You know the routine. ’70s Cadillac. Klockau sees. Klockau goes nuts. And proceeds to do a quickie post. So here we go!
I’ve always loved the 1970 Cadillacs. This is largely due to a classmate in my early elementary school years, whose mom had a faded but still excellent gold 1970 Fleetwood Brougham with white top and white leather interior. Though it wasn’t pristine I found it extremely compelling.
I even rode in it once, on a school field trip. This was back in the ’80s and I attended a small Lutheran school, so the moms usually volunteered their wheels to transport the class. My mom frequently volunteered, but this time I chose to ride in the Caddy instead of her Volvo 240 wagon. Because, Brougham.
Anyway, I recently spotted this one on Hemmings and was immediately smitten by its fantastic plum color combination and originality. It appears to be Monarch Burgundy, per the 1970 Cadillac color chart. Awooga!
Per the ad, “The seller states, ‘My father purchased the car from the estate of Marvin K. Brown in 1975. Mr. Brown was the owner of Cadillac dealerships in San Diego and Phoenix, and this was his car, which was often driven by his attorney with Mr. Brown riding in the backseat. Upon Mr. Brown’s passing, the car was purchased from his estate and driven to Reno, Nevada, where it has resided since.'”
“He continues, ‘The Fleetwood arrived in Reno on April 30, 1975 with 13,515 miles on its odometer. We used it for family road trips from 1975 through 1991, but drove it very sparingly from 1992 to 1995. In 1995, at 77,132 miles, it was placed on blocks and under a car cover in our garage.'”
“The seller goes on to say, ‘My father gifted the car to me in 2019, and I removed it from storage. No tow was needed, only a new battery and air in the tires. On June 1, 2019 the Cadillac was driven for the first time since 1995 and was taken to a friend’s shop where it received an oil change and new belts, hoses, and sparkplugs. It has been driven less than 500 miles since then. He concludes, “This Fleetwood 60 Special is one of 1,738 produced for 1970, it’s all original, having received maintenance only, has always been garaged and covered, and is in nearly excellent condition.'”
“Repainted in the factory hue of Monarch Burgundy in 1991, the finish remains “nearly perfect,” per the seller, except for “a few chips, small dings, and one blemish on the top of the driver’s-side front fender (see photos).” There’s “no evidence of rust,” the glass is “in good condition,” the seals are “excellent with no leaks,” and the exterior lighting works.”
But none of that really matters. All you need to know is it’s a fantastic Caddy. And a freakin’ rare one, as only 1,738 Sixty Specials were built, and it was the last year for the model. The Fleetwood Brougham, essentially identical except for its padded vinyl roof, had been handily outselling it for several years.
So starting in 1971 with the all-new designs, the model became the “Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham,” and all had the vinyl top. But I just love this one. And as my friend Charlie Larkin commented when I posted it on my FB page, it’s got to be a 1 of 1 in those colors.
Awooga, indeed.