If you like a bit of a gamble, then this 1971 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine up for auction on eBay could be well worth looking at.
The good bits are that only around 870 of the particular model were made in 1971, and it’s likely to be pretty unusual in the UK. Not being an expert on mid-70’s American Limos, we’re open to correction, but the 1971-1976 Series 75 Cadillacs had a bit of a redesign for 1971. The listing is for the 7.5 litre, which is most likely the 472 cubinc inch, 7.7 litre overhead V8. That’s mated to a 3-speed Tubro-Hydromatic 400 auto transmission.
Limo models had special upholstery, a driver’s partition with adjustable glass compartment divider, automatic level control, rear window fogger and four rear ashtrays. Theoretically you could expect a top speed of around 114mph for the recklessly brave, with a 0-60mph of 11.4 seconds. Which is impressive for a car 247.3 inches long, and weighing around 2605kg / 5743 lbs.
All of this and current bidding is under £1000 at the time of writing…
And here’s the downside – the car has been left standing for years, and there’s no indication what works anymore, including the engine. And when it’s running, you’ll need an oil tanker standing by – you can expect about 11mpg.
It was first registered in the UK in 1988, so could have been parked up for 20 years or so, and there’s weathering and rust to deal with, in addition to figuring out what still works. And obviously it’s collection only – and you’ll need a mighty large trailer…
But there are plenty of pictures on the auction listing to help you decide. And if you did manage a reasonable restoration job, prices are only going to rise. Prices for the 1970s Cadillacs seem to be gradually increasing, and aren’t far behind those of the older 1960s versions. Depending on the result, you’re probably looking at somewhere around £15,000 for a well-restored and maintained version, giving you some room for the investment required. Plus, it’s cool… Check out the listing – you know you’re tempted…
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