The 1989-1993 Cadillac sedans have always been a favorite of mine. I drove several when they were late model used cars, and even considered buying one in the late ’90s. The 1985-93 GM C-body was a nice package, with front wheel drive traction, ample interior space, and tidy exterior dimensions. In 1989, the Cadillac De Ville and Fleetwood got some much-needed lengthening to make them more Cadillac-like, and the upper-crust Fleetwood even got fender skirts, for the first time since 1976.
An added plus was that the oft-maligned 4.1 liter V8 was no more, banished from FWD Cadillacs starting in 1988, with a much-improved version becoming the 4.5 liter Cadillac V8.
And after being a special long-wheelbase version of the Fleetwood d’Elegance for 1987-1988, the Sixty Special returned to the standard sedan body, but with a much, MUCH flossier interior, as seen here. Even the headrests were power-adjustable.
Exterior revisions for 1989 included longer rear quarter panels with a much more pronounced ‘fin’, new front fenders, hood, grille, headlamps and bumpers, and the aforementioned fender skirts on the Fleetwood.
In 1991 De Villes and Fleetwoods got a new ‘power dome’ hood and larger grille-and the 4.5 got another healthy bump, becoming the 4.9L. This resulted in a noticeable increase in power, particularly in the lighter Eldorado and Seville. I should know, I’ve driven them. A Polo Green ’91 Seville I once test drove was like a luxury hot rod. It would really giddy up.
Sedans received a longer wheelbase than the outgoing ’88s, although the Coupe de Ville and Fleetwood coupe stuck with the 1987-88 wheelbase for some reason.
Yes, you could still get a coupe, but the sedans were outnumbering them more and more each model year. 1992 was the last official year for the Fleetwood coupe, though it’s been rumored a few 93s were built. Here’s a question for Carmine: Could you have gotten the coupe with the Sixty Special interior? I’ve never heard of one being built, but it would be interesting.
This 1992 Fleetwood caught my eye recently tonight, while perusing online auctions. It appears to be, and is represented as, an original car with original paint. The pinstriping is kind of worn off though, probably due to overzealous waxing or buffing. Or maybe just 25 plus years of being used. Though 94,000 miles is not bad at all for a car of this age.
And the high-end leather has held up well, even the driver’s side bolster is in fine condition. Evidently this car has seen some care over the years. Though it really needs a set of whitewall tires, in your author’s opinion. No doubt it had them when new. I’d prefer the alloys shown in the brochure pics to the wire wheel covers as well.
Now that’s a lot of buttons. Now is the time to make the ‘which one is for the ejector seat?’ joke.
Per the auction: “Fleetwood Sixty Special sedan with 94k org 2 owner miles! This is one loaded car and is quite unique over a regular De Ville and is like a mini limousine, this is one of only 554 produced…” NOTE: I haven’t been able to verify that 554 Sixty Specials were made at the time of publication.
“Sixty Special models were differentiated from the De Ville by the factory rear fender skirts, special interior trim package that has 22-way power driver and passenger seats. Italian designer Giorgio Giugiaro created the glove-soft leather seating with built-in heating elements and multiple lumbar adjustments.”
While of course the primo Sixty Special interior was prominently featured in the Fleetwood section of Cadillac brochures from 1989 to 1992, it was a pretty pricey option, so not too many were made with the special interior.
I personally have never seen one. Every Fleetwood I’ve seen in the metal, and most of them online, have the standard interior with the button-tufted seats. And the “Sixty Special” moniker applied only to those with the Giugiaro-designed interior, otherwise it was just a Fleetwood badge-wise.
Per my friend Jayson Coombes, a fellow Cadillac stalker like myself: “I think they want about a grand to 1500 more than its worth for its condition. But it IS gorgeous!!” And the navy over navy leather is a rather stunning combo. And all that fine wood trim-genuine American walnut, in the Fleetwoods. Less fancy Sedan and Coupe de Villes got simulated woodgrain trim instead.
Anyway, if you’re intrigued, or just want to see more pictures of this classic 27 year old Sixty Special, you can check out the auction here. Or maybe throw in a bid and see if you’re Brougham Material.