We see an enormously diverse range of classics at Barn Finds. Having recently completed an article about a 1950 Crosley Hot Shot, I am now confronted by this 1977 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine. The pair represent either end of the scale, with the Hot Shot tiny and the Cadillac almost as big as my house. The seller states that it has a genuine 8,000 miles on its odometer, describing it as being in “museum condition.” They have listed the Caddy here on eBay in Houston, Texas. It seems that plenty of people subscribe to the “bigger is better” philosophy, with thirty-two bids pushing the price to $5,100. However, that figure falls below the reserve.
The history of this Cadillac is unclear, although it appears from my investigations that it hasn’t spent its entire life in Texas. It appears to have spent time in Canada before finding its way to its current location last year. That always raises the question of potential rust issues, although the seller’s willingness to host in-person inspections suggests they have nothing to hide. The first owner ordered the Limo in Hudson Bay Blue with a Black vinyl top. The image quality generally isn’t great, but there are no glaring issues or problems visible. The panels are straight, and the vinyl looks crisp. The exterior bright trim sparkles nicely against the dark paint shade, and the glass is clear. This Cadillac is far from subtle, but it is ideal for anyone who wishes to channel their inner Texas oil tycoon.
The Limousine tips the scales well north of 5,000 lbs, meaning it requires something fairly substantial under the hood to provide respectable performance. What buyers received for their money was a 425ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, and power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes. The power figure of 180hp sounds modest, although it is worth noting that with power and torque hitting their peak low in the engine’s rev range, performance was better than first impressions might suggest. This is where we face the biggest question hanging over this Fleetwood. The seller states it has a genuine 8,000 miles on its odometer without mentioning verifying evidence. It may exist, and it would be the first question I would ask before committing the funds to this purchase. They yard-drive this classic occasionally, but it is unclear whether it is genuinely roadworthy. Therefore, that is the second question to pose.
One criticism leveled at some classics is a lack of interior space. There are no such problems with this Cadillac because the rear passenger area is humungous. There is room for three to occupy the back seat, while a pair of jump seats boosts that number by two. The included images are slightly deceptive because while this one seems to reveal dirty carpet, the remaining shots show no apparent problems. The front seat photos are limited, but there are no signs of abuse or damage. The overall condition is consistent with the odometer reading, although I never consider that as iron-clad proof. It features all of the creature comforts you would expect from the marque, including climate-control air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power front seat, cruise control, a tilt wheel, headlamp delay, and an AM/FM radio/CB.
The listing statistics suggest that people like what they see with this 1977 Cadillac Fleetwood, with the interest translating into a healthy bid tally. Interestingly, a brief online search revealed a previous auction for this Caddy, confirming that it last changed hands in October last year for $14,000. The biggest question is whether it will exceed that figure this time or if someone might become its new owner for a lower price. Confirming the odometer reading will have a major influence on where the bidding heads in the coming days. What would you be prepared to pay for this gentle giant?
