Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham
The Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham occupied a unique position in the luxury car hierarchy — more exclusive than the standard DeVille but more personal than the formal Fleetwood Seventy-Five limousine. For 1965, Cadillac introduced a completely new body that was lower, wider, and more dramatically styled than its predecessor, with stacked vertical headlights and a crisp, angular design that epitomized mid-1960s American luxury. The Sixty Special rode on an exclusive longer wheelbase of 133 inches, providing additional rear-seat legroom befitting its status. Under the hood, the 429 cubic inch V8 produced 340 horsepower with effortless torque delivery through the Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission. Standard equipment included everything imaginable for the era: power everything, automatic climate control, power windows, six-way power seat, and Cadillac's renowned quality of interior trim. The Brougham package added special leather-and-cloth upholstery, additional chrome trim, and Brougham script identification. The Sixty Special was the choice of executives, diplomats, and discriminating buyers who wanted Cadillac luxury without the ostentation of a limousine.
Check for frame rust, especially in northern climate cars. The 429 V8 is extremely durable but check for oil leaks at rear main seal. Power accessories (windows, seats, locks) use complex vacuum systems that can be troublesome. Interior wood and leather quality separates good examples from great ones.
The Fleetwood Sixty Special was built on an exclusive longer wheelbase platform separate from the standard Cadillac line. Production was intentionally limited to maintain exclusivity.