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The Fleetwood name was used on the top of the Cadillac line since 1927. The name comes from Fleetwood Metal Body, the in-house coachbuilder which began producing custom Cadillac bodies years earlier. In 1946, Cadillac created a special version of the Series 60 called the "Series 60 Special Fleetwood". The Fleetwood name was then used to designate the top of the line trim of the Series 70 and Sixty Special models through 1976.

In 1977, Cadillac refocused the Fleetwood name. The Fleetwood Limousine carried on from the Fleetwood Seventy-Five, while the Fleetwood Brougham took over where the Sixty Special was positioned.

1946-1964

Two Fleetwood models:

• 1946-1964 Sixty Special Fleetwood — based on Series 62
• 1946-1964 Series 75 Fleetwood — unique long wheelbase model

1965

For 1965, the Eldorado and Sixty Special officially became part of the Fleetwood line along with the Seventy-Five. A new Fleetwood Brougham line was also added as an upscale Sixty Special.

1977-1979

For 1977, the Fleetwood diverged into two models. The Fleetwood Limousine used the new long-wheelbase D-body, while the Fleetwood Brougham had the shorter C-body. Also new was an aluminum L33 V8, with optional Diesel power coming the next year thanks to Oldsmobile.

Limousine

The Fleetwood Limousine was redesigned in 1977 to use the new 144.5 in wheelbase D-body.

Engines:

• 1977-1979 7.0 L L33 V8, 180 hp (134 kW)

Brougham

The Fleetwood Brougham was also redesigned for 1977, using the new shorter 121.5 in (3086 mm) wheelbase rear wheel drive D-body through 1979.

Engines:

• 1977-1979 7.0 L L33 V8, 195 hp (145 kW)
• 1978-1979 5.7 L LF9 Diesel V8, 105 hp (78 kW)

1980-1985

For 1980, all Fleetwood models retained the the 121.5 inch wheelbase and chassis introduced for the 1977 models. This generation lasted through 1984 with both standard and limousine versions sharing the rear wheel drive platform. For 1985 and 1986, only the Fleetwood Brougham models remained on the D-body. The 7.0 L engine, a reduced bore 472, was further debored for 1980-1981 to 368 cubic inches or 6.0 liters. For 1981, the 368 was provided with a modulated displacement system designed by Eaton Corporation, controlled by a digital computer, which locked off intake and exhaust valves to 2 or 4 of the 8 cylinders, thus running effectively as a V6 or V4 under light load conditions where in third gear, and over 35 miles per hour. This engine was called the "V8-6-4", and its electronics and sensors proved troublesome and but for limousines, this engine was dropped after 1981. It was a stretch for the computer power of the era. Both the 425 and 368 are small-bore versions of the durable 472 (which was introduced in late 1967 for the '68 model year). The larger 500 had the 472's bore but a longer stroke. This engine family was the last Cadillac cast-iron engine, and the last 'big-block'. All companion subsequent engines in this model series (1977-1996) were from Buick (shortlived 252 / 4.1 liter V6), Oldsmobile (350 diesel and 307 gasoline V8), Chevrolet (305 and 350 V8) and of course Cadillac, with the troublesome "HT4100" small block V8 alloy unit with cast iron cylinder liners.

Engines:

• 1981-1982 4.1 L , 125 hp (93 kW)
• 1980-1984 6.0 L L62 V8-6-4 V8, 140 hp (104 kW) (Limousine/Commercial only after 1980)
• 1982-1985 4.1 L HT-4100 V8, 125 hp (93 kW)
• 1980-1985 5.7 L LF9 Diesel V8, 105 hp (78 kW)

1985-1986

For 1985, all Fleetwood models (except the Fleetwood Brougham) moved to the front wheel drive C-body. The standard Fleetwood shared the same 110.8 in (2814 mm) wheelbase as the other C-body cars, while the Limousine "Fleetwood 75" stretched it to 134.4 in (3414 mm). The Fleetwood Brougham remained on the RWD D-body through 1986.

