sorry…but it frustrating to see always….not only on this site, but in many places…the 8-passenger sedans referred to as limos. (I wrote incorrectly in my early post…both the sedans and the limos are 8 -passenger…not 7-passenger…i.e. 3 in the rear sear, 2 in the jump seats and 3 in the front ). The limos have divider windows between the front and back compartments…the chauffeur area has black leather. The 8-passenger sedans do not have those features. Those are the differences.
Where did you get the idea this was a 7 passenger sedan?
Up until 1975 when you ordered a limo or 8 passenger sedan it was made by Cadillac on the line. Limos had a divider window 8 passenger sedan didn’t. So you needed that 500 CI engine to move them. Starting in 1976 if you ordered a limo from your dealer it was made by an outside contractor, albeit contracted by GM.
Again, where do you get the 8 number.
Three across the back seat, plus two each on the jump seats plus two more in the front seat.
That is why they are called 9 passenger sedans.
At 2,900 this car is a steal. She could be cleaned up and used as a low end limo in a transportation company. The post 2000 Hummers etc are high end even the latest Cadillac and Lincolns. She has historic value as well.