1981 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Sedan 4-Door 5.7L

1981 Cadillac Fleetwood Description

1981 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Sedan

Collector Owned

Meticulously cared for car

Only 60,300 original miles!

Here’s one you do not see very often…

A “blast from the past” 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood Sedan that remains the ultimate in motoring luxury, for a discriminating few…

This example has been very well cared for since new, having had careful and perfectionistic owners since new. It was originally purchased at Leon Mc Natt Motor Company in Denton, Texas as a brand new vehicle off of the dealer lot. The first owner is unknown by name, but traded the car on a new one in 1983. The Fleetwood was then purchased by Lou and Waiva Spezze of Lakewood, Colorado on August 17, 1983, and lovingly cared for and sparingly driven since then. Mr. Spezze is a collector, and the Cadillac was a beloved member of the Spezze household and reserved for only special occasions. It wasn’t ever “daily driven”, not driven in rain, never left out at night when driven, and it was always garaged, and covered. I had the pleasure of spending two days with the Spezze’s before I purchased the vehicle from them, and as Mr. Spezze and I hand washed the Cadillac together, I can testify, he loved the car. A condition of buying it from him was that I would:

• Garage the car

• Care for the car as a Cadillac should be cared for

• Keep in touch with him

So, since last summer, I have held up my end of the deal, but due to current requirements of my job and extensive and long term international travel, I’ve elected to sell some of my collection of cars to make things easier to handle when I am home. Hence, the reason this beauty is now offered for sale, only the 3rd time in its’ 35-year history.

The car is currently located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The low mileage is documented, and a hand written maintenance log along with current maintenance receipts will be provided to the new owner, and certainly available also to any interested (and serious) buyer.

The car is a luxurious Fleetwood Sedan, equipped with the coveted cloth interior, which is definitely nicer than the leather interiors of the day, and also with the diesel engine. The diesel is the 5.7 L Olds 8-cylinder fuel injected engine, and the “DX” block, or the version that was the latest and much improved version over the earlier ones that carried a bad reputation. This example has “never failed”. Mr. Spezze said to me that of all of his cars, this one was the only one that never failed him. Indeed, it has been very reliable, and continues to be today.

Still too, an added plus with the diesel is that these cars were equipped with more insulation to exterior noise than the standard Fleetwood of the day, and driving in it you can feel the peace and quiet. I have a standard Fleetwood (also for sale) and when compared to this one, it is “library quiet” inside!

The car is very well equipped, and all original documentation including window sticker and maintenance records will go to the new owner. The car is equipped with Dark Blue Heather Knit with Raphael inserted seat interior, coordinating carpeting and headliner, door panels, along with the optional wire wheel covers and 5.7 L Diesel engine. Additionally, it’s got the original carpeted floor mats, along with OEM new ones front and back to save the old original ones, and brand new Vogue whitewall tires to “jazz things up”.

Nearly everything works on the car, with the exception of the power antenna and A/C. The antenna doesn’t raise or lower automatically, but can be raised and/or lowered manually. The A/C was rarely if ever used in Denver, Colorado due to the temperate climate there, and according to Mr. Spezze, likely just needs to be charged. It is an R-12 system.

The car shows beautifully, and cleaned up nicely, but as with any 35-year old car, there are minor nicks, chips, and scratches in the paint finish, but in our view, add to its’ originality. We have done our best to depict these in the photos provided.

Service has always been done to the car as necessary. It has recently had all fluids changed, along with new belts, hoses, filters, Vogue tires with 4-wheel alignment, valve cover gaskets, front crankshaft oil seal, intake manifold gaskets, front shocks, new wheel bearings, brake cleaning and adjustment, to mention a few. Additionally, service over the recent years by Mr. Spezze includes:

• Rebuilt transmission and replaced torque converter 48,000 miles (8/28/92)

• 2 new batteries 59,800 miles (4/17/14)

The fuel injection pump was also replaced by Cadillac at 42,480 miles (10/28/88). While doing the intake, our esteemed mechanic at Cadillac, Joe Alion, examined the pump and recommended nothing at this time. It is operating to factory specs and the car operates as a diesel should with no issues.

Summary of service by current owner includes:

Cadillac of South Charlotte (local Cadillac dealer) on 11/7/15 59,888 miles:

• New Vogue Tires

• Fluids – Oil, Transmission, Power Steering, Brake, Coolant, Differential

• Belts and Hoses (all)

• New starter

• New Fuel Filters

• New Air Filter

• 4-wheel alignment

• Valve Cover Gaskets and Oil Breather Filters on Covers

• Front Crankshaft Oil Seal

• Intake Manifold Gaskets

• Water Pump / Expansion Plug

• Front Shocks

• Clean / Repack Front Wheel Bearings / Grease Seals

• Clean / Adjust Rear Brakes

• Hand Wash/Polish/Wax/Interior Cleaning/Detail by owner

Currently the car has 60,300 miles (approximately), and hasn’t missed a beat. It is a very happy car with all of the attention it’s received over its life, and we would drive anywhere.

Given the above, the car starts and drives easily, and the ride is very comfortable and ultra-luxurious. It turns heads when it is out, and the color combination is striking!

Don’t let this one pass you by! Inspections and/or questions are welcomed. Please reach me at 214-546-9588. Thank you for your interest!