Engines:

• 1985 4.3 L LS2 Diesel V6, 85 hp (63 kW)
• 1985-1986 4.1 L HT-4100 V8, 125 hp (93 kW)

1987-1988

The rear wheel drive Fleetwood Brougham became simply the Cadillac Brougham for 1987, leaving all Fleetwoods on the new FWD platform. There was little more than trim differenced between the Fleetwood D'Elegance and Deville. The "Sixty Special" Fleetwood used a stretched 115.8 in (2941 mm) version of the C-body, while the Limousine "Fleetwood 75" remained at 134.4 in (3414 mm) between the wheels.

The aluminum 4.1 L HT-4100 V8 was the only engine for 1987, and it was replaced by the 4.5 L HT-4500 the next year. The engine was upped to 4.9 L for 1991's HT-4900.

Engines:

• 1987 4.1 L HT-4100 V8, 125 hp (93 kW)
• 1988 4.5 L HT-4500 V8, 155 hp (116 kW)

1989-1992

Generation IV Fleetwood/Sixty Special
Overview
Production	1989–1992 1993 (Sixty Special)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door coupé
Platform	FF C-body
Related	Cadillac De Ville
Powertrain
Engine	4.5 L HT-4500 V8 4.9 L HT-4900 V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase	110.8 in (2814 mm) coupes 113.8 in (2891 mm) sedans

For 1989, the Fleetwood line was aligned more-closely with the Deville, essentially becoming trim variations on the same vehicle. The coupe versions of both shared the old 110.8 in (2814 mm) wheelbase, while the sedans (including the "Sixty Special") were unified at 113.8 in (2891 mm). Exterior dimensions were also identical between the model lines, with a length of 202.3 in (5138 mm) and 205.3 in (5215 mm) for the coupe and sedan, respectively.

The US$30,000 sticker price was a bargain compared to the large German luxury cars of the time, but Car and Driver felt that there was no comparison. They felt that the ride was "harsh", surprising when combined with a "feeble" .67 g of cornering grip. And the 155 hp (116 kW) V8 could only manage 10.9 s to 60 mph (96 km/h) for the 3615 lb (1640 kg) car.

Power jumped to 180 hp (134 kW) from the same 4.5 L engine for 1990 through the use of a dual-stage intake manifold and other changes. It was replaced by the 200 hp (149 kW) 4.9 L HT-4900 for 1991.

The Fleetwood moved away from the Deville for 1993, except the Sixty Special which became a Deville-based model in its own right for that year only. All Fleetwoods and Sixty Specials use "spats" or covers over the rear wheels, while all Devilles lack this feature.

Both the Fleetwood and Deville were coded as C-bodies in the fourth digit of the VIN. The fifth digit coded the Deville as "D" (with the later Touring Sedan becoming "T"), the Fleetwood as "B", and the Fleetwood Sixty Special as "S". The Sixty Special became the "G" code for 1991, and switched back to "B" for its 1993 run.

Engines:

• 1989 4.5 L HT-4500 V8, 155 hp (116 kW)
• 1990 4.5 L HT-4500 V8, 180 hp (134 kW)
• 1991-1992 4.9 L HT-4900 V8, 200 hp (149 kW)

1993-1996

For 1993, the Fleetwood name was switched from the Deville's front wheel drive C-body to the newly revised rear wheel drive D-body. This new body, based on the Caprice but presenting itself as an almost original design, has become recognized as one of the finest luxury cars ever produced by GM. The 1993 Fleetwood was the largest production car made in the United States until production ceased in 1996.

1994 brought the Corvette-derived LT-1 350 in³ (5.7 L) engine to make 260 hp (193.9 kW). Along with the new 4L60E transmission performance truly came alive and these cars were amazingly nimble and extremely quick, especially for their size. Many a "sportier" car and driver found themselves left at many a stoplight after '94 and Lincoln, with another 9 years behind them, has yet to make a Town Car that can compete in performance.

These cars already command a collector interest and prices have bottomed out and started a slow climb. Definitely a prime future collector car and a good investment, if you have someplace to store a few 18 foot long luxury cars.

Engines:

• 1993 5.7 L L05 V8, 185 hp (138 kW)
• 1994-1996 5.7 L LT1 V8, 260 hp (194 kW)

References

• Arthur St. Antoine (April 1989). "Cadillac Fleetwood Road Test". Car and Driver. 34 (10): 55–61.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: year (link)

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