NEW! Award 95: 1984 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham – Sold?

March 14, 2022, Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Cadillac’s customers were still young enough in the early 1980s to scoop up the GM Divisions’ traditional offerings and 1984, with just over 320K units sold, proved to be the biggest year of the 1980s for the brand.  While Eldorados accounted for one-quarter of that total, the traditional rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame 1984 Fleetwood Brougham such as this white over Carmine Red leather example originally listed in February 2022 on Craigslist remained a very popular choice.  The seller indicates that in addition to having only 56K original miles, the car benefits from recent service.

Currently offered for $19,995, a check of the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller has their Fleetwood priced nearly double this guide’s current #1 “Excellent” appraisal of only $10,800.   Similarly, the Collector Car Market Review for a similar 1983 model reveals the seller’s ask is well above this guide’s #1 “Excellent” appraisal of only $11,125.  While we agree this 1984 Fleetwood Brougham is a well-preserved survivor, the under-powered HT4100 motor is this car’s Achilles heel and is what will keep the values of these cars low versus virtually identical models produced either before a several years after with better engines.  Consequently, we’re awarding the seller our latest “NEW!” (short for “No Effin Way!”) Award for listing an asking price nearly double what the car is truly worth.

For 1977, GM significantly downsized its full-sized cars. Both The DeVille and Fleetwood Brougham rode on the same 121.5-inch wheelbase and were powered by the 425 cubic inch V8. This engine was basically a de-bored version of the 472/500 cubic inch V8 of previous years. Compared with the 1976 Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham, the 1977 Fleetwood Brougham had a wheelbase nearly one foot shorter and weighed nearly 900 pounds less. The new Fleetwood Brougham, which had lost its exclusive longer wheelbase, was now virtually identical to the lesser Sedan DeVille. Other than the name, there were only subtle exterior differences between a Fleetwood Brougham and Sedan DeVille. The interior of the Fleetwood was plusher and offered more features as standard.

In 1980, GM gave all of the full-sized B and C-body line new sheet metal to tidy up the styling and improve aerodynamics.  The 425 cubic inch V8 was further de-bored for 1980-81 to 368 cubic inches in order to comply with newly-enacted CAFE standards. 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 two or four of the eight cylinders, thus running effectively as a V6 or V4 under light load conditions when in third gear, and over 35 miles per hour. This engine, dubbed “V8-6-4”, proved to be unrefined for smooth operation and it was dropped from all models but limousines after 1981. For 1984, Cadillac fitted their new aluminum HT4100, 4.1L V8 into their entire lineup.  Rated at only 135 horsepower, power by this time could barely be described as adequate.

While this Manufacturer’s video is from 1981, it still provides perspective on how little Cadillac changed the traditional Fleetwood Brougham during the 1980s:

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1984 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Sedan. White exterior over Carmine red interior. Car currently has a little over 56,000 original miles and Carries a clean carfax report. 4.1 liter v8 with rear-wheel drive. The car has the following options, cruise control, cycle wipers, defogger, power locks, illuminated entry, power seats, tilt steering wheel, AM/FM Radio with a scanner.

The car has been recently serviced, has windows tinted, and is very clean, must-see. Call or text.”

Do you have a Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham story to share?  If so, comment below and let us know!