For some strange reason, the oversized Cadillacs of the seventies have always attracted me. Maybe it is due to the fact that I knew these cars when I was a child, or maybe I am simply overwhelmed by their sheer size. The biggest of them all was 1971-1976 Fleetwood Brougham. In 1971 the Fleetwood Brougham had an overall length of 228.8", which had grown to 233.7" by 1976. The 1976 Fleetwood Brougham is the longest postwar Cadillac ever built (except for professional cars like limousines, hearses and ambulances). Weighing 5,213 lbs it is not a lightweight either. Fortunately, this land yacht is powered by the famous 500 cubic inch engine.

The story of this purchase begins on the Cadillac Mailing List. Benjamin Sloan of Houston, Texas, offered for sale this car, nicknamed The Emerald Goddess. He even advertised it online, with some nice pictures and details about this beauty. The car been for sale for some time, and in January of 1998 I contacted Ben and asked him if he would be willing to sell it to a buyer across the Atlantic Ocean. Ben had no objections and by early March 1998, the Emerald Goddess arrived at the port of Antwerp. A couple of days later I learned that another CML member, Frank Perch, had also set his mind on the car. Unfortunately for him, the car was sold a few days before he contacted Ben. Nevertheless, this story does have a happy end. Early in 1999, Frank found a very nice 1976 Fleetwood Brougham, called the SS Dunbarton, in Florida.

On my way home from Antwerp I noticed a strange knocking noise coming from under the hood. Upon closer examination, this turned out to be a spun rod bearing. Knowing how reliable these 500 engines are, I removed the engine and replaced the bearing. The crankshaft was hardly damaged and it was definitely not necessary to regrind it. The engine has been running fine ever since this repair. Due to the Texas sun, the paint had turned dull on several spots and the car received a quality repaint in February of 1999.

Initially I had been looking to buy a Fleetwood Talisman. The extra-luxurious Talisman option package was available from 1974 till 1976 on the Fleetwood Broughams. The 1976 Cadillac brochure says

"Fleetwood Talisman. This sumptuous version of the Fleetwood Brougham is pure luxury. Individual front seats are trimmed in Medici, a stunning crushed velour available in Dark Blue or Black, above. Between each front seat is a console with an illuminated and lockable storage compartment. Outside, the car features a padded Elk Grain vinyl roof, turbine vaned wheel discs and identification on the roof panel."

However, Talisman Fleetwoods are very hard to find. The few ones I found for sale where either rust buckets, or were excessively highly priced.One step below the Talisman option was the d'Elegance package, as described in the 1976 Cadillac brochure:

"Brougham d'Elegance. This edition offers a new concept in automotive seating luxury -- Cadillac Contoured Pillow Seats. (Similar to upper right photo.) The Brougham d'Elegance seats are trimmed in handsome Mansion Knit, available in Light Gray, Black, Dark Blue, Dark Blue-Green and Light Buckskin. Other luxury touches include Mansin-trimmed seat back storage pockets, deep pile carpeting, turbine vaned wheels discs, opera lamps, 50/50 Dual Comfort front seats, padded Elk Grain vinyl roof and brushed chrome door moldings."

The exterior of the car is finished in Greenbrier Firemist Poly (code 93) with a Dark Blue Green (code 32-T) vinyl top. Dark Blue Green is the color of the interior.

The Emerald Goddess is lavishly adorned with the following jewelry:

• Astroroof: Laminated and tinted safety glass panel lets the sunshine in even when closed -- or keeps it out by sliding an adjustable sun shade. Or lets the air in with the power operated switch. All models except Convertible and Limousine.
• Theft-Deterrent System: Sounds horn and flashes exterior lights when security of the interior, engine or trunk compartment is violated.
• Illuminated Entry System: Pushing front door handle button illuminates door lock cylinder and inside courtesy lights. The lights go off when the ignition key is turned on.
• Illuminated Vanity Mirror: Visor mirror on the passenger side illuminates when cover is raised.
• Fuel Monitor System: Color-coded lights on the instrument panel indicate when fuel consumption rate is efficient or inefficient -- and when the fuel supply is low.
• Stereo with Tape Player: Cadillac's AM/FM Push-Button Stereo Radio with Integral 8-Track Tape Player. Four diagonally opposed speakers.
• Power Recliner Seats: Available for passener seat on all models with 50/50 Dual Comfort front seats. Power recliner for passenger seat is included as part of the Fleetwood Talisman.
• Opera Lamps: Available on Fleetwood Brougham, Limousines, Coupe deVille and Calais Coupe.
• Wire Wheel Discs
• Cruise Control: Maintains a selected speed without using the accelerator pedal.
• Electric Rear Window Defogger: Except limousine.
• Twilight Sentinel: Automatically turns driving lights on and off in response to light conditions.
• Guide-Matic Headlamp Control: Automatically dims lights with the approach of oncoming cars... and returns lights to bright.
• Controlled Cycle Wipers: Delay feature adjusts wiping action for light rain or other conditions.
• Automatic Level Control: (Standard on Fleetwood series.) Automatically adjusts to changing loads.
• Remote Control Trunk Lock & Electric Pull Down: A control button inside the glove compartment automatically releases the trunk lid lock.
• Tilt and Telescope Steering Weel: Swings up for easy entry-exit. Also slides and adjusts in or out.
• Remote Control Right-Side Mirror: Standard on Limousine.
• Outside Thermometer: Mounted on base of left-side mirror.
• Carpted Floor Mats: Seven coordinating colors.

If you want to download some pictures of my 1976 Fleetwood Brougham d'Elegance, just go to the Picture Gallery.

Last edited on January 23rd 1999 by Rik Gruwez
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