1965 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham

Year:	1965
Make:	Cadillac
Model:	Fleetwood Brougham
Price:	$7,900

Description:

While Cadillac has always been an iconic American marque, during the late 50’s and ’60s they turned out some of this country’s nicest luxury cars. This 1965 Fleetwood Brougham is a wonderful example of Detroit’s capabilities.

This Cadillac is the Sixty Special series Sedan (Fleetwood Brougham option) which was factory-built by Fisher Bodies with a longer wheel base than the Sedan de Ville. That extra space creates a larger rear passenger compartment, with larger entry doors and more rear legroom. It has many of the comfort benefits of the Limousine without the extra 16 inches of length that precludes it from going into most home garages.

Our Brougham is finished in Cadillac’s silver gray with a black vinyl top. This paint choice lends a "distinguished" note to the car and the black vinyl top a bit of sportiness. The paint, which appears to be original, is in generally ok condition with a few nicks, chips, scrapes (no body damage) and one small area of flaking on the right rear by the trunk. The vinyl top is in perfect condition, with only a couple of bubbles on the right rear. The only areas on the exterior showing any rust is a small (5" x ½") strip running vertically at the edge of the driver’s door and a few small areas on the fender skirts. We can find no evidence of body filler. The gleaming chrome is exceptionally nice on this Brougham, with no dents or evidence of rust. The underside shows only normal surface rust on the frame and the rockers appear rust-free.

The interior of this Cadillac is almost perfect! The gray fabric seats with a woven design are clean and wear-free—they almost have a silky quality to them. As would be expected, this Fleetwood has six-way adjustable seats that create the perfect seating position. The steering wheel also has a tilt and telescope feature. The carpets are clean and virtually spotless. The dash and dash pad is clean and crack-free, and the headliner is neat as a pin. From the condition of the interior, it looks as if the car were brand new rather than having traveled 96,848 miles.

Another remarkable feature about this car is that it drives exceedingly well. The powerful 429 cu. in. engine starts right up and accelerates smoothly. The Turbo Hydra-matic transmission shifts properly. Both operate without any strange noises or performance issues. The power steering and power brakes work well, making the driving of this luxury car a pleasant experience. This Cadillac steers and stops properly, and it doesn’t shake or rattle on bumpy roads. Just as you would expect from the pinnacle of the American luxury automobile.

The gauges and safety equipment all work properly with only the clock not functioning—although when looking at the interior of this car, it truly does look like time stood still! The air conditioning works but will need recharging, and the heater control switch does not seem to be functioning. This Fleetwood has power windows and is equipped with the optional Automatic Dimmer that turns the headlights on and off automatically which we have not tested. The radio works well although the electric antenna does not. The 4 radial 235/75 R 15 whitewall tires appear to have most of their tread life remaining. And the glass is nice all around.

This Cadillac Brougham represents a unique opportunity to purchase a well-kept example of the top of Cadillac’s sedan line for 1965. Whether you are looking for a Sunday driver or a cruise-in attention-getter, this Fleetwood Brougham will fulfill your dreams and expectations at a price that will bring a smile to your face.