Cadillac Fleetwood Models & History 1976

FLEETWOOD SIXTY SPECIAL BROUGHAM

For the last time, the luxurious Brougham would carry on the Sixty Special name, riding a lengthy 133 in. wheelbase — three inches longer than a Sedan DeVille. New “Fleetwood” plaques replaced script on both Brougham and the longer-wheelbase Fleetwood Seventy-Fives (below). A stand-up “jewel-like” wreath-and-crest hood ornament was now standard on both. Basic styling was similar to DeVille, including the large chrome housings at rear fender tips that held inward- and outward-facing red lenses. The decklid held a wreath-and-crest emblem rather than Calais/DeVille’s “V” and crest. Modest Fleetwood nameplates on front fenders (behind the wheel openings, below the body side molding) and decklid corner were in block letters, colored to match the body. Brougham standards included

  • a signal-seeking radio with power antenna
  • automatic level control
  • lamp monitors
  • six-way power seat
  • power windows and door locks
  • individual reading lights
  • carpeted footrests.

Standard Dual Comfort 60/40 front seats with fold-down center armrest could be upholstered in Minoa ribbed velour with leather bolsters (three colors) or smooth-finish Mansion (five colors). Sierra Grain leather came in 11 trim combinations.

Broughams could have premium wheel covers with Fleetwood wreath/crest and black centers. Two luxury option packages were offered again. Brougham’s d’Elegance option changed for 1976 to include contoured loose-pillow style seats trimmed in soft Mansion brushed-knit fabric (five colors available) with 50/50 Dual Comfort front seats, seatback pockets, extra-dense pile carpeting, “Brougham d’Elegance” script on instrument panel, and wide brushed-chrome lower door moldings. The roof was thickly padded in Elk Grain vinyl with roller perimeter around the backlight, rich French seam, and bright chrome belt moldings. Also in the package:

  • turbine-vaned wheel discs
  • opera lamps
  • “Brougham d’Elegance” script on the sail panels.

The Fleetwood Talisman option package included

  • 40/40 front seats with six-way power adjuster and power passenger recliner, trimmed in Medici crushed velour (black or dark blue)
  • special interior trim
  • console with lighted compartment
  • stand-up wreath/crest hood ornament
  • padded Elk Grain vinyl roof
  • turbine-vaned wheel discs
  • “Fleetwood Talisman” identification on sail panels.
FLEETWOOD SEVENTY-FIVE LIMOUSINE

This would be the final year for the long Caddy limo and nine-passenger sedan (151.5 in. wheelbase and 252.3 in. overall), which weighed in at a whopping 5800 lbs. Their body style had first appeared for 1971. This year, like Fleetwood Brougham, they gained a new grille pattern plus revised cornering lamps with horizontal chrome trim. Base prices were $14,889 for the nine-passenger sedan and $15,239 for the eight-passenger limo. This model year, a total of 1,815 Fleetwood Seventy-Fives were built: 981 sedans and 834 limos.

Fleetwood remained the only American-built vehicle that was designed and built strictly as a limousine. Big Fleetwoods had two separate automatic climate control systems. Interior choices were Medici crushed velour fabric in black or dark blue, or light gray Magnan Knit in light gray. Full-width folding seats held three extra passengers. Passengers could use the control panel to raise/lower windows, turn on reading lamps, operate radio, or (in limo) raise/lower the center partition. Fixed quarter windows behind the rear doors were larger than those on Sedan DeVille. (Fleetwood Broughams had no such windows at all.)

Electronic fuel injection was optional on the 500 cu. in. (8.2-liter) V-8 engine. A cross-grain padded vinyl roof was optional. Seventy-Five models had new graphite-treated rear brake linings, reinforced shoes, and Hydro- Boost power-brake booster. They also boasted four cigarette lighters rather than the usual two.

Model Series Number Body/Style Body Type Seating Factory Price Shipping Weight Production Total
Fleetwood Brougham 6C B69 4-door Sedan 6 10,935 5213 24,500
Fleetwood Seventy-five 6D F23 4-dr Sedan 9P 14,889 5746 981
6D F33 4-dr Limo 8P 15,239 5889 834
6D Z90 Commercial Chassis N/A N/A 1,509

 

ENGINES

 

Item Carburetor engine Fuel Injected engine
Type V-8 90-degree, overhead valve V-8. Cast iron block and head.
Displacement 500 cu. in. (8.2 liters)
Bore & stroke 4.300 x 4.304 in.
Compression ratio 8.5:1
Brake horsepower 190 @ 3600 R.P.M. 215 @ 3600 R.P.M.
Torque 360 lb.-ft. @ 2000 R.P.M. 400 lb.-ft. @ 2000 R.P.M.
Main bearings Five
Valve lifters Hydraulic valve lifters
Fuel distribution 4 Bbl. Rochester M4ME Fuel Injection

 

CHASSIS DATA

 

Feature Fleetwood Brougham Fleetwood 75
Wheelbase 133.0 in. 151.5
Overall length 233.7 in. 252.2
Height 58.3 in. 56.8 (56.6 limo)
Width 76.4 in. 76.4
Front Tread 61.7 in. 61.7
Rear Tread 60.7 in. 60.7
Standard tires GR78 x 15-D SBR wide WSW HR78 x 15-D SBR wide WSW

 

TECHNICAL

 

Transmission Three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic standard on all models; column shift (400 series)
Gear ratios (1st) 2.48:1; (2nd) 1.48:1; (3rd) 1.00:1: (Rev) 2.07:1 or 2.09:1.
Standard final drive axle ratio 2.73:1
Optional axle ratio 3.15:1
Axle type Hypoid rear axle
Steering variable ratio power assisted
Front suspension upper/lower control arms, coil springs, rod-and-link stabilizer bar
Rear suspension four-link drive, coil springs
Body construction separate body and perimeter frame
Wheel size 15 x 6 JK
Brakes front ventilated disc. rear drum with power booster
Ignition HEI electronic ignition
Fuel tank 27.5 gal.

 

DRIVETRAIN OPTIONS

 

Heavy-duty cooling system $40
80-amp alternator $45.
California emission equipment $50
Limited slip differential $61

 

CONVENIENCE/APPEARANCE OPTIONS

 

Cruise control $104.
Controlled-cycle wipers $28
Rear defogger, grid-type $77
Tilt/telescope steering wheel $102
Automatic door locks $100
Illuminated entry system $52
Fuel monitor $26
Theft deterrent system $114
Track master $263
Remote trunk lock $68
Opera lamps $58
Twilight Sentinel $47
Guidematic headlamp control $54
Trumpet horn $19
Remote-control right mirror $30
Thermometer on left mirror $18
Lighted vanity mirror, passenger $44 – $60
AM/FM stereo radio w/tape player $239
Signal-seeking AM/FM stereo radio $147
Signal-seeking AM/FM stereo radio w/weather band $209
Firemist paint $146
Door edge guards $7-$11
License frame $7 each
Dual comfort 50/50 front seat $185
Dual comfort 60/40 front seat $123
Turbine-vaned wheel covers $45
Wire wheels on d’Elegance/Talisman $122