Deville Cadillac History 1989

Cadillac loved to confuse buyers by using similar names for their cars. The Fleetwood and Fleetwood Sixty Special were upscale front-wheel drive DeVilles; but the “Fleetwood” Brougham was a rear-wheel drive units.

Cadillac described the 1989 Fleetwood Sixty Special as a “luxuriously equipped up-level sedan with all-new styling … [and] a unique and sumptuous seating package trimmed in ultrasoft leather:” In line with the de Ville and Fleetwood models, the Sixty Special (which was available in five additional colors, or 11 in all for 1989) had numerous new exterior sheet metal and styling components. It also had the larger trunk capacity and new comfort/convenience options. A full-padded vinyl roof was standard, as well as being listed as delete option. The electroluminescent wreath and crest sail panel ornamentation standard. The Sixty Special interior featured a new exclusive Giugiaro seat trim style with “Ultrasoft” leather available in three colors. The front seat now had a unique “Split-Frame” arrangement that allowed independent vertical adjustment of the lower cushion relative to the seat back. Wider headrests were also used. The front seat’s electrically powered features now provided for triple-element lumbar supports, thigh supports, side bolsters, heated seat backs and cushions, headrests and slide-out storage drawer. The new center armrest used on the Fleetwood was also found on the Sixty Special as were the revised rear seats. The Sixty Special’s front armrest opened to the rear for rear seat access. The rear seat center armrest had a storage compartment. Map pockets were installed in the front seatbacks. Added to the Fleetwood trim was an identification plaque on the quarter panel and glovebox.